A review of the Everest shoulder rest for violin and viola.

After many discussions about shoulder rests in the comment sections of my recent articles, I think it’s high time to put my favorite shoulder rest in the spotlight.

The Everest shoulder rest is my go-to rest for my violin. The shape works well for my body, and I think it’s well-made. It’s also an easy option for younger students since it stays firmly on most violins!

Today we’ll go over what the Everest shoulder rest is and how it’s made, my own review, and who I think would enjoy this shoulder rest the most. Violists, you can join in too! The viola model is exactly the same except slightly longer. It’s made with the same materials and is loved by many violists!

Everest Shoulder Rest Specs

Everest makes two main models: the EZ shoulder rest and the Collapsible shoulder rest. The only real difference between them is that the legs bend in against the body of the collapsible model to make it a little easier to store.

Both models are made with the same materials and come in a wide range of sizes. The Everest EZ shoulder rest is great for very young students who play small-sized instruments. Plus, Everest shoulder rests are relatively cheap, which makes upgrading as your young student grows a little easier on your budget.

These shoulder rests aren’t just for children though; I love this violin shoulder rest and use it daily! Many adults find it to be very comfortable, sturdy, and price-effective.

Everest EZ Shoulder Rest for Violin and Viola

Price: Starting at $13.99

Materials: ABS plastic and foam padding

Adjustable height: Yes

Adjustable width: Yes

Weight: 91 grams

Violin sizes: 1/10-4/4

Viola sizes: 15-16 1/2 inches; some violin sizes can be used for smaller violas

The Everest EZ violin shoulder rest is their standard model. The shoulder rest is made of firm ABS material that is pre-formed and can’t be bent to conform to your shoulder.

The feet are made of thick rubber that keeps the shoulder rest firmly in place on your instrument. The feet can be screwed into three different holes on both ends of the shoulder rest, which allow you to change the size to fit your violin or viola. There’s no exposed metal that could scratch your instrument.

Everest Collapsible Shoulder Rest

Price: Starting at $22

Materials: ABS plastic and foam padding

Adjustable height: Yes

Adjustable width: Yes

Weight: 86 grams

Violin sizes: 1/2-4/4

Viola sizes: 15-16 1/2 inches; some violin sizes can be used for smaller violas

Everest’s collapsible model features feet that can close down against the shoulder rest to more easily fit in your violin or viola case. This shoulder rest is made with the same quality materials as the EZ model and fits very similarly.

My Review of the Everest Violin Shoulder Rest

I’ve been using the Everest violin shoulder rest for a few years now, and it’s by far my favorite shoulder rest. It’s an affordable option that’s well-made and easy to use.

1. Comfortable pre-formed option

The Everest shoulder rest has a pre-formed shape. You cannot bend the plastic to shape it to your body. I know this might be a deal breaker for some players, but if the shape of this rest works for you, it’s a great option.

2. Adjustable feet of the shoulder rest

While you can’t change the bend of this shoulder rest, you can adjust the legs. The bulk of the shoulder rest has three holes on either end where you can screw in the legs to fit onto a wider or skinnier instrument. In addition, you can change the height of the shoulder rest by screwing in the legs. The more you tighten, the shorter the rest will be; the less you tighten, the taller the shoulder rest sits.

The legs that come with the shoulder rest aren’t particularly long; I’d classify Everest shoulder rests as low to medium-height rests right out of the box. You can, however, buy longer feet to make it a bit taller. If you like the shape of this shoulder rest but are worried it won’t be ergonomically correct for your neck, try adjusting the legs taller or shorter, or even test out the longer legs. You’ll be glad you did!

3. Durable and safe for your instrument

This shoulder rest is equipped with strong rubber feet that stay put on my instrument. It rarely falls off, unlike a few other shoulder rests I’ve tried! The feet are solid and well-made with rubber that shouldn’t damage your instrument. Some shoulder rests have feet made of metal, sometimes lined with rubber that wears down over time and can eventually scratch your violin. The adjustable feet on Everest models have withstood the test of time and still work perfectly on my instrument.

I really enjoy the foam padding on Everest’s products. It’s especially comfortable, and it’s held up beautifully over years of playing with this shoulder rest!

I love the Everest shoulder rest because it’s been so reliable. It stays on my instrument while teaching, performing, and picking up my instrument. The foam padding is comfortable and has aged well, and I know just where to put it on my violin to get the best playing experience.

I highly recommend trying this shoulder rest if you’re in the market for a new one!

Who Might Enjoy Everest Shoulder Rests?

1. Great option for children

Everest EZ shoulder rests come in a huge range of sizes, from 1/10 to full size. This makes it a great (and relatively cheap!) option for young learners who are still growing. The foam padding is comfortable, which can help children become accustomed to the feeling of a shoulder rest, which can be an uncomfortable adjustment for some. And, you can even buy it in various colors!

2. Suitable for neck of any length

I classify this shoulder rest as short to mid-range height. If you’re looking for that type of shoulder rest, I think this is one of, if not the best, shoulder rest to buy! There are also taller legs you can purchase to raise the shoulder rest higher, making it a suitable option for players with longer necks.

3. Finally a shoulder rest that doesn’t fall off!

Finally, Everests are very sturdy and, in my experience, stay put on violins. If you’re looking for something reliable and are tired of your shoulder rest constantly falling off, try this one! I was so relieved when I realized how well this shoulder rest sits on my instrument. My shoulder rest was no longer falling off in the middle of lessons and rehearsals, and I could simply focus on playing. I hope that you, too, can find that peacefulness!

Final Thoughts

Everest shoulder rests are trusted, reliable options for violinists and violists. Personally, I’m so thankful to have tried this shoulder rest, because it’s made my playing feel so much more comfortable and easy. I hope you love it too if you try it!

If you enjoyed learning about this shoulder rest but haven’t found the right one yet, I suggest reading my review of the BonMusica shoulder rest, or check out my Essential Guide to Using a Violin Shoulder Rest next. Happy practicing!