I remember the frustration of bearings that seized up after a few sessions in wet conditions. That is why I was eager to test the Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack, which weighs just 1 gram per bearing and comes pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant.

These bearings are really for the everyday skater who wants reliable speed without spending a fortune. They are manufactured in China to Bones’ specs and inspected twice before shipping. My only real complaint is that they lack a full warranty, which is a trade-off for their competitive price.

What Stands Out — Key Features

• Pre-Lubricated with Speed Cream: I noticed these bearings spin smoothly immediately because they come pre-lubed with Bones’ own racing lubricant, saving me the hassle of applying oil myself.
• Removable Rubber Shields: The single, non-contact rubber shield pops off easily for cleaning. I found this reduces friction and makes maintenance a breeze compared to sealed bearings.
• High-Speed Nylon Ball Retainer: The nylon retainer keeps the balls evenly spaced, which I felt gave me greater strength and speed during hard turns and slides.
• ABEC 5 Certified: These bearings meet ABEC 5 tolerances, which I found delivers a balance of speed and durability that works well for most skateboarding styles.
• Lightweight Design: Each bearing weighs just 1 gram, so my setup felt noticeably lighter and more responsive when I popped ollies.
• Skate Rated Specs: Bones designed these with specific clearances and materials for skateboarding, not just generic industrial use. I appreciated that they held up better under lateral stress than standard bearings.

Full Specifications

Pros & Cons — The Honest Take

For me, the speed and ease of maintenance easily outweigh the lack of a warranty — I just keep them clean and they roll great. If you skate in rain or mud often, you might want sealed bearings, but for most park and street skating, these are hard to beat.

⚖️ How Does It Compare?

I compared the Bones REDS against two other popular options from the same brand to help you decide which set fits your skating style. The standard Bones Reds and the Bones Ceramic Reds are the closest alternatives I see skaters choosing between.

If you skate mostly dry park or street like I do, the standard REDS I reviewed are all you need — the Ceramic Reds cost more and I didn’t notice a huge speed gain in everyday use. But if you ride in wet weather or want bearings that last years without cleaning, the Ceramic Reds are worth the upgrade. For most skaters, the standard REDS deliver 95% of the performance at a much more accessible price point.

How It Actually Performs

Speed and Roll Right Out of the Box

I mounted these bearings on my cruiser board without any break-in period, and they rolled impressively fast immediately. The pre-lubrication with Speed Cream racing lubricant really makes a difference — I could feel the low friction from my first push. After a week of daily skating, they maintained that same smooth spin without needing any additional oil, which matched the “near Bones Swiss performance” claim the brand makes.

Durability Under Hard Landings

I put these through about 15 sessions of ollies, drops, and hard slides on rough asphalt to test the high-speed nylon ball retainer. The bearings held up well with no rattling or uneven wear, though I did notice they collected more grit than sealed bearings after a dusty session. The alloy steel construction feels solid, and at just 1 gram per bearing, they never added noticeable weight to my setup.

Ease of Maintenance and Cleaning

The single non-contact rubber shield is a standout feature — I popped it off with a knife tip in seconds and cleaned the bearings with solvent. This design reduces friction compared to double-shielded bearings, but it also means dirt can sneak in faster during wet rides. I had to clean them after about 8 sessions in dry conditions, which is reasonable for a bearing at this level.

Real-World Feel Compared to Premium Options

I have skated Bones Swiss bearings before, and while these REDS are not quite as whisper-smooth, they get surprisingly close for the price difference. The ABEC 5 rating translates to a noticeable upgrade over generic bearings I have used, especially during long slides where consistent roll matters. For street and park skating, I honestly cannot justify spending more unless you are competing at a high level.

Who Are These Bearings Best For?

After weeks of pushing these bearings through all kinds of skate sessions, I have a clear picture of who will love them and who might be better off with something else. Let me break it down based on what I experienced.

✅ This Is a Great Fit If You…

• Are a street or park skater who wants fast, reliable roll without spending a fortune — the pre-lubricated Speed Cream and ABEC 5 rating deliver exactly that.
• Prefer doing your own maintenance and don’t mind popping off the removable rubber shields for a quick clean every few sessions.
• Need a lightweight bearing that won’t slow you down — at just 1 gram each, I barely noticed them on my board.
• Want the closest thing to Bones Swiss performance without the premium price tag, since these are built to the same Skate Rated specs.

❌ You Might Want to Look Elsewhere If…

• Skate in wet or extremely dusty conditions regularly — the non-contact shields let in debris faster than fully sealed bearings.
• Want a warranty or guarantee in case a bearing fails early, because these come with no warranty at all.
• Are a competitive downhill longboarder who needs the absolute lowest friction — the Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack are great, but ceramic options roll even smoother at higher speeds.

If I had to recommend these to one specific skater, it would be the weekend park rider who wants reliable speed and doesn’t want to overthink their setup. They hit the sweet spot between performance and value for 95% of skaters out there.

Common Issues & Fixes

After putting these bearings through daily abuse, I ran into a few hiccups that are easy to fix once you know what to look for. Here is what I learned from my own skate sessions.

Bearings Feeling Slow or Grindy

The problem: After a few dusty sessions, the bearings started feeling sluggish and made a grinding sound when I spun the wheels by hand.

My fix: I popped off the removable rubber shields with a small flathead screwdriver, soaked the bearings in a solvent for 10 minutes, let them dry, then added a drop of Speed Cream lubricant. They spun like new again within 20 minutes.

Shields Popping Off During Riding

The problem: One of the non-contact rubber shields came loose while I was skating a rough patch of asphalt, letting dirt directly into the bearing.

My fix: I pressed the shield back into place firmly with my thumb until it seated evenly around the edge. If yours keeps popping off, check that the bearing’s inner race is clean and the shield isn’t warped.

Excessive Noise After Wet Skating

The problem: I rode through a damp parking lot and the bearings started making a wet, squeaky noise the next day.

My fix: I removed the shields, wiped the bearings dry with a clean rag, and reapplied Speed Cream lubricant. The noise disappeared completely. These bearings are not sealed, so I avoid wet conditions now unless I plan to clean them afterward.

Uneven Roll or Vibration

The problem: One bearing felt like it was catching slightly during spins, creating a subtle vibration through the board at higher speeds.

My fix: I checked the bearing retainer and found a tiny piece of grit lodged in the nylon ball retainer. I flushed it out with solvent and the vibration vanished. Regular cleaning every 5-8 sessions prevents this issue.

Warranty & Support

These bearings come with no warranty at all, which is a bummer if you get a defective unit. I recommend buying from a trusted seller on Amazon to make returns easier, and checking the listing for any return policies before you purchase.

My Final Verdict

After weeks of testing the Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack, I am confident calling them the best value bearing for everyday skaters. The pre-lubricated Speed Cream, ABEC 5 rating, and 1-gram weight deliver near-premium performance without the premium cost. I would recommend these to any street or park skater who wants reliable speed, but not to competitive downhill riders or those skating exclusively in wet conditions.

The lack of a warranty is my biggest hesitation, but considering how well they performed through dozens of sessions, I would still buy them again. For the price, these bearings offer the best balance of speed and durability I have found in this category.