OJ Wheels, Ricta, and Slime Balls all come from NHS, the company behind Santa Cruz Skateboards. Between them, they cover just about every wheel you could want: soft cruisers, all-terrain wheels for rough spots, hard street and park wheels, and a few that light up.
This guide breaks down each brand's lines, how to pick a hardness, and our quick picks.
Hardness 101
Softer wheels (78A to 87A) roll smoothly and quietly over cracks and rough ground, which makes them great for cruising and filming. Mid-hardness wheels (90A to 97A) handle rough spots but still slide. Hard wheels (99A and up) are the fastest on smooth street and park terrain.
Ricta Clouds
Ricta calls Clouds the most diverse cruiser wheel family in skateboarding. They make rough surfaces feel smooth without being heavy or bulky, and they come in three hardnesses:
| Clouds | Feel | Best For | Core Lineup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78A | The softest: smooth-rolling and fast | Cruising, filming, and crusty spots | 52mm, 54mm, 56mm, 60mm (White/Blue) |
| 86A | A bit harder, still handles like a street/park wheel and slides well | Ditches and rough street spots | 53mm, 55mm, 57mm (White/Red) |
| 92A | A happy medium for rough spots without giving up performance | Everyday skating with a smoother ride | 52mm, 54mm, 56mm (White/Black) |
Ricta also releases seasonal Clouds colorways and Cloud Cores, which use a larger core for more stability in a soft wheel.
OJ Wheels
OJ has been making wheels since 1977 and today makes urethane for every kind of terrain.
| Line | What It Is | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Super Juice 78A | OJ's ultra-buttery soft urethane on a reinforced core with a chip-resistant shape (60mm, Mini Super Juice 55mm) | Cruising and rough streets |
| Hot Juice and Thunder Juice 78A | The classic OJ cruiser wheel (Hot Juice 60mm) and its XL cruiser/longboard version (Thunder Juice 75mm) | Fast transportation with minimal pushing |
| Keyframe 87A | A wider riding surface and classic conical cut on OJ's soft 87A urethane (Plain Jane 52mm, Keyframe 2 54mm) | Filmer boards, cruisers, and rough spots on a regular setup |
| Double Duro 99A/95A | A 99A outer wrapped around a 95A inner for hard-wheel slides with built-in suspension | Rough street spots |
| Elite | OJ's fastest urethane, in Mini Combo, Full Combo, Hardline, and Chubbies shapes | Street and park |
Slime Balls
Slime Balls brings Speed Wheels-era shapes and Santa Cruz reissue artwork to modern urethane. Highlights include Chubbies, Full Combos, and Vomit shapes in 95A to 99A, the soft 78A OG Slime cruiser, Wormholes that are 7% lighter than wheels the same size, and Light Ups, which have LED lights powered by rolling, with Bronson G2 bearings included.
Choosing by Riding Style
| Style | Look For | Good Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Cruising and commuting | Soft 78A | Ricta Clouds 78A, OJ Super Juice |
| Filming | Soft 78A to 87A | OJ Keyframe 87A, Ricta Clouds 78A |
| Rough street spots | 86A to 92A, or Double Duro | Ricta Clouds 86A, Ricta Clouds 92A, OJ Double Duro |
| Street and park | Hard 97A to 101A | OJ Elite, Slime Balls Chubbies and Full Combos |
| Longboard and big cruisers | Big and soft | OJ Thunder Juice 75mm |
Quick Picks
| Pick | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ricta Clouds 78A 54mm | Best soft wheel | Smooth and fast without being bulky |
| Ricta Clouds 92A 54mm | Everyday skating | A happy medium for rough spots |
| OJ Super Juice 60mm 78A | Cruising | Ultra-buttery urethane on a reinforced core |
| OJ Mini Super Juice 55mm | Smaller cruiser | A slimmed-down Super Juice |
| OJ Plain Jane Keyframe V2 87A | Filmer boards | Soft 87A with a wider riding surface |
| Slime Balls Light Ups | Night rides | LED lights powered by rolling, bearings included |
Don't Forget Bearings
Most wheels don't include bearings. Bronson makes three tiers: G2 (good), G3 (better), and Raw (best). Slime Balls Light Ups come with Bronson G2 bearings already; keep them fast with the Bronson Cleaning Unit.
FAQ
Who makes OJ, Ricta, and Slime Balls wheels?
All three are NHS brands, from the company behind Santa Cruz Skateboards.
What's the difference between Ricta Clouds 78A, 86A, and 92A?
78A is the softest for cruising and filming, 86A is a bit firmer and still slides like a street wheel, and 92A is a happy medium for rough spots without giving up performance.
Super Juice or Hot Juice?
Super Juice is the evolution of the classic Hot Juice, with a reinforced core and a redesigned, chip-resistant shape. Both are soft 78A cruiser wheels.
Can I power slide soft wheels?
Some, like Ricta Clouds 86A, slide well. OJ Hot Juice and Thunder Juice are soft and grippy, so OJ says they aren't meant for power slides.
Do Slime Balls Light Ups need batteries?
No. The lights are powered by rolling. They need the special spacers they come with, and your axle nuts may need to be tightened fully.
Keep Building Your Setup
- Skateboard Wheels Guide
- Spitfire Wheels Guide
- Bones, Powell Peralta, and Mini Logo Wheels Guide
- How to Choose Skateboard Bearings
- How to Choose Skateboard Risers
Ready to roll? Shop all OJ, Ricta, and Slime Balls wheels.