Best Running Boards for 2025 Rivian R1S - recommendations?

[JMM]

Beautiful!!! I want

Picked up my truck and the rock sliders look great. Everyone I interacted with online, phone and in person was super nice and accommodating. The difference they make in getting in and out is pretty amazing. Rivian really does need either some running boards or a properly placed grab handle.
Really glad I got the EV Sportline ones, visually and function wise they seem great.

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[higrob]

I went with the newer version of EVBase running boards. They were fairly easy to install myself after watching a few you tube videos. Added a yellow stripe to them as an accent.

 

[EV Sportline]

Yes

for everyone else to enjoy, the Dune! (with our EV Sportline RMaxx running boards)

 

[RealWheelsEV Bean]

As most of you know (or can see by my username), I am affiliated with RealWheels EV, and I wanted to be upfront about my brand affiliation while sharing some photos a customer sent us from after his R1S Gen 2 stealth black running board install:

Our product engineers are pretty legendary and have refined and reconfigured our products countless times to produce boards designed to last as long as the vehicle does. I'm pretty proud of the team and wanted to share some of what makes RealWheels EV's products unique.

• Non-magnetic 304 stainless steel construction (manufactured at our plant in Zion, IL) means they won't rust, pit, corrode, discolor, etc. Material choice dramatically impacts longevity and appearance, no matter what applications you use your Rivian for.
• RealGrip™ step surface design technology provides exceptional traction in any conditions—wet, snow, slush, oil, etc.—while allowing for rapid drainage.
  • Our RealGrip™ design technology is also NFPA compliant, meaning that it has been tested and approved for use in the most demanding, and safety-critical environments.
• Running boards have a full-length silhouette design extending from wheel-to-wheel for total coverage and accessibility, and a factory-fit appearance
• Double-bend reinforced design (engineered specifically for the R1S frame mounting points) provides extra strength and stability, while still giving full clearance for factory jack points
• Hand TIG welded by our people here in Illinois, ensuring maximum quality control from raw material to finished product
  • Top plates are welded on, so no need to worry about loose screws on the stepping surface

These running boards were engineered to address several key needs we've observed among Rivian owners and when using our own R1S:

• Ease of access/no jack point interference while in service
• Little to no range reduction
• Making vehicle access easier for passengers of all heights and ages
• Providing stable footing in any conditions
• Maintaining the premium aesthetic of the R1S with an integrated appearance
• Offering a long-term solution that won't deteriorate over time

If you're weighing your running board options and have questions about anything, feel free to DM or call me (847) 662-7722. While I don't directly handle the fabrication & installation, I can be a direct line to our technical team that can answer inquiries about compatibility, specifications, performance, or any other questions you may have.

Additionally, RealWheels EV is extremely focused on addressing the issues, needs, and holes in the EV accessory market, so we would love to get your input. Whether you have our running boards, someone else's, are still shopping, or don't plan on getting them at all, I welcome your unfiltered feedback so we can continue to refine and evolve to continue to exceed expectations.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

-Bean

 

[redriviman]

As most of you know (or can see by my username), I am affiliated with RealWheels EV, and I wanted to be upfront about my brand affiliation while sharing some photos a customer sent us from after his R1S Gen 2 stealth black running board install:

Our product engineers are pretty legendary and have refined and reconfigured our products countless times to produce boards designed to last as long as the vehicle does. I'm pretty proud of the team and wanted to share some of what makes RealWheels EV's products unique.

• Non-magnetic 304 stainless steel construction (manufactured at our plant in Zion, IL) means they won't rust, pit, corrode, discolor, etc. Material choice dramatically impacts longevity and appearance, no matter what applications you use your Rivian for.
• RealGrip™ step surface design technology provides exceptional traction in any conditions—wet, snow, slush, oil, etc.—while allowing for rapid drainage.
  • Our RealGrip™ design technology is also NFPA compliant, meaning that it has been tested and approved for use in the most demanding, and safety-critical environments.
• Running boards have a full-length silhouette design extending from wheel-to-wheel for total coverage and accessibility, and a factory-fit appearance
• Double-bend reinforced design (engineered specifically for the R1S frame mounting points) provides extra strength and stability, while still giving full clearance for factory jack points
• Hand TIG welded by our people here in Illinois, ensuring maximum quality control from raw material to finished product
  • Top plates are welded on, so no need to worry about loose screws on the stepping surface

