The best carpet stair treads for wooden stairs

How we compared them

Price per step, the profile, the surface and the size. All four are flat treads made for indoor stairs. Diamond Tufted and GripStep have bound edges and a non-slip rubber backing, while Soft Step Leaf and Arc Felt have a self-adhesive backing. GripStep is sold one tread at a time, Soft Step Leaf singly or in packs of 3 or 5, Arc Felt in packs of 4, 6 or 8 and Diamond Tufted in packs of 4, 8, 12 or 15.

Flat or bullnose?

All four are flat: they sit on the flat of the step and stop short of the nose, so the front edge stays in view, also on a rounded bullnose. Arc Felt is semi-circular, with a curved front edge. We don't sell wraps that fold over the nose; for grip on the edge itself, see our anti-slip stair tape.

Loop pile, tufted pile or felt?

GripStep has a low polypropylene loop pile about 0.2 in (5 mm) thick that reads neat and even. Diamond Tufted has a tufted polyester pile in a geometric diamond pattern. Soft Step Leaf is a low polyester pile about 0.2 in (4.5 mm) thick, and Arc Felt is polyester felt about 0.2 in (5 mm) thick.

Which size?

GripStep is 31.5 x 8 in (80 x 20 cm) for steps at least 31.5 in (80 cm) wide. Diamond Tufted is 30 x 8 in (76 x 20 cm). Soft Step Leaf comes in 21.7 x 8.7 in (55 x 22 cm) and 27.6 x 8.7 in (70 x 22 cm), and Arc Felt is 24 x 9 in (60 x 24 cm) for steps at least 24 in (60 cm) wide. For an even border of wood, pick a tread a little narrower than your step. The fit guide walks through the measuring.

Checking your staircase fit

To confirm treads will fit your indoor wooden stairs, work through these checks:

1. Measure the width of your steps, starting with the narrowest one. Ideally, leave about 2 in (5 cm) of bare wood on each side.
2. Measure the flat depth of each step, from the back riser to where the front nose begins. Steps need at least as much flat depth as the tread: 8 in (20 cm) for GripStep and Diamond Tufted, 8.7 in (22 cm) for Soft Step Leaf and 9 in (24 cm) for Arc Felt.
3. Check any turning, curved or open steps to confirm the entire tread will sit fully supported on the timber. See our fit guide for more measuring steps.

Step-by-step fitting guide

Diamond Tufted holds with its non-slip rubber backing, with no tape or adhesive needed, and GripStep has a non-slip TPR backing. Soft Step Leaf and Arc Felt are self-adhesive: peel the backing and press the tread down. Fit each step like this:

1. Wipe the step clean of dust, grit and wax.
2. Test any adhesive or extra fixing on a hidden patch of wood first.
3. Place the tread evenly on the step. With flat carpet stair treads, position the piece entirely on the flat of the step, with its front edge short of the nose.
4. Check the tread thoroughly for movement or lifting edges before anyone walks on the stairs.

Delivery and returns

Delivery is $6.95 in the US, UK and EU, free from $49. Everywhere else, including Canada, it is a flat $17.95. The delivery time for your country shows on each product page and at checkout.

GripStep is sold one tread at a time and Soft Step Leaf singly or in packs; Diamond Tufted and Arc Felt come in packs only, so match the pack sizes to the count for each flight.

If you need to return any items, request a return within 30 days of delivery and send the package back within 14 days. You pay the return shipping. You can view full terms on our delivery and returns page.