Best Chevy Silverado 1500 Side Steps, Running Boards, and Nerf Bars

Side Step Variations

Side steps aren't a simple, one-size-fits-all purchase. These accessories come in numerous configurations to suit practically any application, ranging from daily-driven full-size pickups to off-road-centric Jeeps. In this section, we’re covering the variations you’ll encounter when shopping for side steps, including style, material, finish, mounting style, and more.

Side Step Styles

While side steps offer exceptional functionality, they’re also aesthetic modifications. However, depending on your needs and stylistic preferences, you may prefer one style over the next. Some of the most popular step styles include: 

• Running Boards: Exceptional accessibility and sleek, factory-inspired styling—need we say more? 

• Nerf Bars: These tubular side steps offer a classic appearance and excellent accessibility, featuring durable tubular construction with textured composite/poly step pads. 

• Sliders: If the name of the game is protection, check out our collection of durable sliders. These steps prioritize rocker protection over accessibility, though most feature tubular steps to assist you and your passengers into the cab. 

• Hoop Steps: This style features durable tubes tucked tightly against the cab, alongside tubular drop steps at each door. Hoop steps offer solid rocker protection and rugged styling. 

• Truck Steps: Truck steps bolster accessibility without adding unnecessary bulk. Unlike hoop steps, truck steps don’t feature a cab-length tube, just individual drop steps mounted below each door.

Fixed-Position Vs. Retractable

Side steps also come in fixed-position and retractable designs. Traditional fixed-position steps feature fixed brackets hard-mounted to your Silverado’s chassis. Alternatively, retractable steps feature hinged brackets attached to electric motors. 

Retractable steps tuck tightly against your Silverado’s rocker panels when not in use, improving aesthetics and ground clearance. When actuated, typically by opening a door, retractable steps deploy into position, offering a solid step into the cab.

Cab-Length Vs. Wheel-to-Wheel

Most side steps stretch the length of your Silverado’s cab—however, this isn’t the only length available. Wheel-to-wheel steps run from the start of your Silverado’s cab to just before the rear tire and, with additional steps at each bedside, allow access to cargo near your Silverado’s bulkhead.  

Frame-Mount Vs. Rocker-Mount

Typically, side steps require no drilling—instead, they mount to pre-existing holes in your Silverado’s rocker panels, though that’s not always the case. Aside from traditional rocker-mount steps, we also offer a selection of frame-mount steps, which affix directly to your Silverado’s thick steel frame. 

While frame-mount steps typically require more invasive installation procedures, including drilling and welding, they’re far more durable than their rocker-mount counterparts. Frame-mount steps can withstand most impacts and abrasions without fatigue, making them ideal for heavy off-road use. However, we’d recommend traditional rocker-mount steps for primarily street-driven applications, offering hassle-free installations and adequate strength.

Materials

Side steps are also available in various materials, which inform the product's strength, weight, and corrosion resistance. Steps come in three popular materials, including: 

• Carbon steel: Robust, though heavy and susceptible to corrosion. 

• Stainless steel: Offers similar strength to carbon steel, though with superior corrosion resistance due to the alloy's high chromium content.

• Aluminum: Offers moderate strength and corrosion resistance, although it makes up for these shortcomings with its low weight.

Finish

While the term finish is often mistaken for color, this isn’t correct. A product’s finish isn’t its hue but the coating or plating that determines its overall aesthetics and corrosion protection. Popular side-step finishes include polished, chrome, powder-coated, and painted.

Top Side Steps: Experts' Picks

With side-step variances covered, let’s get into our experts' top products. We’ve carefully selected each product on this list to offer the best overall quality, styling, and warranty.

HAVOC HS2 Black Hoop Steps

The HAVOC HS2 Black Hoop Steps offer exceptional built quality, rugged styling, and easy installation; what’s not to like? This product’s corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction ensures maximum strength and a long service life. HAVOC treats all HS2 Black Hoop Steps with a matte-black powder coat finish, withstanding scratches, chips, UV exposure, and more. 

HAVOC HS2 Black Hoop Steps feature a rugged, off-road-inspired design. Their tightly tucked main tube guards your Silverado’s rocker panels against impacts and abrasions, while tubular drop steps provide a stable step up into the cab. 

HAVOC HS2 Black Hoop Steps offer a simple, bolt-on design. HAVOC backs each set with a limited 5-year warranty.