These running boards were engineered to address several key needs we've observed among Rivian owners and when using our own R1S:

• Ease of access/no jack point interference while in service
• Little to no range reduction
• Making vehicle access easier for passengers of all heights and ages
• Providing stable footing in any conditions
• Maintaining the premium aesthetic of the R1S with an integrated appearance
• Offering a long-term solution that won't deteriorate over time

If you're weighing your running board options and have questions about anything, feel free to DM or call me (847) 662-7722. While I don't directly handle the fabrication & installation, I can be a direct line to our technical team that can answer inquiries about compatibility, specifications, performance, or any other questions you may have.

Additionally, RealWheels EV is extremely focused on addressing the issues, needs, and holes in the EV accessory market, so we would love to get your input. Whether you have our running boards, someone else's, are still shopping, or don't plan on getting them at all, I welcome your unfiltered feedback so we can continue to refine and evolve to continue to exceed expectations.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

-Bean

How important to the running boards and/or the vehicle is it to slot and re-install the OEM trim pieces after mounting the brackets? For those who are leasing, as with my R1S, it seems best to avoid modifying the OEM trim pieces, in order to leave open the possibility of uninstalling the boards and reinstalling the trim pieces at the end of the lease. How much would leaving the trim pieces off after installation of the running boards compromise the setup?

 

[EV Sportline]

How important to the running boards and/or the vehicle is it to slot and re-install the OEM trim pieces after mounting the brackets? For those who are leasing, as with my R1S, it seems best to avoid modifying the OEM trim pieces, in order to leave open the possibility of uninstalling the boards and reinstalling the trim pieces at the end of the lease. How much would leaving the trim pieces off after installation of the running boards compromise the setup?

It's up to the owner really. The plastic factory plates improve the aero / range, but they are not 'sliders' -- to be clear.

We offer a few options with EV Sportline running boards.

1 - remove them and do not reinstall. for some folks, this is acceptable.
2 - cut 4" diameter holes for our brackets to pass through. This has been cheap and easy. for most.
3 - Purchase our bolt-on replacement aero panels, which feature bracket pass through holes (NO CUTTING NEEDED!), and also feature factory jack puck access points. The panels are powder coated aluminum and bolt-on without any modifications or cutting or drilling. This is the best option, in my opinion. You can see our bolt-on aero panels HERE. Note, at least one china company shamelessly tried to copy our aero panels, which is typical, but they also call them sliders -- which is crazy talk. They are not sliders. Just sharing, FYI.


If you want REAL sliders, go for our RMaxx slider package - click HERE. These are the ultimate in protection with the added convenience of the side step. If you want to save a few bucks, we have some 'cosmetic blem' sliders for sale, which is a helluva deal and limited availability - click HERE.

BTW, while we are on the slider topic, FYI seems like several competitors (including USA companies) are now claiming their 'running boards' are 'sliders' - that's a bold and bogus claim, don't be fooled! If the product doesn't include a proper spec'd underside plate, it's not a slider and you'll be screwed if you try to use it as such. Beefed up 'brackets' or 'outer tube' do not qualify a product as sliders, shameful that others try and take advantage of the market here.

 

[RealWheelsEV Bean]

How important to the running boards and/or the vehicle is it to slot and re-install the OEM trim pieces after mounting the brackets? For those who are leasing, as with my R1S, it seems best to avoid modifying the OEM trim pieces, in order to leave open the possibility of uninstalling the boards and reinstalling the trim pieces at the end of the lease. How much would leaving the trim pieces off after installation of the running boards compromise the setup?

Great question. We have customers that leave them off completely, and some that prefer that exact-fit, factory finish look that adding the slots gives. Everything underneath is sealed, so there's no harm done in installing the boards, and then uninstalling them and reinstalling the panels when you're ready to return your R1S.

Feel free to give us a call (847) 662-7722 and we can go over specifics if you'd like!

-Bean

 

[EV Sportline]

It's up to the owner really. The plastic factory plates improve the aero / range, but they are not 'sliders' -- to be clear.

We offer a few options with EV Sportline running boards.

