Best Step Bars For Pickup Trucks: Buyer's Guide for 2025

Entering the truck’s cab when carrying stuff in hand can become a daily struggle. Adding truck accessories is not just about enhancing the appearance, as they can also boost the vehicle’s functionality, protection, and convenience. Stepping platforms like nerf bars, running boards, and other step bar types are an ideal add-on for many truck owners, especially those who usually ride their vehicles with the elderly, children, and people with mobility concerns. These accessories provide easy and stable platforms for entering and exiting the truck cab.

However, with so many options on the market, choosing the step bars for your vehicle can be overwhelming. This buyer's guide explores the best step bars for pickup trucks, highlighting their benefits and types and suggesting top brands to consider.

Benefits of Step Bars

Whether you use your truck for heavy-duty work or off-roading, step bars are an essential upgrade that serves both form and function. They are not just about convenience, as they also offer various benefits, such as the following:

Easier Entry and Exit

Climbing into a lifted truck can be difficult, especially for children, the elderly, vertically challenged, or anyone with mobility limitations. Step bars are particularly beneficial for lifted trucks with higher ground clearance, as they provide a stable and solid platform to step on. They also provide a sturdy stand that bridges the gap between the truck's cabin and the ground, making entry and exit a breeze.

Enhanced Grip and Safety

Weather can be unpredictable. If you are unaware of today’s weather update, it may have been sunny a few hours ago, and rain may suddenly pour. It can be hard to climb up the truck cab when that happens. Slipping while entering or exiting a truck is a common problem that causes injury to passengers. Step bars are designed with non-slip surfaces to reduce the risk of accidents, as they provide a stable and secure footing. Moreover, they give valuable traction, especially when getting in and out of your truck in rainy, snowy, or muddy conditions, helping to prevent slips and falls to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Vehicle Protection

Stepping bars serve as a buffer that shields the sides of the vehicle. Since they act as barriers, they can deflect debris, rocks, and road spray that could damage the bodywork and paint of the pickup truck. Branches, tree stumps, and even the pavement can damage the vehicle. Step bars can help shield the lower part of the doors from scrapes when parking in tight spaces or driving off-road.

A Touch of Style

Step bars add a personal touch to your vehicle that complements the aesthetics of the truck and improves its overall look. They come in different styles and finishes, such as sleek chrome, stunning silver, subtle gray, and rugged powder-coated black.

Retains the Good Resale Value of the Vehicle

Accessories like nerf bars and running boards do not directly translate to a higher price when selling your vehicle. Although they may not significantly increase the resale value of the pickup truck, they are more appealing to buyers and consider them a practical addition. They can potentially add a slight value boost to the truck, especially if paired with other functional upgrades.

Choosing Right Step Bars: Types and Options

Pickup trucks are practical and powerful, but their height can pose challenges for children, the elderly, and people with mobility issues. Step bars offer a practical solution to this problem. They act as a stepping platform, bridging the gap between the ground, the cab, and even the truck bed. Beyond convenience, they enhance the vehicle’s safety, style, and protection.

Nerf Bars

Nerf bars are designed with tubular metal bars and step pads mounted near the rocker panels of the truck. They are available in oval or round shapes and made using aluminum or stainless steel. They offer a more rugged yet sporty look, ideal for lifted trucks and those fond of driving off-road. Compared to running boards, the stepping surface of nerf bars is narrower. Despite the narrow surface, they can still effectively shield the vehicle's underside from rocks and debris. If you want nerf bars for your truck, Aries Automotive and Go Rhino are some of the most popular brands.

Running Boards

Running boards are typically wider, flat step bars that run the entire body length of the pickup truck below the doors. They are best for daily drivers and trucks with standard ground clearance. They provide a larger stepping surface than nerf bars, making them perfect for those who ride with families or if multiple people must frequently enter and exit the truck. Running boards have anti-slip textured surfaces, including rubberized grips. They can minimize the risk of slipping while offering a durable yet stable stepping platform. Some brands like Lund and Westin Automotive offer running boards with special features like integrated LED lights for added visibility when driving in dimly lit areas or at night.

Retractable Step Bars

Also called power steps or electronic running boards, they offer a sleek yet convenient solution. These high-tech motorized step bars automatically deploy whenever you open the door. The bar retracts automatically when the door closes, giving the vehicle a modern and clean look. When the door is closed, they sit flush and tucked away with the rest of the truck’s body. Brands like AMP Research and Bestop offer electronic running boards but come with a hefty price tag. They are recommended for those who value high-tech upgrades. You can typically see them in luxury pickup truck models.

Wheel-to-Wheel Step Bars

Wheel-to-wheel step bars differ from other types in terms of length. They extend from the front to the rear wheel well, giving a wider stepping surface and extra protection to the sides of the vehicle. They are popular for trucks with a bed toolbox and ideal for work trucks or those who regularly haul large cargo. Look for brands like Havoc, N-Fab, and Ranch Hand if you like to check out this type of step bar.

Hitch Steps

These provide several benefits, including easier access to your vehicle, protection for your bumper, and improved safety. They enable easier truck bed and roof rack access when carrying gear or supplies. In addition, hitch steps can absorb the force of low-impact collisions, helping protect your vehicle. They also help prevent scrapes and scratches when parking in tight spaces.

Rock Sliders

Rock sliders are designed specifically to protect the rocker panels of the vehicle from tree stumps, boulders, and other hazards that you may find on the trail. Unlike other step bars, rock sliders do not have step pads. The metal bars are made with round or square tubes, which are painted or powder-coated. They are welded or bolted to the frame, hanging high and tight against the body. Unlike running boards and side steps, they are not adequately wide to stand on. However, they can protect the underbody and sides. Fab Fours and N-Fab are some brands that offer this type of accessory.

Hoop Steps

Hoop steps are smaller than other step bar types mounted directly beneath each door. Compared to full-length ones that are longer and wider, these step bars are perfect for those looking for a more compact and minimalist accessory for the vehicle. Hoop steps are easy to install due to their less intrusive design and lightweight characteristics. They provide enough support where needed, making them ideal for drivers who want functionality without compromising ground clearance. Carr and Bully offer hoop steps for trucks.

If you are looking for a rugged off-road addition or a sleek accessory for your rig, step bars will make your pickup truck more functional and visually appealing. They are a practical and stylish upgrade you must consider for your vehicle to achieve increased accessibility, enhanced safety, and protection. With different options available, find a step bar to suit every need and preference.