Why I like my SR5's running boards:
-More area to plant your feet
-Lower step height so feet don't hit the cladding when reaching over roof
-Provides good grip
Why I hate my SR5's running boards:
-Bland black rubbermaid look
-PITA to clean - dirt collects (especially when wet) in between those damn squares and water tends to just stay there
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Why I like my Sport Edition tube steps:
-Rough finish has good grip (if your foot is planted well)
-Easy to clean, water just rolls right off
-Looks good with the overall SE styling
-Nice graphite color compliments shadow mica paint and roof racks.
-They actually stick out less from the side.
-When running in the rain puddles, makes the this cool "krong!!!" sound as the spray of water hits the brackets and tubes.
Why I hate me Sport Edition tube steps:
-Less area to plant, your feet tend to roll off more sometimes too.
-The step height is actually about a couple inches higher than the black running boards. As a result I sometimes hit the door cladding first before planting my foot. Luckily, Toyota put that tough plastic sticker lining affixed on the lower most area of the door cladding.
I don't seem to notice if either styles get dirtier or protect more than the other. They seem about the same to me.
Winner (to me at least): SE tube steps
