Understanding ABEC Ratings: Do They Really Matter for Skaters?

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat. If you’re reading this, you’re probably a skater who’s either:

  1. Been told by a friend, shop owner, or random internet dude that ABEC 9 is the holy grail of bearings, or

  2. Standing in front of your computer, blinking at the screen, wondering what in the world an ABEC rating even is.

Either way, welcome. Grab a mint tea, pet a dog (preferably a beagle), and let’s unpack the ABEC myth together.

What Is ABEC and Why Is Everyone So Obsessed With It?

ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Committee. Sounds official, right? It should. It’s a standard created by the American Bearing Manufacturers Association to rate the precision of bearings. But here’s the plot twist: this rating system was designed for machines, not skateboards. We’re talking industrial equipment, aerospace tech, factory robots. Not your skates.

The ABEC scale typically ranges from 1 to 9 in odd numbers: ABEC 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. The higher the number, the tighter the manufacturing tolerances. So in theory, an ABEC 9 bearing is manufactured with more precision than an ABEC 3.

Sounds legit. But here’s where things get slippery.

ABEC Ratings Don't Measure What Skaters Actually Need

ABEC ratings only consider a few variables like dimensional tolerances, roundness, and noise levels, none of which directly translate to real-world skating performance. You know what the ABEC scale doesn’t consider? Things like:

  • Lateral stress

  • Side loads from carving or turning

  • Dirt, water, grit, and life on planet Earth

  • Impact from tricks or rough terrain

It’s like rating pizza based on how round it is. Cool stat, bro, but does it taste good? Is it cheesy? Will it change my life?

In skating, it’s not just about tight tolerances. It’s about durability, smooth roll, speed, and how your bearings handle the abuse you throw at them.

So Why Do Companies Still Slap ABEC Ratings On Bearings?

Because, marketing. People love numbers. Higher = better, right? Wrong. It’s easy to fall for it. You’re in a shop, comparing two sets of bearings. One says ABEC 9 and the other says...nothing. The ABEC 9 wins your trust before you even open the box.

But here’s the tea: ABEC ratings are not legally required to be verified. That means a company can label their bearing as ABEC 11 (which doesn’t even exist) just to sell more. That’s not a flex. That’s a red flag.

So What Should You Actually Look For In Bearings?

Real talk. Forget the rating and ask the real questions:

  • Are the bearings specifically made for skating?

  • Do they use quality materials like stainless steel or ceramic?

  • Are they sealed or shielded to protect from debris?

  • Is the brand transparent about their process?

  • Do skaters actually say they roll smooth and hold up?

That’s where we come in.

Meet Beagle Bearings: Bearings That Move

At Beagle Bearings, we don’t play the ABEC numbers game. We play the performance game. Our bearings are made specifically for skaters, whether you roll on quads, inline skates, or skateboards. We obsess over the details that actually matter on the streets, rinks, parks, and boardwalks.

Every Beagle Bearing is:

  • Performance-rated (not factory-stamped)

  • Hand-polished for smoother rides

  • Dual-shielded to keep gunk out

  • Made with premium steel or ceramic options

  • Designed to roll fast and last long, even after a day of hitting every crack in the sidewalk

Oh, and we’re not just about performance. We’re about purpose.

For every set you buy directly from our website, we donate $4 to The Garden State Animal Rescue Center. Because we believe in helping you move, and helping shelter animals find their forever homes.

But Wait, Don’t Higher ABEC Ratings Still Mean Better Bearings?

Nope. Not in the world of skating.

A bearing rated ABEC 9 might be great in a dental drill. But on your skates? That precision doesn’t mean squat if the bearing cracks the first time you roll through sand.

In fact, some of the best performing bearings for skaters have no ABEC rating at all. Why? Because the manufacturers know ABEC is irrelevant to performance in the real skating world. They focus on skate-specific engineering.

Still Don’t Believe It? Try This:

Go to your favorite skate spot and ask five skaters what ABEC rating they use. Most will either say, "I don’t know," or, "Who cares? These bearings roll smooth."

And they’re right.

So Why Does This Myth Still Exist?

Because people want shortcuts. They want a number to tell them what to buy. But skating isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about experience. You want to feel the roll, the glide, the flow. You want bearings that can take a beating and still spin like they’ve got secrets.

That’s not an ABEC rating. That’s engineering and care. That’s Beagle Bearings.

The Bottom Line: ABEC Is Just a Number

You deserve more than a number. You deserve bearings designed with you in mind, not a piece of factory equipment.

You want smooth turns, fast take-offs, and resilience after a rough fall? Then ditch the ratings. Trust your feet. Trust your ride.

And if you want bearings that move, that give back, and that look good while doing it?

Beagle Bearings has you covered.

We don’t sell hype. We sell quality. And a little joy, in every spin.

Visit our shop. Grab a set. Help a pup. Let’s roll.