Features: 

• Durable stainless steel construction

• Protective matte-black powder coat finish

• 4.75-in. step width

• Simple, no-drill installation on most applications

• Sold in pairs

• Includes all hardware, bracketry, and thorough installation instructions

• Louvered step pads for superior grip

• Vehicle-specific fitment

• 5-year limited warranty

Steelcraft STX300 Running Boards

Upgrade your Silverado with premium Steelcraft STX300 running boards featuring a lightweight yet heavy-duty aluminum construction for maximum performance in all conditions. The wide 4.75-in. step area and non-slip, injection-molded step pads ensure superior traction. 

Steelcraft STX300 Running Boards are tough to beat aesthetically. They feature a rounded aluminum bullnose for a premium, OE-inspired appearance. A mirror-polished stainless steel center panel defines each step and adds additional styling. 

Steelcraft backs the STX300 Running Boards with a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

• Aircraft-grade aluminum construction

• 4.5-in. wide step area

• Durable, injection-molded step pads

• Vehicle-specific mounting brackets

• Simple, bolt-on installation

• Includes 2-in. tall black elastomer backsplash

• Limited lifetime warranty

Ionic 3" Stainless Nerf Bars

If you’re looking to outfit your Silverado with classic, tubular steps, check out the Ionic 3” Stainless Nerf Bars. These timeless side steps feature a polished tubular design and rugged 3-in. 304 SS stainless steel tube construction. Ionic polishes each nerf bar to a mirror-like finish, perfectly complementing chrome trim, bumpers, and wheels. 

Textured black ABS step pads provide outstanding traction, preventing slippage and injury regardless of weather conditions. Ionic 3” Stainless Nerf Bars feature simple no-drill installations, bolting directly to your Silverado’s rocker panels without modification. 

Ionic Automotive backs its 3” Stainless Nerf Bars with a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

• Rugged 3-in. 304SS stainless steel tube construction

• Raw polished finish

• Textured black ABS plastic step pads

• Simple no-drill installation

• Includes vehicle-specific mounting brackets, hardware, and instructions

• Sold in pairs

• Limited lifetime warranty

Go Rhino® RB20 Running Boards

Introducing the Go Rhino® RB20: slim, off-road-inspired running boards featuring a narrow profile to minimize rubbing on the trail. These steps feature durable 16-ga. steel construction, ensuring maximum strength and impact resistance. Go Rhino also treats RB20 Running Boards with a durable textured powder coat or bed liner finish, preventing corrosion, enhancing traction, and boosting aesthetics. 

Though low profile, these running boards offer outstanding accessibility. A 5.5-in. wide step surface runs the length of your Silverado’s cab, while its bullet-stamped perforations channel mud, snow, and other debris through the running board, ensuring a non-slip surface in any weather condition. 

Go Rhino RB20 Running Boards are backed by a 5-year limited warranty. 

Features: 

• Galvanized 16-ga. steel construction

• Textured powder coat or protective bed liner finish

• Narrow 5.5-in. profile

• Bullet-stamped perforations enhance traction and keep the board free from debris

• Installs to vehicle's rocker panel

• Includes a vehicle-specific mount kit and instructions

• Easy, bolt-on installation (no drilling required)

• 5-year limited warranty

Amp Research PowerStep™

AMP Research’s PowerStep™ is the original electric-retractable running board, offering maximum accessibility without impacting your Silverado’s ground clearance or aesthetics. Each pair of PowerSteps includes two lightweight cast aluminum boards, hinged mounting brackets, and electric motors. When you or a passenger opens a door, the running board on the associated side deploys to provide passengers with an extra-wide, non-slip, 6-in. step tread, making climbing into even the tallest trucks a breeze.

AMP Research PowerSteps are manufactured from premium materials like extruded aluminum, military-grade FTFE (Teflon), and corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Each order includes vehicle-specific brackets, hardware, and instructions for a streamlined installation.

AMP Research backs PowerStep Running Boards with a 5-year limited warranty.

Features:

• The original electric-powered running board

• Premium, single-motor design automatically deploys and retracts boards

• Corrosion-resistant die-cast aluminum construction

• Military-grade black PTFE coating

• 6-in. wide, cab-length steps

• Textured, slip-resistant step surface

• Low-profile integrated LED courtesy lights

• Optional Override Switch is available for manual control

• Includes vehicle-specific installation guide and mount kit

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel

• Newer applications connect to the OBDII port via a plug-n-play module

• Professional installation recommended

• 5-year limited warranty