Last year, Powell Peralta made some bold claims about their latest innovation, sparking my curiosity. Hot take: while soft wheels conquer rough terrain smoothly but falter on slides and feel somewhat bouncy, hard wheels excel in sliding but struggle on uneven surfaces. Enter the Dragon Wheel, boasting the sliding capability of a 101a wheel and the smooth roll of a 95a. It sounds almost too good to be true, right?

Eager for real-world opinions, we turned to our Instagram followers for an impromptu survey. The feedback from the dozen replies was overwhelmingly positive. Phrases like “The best wheels I’ve ever had,” “We [a family of four] all have them,” and “THEY ARE SOOOO GOOD” paint a vivid picture of customer satisfaction.

However, it’s worth noting a few caveats: these wheels seem to shine primarily in street skating, they might stick slightly during certain grinds like crooks and smiths, and yes, they are on the pricier side. In fact, they may be the most expensive wheels out there, but for those chasing the perfect blend of hardness and softness, the price might just be justified.

As for us? We’re on the fence about picking up a set. When we need a softer ride, we might just tote our board to the park with our cruiser wheels—though now, that does seem a tad overkill.

If you want to snag a pair of Powell Peralta’s Dragon Wheel for yourself and tell us what you think, click here.