Risers are one of the simplest parts on a skateboard, and one of the easiest to get right. They all do the same basic job: they sit between your trucks and deck to add height and protection. The main thing you're choosing is how tall.
This guide covers what risers do, how to pick a height, the difference between hard risers, shock pads, and wood risers, what hardware you'll need, and our quick picks from Ace, Independent, and Real.
What Risers Do
- Prevent wheelbite: Extra height keeps bigger wheels and looser trucks from catching the deck.
- Increase deck life: A layer between aluminum trucks and wood absorbs some shock at the bolt holes, helping prevent stress cracks.
- Ride smoother: That same layer takes some sting out of rough ground.
- Increase pop: More distance between your tail and the ground lets you put more force into each pop.
Choosing a Height
Height is the biggest decision. The general rule: the bigger your wheels and the looser your trucks, the more height you need. Start small, and only go taller if you're still getting wheelbite.
| Height | Typical Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1mm to 4mm | Fine-tuning without a full 1/8" jump | Slappy Slabs |
| 1/16" | Cushioning or silencing with almost no added height | Ace Shock Pads, Dooks Silencers |
| 1/8" | A small bump for slightly bigger wheels or looser trucks | Ace Shims, Independent Risers, Real Wood Risers, H Block Risers |
| 1/4" | Noticeable height for bigger wheels or loose trucks | Independent 1/4", Real 5-Ply, Pig Hard Riser Pads |
| 3/8" to 3/4" | Cruisers, old school boards, and big soft wheels | OJ Juice Cubes, Dogtown Risers, Mini Logo Risers, Slappy Big Blocks |
Pig, for example, says boards with wheels bigger than 56mm need added height. OJ designed its 3/8" Juice Cubes for cruiser wheels like OJ Hot Juice and Super Juice. Ace shims are stackable, so you can build up height in 1/8" steps.
Hard Risers, Shock Pads, and Wood Risers
| Type | Feel | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Hard risers | Firm, consistent height | Ace Shims, Independent Risers, Dooks Hard Riser Pads, Dogtown Risers, H Block Risers |
| Soft shock pads | Extra cushion and less vibration | Independent Shock Pads, Dooks Shock Pads, Pig Piles Shock Pads, Madness Shock Treatment |
| Wood risers | Rigid, snappy, and locked in | Real Wood Risers, Opera Wood Veneer Risers |
| Silencers | Grip between trucks and deck to keep hardware tight | Dooks Silencers |
Wood risers are the newest twist. A hardwood riser is essentially rigid at the forces skateboarding puts on it, so instead of soaking up energy, it transfers it. Pop feels snappier, trucks respond more directly, and turning feels locked in. Wood doesn't compress or take a set like rubber, so your ride height stays where you set it. Real makes them in a universal fit plus shapes for Thunder and Venture trucks.
Fit and Hole Patterns
Most risers fit standard truck and deck combinations, and many list both old school and new school hole patterns, like Dooks Hard Riser Pads, Dogtown Risers, and Pig Hard Riser Pads. Some are shaped for specific trucks: Independent Risers fit Indys proper, Krux Risers fit Krux with no muffin top, Ace shims fit neatly under Ace baseplates, and Real offers Thunder and Venture shapes. If you want a clean, flush look, match your risers to your trucks.
Hardware: Size Up
Risers add height, so your bolts need to get longer too. Risers up to 1/8" work with standard 1" hardware. Above that, add the riser height to your hardware length.
| Riser Height | Hardware Length |
|---|---|
| Up to 1/8" | 1" |
| 1/4" | 1 1/4" |
| 3/8" | 1 1/2" |
| 1/2" | 1 1/2" |
| 3/4" | 1 1/2"+ |
Stacking risers? Add up the total height. Or skip the math with Slappy Big Blocks with Hardware, which come with a 1 1/2" hardware set. For more, see our sizing guide for decks, trucks, wheels, hardware, and risers.
Longboard Risers
Longboards have their own options. Angled risers like H Block Angled Risers and Paris 7° Wedge Risers raise one side of the truck higher than the other for deeper turns and a surf-style carve. Running a higher angle up front and a lower angle in back can help limit speed wobble. Paris Risers are shaped to fit Paris trucks, and Loaded Drop Through Risers are made for all drop-through style decks.
