Roller skate cushions, also called bushings, are the urethane parts in a quad skate's truck assembly. They compress as you put pressure into a turn and influence how the trucks respond.
Choose replacement cushions by identifying your plate and checking the required shape and dimensions. Then compare hardness within a compatible range. Wheel hardness and cushion hardness describe different components, so a wheel recommendation does not determine which cushions to buy. For wheels, use our roller skate wheel guide.
What changes when you change cushions
Within a comparable cushion range, softer options generally allow the truck to turn with less resistance. Harder options generally resist that movement more. The plate design, cushion shape and adjustment also affect the response.
Describe what your current setup does before choosing a replacement. Is it difficult to initiate a turn, or does it move more readily than you want? Those observations give a skate shop a useful starting point alongside your plate model and current cushion specification.
Check fit before hardness
Compare the cushion's height, outside diameter, kingpin hole and shape with the parts specified for your plate. A cushion described as universal still needs to suit the complete assembly, including its retainers and adjustment hardware.
The Bont replacement cushion range lists these specifications:
| Shape | Height | Outside diameter | Kingpin hole |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top cone | 14.2 mm | 25.4 mm | 9.5 mm |
| Bottom barrel | 14 mm | 25.4 mm | 9.5 mm |
That range lists Prodigy, Tracer, Infinity, Athena, Zeus and Carbon Zeus plates. Bont specifies bottom barrel cushions only for all Zeus plates. Follow the arrangement for your exact plate when selecting the parts.
Read hardness within the selected range
The same Bont range lists Purple 78A, Blue 83A, Black 88A and Red 93A. These colour associations apply to this range; another manufacturer may use different colours.
Begin with your current hardness as a reference. Discuss the change in turning response you want with Bont or a skate shop rather than choosing solely because you are a beginner, skate at speed or prefer a particular colour.
There is no single hardness recommendation here for every skater of a given weight or experience level. Check the plate, cushion construction and adjustment together when seeking advice.
Check slide block setups separately
Bont's 10 mm barrel 88A cushions are specified for Bont Slide Blocks used with Prodigy and Tracer plates. This is a distinct fitting requirement.
If your skates have slide blocks or other changes to the original setup, include those details when asking which cushions to order. Match the complete assembly rather than transferring a standard cushion recommendation to a modified skate.
Plan a replacement using the plate instructions
Check the pack contents before ordering. The replacement range above is sold in sets of four of the selected shape; confirm how many of each shape your setup needs.
Use the instructions for your plate to disassemble and reassemble the truck. Record the existing part arrangement, inspect the hardware and seat the correct cushions and retainers in their specified positions. Obtain help from a skate shop if you cannot confirm the assembly or adjustment.
Avoid extreme tightening or loosening of the trucks. Inspect cushions when they are visibly damaged or when the response changes, and check the rest of the assembly before attributing the problem to hardness alone.
After a replacement, check the assembly and test the response slowly in a clear practice area. If you are learning on quad skates, our beginner roller skating guide can help you plan your practice. Keep a note of the cushion model and adjustment so you can describe the change accurately. For fit advice, contact Bont with your plate model, current cushions and any slide block setup.