Skateboard wheels used to be made out of actual clay or steel, turning a simple ride down the sidewalk into an extreme, bone-shattering sport.

Why urethane changed the ride

Early skateboard wheels were made from hard materials such as clay and steel. On smooth ground they could roll, but they had little ability to grip or cushion the surface. A rough patch could jolt the board, while a turn could make the wheels slide rather than hold their line.

Urethane—a durable, rubber-like plastic—behaves differently. Its surface deforms slightly where it meets the pavement, creating more contact and helping the wheel keep traction. The material also flexes as it rolls over small bumps, softening the vibrations transmitted through the board to the rider’s feet.

Grip opened up new ways to skate

That extra traction did more than make rough pavement less punishing. Riders could lean into turns and carve curves without the wheels immediately slipping sideways. The board became easier to control, and skating could move beyond smooth sidewalks into bowls, banks, and other uneven surfaces.

Urethane wheels still involve a tradeoff: softer wheels generally absorb roughness and grip well, while harder wheels tend to roll more freely on smooth ground. But the key change was that a skateboard wheel no longer had to act like a tiny, rigid roller. It could yield to the pavement just enough to stay in contact—and that made a sidewalk crack an obstacle to roll over, not a reason to lose control.