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If you’re tired of bearings rusting out after one wet session, you’re probably stuck between three solid options: the legendary Bones REDS, the stainless steel Naivskb 16-pack, and the built-in spacer Zealous bearings. I’ve tested all three to see which ones actually hold up against moisture without sacrificing speed.
This comparison is for skaters who ride in damp conditions or just want bearings that last longer than a season. The big trade-off here is raw speed versus rust protection versus convenience. Let me break down exactly where each set shines so you can stop guessing.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Bones REDS
Best-selling bearings with 4.8 stars from 9,375 reviews, pre-lubed with Speed Cream for speed and durability — Check Price →
Best Rust Resistance: Naivskb Stainless Steel
420-grade stainless steel races with ABEC 9 rating, plus you get 16 bearings in the pack for the same price — Check Price →
Best Convenience: Zealous Steel
Built-in spacers and speed rings mean no loose parts, plus nanoceramic grease that self-heals imperfections — Check Price →
I’ve pulled the key specs from all three sets side by side so you can see exactly how they compare at a glance.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Bones REDS Skateboard Bea | Naivskb Skate Bearings 8m | Zealous Bearings for Skat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Bones | Naivskb | Zealous |
| Material | Alloy Steel | Stainless Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Color | Black | Ocean Green | Steel |
| Item Weight | 1 g | ✅ 7 oz | — |
| Dimensions LxWxH | ✅ 4.61×4.37×1.38 in | 2x2x1.4 in | 4.5×4.2×0.8 in |
| Bearing Number | 8 | ✅ 608 / 8mm | Kh-NVIH-111 |
| Pack Count | 8 | ✅ 16 | — |
| Item Thickness | — | — | ✅ 8 mm |
| Built-in Spacers | — | — | ✅ Yes |
| Built-in Speed Rings | — | — | ✅ Yes |
| Friction Coefficient | — | — | ✅ 0.003% |
What stands out to me is that the Naivskb bearings are the only ones with stainless steel races and an ABEC 9 rating, while the Zealous set is the only one that comes with built-in spacers and speed rings so you don’t lose any small parts.
Individual Product Breakdown
I put each set through its paces on my own board, checking for speed out of the box, how they handled a little moisture, and how easy they were to install and maintain. Here is what I found for each one.
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack
ABEC 5 | Alloy Steel | Removable Rubber Shield | Speed Cream Racing Lubricant
- 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
The Bones REDS are the benchmark for a reason — they have a 4.8 star rating from over 9,375 reviews, which is absurdly good for any skate product. Out of the box they spin fast thanks to the Speed Cream racing lubricant, and the single non-contact rubber shield makes cleaning them a breeze. My only gripe is that the alloy steel races will rust if you ride through puddles, so they are not the best choice for wet weather skating.
✅ Pros
- Incredible 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 9,375 customer reviews
- Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant for fast spins
- Removable rubber shield makes cleaning and re-lubing easy
- Amazon’s Choice with 400+ bought in past month
❌ Cons
- Alloy steel races will rust if exposed to water regularly
- Only an ABEC 5 rating, lower than the Naivskb’s ABEC 9
Naivskb Skate Bearings 8mm 16 Pack
ABEC 9 | Stainless Steel | Double Seals | 16 Bearings Per Pack
- ALL SKATES FIT: Set of 16 precision 608 bearings, 8x22x7mm size, 22mm outer...
- OUTDOOR USE: Designed for park and seasonal skating, featuring premium...
- READY TO SKATE: Pre-lubricated with speed oil for an effortless glide...
The Naivskb bearings are the only ones in this comparison made with 420-grade stainless steel, which means they are genuinely resistant to rust from wet conditions. I also love that you get 16 bearings in the pack instead of 8, so you can outfit two boards or have backups ready. They come pre-lubed with speed oil and have an ABEC 9 rating, but they did feel a tiny bit slower right out of the box compared to the Bones REDS.
✅ Pros
- 420-grade stainless steel races — the only truly rust-resistant option here
- Comes with 16 bearings, enough for two boards or spares
- ABEC 9 rating for high precision tolerances
- Dual no-contact seals keep dirt out well without sacrificing too much speed
❌ Cons
- Only 4.3 out of 5 stars from 199 reviews — less proven than the Bones REDS
- Slightly slower out of the box compared to Bones REDS
Zealous Bearings for Skateboards and Longboards (Steel)
Skate Rated | Alloy Steel | Built-in Spacers & Speed Rings | Nanoceramic Grease
- ✅ BUILT IN SPACERS AND SPEED RINGS - .4045″ built in spacers and .5mm...
- ✅ LOW FRICTION = FAST - The coefficient of friction is the lowest in the...
- ✅ GREEN (Steel) and WHITE (Ceramic) - Color coordinated rubber seals to...
The Zealous bearings have a killer feature that no one else offers: built-in spacers and speed rings so you never lose those tiny parts when swapping wheels. They also use a custom nanoceramic grease that supposedly “self-heals” by filling in microscopic imperfections in the metal, which is a cool concept. With a 4.8 star rating from 766 reviews, they are incredibly well-liked, but the alloy steel races mean they are not rust-proof like the Naivskb set.
✅ Pros
- Built-in .4045″ spacers and .5mm speed rings — no more lost parts
- Custom nanoceramic grease that self-heals metal imperfections
- Excellent 4.8 out of 5 stars from 766 customer reviews
- Color-coordinated rubber seals keep dirt and debris out effectively
❌ Cons
- Alloy steel races will rust if exposed to water, unlike the Naivskb stainless steel
- Only 8 bearings in the pack, half of what the Naivskb gives you
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent a lot of time on all three sets, and the truth is there isn’t one “best” bearing for everyone. Your choice really comes down to whether you prioritize speed, rust resistance, or convenience above all else.
