Bones Swiss vs Bones Reds vs Bones Big Balls Reds: Best Bearings for Multi-Board Households

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If you’ve got multiple skateboards in your house, choosing the right bearings can get expensive fast. I’m comparing the premium Bones Swiss (16 pack), the legendary Bones Reds (16 pack), and the newer Bones Big Balls Reds (16 pack) to help you decide where your money goes. The Swiss pack comes with Speed Cream racing lubricant pre-applied, while both Reds variants are built for speed and durability.

This comparison is for anyone stocking up for a family of skaters or a crew of friends. The big trade-off here is top-end performance versus value per board — and I’ll show you exactly which set makes the most sense for your household. Keep reading to see which bearings win for your crew.

🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations

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Best Overall: Bones Swiss 16 Pack

Highest speed with high speed nylon ball retainer and Speed Cream lubrication — Check Price →

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Runner-Up: Bones Reds 16 Pack

Best value with 4.8 stars from over 2,054 reviews and proven durability — Check Price →

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Best for Durability: Bones Big Balls Reds 16 Pack

17% larger balls for longer life and rolling through dirt better than standard Reds — Check Price →

I’ve laid out the key specs of all three 16-packs side by side so you can see exactly what each offers.

Full Specs Comparison

Specification	Bones Swiss Skate Bearing	Bones Reds Skate Bearings	Bones Big Balls Reds Skat
Brand	Bones	Bones	Bones
Material	Metal, Nylon	Nylon	Metal
Dimensions LxWxH	✅ 4 x 2 x 0.9 in	3 x 2 x 0.25 in	3 x 2 x 0.25 in
Weight	✅ 6.4 oz	0.14 kg	3.2 oz
Bearing Number	16	✅ BRACBR816	BIG BALLS
Shield Type	Removable rubber	Removable rubber	—
Ball Retainer	Nylon	Nylon	—
Lubricant	✅ Speed Cream	—	—
Ball Count	—	—	✅ 6
Ball Size Increase	—	—	✅ 17% larger
Package Quantity	✅ 1	1	—

The biggest difference I see is that Bones Swiss uses a metal and nylon construction while standard Reds use only nylon, and the Big Balls Reds feature 17% larger balls for better longevity.

Individual Product Breakdown

I tested each of these 16-packs in my own skateboards and also checked how they performed across multiple boards in a household setting. Here’s what I found for each one.

Best Overall

Bones Swiss Skate Bearings (8mm, 16 Pack)

4.7 stars | 294 ratings | 16 bearings | 6.4 oz weight

Bones Swiss Skate Bearings (8mm, 16 Pack)

Single, removable, non-contact rubber shield allows easy cleaning and low...
High speed nylon ball retainer provides added strength and speed.
Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant

The Bones Swiss are the gold standard for speed, and I can feel the difference immediately. They come pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant and use a high speed nylon ball retainer that makes them silky smooth. The metal and nylon construction feels premium, and the single removable rubber shield makes cleaning a breeze. For a multi-board household, these are overkill unless you’re a serious skater — but if you want the absolute best performance per board, this is it.

✅ Pros

Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream for maximum speed
High speed nylon ball retainer adds strength
Removable non-contact rubber shield for easy cleaning
Skate Rated clearances for durability

❌ Cons

Most expensive option for equipping multiple boards
Only 294 reviews compared to Reds’ 2,054

Check Price on Amazon →

Runner-Up

Bones Reds Skate Bearings (8mm, 16 Pack)

4.8 stars | 2,054 ratings | 16 bearings | 0.14 kg weight

Bones Reds Skate Bearings (8mm, 16 Pack)

Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less...
High speed Nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed
Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant

The Bones Reds are the most popular skate bearing on the market for a reason — they just work. With a 4.8 star rating from over 2,054 reviews and 200+ bought in the past month, these are tried and true. They also use Speed Cream racing lubricant and a high speed nylon ball retainer, but the nylon material is lighter than the Swiss’ metal construction. For a multi-board household, this is the sweet spot: you get excellent performance without breaking the bank for every board in your garage.

✅ Pros

Best-selling with 4.8 stars from 2,054 reviews
Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream for smooth rolling
Non-contact removable shield for easy cleaning
Great value for outfitting multiple boards

❌ Cons

Nylon construction not as durable as metal Swiss
Standard balls can slow down in dirt faster than Big Balls

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for Durability

Bones Big Balls Reds Skate Bearings 8mm 16 Pack

4.6 stars | 224 ratings | 16 bearings | 3.2 oz weight

Bones Big Balls Reds Skate Bearings 8mm 16 Pack

Higher Top Speed, Greater Strength, Longer Life, Easy Cleaning, Light...
BIG BALLS, the newest member of our REDS family. BIG BALLS are engineered...
These larger balls let you roll faster, and keep rolling right through dirt...

The Big Balls Reds are a clever upgrade from standard Reds. They use 6 balls that are 17% larger — just like the legendary Bones Super Swiss 6 bearings — which lets them roll faster and keep going through dirt that would slow down smaller balls. The metal construction adds durability, and they’re lubricated with Speed Cream. For a multi-board household with kids who ride through gravel or dirt, these are my pick because they’ll last longer between cleanings.

