These are very grippy wheels. I am a derby skater, and they were my first set of wheels. They are excellent on slick surfaces like polished concrete, and they are also great for outdoor use (they are my outdoor wheels now). If you are skating on a grippy surface, like a wooden rink floor, they would be great for a beginner just getting her skate legs under her; but once you're comfortable skating you'll want to switch to something harder.