In the vernacular of logistics, we often use the terms “pallet” and “skid” interchangeably. The fact of the matter is that skid and pallet refer to two distinctly different load platforms. Pallet nerd alert! In this article, we’ll look at how they differ, explore the history of wooden skids, examine their design, and discuss their application in supply chains.

What is the Difference Between Pallets, Skids, and Unit Loads?

Before we drill down on the difference between pallets and skids, we should clarify that both differ from the term “unit load.” We frequently hear instructions on the warehouse floor, such as “Restack that pallet over there,” “Move this skid to the loading dock,” or “There is another skid of milk in the cooler.” Keep in mind that both pallet and skid are types of unit load bases. Unit load, on the other hand, refers to the load itself – the combination of the base, products on top of it, and stabilizing material such as stretch wrap or banding. 

What is the difference between a pallet and a skid? Pallets have deck boards on both the top and bottom, while skids only have deck boards on the top and lack bottom deck boards. Instead, skids rest on their supporting beams (called stringers) and are supported by these runners. This makes them more like a sled with runners. But there’s more to the story. 

What is the History of Wooden Pallets?

Wooden pallets have a long history. They date back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. People used them to move materials for building the pyramids in Egypt. The earliest known version was a skid, which predates the double-faced wooden pallets that appeared in the 1930s. In the early 1900s, people began using skids more frequently with new lift trucks. This change made it easier to move and manage goods in warehouses and factories, resulting in faster and more productive operations. Skids were used to store and transport materials in factories, simplifying the process compared to handling each item separately. The double-faced pallet finally appeared in the 1930s. They were used to store and move materials in factories. This made it easier than handling each item separately.

Skids, alternately known as sleds, also played a crucial role during World War II. For example, in the Pacific theatre of war, sleds were designed to slide smoothly over the coral atolls. Unit loads of provisions or ammunition strapped to sleds were dragged by tractor two or three at a time from the island shore to the inland ammunition dump.

The Design and Use of Wooden Skids

Wood skids offer a cost advantage over pallets because they require less lumber and fewer fasteners. Additionally, skids can be interlocked when empty to increase the quantity in each stack. As a result, more skids can be delivered on a load, and they take less space in the warehouse to store.

Wooden skids continue to find favor in some material handling applications. The base is often a skid used in custom crating solutions. This is for items like heavy equipment, engines, drivetrains, boilers, metal stamping, and robotics.Skids are useful for products like landscaping or agriculture materials. They help keep these items off the ground. They also keep heavy equipment off the ground when storing it.

Warehouse skids are useful for certain jobs. However, they might not be stable or work well in other situations where materials need to be moved. Skids, without bottom deck boards, may be less stable for transporting unitized items. Likewise, because of the concentrated load weight under the stringers, they are only suitable for stacking on top of rigid materials such as bricks, blocks, or lumber. With their top and bottom deck boards, on the other hand, pallets provide superior stability and better weight distribution when stacked. Moreover, wooden pallets offer convenience for forklift handling, racking, and storage.

In today’s supply chain, skids and pallets serve different roles. With their inexpensive, straightforward design, Wooden skids continue to make sense for many use cases, such as a base for custom crating and other applications. For most use cases, however, pallets are the preferred choice. If you aren’t sure which is best for your application, why not contact PalletOne? Our pallet solution experts can draw upon our deep experience, leading-edge design software, in-house technical center, and nationwide coverage to help pair you with the best unit load base for your supply chain.

Common FAQs

What’s a pallet?

A pallet is a flat, stable platform typically made of wood, but it can also be constructed from plastic, metal, or other materials. It has a top and bottom deck that allows forklifts, pallet jacks, or other equipment to easily lift and move goods. Pallets are widely used for storing, stacking, and transporting products in industries like manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping.

What’s a skid?

A skid is similar to a pallet, but it has a key difference in design. Unlike pallets, which have both a top and bottom deck, skids only have a top deck and rest on a set of parallel runners. This makes skids less stable than pallets, but they are often used for temporary storage or as a base for heavy machinery that needs to be moved.

Why are pallets sometimes referred to as skids?

The term “skid” is sometimes used interchangeably with “pallet,” mainly due to historical or regional preferences. Early versions of pallets were actually skids—a flat platform without a bottom deck. Over time, as pallets with bottom decks became common, the term “skid” stuck in some contexts as an informal way of referring to any type of platform used for lifting and transport.

What are the two types of pallets?

There are two main types of pallets, categorized based on their design and entry points for lifting equipment:

Stringer Pallets: Made with parallel boards or “stringers” that run between the top and bottom decks. These allow forklift entry on two sides and are widely used in various industries.

Block Pallets: Built with cylindrical or square blocks that connect the top and bottom decks. These provide greater strength and allow access from all four sides, making them more versatile.