Oj Wheels

Overview

OJ Wheels is a skateboard wheel brand specializing in urethane wheels for street, park, vert, and cruising applications. Operating under NHS, Inc., it maintains a position in the skateboarding market through performance-focused designs and association with professional riders. Notable for its historical orange urethane formula and ongoing innovations like multi-durometer wheels.

History

OJ Wheels originated in the late 1970s as part of NHS, Inc. in Santa Cruz, California, founded by Richard Novak, Doug Haut, and Jay Shuirman, initially as a response to competitor Sims with orange slalom-style wheels for speed and grip. The first official wheels, Super Juice, debuted around 1977, featuring smaller diameters and wider footprints suited for pools and parks. The brand faded during style shifts but revived in the 2000s-2010s via reissues and nostalgia, continuing under NHS with modern shapes and team support.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are crafted from urethane formulas developed by NHS, Inc., with emphasis on innovative compounds like signature orange and multi-durometer designs. Manufacturing details such as specific locations or in-house versus outsourced production are not specified in available sources.

Notable Products

• Super Juice - Iconic 1977 wheel with wide footprint for fast rides in ditches and pools.
• OJ II’s - 1980s wheels known for bright colors, grip, and smooth vert/street performance.
• Double Duro Chubbies - Modern shape combining durometers for enhanced control and speed.
• Street Tech (52-54mm) - Slim profile wheels in 99/101a for superior street response.
• Hot Juice - Classic shape pushing wheel design boundaries with durability.

Reputation

OJ Wheels is regarded by skaters as an authentic, performance-driven brand bridging 1970s urethane innovation with current engineered formulas, favored for grip, speed, and durability in street, park, and vert. Professionals like Ace Pelka and Milton Martinez ride them, reinforcing credibility. Some view it as nostalgia-heavy, though modern lines address diverse terrains.