Side Steps vs Rock Sliders vs Nerf Bars: The Differences
There’s long been confusion about the difference between side steps, rock sliders, and nerf bars. While they all get attached to the areas along a vehicle’s rocker panels, they’re slightly different and offer distinct features and benefits. Let’s take the guesswork out of these products, and help you decide which is right for your rig.
Side Steps
Whether you call them side steps or running boards, these bolt-on products are designed to allow you easier access to get into your vehicle or to reach items on your rig’s roof. They may be made from different materials ranging from steel and aluminum and sometimes different plastic composites. Side steps (and running boards) are not designed to take an impact from rocks or stumps like a rock slider, however. They also cannot accept the weight of the vehicle if used as a jack point.
There are some products which are a hybrid of side step and rock slider, including Ironman 4x4’s Heavy Duty Side Steps. These products will let you get into your vehicle easier, access your roof rack, and take impacts from trail hazards.
Rock Sliders
Rock sliders are designed specifically to protect a vehicle’s rocker panels from boulders, stumps, and other hazards you may find on the trail. They’re bolted or welded to the frame, can typically hold the weight of a vehicle, and are high and tight against the body. Most rock sliders aren’t sufficiently wide enough to stand on like a side step, and are solely for the purpose of protection, although you can also use an off-road jack with many to lift the vehicle if needed.
Rock sliders can be made from round or square tube and are usually finished with paint or powder coating.
Nerf Bars
Nerf bars aren’t as popular as they once were but can still be had for some vehicles. These often look more like a rock slider, are typically tubular metal and stick out farther from the body like a side step. They typically aren’t load-bearing like a rock slider, and are closer in design to a side step. However, some nerf bars do have a step pad for entry into a vehicle or access to a rack. They originated from the racing world and helped prevent race cars from “nerfing” into each other and acted more like side bumpers.
Blurred Lines
There are some side steps that double as rock sliders, some nerf bars might also be side steps. And some products may look like side steps/running boards and nerf bars combined, but actually hold the weight of the vehicle and can take impact from trail hazards (like the Ironman 4x4 Heavy Duty Side Steps).
Make sure whichever you choose is the right tool for the job. You wouldn’t want to take side steps to the trail thinking they’re rock sliders, only to have them ripped off by the first boulder you encounter. Conversely, you wouldn’t want to buy rock sliders with the intent of them providing excellent roof access if they don’t have step. Take your time, select carefully, and you’ll get the product you need for your next vehicle modification.