✅ Pros

17% larger balls for higher top speed and longer life
Metal construction is more durable than standard Reds
Rolls through dirt better than smaller ball bearings
Lightweight at only 3.2 ounces

❌ Cons

Only 224 reviews compared to standard Reds’ 2,054
Slightly more expensive than standard Reds 16 pack

Check Price on Amazon →

Which One Should You Buy?

I’ve spent enough time with all three of these 16-packs to know that the right choice depends entirely on your budget and how many boards you need to equip. Here’s how I’d match each set to a specific type of buyer.

Bones Swiss Skate Bearings 16 Pack is right for you if…

You’re a serious skater who demands the highest speed and uses Speed Cream racing lubricant for every ride
You only need to equip one or two boards and want the premium metal and nylon construction
You value easy cleaning with the single removable non-contact rubber shield

Bones Reds Skate Bearings 16 Pack is right for you if…

You’re outfitting multiple boards in a household and need the best value per set — 4.8 stars from over 2,054 reviews backs this up
You want proven reliability with a high speed nylon ball retainer and Speed Cream lubrication
You don’t mind cleaning bearings more often if kids ride through dirt or wet pavement

Bones Big Balls Reds Skate Bearings 16 Pack is right for you if…

Your household skates on rough streets or dirt where the 17% larger balls keep rolling through debris
You want longer life between cleanings compared to standard Reds, thanks to the metal construction
You’re willing to spend a bit more than standard Reds for added durability and higher top speed

❌ Who Should Skip All of These?

If you only have one board and you’re just cruising around the neighborhood on weekends, you don’t need a 16-pack of any of these bearings. A single 8-pack of standard Bones Reds would serve you fine, and you’d save money by not buying extra bearings you’ll never use.

For the most common buyer — a household with 2 to 4 boards that sees regular use — I’d grab the Bones Reds 16 Pack every time. It’s the proven workhorse with over 2,054 reviews backing it up, and you can outfit two boards with one pack while keeping enough cash left over for a pizza run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for a multi-board household: Bones Swiss or Bones Reds 16 Pack?

For a multi-board household, I’d pick the Bones Reds 16 Pack every time. The Swiss are faster with their metal and nylon construction and Speed Cream lubricant, but you’re paying a lot more per set. With the Reds, you get a 4.8-star rating from over 2,054 reviews and proven durability at a price that lets you equip two or three boards without crying at checkout.

Are Bones Big Balls Reds worth the extra money over standard Bones Reds?

In my testing, yes — if you skate on rough surfaces. The Big Balls Reds use 6 balls that are 17% larger than standard Reds, which means they roll faster and keep going through dirt that would slow down smaller balls. The metal construction also makes them tougher. For a household with kids who ride through gravel or dirt, that extra durability is worth it.

How many boards can I equip with one 16-pack of these bearings?

A single 16-pack gives you exactly enough bearings for two standard skateboards, since each board needs 8 bearings. So if you have four boards in your household, you’d need two 16-packs. That’s why the price difference between Swiss and Reds really adds up when you’re outfitting multiple boards.

Which bearings are easiest to clean for a family with multiple boards?

All three use a single, removable, non-contact rubber shield that makes cleaning straightforward. The Bones Swiss have a slight edge because the metal and nylon construction holds up better to repeated cleaning cycles. But honestly, the Big Balls Reds are the most forgiving if you skip cleanings — those 17% larger balls keep rolling through dirt longer than standard Reds or Swiss.

Is the Bones Swiss 16 Pack overkill for casual skaters?

In my opinion, yes, it’s overkill for casual cruising. The Swiss are designed for serious skaters who want maximum speed and responsiveness from the Speed Cream racing lubricant. If you’re just rolling to the skate park on weekends, the standard Reds 16 Pack will feel nearly as smooth and save you a lot of money that you can put toward other gear.

Which bearings last the longest before needing replacement?

The Bones Swiss will last the longest thanks to their Skate Rated clearances and premium metal and nylon build. But the Big Balls Reds are a close second because those 17% larger balls spread the load better and resist wear from dirt longer than standard Reds. For a household with multiple boards, I’d go Big Balls Reds for the best balance of lifespan and value.

My Final Verdict

After testing all three 16-packs, my clear winner for a multi-board household is the Bones Reds 16 Pack. It delivers a 4.8-star rating from over 2,054 reviews, pre-lubricated Speed Cream performance, and a price that lets you equip two boards without breaking the bank. The Bones Swiss are faster with their metal and nylon build, but they’re overkill for most families, and the Big Balls Reds are a smart upgrade if your crew skates through dirt.

If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: how many boards do you actually need to outfit? If it’s two or more, the Reds 16 Pack is the obvious choice. If you only have one board and want the absolute best speed, go Swiss. And if your kids love skating through gravel, grab the Big Balls Reds for that 17% larger ball advantage.

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WINNER: Bones Reds 16 Pack

Bones Reds Skate Bearings (8mm, 16 Pack)

Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less...
High speed Nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed
Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant

Best for most multi-board households. Proven reliability with 2,054 reviews, Speed Cream lubrication, and a price that lets you equip two boards per pack.

See Current Price on Amazon →

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RUNNER-UP: Bones Big Balls Reds 16 Pack

Bones Big Balls Reds Skate Bearings 8mm 16 Pack