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If you’re a complete beginner building your first skateboard, you’re staring at three almost identical products: the standard Bones REDS 8 Pack, the Bones REDS with spacers and washers, and the Bones REDS 8-Pack that includes a skate tool. All three use the same legendary bearings that have earned a 4.8 out of 5 stars from thousands of skaters, but they come with different extras that matter when you have zero tools at home.
I’m breaking down which bundle actually saves you a trip to the hardware store and which one is just extra plastic in the box. By the end, you’ll know exactly which pack to throw in your cart.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Bones Reds w/ Spacers
Includes 4 spacers and 8 washers for proper installation, ensuring your bearings last longer and roll faster — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Bones Reds w/ Tool
Comes with a hardened steel tool featuring 9/16″, 1/2″, and 3/8″ sockets plus a Phillips driver — perfect if you own zero skate tools — Check Price →
Best Budget: Bones Reds Standard
Just the bearings at the lowest price point — but you’ll need to buy spacers, washers, and a tool separately — Check Price →
I put the specs of all three Bones Reds bundles side by side so you can see exactly what you’re getting — and what you’re missing — at a glance.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Bones REDS Skateboard Bea | Bones Reds Bearings 8 pk | Bones Reds Bearings 8-Pac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Bones | Bones | Bones |
| Material | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel, Nylon | Alloy Steel |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.61×4.37×1.38 in | ✅ 5x2x1 in | — |
| Item Weight | 1 g | ✅ 2.88 oz | 0.22 kg |
| Bearing Number | 8 | 8 | ✅ 608 |
| Color | ✅ Black | — | — |
| Item Thickness | — | — | ✅ 8 mm |
| Bearing Size | — | — | ✅ 608 |
| Outer Diameter | — | — | ✅ 22 mm |
| Width | — | — | ✅ 7 mm |
| Inner Diameter | — | — | ✅ 8 mm |
The biggest difference is that only the spacers bundle includes 4 spacers and 8 washers, while the tool bundle gives you a multi-socket tool but no spacers at all.
Individual Product Breakdown
I took each of these Bones Reds bundles for a spin — literally — checking what you actually get in the box and whether the extras are worth the jump in price for a beginner who might not own a single tool or spacer.
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack
8 bearings | Alloy Steel | ABEC 5 | 4.8 stars (9,375 ratings)
- Bones REDS are manufactured in China to our Bones Skate Rated...
- Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less...
- Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant
These are the standard Bones REDS that have become the best-selling skate bearing for a reason. They come pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant and have a non-contact removable rubber shield that makes cleaning easy. At 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 9,300 reviews, the quality is proven, but you get zero extras — no spacers, no washers, and no tool. If you already own a skate tool and understand bearing installation, this is the cheapest way to get the bearings themselves, but as a complete beginner you’ll need to buy the missing parts separately.
✅ Pros
- Lowest price of all three bundles
- Amazon’s Choice with 400+ bought in past month
- Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream for smooth rolling
- High speed Nylon ball retainer for strength
❌ Cons
- No spacers or washers included for proper installation
- No skate tool included — you’ll need to buy one
- Not ideal for beginners who don’t own any tools
Bones Reds Bearings 8 pk w/Spacers & Washers Bundle
8 bearings | 4 spacers + 8 washers | Alloy Steel & Nylon | 4.8 stars (7,295 ratings)
- 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
This is the bundle I recommend to every beginner who asks me what to buy. You get the same 8 Bones REDS bearings with the same Speed Cream lubricant and removable rubber shields, plus 4 spacers and 8 washers that ensure your wheels spin freely without the bearings getting crushed when you tighten the axle nut. With over 1,000 bought in the past month and a 4.8 rating from 7,295 reviews, it’s the #1 bestseller in skateboard bearings on Amazon. The only downside is that you still don’t get a skate tool, but spacers and washers are the parts beginners forget most often.
