Risers and rails are the ultimate "custom" add-ons. While often associated with retro setups, these accessories serve critical functional purposes for modern street, park, and cruiser skating.

Riser Pads and Shock Pads: Why You Need Them

The primary job of a riser is to increase the distance between your wheels and your deck.

• Eliminate Wheel-Bite: If you prefer loose trucks or larger wheels (56mm+), adding a 1/8" or 1/4" riser prevents your wheels from "biting" the wood during deep carves, which can cause abrupt stops.
• Shock Absorption: Many brands like Bones and Independent offer "Shock Pads." These are made of a softer rubber material designed to soak up road vibration and reduce the impact on your feet during heavy landings.

Deck Rails: The "Slide" Advantage

Deck rails (also known as "Rib Bones" or "Slimlines") have made a massive comeback.

• Consistent Slides: Made of ultra-slick, high-density plastic, rails allow you to slide across crusty curbs and sticky coping with much less effort than a raw wooden deck.
• Graphic Protection: Rails act as a sacrificial barrier, keeping your deck’s artwork looking fresh even after a heavy session of board slides.
• Grabs: For transition skaters, rails provide a better "lip" to grab onto during airs.

Compatibility Tip

Remember that adding risers requires longer hardware.

• 1/8" Riser: Use 1.125" or 1.25" bolts.
• 1/4" Riser: Use 1.25" or 1.5" bolts.

The Drop: Canada’s Premiere Hardware Source

We carry a wide variety of colors and thicknesses to match any setup or aesthetic. Whether you’re restoring a vintage reissue or building a modern curb-killer, we have the specialized hardware you need. Shop online with fast shipping across Canada or visit our flagship 11,000-square-foot store in Grande Prairie, Alberta to see our full range of skate accessories in person.