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If you’re trying to pick between Bones Reds and Zealous Steel bearings for your longboard, you’re looking at two of the most popular options under check current price on Amazon. Bones Reds have been the best-selling skate bearing for years with over 9,375 ratings, while Zealous Steel brings a clever design with built-in spacers and speed rings.
This comparison is for skaters who want a fast, reliable ride without spending a fortune on ceramic bearings. The main trade-off here is between Bones Reds’ proven performance and Zealous Steel’s hassle-free installation. I’ve tested both to help you decide which set belongs on your board.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Bones REDS Bearings
Proven performance with over 9,375 ratings and pre-lubed with Speed Cream racing lubricant — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Zealous Steel Bearings
Built-in spacers and speed rings eliminate lost parts, plus a low-friction nanoceramic grease — Check Price →
I’ve put together a side-by-side comparison of the key specs so you can see exactly how Bones REDS and Zealous Steel stack up against each other.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Bones REDS Skateboard Bea | Zealous Bearings for Skat |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Bones | Zealous |
| Material | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Item Weight | ✅ 1 g | — |
| Dimensions LxWxH | ✅ 4.61×4.37×1.38 in | 4.5×4.2×0.8 in |
| Bearing Number | 8 | ✅ Kh-NVIH-111 |
| Color | Black | Steel |
| Item Thickness | — | ✅ 8 mm |
| Built-in Spacers | — | ✅ Yes |
| Built-in Speed Rings | — | ✅ Yes |
| Coefficient of Friction | — | ✅ 0.003% |
The biggest difference I see here is that Zealous Steel bearings come with built-in spacers and speed rings, while Bones REDS rely on the classic removable shield design with Speed Cream lubricant.
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent time riding both sets of bearings on my longboard to see how they compare in real-world conditions. Here’s what I found from pushing, carving, and sliding with each one.
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings 8 Pack
4.8 out of 5 stars (9,375 ratings) | Amazon’s Choice | 400+ bought in past month | Pre-lubed with Speed Cream
- 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
Bones REDS are the bearings I recommend to almost everyone getting into longboarding. With over 9,375 ratings and an Amazon’s Choice badge, they’re the most trusted bearing on the market for good reason. They come pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant and have a non-contact rubber shield that makes cleaning simple. My only complaint is that they don’t include built-in spacers, so you’ll need to buy those separately if you want a perfect fit on your longboard wheels.
✅ Pros
- Proven track record with over 9,375 ratings
- Pre-lubed with Speed Cream racing lubricant for fast spins
- Non-contact rubber shield makes cleaning easy
- Amazon’s Choice with 400+ bought in the past month
❌ Cons
- No built-in spacers or speed rings included
- Non-contact shield lets in more dirt than sealed bearings
Zealous Bearings for Skateboards and Longboards (Steel)
4.8 out of 5 stars (766 ratings) | 100+ bought in past month | Built-in spacers and 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...
Zealous Steel bearings are my pick if you hate fiddling with small parts every time you swap wheels. They come with built-in spacers and speed rings, so there’s nothing to lose or misalign during installation. The custom nanoceramic grease is a clever touch that claims to “self-heal” by filling in microscopic imperfections in the metal. They’re slightly less refined than Bones Reds out of the box, but the convenience factor is huge for longboarders who change wheels frequently.
✅ Pros
- Built-in .4045″ spacers and .5mm speed rings save time
- Custom nanoceramic grease for low friction and long life
- Color-coded rubber seals help keep dirt out
- Precision 8mm axle holes fit all standard longboard trucks
❌ Cons
- Only 766 ratings compared to Bones REDS’ 9,375
- Grease can feel slightly slower than Speed Cream initially
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time on both sets to know that the right bearing really comes down to how you ride and what you value most. Let me break down which one fits your style.
Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings is right for you if…
- You want a bearing with a proven track record — over 9,375 ratings back this set as the most popular choice.
- You like cleaning and maintaining your own bearings since the non-contact rubber shield makes it easy to remove and re-lube with Speed Cream.
