Powell Peralta Dragon Formula Wheels: The Complete History From Development to Today

Powell Peralta Dragon Formula Wheels: The Wheel That Changed Modern Skateboarding

Few skateboard products have generated as much discussion in recent years as Powell Peralta Dragon Formula Wheels. Since their release, Dragon Formula has challenged the traditional belief that skateboarders must choose between hard wheels for tricks and soft wheels for rough ground.

Today, Dragon Formula wheels are ridden by street skaters, transition skaters, bowl riders, older skaters, beginners and professionals looking for a wheel that can handle almost any terrain. But the story behind Dragon Formula started long before the first set hit skate shop shelves.

The History of Powell Peralta

Founded in 1978 by George Powell and Stacy Peralta, Powell Peralta quickly became one of skateboarding's most influential brands.

Throughout the 1980s, Powell Peralta pioneered skateboard technology, developing innovative deck construction methods, wheel formulas and some of the most iconic graphics ever created. The company has always invested heavily in urethane research, producing legendary wheel formulas that shaped generations of skateboarding.

This commitment to wheel development eventually led to one of the most significant breakthroughs in modern skateboarding: Dragon Formula.

Why Dragon Formula Was Developed

For decades, skateboarders faced a compromise.

Hard wheels, typically 99A to 101A, slid well, maintained speed in skateparks and worked perfectly for technical street skating. However, they could be uncomfortable and slow on rough pavement.

Softer wheels smoothed out rough terrain but often felt too grippy for slides, powerslides and technical tricks.

Powell Peralta set out to solve this problem by creating a wheel that offered:

• The smooth ride of a softer wheel
• The slide characteristics of a harder wheel
• High rebound for speed
• Resistance to flat spots
• Versatility across multiple terrains

According to Powell Peralta, Dragon Formula required approximately ten years of development before it was ready for public release.

The Launch of Dragon Formula

Dragon Formula 93A wheels began appearing publicly in 2022 and quickly gained attention throughout the skateboarding community.

The original selling point sounded almost impossible:

A 93A wheel that slides like a 99A or 101A wheel.

Skaters who tested the wheels discovered they could skate rough streets, cracked pavement and uneven surfaces while still performing powerslides, noseslides and technical street tricks without the excessive grip normally associated with softer wheels.

Word spread rapidly through skate shops, YouTube reviews and skateboarding forums.

What Makes Dragon Formula Different?

Dragon Formula is not simply a softer wheel.

The secret lies in Powell Peralta's proprietary urethane formula.

Dragon Formula uses a unique blend of materials designed to create:

• Higher rebound
• Reduced vibration
• Increased speed
• Improved slide characteristics
• Long wheel life

Powell Peralta states that Dragon Formula delivers significantly higher rebound than traditional hard wheels, helping maintain speed while absorbing rough terrain more effectively.

This combination allows skaters to roll over rough surfaces while retaining the predictable slide performance normally associated with harder wheel formulas.

The Growth of the Dragon Formula Range

What started as a single 93A wheel quickly expanded.

Today the Dragon Formula family includes:

Dragon Formula 88A

The softest Dragon wheel available.

Ideal for:

• Rough streets
• Cruiser-style setups
• Older skaters
• Long skate sessions
• Poor pavement conditions

Dragon Formula 93A

The original and most popular Dragon Formula.

Ideal for:

• Street skating
• Skateparks
• Transition
• Everyday all-terrain skating

Dragon Formula 95A

A balance between the original 93A and traditional harder wheels.

Ideal for skaters wanting:

• Slightly more responsiveness
• Faster park performance
• Greater versatility

Dragon Formula 97A

The hardest Dragon Formula option.

Ideal for:

• Skateparks
• Technical street skating
• Transition skating
• Riders coming from 99A or 101A wheels

Powell Peralta has also expanded the range into multiple shapes including traditional Dragons, Nano Rats and Nano Cubics, allowing skaters to fine-tune their setup for specific disciplines.

How Skateboarders Responded

Dragon Formula wheels quickly developed a loyal following.

Many skaters reported:

• Smoother rides on rough pavement
• Less foot fatigue
• Better performance on imperfect skate spots
• Excellent slide control
• Strong durability

Community discussions regularly highlight how Dragon Formula bridges the gap between cruiser wheels and traditional skateboard wheels. Many riders describe them as an ideal "one-wheel solution" for skaters who move between streets, skateparks and rough urban terrain during the same session.

Dragon Formula Today

In 2026, Dragon Formula has become one of the most influential skateboard wheel innovations of the modern era.

What began as an experimental project has evolved into a full wheel category that many brands now attempt to emulate.

Dragon Formula wheels continue to be popular among:

• Street skaters
• Park skaters
• Bowl riders
• Cruiser enthusiasts
• Older skateboarders
• Beginner skateboarders
• Travelling skaters who need one wheel for multiple surfaces

The formula's ability to combine comfort, speed and slide performance has made it one of the most talked-about skateboard wheel technologies of the last decade.

Are Powell Peralta Dragon Formula Wheels Worth It?

For skaters tired of choosing between comfort and performance, Dragon Formula remains one of the most versatile skateboard wheel options available.

Whether you're skating rough UK streets, smooth skateparks, DIY spots, bowls or everyday city terrain, Dragon Formula offers a unique balance of grip, slide and speed that few wheels can match.

More than ten years in development and now available in multiple shapes and durometers, Dragon Formula has firmly established itself as one of Powell Peralta's most important innovations since the company's founding.

If you're looking for a wheel that can handle almost everything skateboarding throws at it, Dragon Formula continues to set the benchmark.

Check out the Powell Peralta Dragon Formula Wheels available at Dissent here.