10 Best Skateboard Bushings

Buying Guide

Understanding Durometer and Turn Response

Skateboard bushings are the small urethane cushions that sit inside your trucks and dictate how tightly or loosely your board turns. The single most important spec is the durometer, which measures hardness. Softer bushings in the mid-80A range create a looser, carvier feel, while harder bushings from 94A to 100A produce a tighter, more stable ride. For the best skateboard bushings match to your style, start by honestly assessing where you skate most. Street and technical skaters usually prefer harder formulas because the reduced flex prevents wheelbite during flip tricks and provides a quicker return to center. Transition and bowl riders often land somewhere in the middle, using 90A to 94A bushings to maintain enough lean for carves without sacrificing stability on roll-ins. If you are heavier or ride very loose trucks, stepping up a durometer grade or choosing a hardcore formula with an internal insert can add rebound without requiring you to crank down the kingpin nut.

Sizing, Shape, and Truck Compatibility

Most skateboard trucks use a standard-height barrel or cone shape, but the exact height and contact patch can vary slightly between brands. Independent and Thunder both produce OEM cushions sized specifically for their baseplates, and while many aftermarket options are marketed as universal, subtle differences in height change how much kingpin thread remains exposed. Before buying, look at whether the listing specifies a standard cylinder, short cone, or tall barrel. A bushing that is too tall will compress unevenly and split prematurely; one that is too short will let the hanger rattle. If you ride longboards as well as standard skate decks, note that longboard bushings are often taller and wider. The replacement packs in our rankings that specify compatibility for both skateboard and longboard trucks typically achieve this through slightly tapered edges or softer urethane that compresses to fit. When in doubt, match the brand of the bushing to the brand of your truck for the safest fit, or choose a reputable aftermarket line like Bones Hardcore that is explicitly designed around standard street-truck geometry.

Feature Tradeoffs: Hardcore vs. Standard Urethane

Standard solid urethane bushings are simple, inexpensive, and easy to replace. Hardcore-style bushings add a bonded plastic insert that changes how the urethane compresses. The insert limits sideways bulge, which means the bushing returns to center faster and resists blowouts under heavy landings. The tradeoff is a slightly different turn curve; some riders describe hardcore bushings as feeling more “on/off” compared to the progressive lean of solid urethane. If you like a very surfy, dive-into-turns feel, a standard cylinder-cone combo from Independent or Thunder may suit you better. If you want immediate response and less break-in time, a hardcore formula is usually worth the modest premium. In our ranked list, the Bones Hardcore variants represent the insert category, while the Independent and Thunder OEM options represent traditional solid urethane.

Installation and Setup Considerations

Installing bushings is straightforward, but a few setup details affect performance more than people expect. First, always replace bushings in pairs per truck, and ideally replace both trucks at the same time so the turn is symmetrical. When swapping, clean the bushing seat in the hanger and the baseplate cup; grit trapped underneath creates uneven wear. Tighten the kingpin nut gradually, checking the washer alignment as you go. A crooked cup washer will pinch one side of the bushing and cause it to split within days. After installation, stand on the board and rock side to side before skating. If the deck feels lopsided, one bushing may be seated incorrectly. Break-in usually takes a few hours of riding, during which the urethane compresses to its final working height. Avoid over-tightening fresh bushings to compensate for softness; instead, let them settle and adjust the nut a quarter-turn at a time.

Maintenance and Reliability Signals

Urethane hardens and develops micro-cracks over time, especially if a board sits unused in a hot garage or cold trunk. A reliable signal that bushings need replacement is a sluggish return to center, or a squeaking sound that persists after lubricating the pivot cup. Visible cracking, chunking, or a permanent deformation where the kingpin nut sits are clear signs the material has fatigued. If you rotate between multiple setups, mark the installation date on the baseplate with a paint pen so you can track age. Harder bushings generally last longer than soft ones because they compress less per turn, but aggressive skating will wear any durometer faster. Washing your trucks occasionally and keeping the bushing seats free of moisture extends lifespan noticeably.

How to Compare Reviews

When reading rider reviews for skateboard bushings, filter for comments that mention weight, truck brand, and riding style. A 92A bushing will feel very different to a lightweight skater on loose Indys than to a heavier rider on tight Thunders. Look for patterns around longevity rather than isolated complaints; a single split bushing could be user error during install, but repeated mentions of blowouts suggest a sizing mismatch or material issue. Pay attention to whether reviewers mention a break-in period. Some premium formulas feel stiff for the first few sessions before settling into their advertised durometer feel. Recent reviews are especially valuable because urethane formulas can change slightly between production runs, and high-velocity sales often indicate that a current batch is performing well.

Final Recommendation: How to Choose

If you want the safest all-around choice that works for most street and park setups, the top-ranked Bones Hardcore option offers a proven insert design and the widest base of rider validation. Riders who know they prefer a very firm, immediate response should look at the highest-rated hard sets or the Thunder 100A extra-hard option. For those restoring factory geometry on Independent trucks, the genuine OEM 92A or 94A replacements provide a plug-and-play fit without guessing sizing. Budget-conscious skaters who need to refresh both trucks and want a clear hardness label will be well served by the color-coded four-pack options. Finally, if your pivot cups are also worn, the rebuild kit that includes bushings, washers, and pivot cups saves time and ensures matched hardware. Match the durometer to your weight and discipline, verify the shape fits your truck seat, and prioritize consistent rider feedback over single-feature hype.