What Do Risers Do on a Skateboard? (2026)
Risers are thin pads between your trucks and deck. Here's what they do, when you need them and how to pick the right thickness and hardware.
What Risers Do
Risers (riser pads) sit between the truck baseplate and the deck. They:
- Raise the deck so wheels don't touch it in turns (wheel bite).
- Absorb some vibration, especially softer "shock pads."
- Protect the deck from truck baseplate stress.
When You Need Them
| Situation | Risers? |
|---|---|
| Small street wheels with standard trucks | Usually not |
| Larger wheels | Often helpful |
| Loose trucks or soft bushings | May help |
| Wheels touching the deck in turns | Yes |
| Cruisers with soft wheels | Often used |
Risers vs Shock Pads
| Risers | Shock Pads | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Hard plastic | Softer rubber or dense foam |
| Main job | Add height to prevent wheel bite | Absorb vibration and impact |
| Height | 1/8" and up | Usually thin |
| Common on | Cruisers, setups with bigger wheels | Cruisers and longboards |
Riser Thickness
| Thickness | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| 1/8" | Small boost for slightly bigger wheels |
| 1/4" | Larger wheels, cruisers, looser trucks |
| 1/2" | Big soft wheels, some longboard setups |
| Angled or wedge risers | Changing truck turn response (common on longboards) |
As a rough guide, wheels under about 54mm on standard trucks often don't need risers, while bigger wheels with low or mid trucks often do.
Angled (Wedge) Risers
Angled risers are thicker at one end. Wedging a truck increases how much it turns; reversing the angle (de-wedging) makes it more stable. They're mostly used on longboards and cruisers to fine-tune the ride.
Hardware Length
Risers need longer bolts. As a rough guide, add the riser's thickness to the hardware you'd use without risers, then make sure the nut fully threads.
How to Install Risers
- Remove the trucks from the deck.
- Place the riser between the deck and the truck baseplate, lining up the holes.
- Push longer bolts down through the grip tape, deck and riser, and on through the baseplate.
- Tighten the nuts evenly until the bolt heads sit flush with the grip.
- Check the bolts are long enough for the nuts to thread fully.
Do Risers Change the Ride?
A higher deck gives a bit more leverage over the trucks and a slightly different pop feel; many skaters don't notice 1/8" risers. Very high setups can feel less stable, so use only as much height as you need to stop wheel bite.
Riser Picks
Independent 1/8" Risers
A single set of Independent Genuine Parts 1/8-inch risers.
Check Price on AmazonIndependent 1 1/4" Hardware with 1/4" Riser
Independent Phillips hardware in 1 1/4 inch with a 1/4-inch riser pad.
Check Price on AmazonOther Fixes for Wheel Bite
Tighter trucks, harder bushings or smaller wheels also help. See wheel bite, high vs low trucks and skateboard anatomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do risers do on a skateboard?
They raise the deck to help prevent wheel bite, especially with larger wheels or loose trucks, and can absorb some vibration.
Do I need risers?
If your wheels touch the deck during turns, risers can help. Many street setups with small wheels don't need them.
What size risers should I get?
1/8 inch risers are common for modest wheel upgrades; 1/4 inch for larger wheels. It depends on your trucks and wheels.
Do risers need longer hardware?
Yes. Add roughly the riser thickness to your hardware length.
Do risers affect ollies?
A higher deck can change pop feel slightly; many skaters don't notice small risers.