What Are Skateboard Risers?

Skateboard risers, also known as riser pads or skateboard truck risers, are hard plastic components that help prevent wheel bite and provide more clearance when riding. You place skateboard riser pads between your trucks and deck, thereby increasing the height of your board off the ground. Wheel bite can be dangerous and damaging to your board, so getting a pair of risers is a simple and affordable solution to avoid this problem.

Skate risers are often confused with skateboard shock pads. Risers are made from plastic and are designed to raise your deck’s height, preventing wheel bites. Meanwhile, shock pads are usually made from rubber or dense foam with the goal of absorbing impacts and reducing vibrations when skating.

What Size Skateboard Risers Do I Need?

The riser size you need depends on the size of your wheels and truck height. For instance, if you are riding a setup with larger wheels and have low or mid trucks, then you will likely need thicker risers. In general, if your wheels are smaller than 54 mm, you likely won’t need risers. There are three common sizes of risers: 1/8” (3.175 mm), 1/4” (6.35 mm), and 1/2” (12.7 mm) depending on how much clearance you want.

Remember that if you are adding risers, you will need hardware that is long enough for your new setup. To ensure you get the right size, check out our Buying Guide for Skateboard Bolts and Riser Pads.

Another thing to consider is what shape pads you want: rectangular or angled. Rectangular is the classic design and is most common on skateboards. Angled or wedged risers alter the angle of the trucks, thereby having a bigger impact on the style of riding. Using angled risers is more common for cruisers and longboards.

If you need new nuts and bolts for your new setup, check out our range of Skateboard Hardware.