1 - remove them and do not reinstall. for some folks, this is acceptable.
2 - cut 4" diameter holes for our brackets to pass through. This has been cheap and easy. for most.
3 - Purchase our bolt-on replacement aero panels, which feature bracket pass through holes (NO CUTTING NEEDED!), and also feature factory jack puck access points. The panels are powder coated aluminum and bolt-on without any modifications or cutting or drilling. This is the best option, in my opinion. You can see our bolt-on aero panels HERE. Note, at least one china company shamelessly tried to copy our aero panels, which is typical, but they also call them sliders -- which is crazy talk. They are not sliders. Just sharing, FYI.


If you want REAL sliders, go for our RMaxx slider package - click HERE. These are the ultimate in protection with the added convenience of the side step. If you want to save a few bucks, we have some 'cosmetic blem' sliders for sale, which is a helluva deal and limited availability - click HERE.

BTW, while we are on the slider topic, FYI seems like several competitors (including USA companies) are now claiming their 'running boards' are 'sliders' - that's a bold and bogus claim, don't be fooled! If the product doesn't include a proper spec'd underside plate, it's not a slider and you'll be screwed if you try to use it as such. Beefed up 'brackets' or 'outer tube' do not qualify a product as sliders, shameful that others try and take advantage of the market here.

Here are our bolt-on aero panels. We put a lot of effort into designing these to be easy bolt-ons, match the factory cover contours, sealing up properly -- and give access for jack pucks

https://evsportline.com/collections...rmaxx-running-board-bolt-on-aero-cover-plates

Very proper finished look & feel:

 

[redriviman]

Posting for awareness so others are prepared if they encounter this. Also would welcome critiques if people think I'm mistaken.

Preparing to install the RealWheels EV stealth black running boards on my 2025 R1S, I found that the 3 OEM bolts in the trim panels on each side, which were to be removed in the first step with a 10 mm socket, were actually different hardware.

The Torx Plus bit set I got for this job did not have a bit that fit. TP25 was a bit loose in all 6 heads, and I was pretty sure I would strip the heads if I tried to use it. But the TP27 was too big to fit. I tried the T27 from my regular Torx bit set and that did not fit either. My initial question was were these some other fastener rather than Torx or Torx Plus? But after thinking about it more I suspect they are TP25s and that ALL OF THEM (!?) got mildly stripped on the assembly line.

I'm thinking I'll approach this like other situations of removing stripped screws. But I'd be open to other thoughts if more experienced mechanics than me disagree.

Also I wanted to help other running board customers (regardless of the running board chosen) aren't surprised to find that apparently the OEM fasteners for the trim pieces are no longer (or, at least, aren't always) bolts with 10 mm hex heads.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Skip the running boards and just go with rock sliders for ultimate protection, durability and utility.

DCE Weistec sliders is my pick for build quality, capability and OEM look. They have a good amount of under carriage protection as well.

DCE Rock Sliders

Megawatt Rock Sliders

Goat Fabrication Step Sliders

 

[EV Sportline]

For real rock sliders, and the only in existence with full length and uninterrupted / full width skid plates - check EV Sportline. Also the best price for what you get. And for deal seekers, occasionally we have a cosmetic blem (ie scratched) set for even bigger savings!

See the products HERE -- simply indestructible!

PSA - I have noticed a lot of vendors 'name' their running boards as rock sliders....that is a big stretch and frankly just not accurate. Some don't even show pictures of the parts!...there is a reason for this gang. Don't be fooled.

PM any time, happy to help with any questions!

See with your own eyes (R1S shown, R1T has 1 more bracket / longer):

 

[runwithscissors]

I don't understand how Rivian doesn't offer these since so many people complain about getting in and out of the vehicle. They should install them and when it's in for service, they don't complain about having to unmount them or we'll charge you. Instead they offer bougie clothing instead of focusing on the stuff that really matters.

 

[EV Sportline]

I don't understand how Rivian doesn't offer these since so many people complain about getting in and out of the vehicle. They should install them and when it's in for service, they don't complain about having to unmount them or we'll charge you. Instead they offer bougie clothing instead of focusing on the stuff that really matters.

Good point, but at the moment they are full focus on launched R2 and selling every R1 they can --

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