What are Skateboard Riser Pads?
Skateboard riser pads are hard plastic slips that are seated between the skateboard trucks and the deck to raise the deck height.
Skateboard riser pads are used to:
- Avoid wheel bite (when the wheel rubs against the deck on a hard turn)
- Provide more cushioning
- Change the characteristics of a specific skateboard setup
- Reduce stress cracks
- Increase the life of your deck.
Wheel bite can damage the rider or the wheel very easily since one wheel stops while the others continue moving. The results can be nasty.
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Should you buy risers?
The larger the wheel, the more chance there is that you will encounter wheel bite.
So, if you have large wheels such as those on a longboard, cruiser, or old school skateboard – you may want to consider riser pads.
Skateboarder using normal popsicle decks typically use risers to prevent wheel bite after they land a skate trick to prolong the life of their board.
If you are wheels are 55mm or smaller, you may not need riser pads. However, a ⅛” riser pad can help keep your gear and from vibrating loose (think of it as a washer that you use when used when screwing nuts and bolts.
Riser Pads vs Hardware Size Calculator
If you plan to put risers on your skateboard you may need to adjust the size of your bolts/hardware to allow for the extra height.
The charge below will help you figure out what hardware length are suitable for your risers.
| Riser Type | Hardware |
|---|---|
| No Riser | 7/8" to 1" |
| 1/8" Riser | 1" to 1 1/8" |
| 1/4" Riser | 1 1/4" |
| 1/2" Riser | 1 1/2" |
The Best Riser Pads
Here are the list of the best riser pads you can get your hands on. We have focused on the highest quality rather than appearance since you will not see the designs of the risers once they have been fixed between your trucks and your skateboard.
Sector 9 Flat Skateboard Risers
Independent Risers
Bones Skateboard Riser Pads
Should I buy Riser Pads or Shock Pads?
People often use the words “riser pads”and “shock pads” interchangeably. Although they look similar and positioned in identical places on your skateboard there are vital difference between the two.
Skateboard riser pads are made of hard plastic and their primary aim is to reduce wheel bite.
Shock Pads are made of rubber and designed to reduce shock and vibration for a smoother ride.
Unlike riser pads – using shock pads can also reduce your speed.
Riser pad shapes
Rectangular
Rectangular riser pads are the most common shape for skateboarders.
Rectangular pads are standard, they will increase your deck height and decrease the shock felt by the rider. Remember though, the higher your deck is from the ground – the less maneuverable it will be.
Angled/Wedge Risers
The wedge shape of angled riser fixes your trucks at an angle from your deck while also raising your deck height.
Angled rises can be angled in both directions which means that you can increase or decrease how much your skateboard trucks turn depending on the direction you face your angled riser.
If you want to increase your turn capability, install the angled riser so that the thickest part is closer to the centre of the deck.
You can also flip the direction of the angled risers to create special turning dynamics e.g. face both risers so the thickest part faces the centre so your front turning capability changes while decreasing your rear turn capability.
To select the right hardware size for your riser pads don’t forget to use our hardware size calculator above.
About riser pad holes
You may have noticed that there are 6 holes in skateboard riser pads even though you only need 4 when installing your trucks.
There are 6 holes to accommodate for the two arrangements of old school and new school skateboards.
More or less, pre-1990’s the trucks were larger and had a broader set of holes. But now manufacturers provide both on their truck sets – and so riser pads have also provided both.
