Best Running Boards for 2025 Rivian R1S - recommendations?

[NY2LA]

Hey everyone!

I’m looking for some recommendations for running boards for my 2025 Rivian R1S. I’d like something that’s both functional and stylish — ideally something that complements the rugged design of the R1S. I’m open to fixed or retractable options, and durability is definitely a priority.


I’ve come across options like the OEM Rivian boards, EV Sportline, AMP Research PowerStep, and a few others, but I’d love to hear any firsthand experiences or advice from fellow owners.

Any tips on installation or where to get a good deal would also be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

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[RealWheelsEV]

I may be a little biased, but the RealWheels EV stainless steel running boards are pretty awesome! American made and constructed from stainless steel, they will never rust and will last the lifetime of your Rivian. They have grip extrusions to ensure that you or your passengers won’t slip getting in or out of your R1S. The rugged tubular design also features a hand tig welded top plate so you never have to worry about screws coming lose.

You can check them out here RealWheels EV Running Boards

 

[Osyras]

I have the EvSportline running boards and like them. I installed them in a Harbor Freight parking lot with my wife and it took about an hour.(I didn't want to pay duty going back into Canada )

https://evsportline.com/collections...running-board-rock-sliders-for-rivian-r1t-r1s

 

[Kaiju]

Well uh, I'd...also have to suggest the Realwheels EV ones. I bought a set of the brushed stainless ones myself after crawling the options. While they do have a painted one, if you want something that's not black I'm not sure anyone else offers a metal finish option. I am the sort of person who is pleased by nice welds and the fact it's the correct type of stainless.

I could go off on a tangent about stainless steels, but they are not actually created equal. Some trade corrosion resistance for strength or hardness. However 304 is a (common) austenitic type with a high chrome content and is the best class of stainless for corrosion resistance.

Apart from the fact the stainless finish pairs nicely with bright wheels and the other metallic colors like the tow hooks and the sloped underbody panels, there's a meaningful distinction between the peeps that make sliders and running boards. If your objective is to have a step, you should go for the purpose-built running boards that are a lot less obtrusive to install. I've noticed that the sliders tend to be tucked closer to the body for the added ground clearance which makes them less useful as steps.

These ones in particular don't obstruct your jack puck locations and it's rather easy to cut the close-fit slots in the plastic panels and seal it all back up. I didn't really like the idea of leaving openings where stuff would get up inside the frame. It turns out the lifts Rivian uses at service centers will still hit them, but since these bolt to the brackets at the bottom it's no big deal to take them off leaving the brackets poking through the covers still attached.

 

[EV Sportline]

EV Sportline here!

See the product page HERE

We are the original, and our design was meticulously engineered for OEM-caliber performance:

Made in USA

1 - Our boards fit 'within' aero side curtain (ie doesnt reduce 'range'!)
2 - No loss of ground clearance (our brackets are snug! -- those that copied our design missed and got lazy with their lower hanging brackets!...often copied, never matched)
3 - New: We offer optional bolt-on aero plates (made from aluminum, not plastic). So, NO CUTTING required!
4 - Max strength; jump up and down with the biggest people you can find, never a problem
5 - Running boards have no interference with factory jack puck points
6 - Two options for tread designs
7 - Fits all versions of Rivians
8 - For Rivian owners, by Rivian owners. We stand behind EVERY product we sell, customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Have a look at our gallery, you can find your color Rivian with our boards, for example - click HERE

 

[johnj2803]

echoing EV sportline running boards. i've had it for my 6 months of ownership on my 2025 r1s. Biggest plus is they are a sponsored vendor of the site.

I am not "very handy" with these things so I had it installed by a place that installs hitches and they did a great job.

 

[EV Sportline]

echoing EV sportline running boards. i've had it for my 6 months of ownership on my 2025 r1s. Biggest plus is they are a sponsored vendor of the site.

I am not "very handy" with these things so I had it installed by a place that installs hitches and they did a great job.

thank you sir!

 

[tps5352]

Allow me to plug my Thread, here: Initial Comparison of Running Boards and Rock Sliders.

Happy for feedback and to revise the table, as necessary. Any missing products?

 

[EV Sportline]

Allow me to plug my Thread, here: Initial Comparison of Running Boards and Rock Sliders.

Happy for feedback and to revise the table, as necessary. Any missing products?

corrections (missing from your list) for EV Sportline running boards:


4. Optional re-installation of plastic Rivian bottom panels is possible.
5. Allows use of four original Rivian jack points.
12. Replaces Rivian plastic shields with metal shield.
13. Some horizontal position adjustment possible.

 

[JMM]

EV Sportline here!

See the product page HERE

We are the original, and our design was meticulously engineered for OEM-caliber performance:

Made in USA

1 - Our boards fit 'within' aero side curtain (ie doesnt reduce 'range'!)
2 - No loss of ground clearance (our brackets are snug! -- those that copied our design missed and got lazy with their lower hanging brackets!...often copied, never matched)
3 - New: We offer optional bolt-on aero plates (made from aluminum, not plastic). So, NO CUTTING required!
4 - Max strength; jump up and down with the biggest people you can find, never a problem
5 - Running boards have no interference with factory jack puck points
6 - Two options for tread designs
7 - Fits all versions of Rivians
8 - For Rivian owners, by Rivian owners. We stand behind EVERY product we sell, customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Have a look at our gallery, you can find your color Rivian with our boards, for example - click HERE

Hi, are the factory jack/lift points also unmodified on the rock sliders, or just the running boards? I've seen some commentary (not about your product specifically) that some service centers are not working on R1S's with rock sliders because the pucks they use to lift the vehicle are large and won't mate after rock sliders are installed.
Thanks for any info on this,
Best,
Mark'
EDIT: Got answer, should work fine with original jack lifting devices. Thanks for good interaction from EV Sportline via phone and email. Getting mine installed Tuesday.

 

[EV Sportline]

Hi, are the factory jack/lift points also unmodified on the rock sliders, or just the running boards? I've seen some commentary (not about your product specifically) that some service centers are not working on R1S's with rock sliders because the pucks they use to lift the vehicle are large and won't mate after rock sliders are installed.
Thanks for any info on this,
Best,
Mark'
EDIT: Got answer, should work fine with original jack lifting devices. Thanks for good interaction from EV Sportline via phone and email. Getting mine installed Tuesday.

Nice!

 

[JMM]

Nice!

I’m getting them installed this morning in Atlanta!

 

[EV Sportline]

I’m getting them installed this morning in Atlanta!

this your Dune edition?!

 

[JMM]

this your Dune edition?!

Yes

 

[EV Sportline]

Yes

Beautiful!!! I want

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