Background The use of highly crosslinked polyethylene (HXLPE) is now commonplace for total hip arthroplasty. Hip simulator studies and short-term in vivo measurements suggest that the wear rate of some types of HXLPE is significantly less than conventional ultrahigh-molecularweight polyethylene (UHMWPE). However, there are few long-term data to support its use. Questions/purposes The aim of this study was to measure the long-term steady-state wear of HXLPE compared with UHMWPE liners in a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis. Methods Fifty-four patients were randomized to receive hip arthroplasties with either UHMWPE liners or HXLPE liners. Complete followup was available on 39 of these patients (72%). All patients received the same cemented stem and an uncemented acetabular component. Threedimensional penetration of the head into the socket was determined at 10 years using a radiostereometric analysis system, which has an in vivo accuracy of \ 0.1 mm. Oxford Hip Scores were compared between the groups. Results At 10 years there was significantly less wear of HXLPE (0.003 mm/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], ± 0.010; SD 0.023; range, À0.057 to 0.074) compared with UHMWPE (0.030 mm/year; 95% CI, ± 0.012; p \ 0.001; SD 0.0.27; range, À0.001 to 0.164). The volumetric penetration from 1 to 10 years for the UHMWPE group was 98 mm 3 (95% CI, ± 46 mm 3 ; SD 102 mm 3