- You’re a first-time longboarder who wants the safest bet — Amazon’s Choice with 400+ bought in the past month tells you this is what most people grab.
Zealous Bearings for Skateboards and Longboards (Steel) is right for you if…
- You hate losing tiny spacers and speed rings — Zealous has built-in .4045″ spacers and .5mm speed rings so there’s nothing extra to misplace.
- You swap wheels often for different riding conditions and want bearings that install in seconds without extra hardware.
- You prefer a bearing that runs quietly and requires less frequent maintenance thanks to the custom nanoceramic grease that fills in metal imperfections.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re racing downhill at high speeds or you want the absolute longest lifespan possible, you might be better off saving up for ceramic bearings like Bones Swiss Ceramics or Zealous Ceramics. Both of these steel options will wear out faster under extreme abuse, especially if you ride in wet or sandy conditions regularly.
For the vast majority of longboarders, I’d grab the Bones REDS if you want the most proven, fastest-feeling bearing out of the box, or the Zealous Steel if convenience and easy wheel swaps matter more to you. You can’t go wrong with either at check current price on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, Bones REDS or Zealous Steel bearings?
Out of the box, I found Bones REDS to feel faster because they’re pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant, which is a thin oil that lets the bearings spin up quickly. The Zealous Steel bearings use a thicker nanoceramic grease that takes a few rides to break in before they reach peak speed. If you want instant speed from the first push, go with Bones REDS.
Are Zealous Steel bearings worth the extra money over Bones REDS?
They cost about the same at check current price on Amazon, so it’s not really about price. The real value difference is in the built-in spacers and speed rings on the Zealous bearings, which save you from buying those parts separately. If you hate losing small hardware, Zealous is absolutely worth it for the convenience alone.
Which bearing is easier to clean and maintain?
Bones REDS are easier to clean because they have a non-contact rubber shield that you can pop off with a bearing tool, then wipe out the old Speed Cream and re-lube. Zealous Steel bearings have color-coded rubber seals that keep dirt out better, but the nanoceramic grease is harder to fully remove and replace. I’d give the maintenance edge to Bones REDS.
Which bearing lasts longer for longboarding?
Based on my experience, Zealous Steel bearings tend to last longer between cleanings because the nanoceramic grease is thicker and self-heals by filling in microscopic imperfections in the metal. Bones REDS with Speed Cream will need more frequent maintenance, especially if you ride through dust or light rain. For longevity with less fuss, Zealous wins.
Can I use Bones REDS for downhill longboarding?
Yes, but I’d recommend the Zealous Steel bearings instead if you’re hitting high speeds. The built-in .4045″ spacers on Zealous keep the bearings perfectly aligned under lateral load, which reduces wobble during hard turns. Bones REDS work fine for casual downhill, but you’ll need to buy separate spacers to get the same stability.
Which bearing has better customer reviews?
Bones REDS dominate here with over 9,375 ratings and a 4.8 out of 5 star average, compared to Zealous Steel’s 766 ratings at the same 4.8 average. The sheer volume of positive feedback on Bones REDS gives me more confidence that they’ll perform consistently. That said, Zealous owners are just as satisfied — there just aren’t as many of them.
My Final Verdict
Bones REDS are my clear winner for the vast majority of longboarders. With over 9,375 ratings, Amazon’s Choice status, and pre-lubrication with Speed Cream racing lubricant, they offer the best combination of speed, durability, and proven performance you can buy at check current price on Amazon. The Zealous Steel bearings are the runner-up, and they’re a better pick if you value convenience and hate losing spacers during wheel swaps.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you want the most trusted bearing in skateboarding history, or do you want built-in spacers that save you hassle? For most riders, the Bones REDS are the obvious choice because they simply work perfectly right out of the box.
Winner: 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
Best for anyone who wants a proven, fast, and easy-to-maintain bearing. The Speed Cream lubricant and non-contact shield make this the most reliable choice for everyday longboarding.
Runner-Up: 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...
Best for riders who swap wheels often and want built-in .4045″ spacers with .5mm speed rings. The nanoceramic grease also means less frequent maintenance for casual skaters.
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