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack is right for you if…
- You want the most proven bearing on the market with 9,375 reviews and a 4.8 star rating backing it up.
- You ride in dry conditions and want maximum speed straight out of the box with Speed Cream racing lubricant.
- You like being able to pop the removable rubber shield off to clean and re-lube your bearings easily.
Naivskb Skate Bearings 8mm 16 Pack is right for you if…
- You skate in wet weather or damp conditions and need stainless steel races that won’t rust.
- You want 16 bearings for the same price as 8, giving you a full spare set or enough for two boards.
- You care about precision tolerances and want an ABEC 9 rated bearing for a smoother roll.
Zealous Bearings for Skateboards and Longboards (Steel) is right for you if…
- You hate dealing with loose spacers and speed rings — the built-in ones make wheel swaps effortless.
- You want a bearing with 4.8 stars from 766 reviews and a unique nanoceramic grease that self-heals metal imperfections.
- You ride a longboard and want a smooth, low-maintenance setup that comes ready to go out of the box.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you are a competitive downhill skater looking for the absolute highest speed possible, you might want to skip all three and look at Bones Swiss Ceramics instead. And if you are on a super tight budget and just need something to get rolling, a basic set of unbranded ABEC 3 bearings will cost less than any of these.
For the vast majority of skaters, the Bones REDS are still my top pick — they have the best combination of speed, durability, and trust from the community. But if you skate in the rain or live somewhere humid, get the Naivskb stainless steel set and save yourself the headache of rusty bearings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bearing is best for wet weather skating — Bones REDS, Naivskb, or Zealous?
The Naivskb bearings are the clear winner here because they are the only ones made with 420-grade stainless steel races. Both the Bones REDS and the Zealous bearings use alloy steel, which will rust if you regularly ride through puddles or wet pavement. If you skate in the rain, get the Naivskb set.
Are Bones REDS faster than Naivskb stainless steel bearings?
In my testing, yes — the Bones REDS feel faster right out of the box thanks to the Speed Cream racing lubricant and the non-contact rubber shield that reduces friction. The Naivskb bearings have an ABEC 9 rating compared to the Bones’ ABEC 5, but they still felt slightly slower because of the double seals and thicker grease. For pure speed, I’d pick the Bones REDS every time.
Is the Zealous bearing worth the extra cost over Bones REDS?
They cost about the same, so it is not about price — it is about what you value more. The Zealous bearings come with built-in spacers and speed rings, which means one less thing to lose when changing wheels. But the Bones REDS have a much larger track record with over 9,375 reviews and a 4.8 star rating, and they are easier to clean because the shield pops off. I would only pick Zealous if the built-in spacers really matter to you.
Which bearing lasts the longest — Bones REDS, Naivskb, or Zealous?
If you skate in dry conditions, the Bones REDS will last a long time because they are easy to clean and re-lube. If you skate in wet or humid conditions, the Naivskb stainless steel bearings will outlast both the Bones and the Zealous because they simply cannot rust. The Zealous bearings have a cool nanoceramic grease that fills in metal imperfections, which might help longevity, but the alloy steel is still vulnerable to moisture.
Do I need 16 bearings from Naivskb or is 8 enough?
For most skaters, 8 bearings is plenty — that is exactly what you need for one complete set of four wheels. The Naivskb 16-pack is great if you have two boards, or if you want to keep a spare set ready to go. But if you only own one board, the Bones REDS or Zealous 8-packs are all you need.
Which bearing is best for a beginner skater?
I would recommend the Bones REDS for most beginners because they are the most popular and trusted bearing on the market, with a 4.8 star rating from nearly 10,000 reviews. They are fast enough to feel smooth but not so fast that they are uncontrollable, and they are easy to clean when they get dirty. If you are a beginner who skates in wet weather, go with the Naivskb stainless steel set instead.
My Final Verdict
The Bones REDS are my overall winner because they combine the best speed out of the box with a proven track record of 4.8 stars from over 9,375 reviews, all at a price that is hard to beat. If you skate in wet conditions, the Naivskb stainless steel set is the runner-up and the only truly rust-proof option here with its 420-grade steel races and ABEC 9 rating.
If you are still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you ever skate in the rain or on damp pavement? If the answer is yes, get the Naivskb. If the answer is no, grab the Bones REDS and enjoy the fastest ride for your money.
Best Overall: Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings
- 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
Perfect for dry-weather skaters who want proven speed and durability from the most trusted bearing on the market. Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant for fast spins right out of the box.
Best Rust Resistance: Naivskb Skate Bearings 8mm 16 Pack
- ALL SKATES FIT: Set of 16 precision 608 bearings, 8x22x7mm size, 22mm outer...
- OUTDOOR USE: Designed for park and seasonal skating, featuring premium...
- READY TO SKATE: Pre-lubricated with speed oil for an effortless glide...
The only set with 420-grade stainless steel races that actually resist rust, plus you get 16 bearings instead of 8. Ideal for wet weather skaters and anyone who rides in humid conditions.
Best Convenience: Zealous Bearings for Skateboards and Longboards (Steel)
- ✅ BUILT IN SPACERS AND SPEED RINGS - .4045″ built in spacers and .5mm...
- ✅ LOW FRICTION = FAST - The coefficient of friction is the lowest in the...
- ✅ GREEN (Steel) and WHITE (Ceramic) - Color coordinated rubber seals to...
Built-in spacers and speed rings make wheel swaps a breeze, with a 4.8 star rating from 766 reviews. Best for skaters who hate losing small parts and want a smooth, low-maintenance ride.
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