In logistics and warehousing, the pallet and the skid are ubiquitous material handling platforms used for storage and transport. While both serve as bases for unit loads, their structural differences dictate distinct functions and applications. The two terms are often incorrectly used interchangeably.
Defining the Pallet
The pallet is defined by its comprehensive structure, featuring both a top deck and a distinct bottom deck. This dual-deck design creates a stable, enclosed base that distributes the load evenly across the entire platform. The bottom deck boards allow the pallet to rest securely on warehouse racking systems and facilitate smooth movement across various surfaces. This structure commonly allows for four-way entry, meaning a forklift or pallet jack can approach and lift the load from any of the four sides. Pallets are the standard platform for stable, long-term storage and high-volume shipping.
Defining the Skid
In contrast to the pallet, the skid has only a top deck supported by vertical stringers or runners, completely lacking bottom deck boards. The skid rests directly on its support stringers, resembling a platform on “feet.” The absence of a bottom deck allows the skid to be easily dragged across warehouse floors or production areas. Its primary function today is often as a mobile or temporary platform for work-in-progress materials or internal movement.
Core Structural Differences
The fundamental structural difference lies entirely in the base. A pallet’s bottom deck boards lock the structure into a single, robust unit, which enhances stability and load-bearing capacity for static storage. These boards distribute the weight across a wider surface area, making pallets suitable for use with automated conveyor systems and high-density racking.
The skid omits the bottom deck, trading static stability for dynamic mobility and storage efficiency. Since the support stringers are the only points touching the floor, skids can be easily dragged and constantly repositioned. This structural choice also enables skids to “nest” or stack into one another when empty, saving vertical storage space.
The design difference also affects handling access. Pallets incorporate designs that allow for four-way entry, maximizing efficiency when positioning and retrieving loads. Skids, resting solely on their parallel runners, are limited to two-way entry. This means a lift truck can only access the platform from the front or back, which can impact material flow and speed in logistics centers.
Primary Use Cases and Benefits
Businesses choose the pallet when the goal is maximizing supply chain efficiency and protecting goods during transit. Pallets are the platform of choice for efficient, high-volume shipping, especially when goods are moved between distant locations or stored for extended periods. Their stability allows them to be incorporated into complex warehouse racking systems.
The skid is best utilized in scenarios requiring frequent movement within a confined operational area, such as a manufacturing assembly line. Skids excel at internal transportation of work-in-progress components, where the platform needs to be easily maneuvered between workstations. The skid’s design also lends itself to temporary placement, acting as a movable base for equipment or materials that need to be relocated by pulling or dragging.
Common Materials Used
Both platforms are constructed from wood, plastic, and metal, chosen based on load requirements and intended lifespan. Wood remains the most common and cost-effective material for both, particularly in single-use applications. Plastic versions offer durability, consistent weight, and resistance to moisture, making them suitable for closed-loop systems or food and pharmaceutical environments. Metal, typically steel or aluminum, is reserved for extremely heavy loads or specialized operations where maximum strength and longevity are needed. Pallets often utilize heavier, more robust materials to withstand the continuous stress of long-haul shipping and deep racking loads.