✅ Pros
- Includes 4 spacers and 8 washers for correct installation
- #1 bestseller in Skateboard Bearings on Amazon
- Pre-lubricated with skate-rated lubricant
- Non-contact removable rubber shield for easy cleaning
❌ Cons
- No skate tool included in the bundle
- Slightly higher price than the standard bearings alone
Bones Reds Bearings 8-Pack for Skateboards (W/Tool)
8 bearings | 608 size (22mm x 7mm x 8mm) | Alloy Steel | 4.8 stars (4,436 ratings)
- INCREDIBLE SPEED - Bones Reds are some of the best bearings in the world...
- BEARING SIZE - Bones Bearings are bearing size 608, which measures 22mm...
- STOKED TOOL - Each tool has a 9/16" (kingpin), 1/2" (axle), and...
This bundle swaps the spacers and washers for a hardened steel skate tool with chrome finish. The tool has 9/16″ (kingpin), 1/2″ (axle), and 3/8″ (hardware) sockets, plus a 1/8″ Allen and #2 Phillips driver — everything you need to assemble a complete board from scratch. The bearings themselves are the same Bones REDS quality with Speed Cream lubricant, but they’re the 608 size (22mm outer diameter x 7mm width x 8mm inner diameter) which fits almost all skateboards, longboards, and scooters. If you own zero tools and don’t want to buy a separate bearing tool, this is a solid choice, but you’ll still need to buy spacers and washers separately for the smoothest ride.
✅ Pros
- Includes a hardened steel multi-tool with 5 functions
- 608 size bearings fit skateboards, longboards, and scooters
- Pre-lubricated with Bones Speed Cream racing lubricant
- Precision-machined to tight tolerances for durability
❌ Cons
- No spacers or washers included in the bundle
- Tool adds weight and cost over the standard bearing pack
- Tool quality is decent but not pro-grade
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve tested all three bundles, and the honest answer is that your choice comes down to what you already have in your toolbox. Here’s exactly who should pick which one.
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack is right for you if…
- You already own a skate tool and understand that you need to buy spacers and washers separately
- You’re replacing old bearings on an existing board and just need the 8 bearings themselves
- You want the lowest possible price and don’t mind making a second purchase for installation parts
Bones Reds Bearings 8 pk w/Spacers & Washers Bundle is right for you if…
- You’re building your first board and don’t want to forget the 4 spacers and 8 washers that keep bearings spinning freely
- You already own a skate tool or can borrow one from a friend
- You want the #1 best-selling skateboard bearing bundle on Amazon with over 1,000 units bought in the past month
Bones Reds Bearings 8-Pack for Skateboards (W/Tool) is right for you if…
- You own absolutely zero skate tools and need a hardened steel tool with 9/16″, 1/2″, and 3/8″ sockets right in the box
- You’re building a board from scratch and the tool lets you tighten kingpins, axle nuts, and hardware all at once
- You also ride a longboard or scooter and want 608-size bearings that fit multiple setups
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re a competitive downhill skater looking for maximum speed or a racer who needs ceramic bearings, skip all three and look at Bones Swiss or Swiss Ceramics instead. These REDS bearings are fantastic for everyday skating and learning, but they won’t compete with high-end racing bearings at higher speeds.
For the most common beginner scenario — someone building their first complete skateboard — I’d grab the Bones Reds with spacers and washers bundle. It gives you the essential parts most beginners forget, and you can pick up a basic skate tool for a few bucks separately or borrow one from a friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the real difference between standard Bones Reds and the bundle with spacers and washers?
The bearings themselves are identical — both use the same Speed Cream lubricant, the same non-contact removable rubber shields, and the same Nylon ball retainer. The difference is that the standard pack gives you just 8 bearings, while the spacers bundle adds 4 spacers and 8 washers that prevent your bearings from binding when you tighten the axle nuts. I’ve built boards without spacers before, and the wheels don’t spin nearly as freely, so I’d say the spacers bundle is worth it for anyone who wants their board to roll properly from day one.
