Elevate your SUV or truck and find the best side steps with this ultimate buying guide.
For many new truck owners, one of the first aftermarket upgrades they consider is adding a set of side steps. Excitedly, they head to the store, envisioning the perfect set to complement their vehicle. However, upon arrival, they quickly discover that selecting the right option involves more than just identifying "the step things that mount right below the doors."
While choosing the best side steps for your ride can be a little tricky, it’s a lot easier when you understand all the different options available to you. Below, we break down the ins and outs of side steps, so you have everything you need to make the right purchase.
Types of Side Steps
The first thing you need to know is that all side steps are not one and the same. There are many different configurations, which can be broken up into different subcategories. Finding the exact set that's in your mind's eye starts by understanding which category they fit into.
Nerf Bar
Nerf bars are by far the most popular side step choice, and it's likely due to their affordable pricing and great styling. These side steps are tubular by design and generally come in a variety of round or oval diameters, ranging from 3 inches to 6 inches in size. They are also offered in curved or straight designs, depending on the manufacturer and the diameter selected.
The construction of nerf bars is about as simple as it gets. It's a tube with plastic end caps and a number of short, textured pads located just where your feet need them. The total number of pads depends on the length chosen.
Manufacturer choices will dictate the available materials and finishes. In most cases though, options like TrailFX's black powder-coated and polished stainless finishes set the standard for selection.
Running Boards
Running boards differ from tubular nerf bars in their wide, flat design. Rather than featuring short step cut-outs beneath each door, running boards create what is essentially one long and broad step. In our opinion, this makes them the best side steps for vehicles that often transport passengers or that serve drivers who appreciate a little extra sure-footing.
Although nerf bars have more mass appeal due to their affordability, running boards tend to offer design options more specifically suited to individual taste and purpose. Often, the main design theme of a running board is directly called out in the name, such as in the case of Owens' Extruded Aluminum Running Boards or DeeZee's Rough Step Running Boards.
Manufacturers have their own proprietary designs, too – like Romik’s RAL Series Running Boards, which feature a unique design reminiscent of contemporary European styling and a weight capacity of an impressive 400+ pounds. Due to the wide variety, running boards aren’t quite as easy to shop for as nerf bars. However, it does give truck owners the ability to custom-tailor their selection.
Hoop Steps
Hoop steps are by far the most affordable and simple in the design of all three primary sub-categories of side steps. Unlike nerf bars or running boards, these steps do not extend the length of the cab. Instead, they are short, single steps that mount directly below each door they're needed at. Often, they extend much lower than their counterparts, making for easier vehicle entry.
Part of what makes hoop steps so affordable is that they can be purchased in pairs or individually. The number of finishes and styles they're available in is rather limited, though. While manufacturers such as Carr might throw some flare into the mix with options like its yellow hoop steps, most choices are limited to just black textured powder coating or a polished aluminum finish.
Drop-Step Side Steps
Drop-step running boards and drop-step nerf bars are precisely as their name suggests: running boards or nerf bars equipped with drop-down steps. This design combines the long, extended layout of traditional pieces with the advantage of a drop step's lower stepping platform.
Drop-step styles are the best side steps for off-road vehicles with oversized tires and a lift kit because they offer passengers a lower step to enter the vehicle. Because of that association, drop-steps are generally designed with a matching rugged aesthetic. Westin Automotive's HDX Drop Step Nerf Bars are representative of the aggressive styling typical of steps in this category.
Power Running Boards
Power running boards offer an ideal compromise for truck and SUV owners who want the functionality of side steps without the visual presence beneath their vehicle's doors. These innovative boards are engineered to seamlessly retract when not in use, and automatically deploy when needed. Operated electronically, they activate when the door opens and can be remotely controlled via key fob as well.
The only drawback is that premium features come with a higher price tag, and these are the most expensive side step option available. While Amp Research has long been a leader in this category, more brands – like Westin and Go Rhino – are entering the space as the style’s popularity picks up.
Cab vs Wheel to Wheel: Length Matters
When shopping for nerf bars and running boards, you'll encounter the option to choose between cab-length or wheel-to-wheel lengths. This choice can catch some shoppers off guard, but understanding the difference is important for making the right selection. Thankfully, it’s also simple.
Cab-length side steps extend only along the length of the cabin, providing a step up for passengers to their respective seating. Wheel-to-wheel steps span the distance between the wheels, offering an additional step to the bed of the truck and boosting appeal for those who utilize the front of their bed. The decision between the two depends on your truck usage, personal preference, and budget.
What Material Makes the Best Side Steps?
When choosing side steps for your truck or SUV, another factor to consider is primary construction material. Options typically include steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Each material offers different benefits in terms of durability, weight, and corrosion resistance, so you’ll want to choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.
Steel is the most affordable option, but is the most vulnerable to the elements. That's why it's always coated with some sort of barrier to protect it from corrosion, with powder coating being the most popular option.
Stainless steel is a step up and is available in both polished and powder-coated finishes. Moving to stainless will raise the price slightly, but it is worth it for truck owners in the Rust Belt.
Aluminum is another great choice, as it eliminates corrosion issues altogether while reducing the weight of the boards themselves. Of course, aluminum boards are the most expensive, but they are sure to provide the greatest lifespan of all options. It too is available in a variety of finishes as well to match any build.
Do Side Steps Work as Rocker Panel Guards?
Many people fall under the impression that nerf bars and rocker panels offer similar protection to that of a rocker panel guard. Considering the location and design similarities, it's easy to see how one can come to that conclusion. It simply isn't the case, though.
Rocker panel guards are heavy-duty pieces designed to protect your vehicle’s rockers from impacts with rocks, branches, and other off-road obstacles. Rock sliders, a variant of rocker guards, are built to actually aid in situations where a vehicle may get hung up on the rockers while crawling over harsh terrain.
Even the best heavy-duty side steps simply don't offer the same level of protection. They might save you from light impacts on occasion, but they aren't intended for the full-time abuse that rocker guards are built to withstand.
Another big difference to consider is the mounting location. Rocker guards bolt directly to the rocker and require drilling into the sheet metal for a permanent mount. This takes them up and out of the way of higher obstacles, as opposed to side steps that sit far lower. So, if off-road performance and protection are your main goals, then rocker guards are the upgrade you want to consider.
Installation and Maintenance
Speaking of installation, we want to leave you with some tips to keep in mind when installing nerf bars as well as maintaining them. How you approach these two categories will have a direct impact on the longevity of your side steps and even your truck.
No-Drill Installation. Many trucks come with pre-drilled holes for mounting side steps. While direct-fit sets may come at a higher cost compared to universal side steps, they offer the advantage of easy installation without the need to cover bare metal.
Drill Installation. If you do choose to go with a universal set of side steps that require drilling, it is essential to paint over bare metal left by drilling. Otherwise, your frame will rust.
Hardware Replacement. Over time, bolts will corrode and rust. Every so often, you should inspect the mounting hardware of your side steps and replace them as necessary.
Regular Cleaning. Maintaining the life of your side steps is heavily based on keeping them clean. These low-hanging parts are exposed to the harshest road conditions and will accumulate a lot of harmful grime because of it. Take the time to clean them thoroughly. Doing so also presents the opportunity to inspect the components, so you can take action and replace or recoat what's needed before it’s too late.
If you want to add additional protection to side steps with a smooth finish, then a layer of wax will do the trick. As with paint, the wax is a thin but effective barrier shielding the finish from minor abrasions that can lead to big problems.