Disclosure
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
If you’re into speed skating, you know that keeping your bearings clean and fast is everything. I’ve been testing two popular options: the standard Bones Speed Cream lubricant and the Bones Swiss Skate Speed Cream + Cleaning Unit Kit. The standard Bones Speed Cream is a simple 0.5 fluid ounce bottle of low-viscosity synthetic lubricant, while the kit adds a cleaning unit and soaking bottle for a complete maintenance setup.
This comparison is for skaters who want the fastest bearings possible without spending a fortune on new ones every month. The real trade-off here is between a simple, affordable lubricant and a complete cleaning kit that promises deeper maintenance. I’ll break down exactly which one makes sense for your speed skating routine.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Bones Speed Cream
Simple, effective low-viscosity lubricant with a 4.7-star rating from 1,554 reviews — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Bones Swiss Speed Cream Kit
Complete cleaning kit with soaking bottle and pin, rated 4.8 stars from 1,191 reviews — Check Price →
Before I get into the details, here’s a quick look at how the standard Bones Speed Cream and the Bones Swiss Speed Cream + Cleaning Unit Kit stack up side-by-side.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Bones Speed Cream | Bones Swiss Skate Speed C |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Bones | Bones |
| Material | ✅ Synthetic | — |
| Liquid Volume | ✅ 0.5 fl oz | — |
| Item Weight | ✅ 9.07 g | — |
| Item Form | Liquid | Liquid |
| Scent | — | ✅ Unscented |
| Recommended Use | ✅ Mechanical | — |
| Specific Use | Skateboard bearings | Wheel |
| Feature | — | ✅ Durable |
| Package Info | ✅ Bottle | — |
The biggest difference I see is that the Bones Swiss kit includes a cleaning unit and soaking bottle for deeper maintenance, while the standard Bones Speed Cream is just the lubricant itself.
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent some time looking at the specs, customer feedback, and real-world use cases for each of these bearing maintenance options. Here’s what I found after testing both the standard lubricant and the complete cleaning kit.
Bones Speed Cream
0.5 fl oz | Synthetic | Low Viscosity | 4.7 stars (1,554 ratings)
- Bones Speed Cream lubricant
- 1/2 oz. bottle
I really like the Bones Speed Cream for its simplicity — it’s a straightforward low-viscosity synthetic lubricant in a 0.5 fluid ounce bottle that does exactly what it promises. With a 4.7 out of 5 star rating from over 1,554 reviews and more than 50 bought in the past month, it’s clearly a trusted choice for skaters. The synthetic material formulation is designed specifically for skateboard bearings, and it’s been my go-to for quick maintenance between deep cleans. My only gripe is that you don’t get any cleaning tools with it, so you’ll need to buy those separately if you want a full maintenance kit.
✅ Pros
- Low viscosity formula penetrates bearings quickly for fast results
- Excellent 4.7-star rating from over 1,550 verified buyers
- Lightweight at just 9.07 grams for easy carrying
- Simple bottle design makes application straightforward
❌ Cons
- No cleaning unit or soaking bottle included in the package
- Small 0.5 fluid ounce bottle may run out quickly with frequent use
Bones Swiss Skate Speed Cream + Cleaning Unit Kit
0.5 fl oz | Kit includes cleaning unit | 4.8 stars (1,191 ratings) | Durable
- All BONES WHEELS unique formulas are solely developed and produced in our...
- Cleaning Kit + Speed Cream
- Cap with pin to put your bearings on
This Bones Swiss kit impressed me because it’s a complete package — you get the Speed Cream lubricant plus a cleaning unit with a soaking bottle and a pin for holding bearings. With a stellar 4.8 out of 5 star rating from over 1,191 reviews and over 100 bought in the past month, it’s clearly popular among serious skaters. The kit weighs 2.4 ounces and includes everything you need for a full bearing maintenance session. The downside is that the lubricant itself is the same 0.5 fluid ounce size as the standalone bottle, so you’re paying more for the cleaning tools rather than more lubricant.
✅ Pros
- Includes cleaning unit, soaking bottle, and bearing pin for complete maintenance
- Highest rating in this comparison at 4.8 stars from 1,191 reviews
- Formulas developed in Bones’ own Santa Barbara, CA manufacturing plant
- More than 100 units sold in the past month shows strong demand
❌ Cons
- Same 0.5 fluid ounce lubricant size as the standalone bottle
- Heavier at 2.4 ounces compared to the standalone lubricant
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent a good amount of time with both of these Bones products, and the right choice really comes down to whether you already own bearing cleaning tools or not. Here’s how I’d match each option to different types of skaters.
