Skateboard Bearings

Bearings for Skateboards - Why They Matter More Than You Think

Skateboard bearings sit inside your wheels and let them spin freely on the axle. Two bearings per wheel, eight per setup. They're small, but they control your speed, your roll distance, and how your board feels under your feet.

Cheap bearings slow you down. They collect dirt faster, lose their spin quicker, and need replacing way too often. A quality set of skate bearings from Bones or Bronson can last years with basic maintenance. That's a solid investment for any skateboarder.

The performance difference between a budget set and a quality set is massive. You'll push less, roll further, and your board will feel alive instead of fighting you every metre.

How to Choose the Right Skateboard Bearings

ABEC Ratings - What Do They Actually Mean?

You'll see ABEC 5, ABEC 7, and ABEC 9 ratings thrown around everywhere. ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Committee and it measures manufacturing precision. Higher numbers mean tighter tolerances.

Here's the thing skaters need to know - ABEC ratings were designed for industrial machinery, not skateboarding. A higher ABEC rating doesn't automatically mean a faster bearing for skating. Bones doesn't even use ABEC ratings on their bearings because they reckon it's not the best measure of skate performance.

That said, ABEC 5 bearings are a solid starting point. ABEC 7 sets offer smoother performance for riders who want that extra speed. And if you're after top-shelf precision, Swiss and ceramic skateboard bearings take things to another level.

Skateboard Bearing Materials - Steel vs Ceramic

Most skateboard bearings use chrome steel balls and races. It's the standard for a reason - affordable, durable, and performs well across all conditions.

Ceramic skateboard bearings use silicon nitride balls instead of steel. They're lighter, harder, generate less friction, and resist heat better. The trade-off? They cost more than steel.

Are ceramics worth the upgrade? For casual skating, probably not. For riders who skate daily and want the fastest, smoothest roll possible, ceramic bearings are a serious upgrade. Brands like Bones Swiss Ceramics and Bronson offer some of the best ceramic options available.

Skateboard Bearings Size - Are They All the Same?

Yes. Standard skateboard bearings are 608 size (8mm bore, 22mm outer diameter, 7mm width). This fits all standard skateboard wheels, longboard wheels, and most cruiser setups. You don't need to stress about compatibility - if it says "skateboard bearing," it'll fit your wheels.

The only thing that varies between bearings is the number of balls inside (usually 6 or 7), the shield type, the materials, and the lubricant used. These are what affect speed and durability, not the physical size.

Top Skateboard Bearing Brands We Stock

Bones Bearings

Bones is the biggest name in skate bearings for good reason. Their Reds line is the go-to recommendation for any skater. Affordable, fast, and reliable. Step up to Super Reds for better steel and a smoother ride. The Swiss and Swiss Ceramics lines are premium options built for riders who want the absolute best performance.

Bones bearings use a single rubber shield design that's easy to pop off for cleaning. Their Speed Cream lubricant keeps things rolling smooth session after session.

Bronson Bearings

Bronson came in and shook up the bearing game. Their G2 and G3 lines use a deep groove design and high-speed lubricant that delivers fast spin straight out of the packet. Skateboarders like them because they break in quick and maintain their speed.

The Bronson Raw bearings are stripped back with no shields for maximum speed. Bold move, and it works if you're willing to clean them more often.

DSCO Bearings

DSCO is an Australian brand making quality bearings that punch above their weight. They're a popular choice for riders who want solid performance without breaking the bank. Their ABEC rated sets offer great value and their ceramic options are seriously impressive for the money.

Blurs, PIG, and More

We stock bearings from heaps of trusted brands including Blurs Bearings, PIG, Independent, Modus, Type-S, Ace, Trinity and Enjoi. Whatever your budget, there's a set that fits.

Skateboard Bearing Maintenance - Keep Them Spinning

Looking after your bearings extends their life and keeps them fast. Here's the basics:

• Clean regularly - Pop the shields off, soak in bearing cleaner or isopropyl alcohol, dry completely, then re-lube with speed cream or bearing lubricant
• Keep them dry - Water is the enemy of bearings. If you ride through puddles, dry your bearings as soon as you can to prevent rust
• Store your board properly - Leaving your setup in a damp garage will wreck your bearings faster than riding them hard
• Don't over-tighten your axle nuts - Your wheels should spin freely with a tiny bit of side-to-side play. Cranking the nut down kills your bearing performance
• Use spacers - Bearing spacers sit between the two bearings inside each wheel. They keep everything aligned and let you tighten your axle nut without squashing your bearings

A well-maintained set of quality skateboard bearings can last a year or more of regular skating. Cheap bearings that aren't maintained? You'll be replacing them every few months.

More Skate Gear and Fresh Drops

Round out your setup with fresh skateboard wheels, trucks, and decks. If you're building from scratch, check our complete skateboards range. Need hardware to hold it all together? We've got that covered too. Peep the longboard and cruiser range if you're after something different.

FAQs About Skateboard Bearings

How do I know what bearings to get for my skateboard?

All standard skateboard bearings are the same 608 size, so any skate bearing will physically fit your wheels. The choice comes down to budget and how often you skate. For beginners, a set of Bones Reds or DSCO bearings is perfect - reliable, fast, and affordable. If you're skating daily, investing in Bronson G3s or Bones Swiss gives you better speed, durability, and a smoother ride. Check the product page for each set to compare features.

What is better, ABEC 7 or 9?

ABEC 9 bearings are manufactured to tighter tolerances than ABEC 7, but for skateboarding the difference is minimal. ABEC 7 bearings offer excellent performance for most skaters. The brand, materials, and lubrication matter more than the ABEC rating. Bones doesn't even rate their bearings on the ABEC scale because they believe it's not relevant to skate performance.

Are skateboard bearings all the same size?

Yes. Standard skateboard bearings are 608 size - 8mm inner diameter, 22mm outer diameter, 7mm wide. This is universal across skateboard, longboard, and cruiser wheels. You don't need to worry about sizing when buying bearings for skateboards - they'll fit.

What are good skateboard bearings?

Bones Reds are the industry standard for a reason - fast, durable, and great value. Bronson G2 and G3 bearings are excellent if you want something that spins fast right out of the box. For Australian-made quality, DSCO bearings are hard to beat. If you want the absolute best, Bones Swiss or Bones Swiss Ceramics are the top skateboard bearings you can buy.

Do skateboard bearings need spacers?

Spacers aren't strictly necessary, but they're highly recommended. Bearing spacers sit between the two bearings inside each wheel and keep them aligned under load. This means you can tighten your axle nuts properly without crushing the bearings, which improves performance and extends their lifespan. Most quality bearing sets come with spacers included.

Can you clean skateboard bearings with rubbing alcohol?

Yes, isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) works well for cleaning skateboard bearings. Remove the shields, soak the bearings in alcohol for a few minutes, spin them to flush out dirt, then dry them completely. Always re-lube with bearing-specific lubricant or speed cream after cleaning. Never use WD-40 - it's a solvent, not a lubricant, and will dry out your bearings.

Are skateboard bearings waterproof?

No. Standard skateboard bearings are not waterproof. Water causes rust on steel components and washes out lubricant. If your bearings get wet, dry them as soon as possible and re-lubricate. Some ceramic bearings resist water damage better than steel, but no skate bearing is truly waterproof. Avoid riding through puddles if you want your bearings to last.