Skateboard risers are essential components that elevate your trucks from the deck, primarily used to prevent 'wheel bite' where larger wheels rub against the board during turns. They also play a crucial role in absorbing impact shock and dampening vibrations, thereby extending the lifespan of your hardware and deck. Products were evaluated based on material composition, thickness variations, impact absorption capabilities, user reviews, and feature analysis.
Independent Genuine Parts 1/8" RISERS Single Set
$9.99
These Independent risers offer a balanced 1/8" thickness with solid construction, effectively preventing common issues like wheel bite and board cracks.
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Outus 10 Pieces 3 mm Skateboard Riser Shock Pads Longboard Rise Mats Skateboard Shock Mat Soft Longboard Shockpads
$7.99
Providing 10 pieces of 3mm PU pads, this set offers substantial value for riders seeking basic shock absorption and increased deck clearance.
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INDEPENDENT Skateboard Truck PHILLIPS 1 1/4" Hardware and 1/4" Riser Pad
$12.95
This Independent set combines 1/4" risers with Phillips hardware, offering a complete and robust solution for taller setups requiring new mounting bolts.
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- Solid hard riser pads
- The 1/8" Riser Pads from Independent Truck Co. Independent riser pads are tried and approved by the Indy team, these riser pads help prevent vibration, loose hardware, board cracks, and wheel bite. Get them on your skateboard today.
- Prevent vibration, loose hardware, board cracks, and wheel bite
- Independent Trucks is the #1 choice of professional skateboarders since 1978
- Packaging includes: you will receive 10 skateboard riser shock pads to meet your long-term needs, enough quantity for sharing and replacement
- Powerful effect: these skateboard riser shock pads can reduce the impact force caused by falling and impact, extend the service life of the skateboard, also can avoid the contact between the wheel and the skateboard when modifying the large wheels
- Reliable materials: our longboard rise pads are made of quality PU with good cushioning properties, helping to absorb most of the impact; Make your movement more steady and prevent the sole from rubbing repeatedly
- Appropriate size: soft longboard shockpads are 78 mm/ 3.1 inch in length, 56 mm/ 2.2 inch in width, and 3 mm/ 0.12 inch in thickness, suitable for most skateboards
- Packaging includes: you will receive 16 skateboard riser shock pads to meet your long-term needs, enough quantity for sharing and replacement
- Powerful effect: these skateboard riser shock pads can reduce the impact force caused by falling and impact, extend the service life of the skateboard, also can avoid the contact between the wheel and the skateboard when modifying the large wheels
- Reliable materials: our longboard riser pads are made of quality PU with good cushioning properties, helping to absorb most of the impact; Make your movement more steady and prevent the sole from rubbing repeatedly
- Appropriate size: soft longboard shockpads are 78 mm/ 3.1 inch in length, 56 mm/ 2.2 inch in width, and 3 mm/ 0.12 inch in thickness, suitable for most skateboards
- Shock pads help prevent wheel bite and they also soften hard landings.
![[CCS] Skateboard Riser Pads | 1/8' & 1/4' | Soft Rubber | 6 Hole Mounting Pattern | Set of 2 (Clear Purple...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31HAkuxCChL._SL160_._SL160_.jpg "The Best Skateboard Risers 8")
- SET OF 2 RISER PADS: two is what you need, so two is what we will provide.
- 6 HOLE MOUNTING PATTERN: Our risers are drilled with two sets of holes, the more narrow set for standard skateboard decks and the wider set for old school decks.
- ABSORB SHOCK: The CCS riser pads are made out of a soft rubber, which helps absorb shock and lessens the impact on your body.
- PRESERVE YOUR DECK: Since these risers absorb shock, they will help extend the lifetime of your deck by preventing stress cracks and preserving its original concave.
- Color: Black; Material: PP; Size: 80 x 54 x 28 mm/3.15 x 2.01 x 1.1 inch (L*W*T); Packing List: 2 x Skateboard Riser Shock Pads
- Advantage: These longboard rising pads are made of PP material, with good cushioning performance, which helps absorb most of the impact and prevent repeated friction of the sole; Lightweight plastic makes your movement more smooth.
- Instruction: These rectangle skateboard rise pads are light and small, convenient for you to store and carry. It is placed between the longboard surface and the bracket with screws to fix it.
- Application: The skateboard riser shock pads can reduce the impact force caused by falling and impact, and extend the service life of the longboard trucks. The contact between the wheel and the skateboard can also be avoided when modifying the wheel...
- The package includs: 1set (2pcs) skateboard riser pads w/ 1set (8pcs) skateboard hardware/screws
- REDUCES WHEEL BITE – Raises truck height to provide additional wheel clearance, helping reduce wheel bite and improve control during turns.
- ABSORBS SHOCK & VIBRATION – Durable rubber construction cushions road impact and vibration for a smoother, more comfortable ride.
- FITS SKATEBOARDS & LONGBOARDS – Compatible with most skateboard, longboard, cruiser, and old school setups using standard skateboard trucks.
This article is part of our complete guide Sports & Outdoors — browse all our comparisons and buying guides.
Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Best Skateboard Risers
Choosing the Right Thickness for Your Ride
The thickness of your skateboard risers directly impacts your setup's height and clearance, primarily to prevent wheel bite. Typically, risers range from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch. For instance, a 1/8" riser, such as the Independent Genuine Parts 1/8" RISERS, is often sufficient for minor wheel bite issues or for slightly increasing leverage. Conversely, taller risers like the 1/4" options from Independent or even the 1/2-Inch Sector 9 risers (from other products) are necessary when running larger wheels or seeking a significantly higher ride. Riders often report that thicker risers provide a more stable feel at higher speeds, though they also raise the center of gravity, which can affect turn responsiveness.
Material and Shock Absorption Properties
Riser pads are manufactured from various materials, each offering distinct properties for shock absorption and vibration dampening. Solid hard risers, like those from Independent Truck Co., are known for their durability and consistent lift, primarily preventing wheel bite and distributing pressure. However, for significant impact absorption, materials like rubber or polyurethane (PU) are often preferred. Vanpro offers 1/8" rubber risers specifically for absorbing impact shock and reducing vibrations. Similarly, the Outus 3 mm pads are made from quality PU, designed to dampen impacts and extend hardware life, demonstrating that softer materials excel at mitigating the harshness of landings and rough terrain.
Hardware Compatibility and Mounting Patterns
When selecting risers, it is crucial to consider the length of your mounting hardware. Adding risers, especially those 1/4" or thicker, almost always necessitates longer bolts to ensure a secure connection between the trucks, risers, and deck. The INDEPENDENT Skateboard Truck PHILLIPS 1 1/4" Hardware and 1/4" Riser Pad combination is a practical example, providing both components together. Furthermore, while most risers conform to standard truck baseplate patterns, it's worth noting specific measurements. Vanpro's pads, for example, detail screw hole center distances (e.g., 63MM/2.5inch*41MM/1.625inch), ensuring a precise fit. Users typically find that risers with a 6-hole mounting pattern (as seen in CCS options) offer versatility for both old-school and new-school truck hole configurations.
Pros & Cons
Independent Genuine Parts 1/8" RISERS Single Set
Pros
- Tried and approved by the Independent team, indicating reliability.
- Effective 1/8" thickness for preventing common issues like wheel bite and minor board cracks.
- Solid hard construction offers consistent performance and durability.
Cons
- May not provide sufficient lift for exceptionally large wheels.
- Hard material offers less shock absorption compared to rubber or PU alternatives.
vanpro Trucks pad 1/8 Rubber Skateboard Risers for Preventing Wheelbite and Absorbing Impact Shock, Reduces Vibrations to Extend Hardware Life(Snow Black) (4 MM)
Pros
- Made from rubber, excelling at absorbing impact shock and reducing vibrations.
- Specifically designed to prevent wheel bite while extending hardware life.
- Detailed structural design with specific screw hole center distances for precise fit.
Cons
- The 1/8" thickness might still be insufficient for aggressive setups with very large wheels.
- Brand culture description is less focused on technical product benefits.
Outus 10 Pieces 3 mm Skateboard Riser Shock Pads Longboard Rise Mats Skateboard Shock Mat Soft Longboard Shockpads
Pros
- Comes in a pack of 10, offering ample supply for multiple setups or long-term use.
- Made of quality PU, providing good cushioning properties for impact reduction.
- Effectively reduces impact force and extends the life of the board and hardware.
Cons
- The 3mm thickness is relatively thin, potentially limiting its effectiveness for severe wheel bite.
- PU material, while good for shock, may compress more over time compared to solid hard risers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating Riser Thickness Requirements
A frequent error is choosing risers that are too thin for the intended wheel size or truck setup. For instance, relying solely on 1/8" risers like the Independent Genuine Parts 1/8" RISERS when running wheels over 55mm might still result in frustrating wheel bite. Riders often report that a 1/4" riser, such as the Independent Genuine Parts Riser Set Black 1/4 Set, is a more suitable starting point for larger wheel diameters, ensuring adequate clearance during deep carves.
Neglecting Hardware Length Adjustments
Many users overlook the necessity of longer mounting hardware when adding risers. Installing a 1/4" riser without commensurately longer bolts means fewer threads engage the truck baseplate, leading to loose trucks, stripped nuts, or even hardware failure. The INDEPENDENT Skateboard Truck PHILLIPS 1 1/4" Hardware and 1/4" Riser Pad product highlights this by including appropriate 1 1/4" hardware, a crucial consideration often missed when purchasing risers separately.
Ignoring Material's Impact on Ride Feel
Selecting risers based solely on thickness without considering the material properties is another common oversight. Hard plastic risers (like some Independent models) are excellent for preventing wheel bite but offer minimal shock absorption. If the goal is to dampen vibrations and absorb impact from rough terrain or landings, choosing a softer material like the rubber pads from vanpro or the PU shock pads from Outus is more effective. Users find that softer risers significantly improve comfort and reduce fatigue on longer rides.