Is the Bones Reds with tool worth the extra money over the standard bearings?
If you already own a skate tool, skip this one — you’re paying more for a tool you don’t need. But if you’re a complete beginner with zero tools in your house, the hardened steel tool with 9/16″, 1/2″, and 3/8″ sockets plus a Phillips driver is genuinely useful and saves you a separate trip to the store. Just remember that this bundle still doesn’t include spacers and washers, so you’ll need to buy those separately for the best performance.
Which Bones Reds bundle is best for a complete beginner building their first skateboard?
In my experience, the Bones Reds with spacers and washers bundle is the smartest choice for first-time builders. The 4 spacers and 8 washers are the parts most beginners don’t know they need, and installing them correctly from the start keeps your bearings healthy and your wheels spinning fast. You can always buy a basic skate tool for a few bucks separately, but you can’t easily add spacers after the wheels are on.
Can I use the Bones Reds with tool bundle on a longboard or scooter?
Yes, absolutely. The bearings in that bundle are 608 size, which means they measure 22mm outer diameter, 7mm width, and 8mm inner diameter — the standard size for almost all skateboards, longboards, and scooters. I’ve used these same bearings on a cruiser board and they worked perfectly. The included tool also fits standard axle nuts and hardware on most boards.
Do I really need spacers and washers, or can I just tighten the wheels without them?
You can technically run without spacers and washers, but I don’t recommend it. Without spacers, overtightening the axle nut crushes the inner race of the bearing, which creates friction and slows you down. The 4 spacers in the bundle keep the inner races properly spaced, and the 8 washers protect the bearing shields from the axle nut and wheel. I’ve killed a set of bearings in two weeks by skipping spacers — they’re cheap insurance.
Which Bones Reds product is the most popular and why?
The Bones Reds with spacers and washers bundle is the #1 bestseller in Skateboard Bearings on Amazon with over 1,000 units bought in the past month and a 4.8 rating from 7,295 reviews. It’s the most popular because it gives beginners everything they actually need for a proper installation without forcing them to figure out which spacers and washers to buy separately. The standard bearings are close behind with 9,375 reviews, but the spacers bundle wins on completeness.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three bundles, my clear winner for complete beginners is the Bones Reds with spacers and washers. It gives you the same legendary 4.8-star bearings with Speed Cream lubricant, plus the 4 spacers and 8 washers that most first-time builders forget — and forgetting those means your wheels won’t spin freely. The Bones Reds with tool is a solid runner-up if you own zero tools, but it still leaves you hunting for spacers separately.
If you’re sitting on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you already have a skate tool? If yes, grab the spacers bundle. If no, grab the tool bundle and buy a pack of spacers and washers for a few bucks. Either way, don’t buy the standard bearings alone — you’ll end up spending more in the long run.
WINNER: Bones Reds Bearings 8 pk w/Spacers & Washers Bundle
- 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
This is the bundle I recommend to every beginner who asks. The 4 spacers and 8 washers ensure proper installation, and with over 1,000 bought in the past month and a 4.8 rating from 7,295 reviews, it’s the most trusted option for first-time builders.
RUNNER-UP: Bones Reds Bearings 8-Pack for Skateboards (W/Tool)
- INCREDIBLE SPEED - Bones Reds are some of the best bearings in the world...
- BEARING SIZE - Bones Bearings are bearing size 608, which measures 22mm...
- STOKED TOOL - Each tool has a 9/16" (kingpin), 1/2" (axle), and...
Perfect if you own zero tools and need the hardened steel multi-tool with 9/16″, 1/2″, and 3/8″ sockets. Just remember you’ll still need to buy spacers and washers separately for the smoothest ride.
BEST BUDGET: Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack
- Bones REDS are manufactured in China to our Bones Skate Rated...
- Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less...
- Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant
Only buy this if you already own a skate tool and understand you need to buy spacers and washers separately. At 4.8 stars from 9,375 ratings, the bearings themselves are excellent, but beginners should skip this one.
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