Get a Boost With Romik Running Boards

Let’s talk about pet peeves for a minute. I don’t know about you, but my list of minorly-inconvenient-but-majorly-annoying gripes grows a little longer with each passing year. And you know what’s at the top? Car-transferred pants schmutz.

Allow me to explain.

Vehicles get bigger each model year. Specifically, they seem to get taller as Americans become addicted to that fake sense of power one gets from higher ground clearance. Me? I am not getting any taller. In fact, judging from the size of my aging relatives, I am probably (definitely) going to shrink over the next few decades.

If you haven’t already deduced where I’m heading here, let me break it down for you:

Short people + Tall vehicles = Awkward entry and exit, resulting in car-transferred pants schmutz.

Hopping, sliding, lunging. These are all necessary maneuvers when those of us in the below-average height bracket must get in and out of our trucks, SUVs, and yes—even crossovers. And all those uncoordinated gymnastics result in dirt, dust, wet snow, and questionable road grime leaving their mark on the lower half of our pants.

I know, I know. This is the definition of a first-world problem. (Aren’t all pet peeves, though…?) Thankfully, there exists a solution. Running Boards.

But not just any running boards—Romik running boards.

WHY ROMIK?

Why Romik? Because aside from holding the world’s largest selection of sleekly-styled running boards, Romik has been in the biz for over 60 years. SIXTY. YEARS. That’s a long time to be perfecting one product. As vehicles have transformed over the decades from heavy land-boats to aerodynamic teardrops, Romik has evolved alongside them, continually adapting its styles and materials to complement and advance OE-styling, rather than overpower it.

And make no mistake—OE designs haven’t just changed. They’ve grown considerably more complex. Take the average American pickup truck. With strong lines and aggressive styling, your traditional F-150 features plenty of dramatic swoops, curves, and angles than ensure it looks ready to rumble. But that same truck also sports half a dozen trim lines that tweak cosmetics and amenities to push the model further upmarket. Now you’ve got an aggressive hauler that’s also a luxury vehicle. Crafting a running board to enhance that style and functionality is no small feat.

But Romik manages to do it—and not just for the truck market. Because, life’s about options, and this company’s got OPTIONS. Whether you drive a work truck or family SUV, commercial van or Euro wagon, Romik’s got running boards that span A to… well, VW.

ROMIK RUNNING BOARDS

But options can be overwhelming sometimes. So, to make things a little easier, here’s a quick rundown of the different series of Romik running boards—what the construction is like, what are the fan-favorites—to help you get a firmer grasp of what this company is all about.

RAL SERIES

One of the most popular lines, the RAL series side steps are available for nearly every vehicle currently on the road. Designed with a nod to contemporary European styling, RAL running boards effectively complement those high-brow aggressive design cues we were talking about earlier. Plus, they’re heavy-duty as all get-out. Most manufacturer’s rate their side step systems anywhere between 200-300 pounds. Romik? 400+ pounds. How? “Romik running boards use TRUSS design elements found in bridges and buildings,” says the company. “This simple design has been in use for thousands of years and proven to be the strongest way to design a structure that needs to hold considerable amounts of weight.”

RAL’s sister series is the RAL-T, a line of truck running boards that features full diagonal traction lines for better footing. Both series are constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum in a 5.5” wide configuration, complemented by black end caps. Available in a polished aluminum or black-anodized finish, they add a unique touch of high-end, edgy styling.

RB2 SERIES

The other top-seller is Romik’s RB2 series. Developed in 2014 to update the outgoing (and extremely popular) RB1 series, the RB2 sports a classic design and sturdy construction that is well-suited to any vehicle. The step is 6” wide and comes in either an all-black anodized finish or hybrid stainless-steel. Both are easy to maintain and stand up well to the elements—in addition to supporting over 450 pounds of weight thanks to the use of aluminum extrusion. And like the RAL-T, Romik makes a truck-specific series called the RB2-T.

ROF SERIES

Available for all trucks and commercial vehicles, the ROF series offers modern, rugged styling in a 6.5” wide running board that can support up to 500 pounds of weight. The board features rough perforations that provide water drainage and better shoe traction. All models in the ROF series are made of aircraft-quality, heavy-duty aluminum with a black anodized finish, and include a built-in shoe scraper along the edge to keep vehicle interiors clean.

ROB SERIES / RCV SERIES

Speaking of commercial vehicles, both the ROB and RCV series are specially designed to cater to the work van or RV markets. Featuring Romik’s heavy-duty aluminum construction and European-influenced design, the RCV supports 400 pounds of weight via a 6” step, while the ROB supports 500 pounds via a 6.5” step. RCV series running boards are available in a stylish silver finish or black with a polished lip, and the ROB products sport a sleek, all-black finish.

RZR SERIES

Available for SUVs and crossovers, the RZR series takes OE-styling up market with a sharp European design. Aircraft-grade aluminum supports 350 pounds, while a large 6” wide step with Grip Assurance technology ensures safe footing. Plus, a polished stainless-steel finish provides high-end looks with low maintenance.

REC SERIES

The newest addition to the Romik family, the REC series, is an entry-level running board for SUVs and crossovers. (The accompanying REC-T series will serve the truck market.) Sleek, modern styling and high-quality construction make for a 5.5” wide, non-skid surface that looks great and doesn’t break the bank. Patent-pending, the REC series will be available May 2019.

WARRANTY

Now that you’ve got a basic understanding of what Romik brings to the table, let’s talk guarantees. “All Romik products are manufactured to meet or exceed quality standards set forth by today’s car manufacturers,” says the company. “Our warranty is the best in the Running Board market.”

That means a lifetime warranty on registered stainless-steel products and a 3-year warranty on black-powder coated products. Not to mention a 5-year warranty on the company’s hitch steps, commercial series running boards, and a replacement program for plastic endcaps.

Take it from a vertically-challenged individual… Romik running boards give both you and your vehicle’s style the boost you’ve been looking for—at a price and guarantee that can’t be beat.

No more awkward launching into your vehicle. And no more schmutzy pant legs. Win-win.