The Ultimate Fingerboard Wheel Showdown: Illpills vs. Piro – Why Piro Takes the Crown

Fingerboarding is all about the feel – that perfect combination of roll, grip, slide, and responsiveness that lets your fingers rip like a real skater. And nothing impacts that more than your wheels. Today, we're pitting two popular urethane options head-to-head: Illpills (from Dirty Fingerboards) and Piro Wheels. We'll break down the pros, cons, real-user feedback, and ultimately declare a winner.

Quick Brand Overviews

Illpills  

Handcrafted in the Philippines, Illpills are known for hard 70D urethane wheels that deliver a loud, classic squeak. They come in shapes like Street, Minis, and Big Pill, often with fun graphics. Many riders praise their initial smoothness and free spin, and some packs include a spare wheel.

Piro

Premium wheels handmade in Toronto, Canada. Piro uses 65D urethane for a balanced feel – not too hard, not too soft. Shapes include Performance (versatile duo-conical), Bowl Mini, Dual Durometer, and Pro Series. ABEC 9 bearings, excellent uniformity, and realistic skate-like performance.

Performance Comparison

Roll & Speed

Both roll smoothly out of the box, but Piro consistently earns praise for buttery, reliable performance even after break-in. Illpills can feel lightning fast and very spinny initially, but some users report they lose that edge over time or develop bearing issues.

Grip & Squeak

• Illpills: Harder wheels mean more squeak (which some love for that authentic street feel) but less forgiveness on varied surfaces. They can feel grippy but also chip or wear faster on rough terrain.
• Piro: Softer 65D formula offers better balanced grip without being overly sticky. Riders describe them as smooth with just the right amount of squeak – more versatile for flatground tech, transitions, and daily sessions.

Durability

Illpills hold up decently for many (some last a year+ with heavy use), but reports of chipping, cracking, or faster wear exist, especially outdoors. Piro wheels earn frequent praise for longevity – sets lasting 2–3 years with minimal degradation.

Shapes & Variety

Piro shines here with thoughtful, uniform shapes tailored to different styles (Performance for all-around excellence). Illpills offer solid options too, but Piro feels more refined and consistent.

Value & Business Practices

Illpills face criticism for pricing inconsistencies (cheaper locally in the Philippines, higher abroad), which has led some shops to stop stocking them due to fairness concerns. Piro avoids such drama and is often seen as a premium, trustworthy investment.

Real Rider Opinions

Community feedback (from Reddit and reviews) is split but trends positive for both – with Piro pulling ahead in direct comparisons:

• Many say Piro feels smoother, more grippy in a controlled way, and just "better overall."
• Illpills fans love the hardness and squeak, but many switch to Piro and never look back.

The Verdict: Piro is the Best Choice

While Illpills are a solid, affordable entry into premium urethane with that raw, squeaky character, Piro Wheels come out on top. They deliver superior consistency, durability, balanced performance, and a premium feel that translates directly to better tricks and longer sessions. Whether you're a tech wizard or a flow rider, Piro's shapes and urethane formula just work better for most people in 2026.

If you're upgrading from plastic wheels, go Piro – you won't regret it. Grab a set of their Performance or Bowl shapes and feel the difference.

What are your favorite wheels? Drop a comment below – Illpills loyalists, change our mind!

Happy fingerboarding!