Choosing by Riding Style
| Style | What to Look For | Good Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Street and park | Low height, firm feel, maximum pop | Independent Risers, Ace Shims, Real Wood Risers |
| Big wheels and loose trucks | More height to stop wheelbite | Independent 1/4", Dogtown Risers, Pig Hard Riser Pads |
| Cruising and rough terrain | Height plus cushion | OJ Juice Cubes, Dooks Shock Pads, Independent Shock Pads |
| Longboarding | Angled or truck-specific risers | H Block Angled Risers, Paris 7° Wedge Risers, Loaded Drop Through Risers |
Quick Picks
| Pick | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ace Shims | Stackable height | 1/8" shims that stack and fit neatly under Ace baseplates |
| Independent Risers | Independent trucks | Custom molded to fit your Indys proper |
| Real Wood Risers | Snappy pop | 100% North American Maple, universal 6-hole fit |
| H Block Risers | Everyday risers | 6-hole design fits virtually any deck and truck |
| Opera Wood Veneer Risers | Wood in 3-ply or 5-ply | Rigid hardwood veneer for a locked-in feel |
| Dooks Hard Riser Pads | Old and new school setups | Double hole pattern plus a kingpin hole |
| OJ Juice Cubes | Cruisers | 3/8" semi-soft vinyl for big, soft wheels |
| Slappy Big Blocks with Hardware | Complete kit | 1/2" risers with 1 1/2" hardware and a sticker |
| Dooks Silencers | Loose hardware | Grips between trucks and deck for a tighter ride |
| H Block Angled Risers | Longboard carving | Angled 5/16" to 9/16" for deeper turns |
Shop by Brand
- Ace Trucks MFG: Stackable 1/8" shims and 1/16" shock pads
- Independent: Risers and shock pads molded to fit Indys
- Real: Maple wood risers in universal, Thunder, and Venture fits
- H Block: Risers in three heights, six colors, and angled longboard wedges
- Opera: Wood veneer and clear risers
- Dooks: Hard risers, shock pads, and Silencers
- Dogtown: Risers in four heights and five colors
- Pig: Hard risers and soft shock pads in lots of colors
- Slappy: Low-profile Slabs and tall Big Blocks
- OJ Wheels: Juice Cubes for cruiser wheels
- Krux: Risers shaped for Krux trucks
- Mini Logo: Hard risers and shock pads
- Modus: 1/8" risers in three colors
- Bones: Rat logo risers
- Madness: Shock Treatment soft risers
- Krooked: 1/8" and 1/4" risers
- Shake Junt: SJ logo risers
- Heroin: Glow Stacks glow-in-the-dark risers
- Snot Wheel Co.: Booger Blocks
- Thunder: 1/8" risers
- Paris: Longboard risers and 7° wedges for Paris trucks
- Loaded: Longboard risers, shock pads, and drop-through 4-packs
FAQ
Do I need risers?
If your wheels touch your deck when you turn or lean hard (wheelbite), yes. Even if they don't, risers can help protect your deck from stress cracks and smooth out your ride.
Do risers come in pairs?
Yes, one for each truck. Loaded's Drop Through Risers come as a 4-pack as the lone exception.
Will risers make my board harder to flip?
Taller risers raise your board, which changes the feel. Start with the smallest height that solves your wheelbite.
Can I stack risers?
Yes. Ace shims are made to stack. Just remember to add up the total height when you choose hardware.
What's the difference between risers and shock pads?
Risers are hard and focus on height. Shock pads are softer and focus on cushioning and cutting vibration, with a little height too.
Keep Building Your Setup
- Sizing Guide for Decks, Trucks, Wheels, Hardware, and Risers
- Skateboard Wheels Guide: Size, Hardness, and Shape
- Skateboard Truck Size Guide
- Skateboard Bushings Guide
- How to Choose Skateboard Bearings
- How to Choose Skateboard Rails
- How to Choose Skateboard Wax
Ready to get some lift? Shop all risers and shock pads.