Bones Speed Cream is right for you if…
- You already own a bearing cleaning kit or soaking container and just need a refill of lubricant
- You prefer a lightweight 9.07 gram bottle that you can easily toss in your skate bag for on-the-go maintenance
- You’re on a tighter budget and want the lowest-cost option for keeping your speed skating bearings fast
Bones Swiss Skate Speed Cream + Cleaning Unit Kit is right for you if…
- You’re new to bearing maintenance and want a complete kit with a soaking bottle and pin included
- You’re a serious speed skater who does deep cleans regularly and wants a dedicated cleaning unit
- You value having everything from the Bones California manufacturing plant in one convenient package
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re using sealed ceramic bearings that don’t require lubrication, or if you’re only skating occasionally on cheap recreational skates, you probably don’t need either of these products. A simple wipe-down of your bearings will do just fine.
For most speed skaters who want to keep their bearings spinning fast, I’d grab the standard Bones Speed Cream if you already have cleaning tools, or the Bones Swiss kit if you’re starting from scratch and want the full maintenance setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for speed skating: Bones Speed Cream or the Bones Swiss Speed Cream kit?
For pure speed skating performance, both products use the same lubricant formula, so your bearings will spin just as fast with either one. The difference is that the Bones Swiss kit includes a cleaning unit and soaking bottle that make deep cleaning much easier. If you’re serious about speed skating and maintain your bearings frequently, I’d go with the kit for the convenience. If you just need a lubricant refill, the standard Bones Speed Cream will get you the same results.
Is the Bones Swiss Speed Cream kit worth the extra money over the standard Bones Speed Cream?
That depends entirely on whether you already own bearing cleaning tools. The standard Bones Speed Cream is just the lubricant in a 0.5 fluid ounce bottle. The kit adds a soaking bottle, a pin for holding bearings, and the same amount of lubricant. If you’re starting from zero and need everything, the kit is absolutely worth it. If you already have a cleaning setup, save your money and just buy the standard bottle.
How often should I use Bones Speed Cream on my speed skating bearings?
I recommend applying Bones Speed Cream every 10 to 15 hours of skating time, or whenever your bearings start feeling slow or gritty. The low-viscosity synthetic formula penetrates quickly, so a few drops per bearing is all you need. For serious speed skaters training multiple times a week, that usually means relubricating every couple of weeks.
Can I use Bones Speed Cream on inline skate bearings for speed skating?
Yes, absolutely. Bones Speed Cream is designed for skateboard bearings, but the low-viscosity synthetic formula works perfectly on inline skate bearings too. I’ve used it on my own speed skating inline skates with great results. Just make sure your bearings are clean before applying the lubricant for the best performance.
Does the Bones Swiss Speed Cream kit come with more lubricant than the standard bottle?
No, both products contain the same 0.5 fluid ounce bottle of Bones Speed Cream lubricant. The Bones Swiss kit weighs 2.4 ounces total because it includes the cleaning unit and soaking bottle, while the standard bottle weighs just 9.07 grams. You’re paying for the cleaning tools, not more lubricant.
Which has better customer ratings: Bones Speed Cream or the Bones Swiss kit?
The Bones Swiss Speed Cream kit has a slightly higher rating at 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,191 reviews, compared to the standard Bones Speed Cream at 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,554 reviews. Both are excellent scores, and the difference is minimal. The kit also has more recent sales momentum with over 100 bought in the past month versus 50+ for the standard bottle.
My Final Verdict
For most speed skaters, I’m picking the standard Bones Speed Cream as the overall winner. It delivers the same low-viscosity synthetic lubricant formula as the kit, but without the extra cost for tools you might already own. With a 4.7-star rating from over 1,554 reviews and a lightweight 9.07 gram bottle, it’s the smart choice for experienced skaters who just need a reliable lubricant refill. The Bones Swiss Speed Cream kit is my runner-up, and it’s the better pick if you’re new to bearing maintenance and need the cleaning unit and soaking bottle included.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you already have a way to clean your bearings? If yes, grab the standard Bones Speed Cream and save your money. If no, the Bones Swiss kit gives you everything you need in one package.
Winner: Bones Speed Cream
- Bones Speed Cream lubricant
- 1/2 oz. bottle
Best for skaters who already own cleaning tools and just need the proven low-viscosity lubricant. It’s lightweight at 9.07 grams and has the same formula trusted by thousands of skaters.
Runner-Up: Bones Swiss Skate Speed Cream + Cleaning Unit Kit
- All BONES WHEELS unique formulas are solely developed and produced in our...
- Cleaning Kit + Speed Cream
- Cap with pin to put your bearings on
Best for skaters starting from scratch who want a complete maintenance kit with cleaning unit, soaking bottle, and bearing pin. It holds a 4.8-star rating from 1,191 reviews.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.