Is it time to shop for viola shoulder rests? If you’ve felt uncomfortable playing or holding your viola during longer playing sessions, it may be time for an upgrade.

We all have different playing styles and different bodies, which explains why there are so many viola shoulder rests out there to try! I know firsthand how difficult it can be to see all the shoulder rest options available without knowing the draw of any of them.

Most of us just try whatever our teacher uses, for better or worse. But playing can feel so much better when you use a shoulder rest that supports your instrument properly! This buying guide will help you find the right shoulder rest for your instrument and body. Let’s dive in!

My Top 4 Viola Shoulder Rests

There are so many shoulder rests out there that it can be hard to choose which one to try! Here are four of the most-loved viola shoulder rests.

How to Choose a Shoulder Rest

Choosing a shoulder rest can feel so difficult. There are so many options out there, and so many of them look very similar!

When shopping for a shoulder rest, you’ll want to consider how you hold your viola, your anatomy, and any complaints you have about your current setup.

Many typical viola shoulder rests fall right off, as viola sizes are less regulated than violins. Before going shopping, double-check the size of your viola by looking at the label inside the left f-hole. If you want to be extra safe, you could also measure the part of the lower bout where you usually place your shoulder rest.

Best Flexible Shoulder Rests

Many violists unfortunately suffer from neck and shoulder discomfort during and after playing, thanks to how heavy and bulky some violas can be. Choosing a flexible shoulder rest can help you find your ideal, pain-free setup.

Pirastro KorfkerRest Model 2 Viola Shoulder Rest

This is, by far, the most expensive shoulder rest in today’s post, but it’s loved by many professionals for its customization options and the tone boost it can provide.

The Pirastro KorfkerRest is, without a doubt, the most expensive popular viola shoulder rest on the market today. If you can look past the price tag, it’s one of the best ergonomic options you can try, which is essential for so many violists.

The maple wood on the bulk of the shoulder rest can be bent gently, which allows you to conform the shoulder rest to your body. You can also adjust the length and angle of the legs, change the tilt, and make it wider or more narrow to fit your unique viola.

Many players think this shoulder rest is worth the price simply because of how light it is. At 40 grams, it only adds very little excess weight to your viola.

Finally, the fact that this shoulder rest is mostly made of wood, with holes throughout, allows the viola to vibrate better, slightly amplifying the sound and creating more overtones. Many traditional shoulder rests are made of plastic and rubber, which can dampen the sound of your instrument. The Pirastro KorfkerRest mostly avoids this problem, and can help you achieve a better tone!

BonMusica Viola Shoulder Rest

The Bon Musica shoulder rest is another excellent ergonomic option, this time at a mid-range price point.

The BonMusica viola shoulder rest is a great ergonomic option to try if the Korfker Rest is out of your budget. It’s fairly easy to adjust this shoulder rest, although finding the ideal shape and placement for your playing style can take a fair amount of time.

This shoulder rest is well-loved by many viola players, though if you choose to try it, I would be very careful putting it on and taking it off, as there’s a good bit of exposed metal, like nuts and screws, that could scratch your viola if you’re not careful.

For a more in-depth look, check out my review of the BonMusica violin shoulder rest.

Wolf Forte Secondo Shoulder Rest

A trusted, more economical option if you’re looking for a customizable shoulder rest for your instrument.

The most economical yet ergonomic shoulder rest is the Wolf Forte Secondo. This shoulder rest gives you very similar customization options to the BonMusica rest, but without hooking over the shoulder.

The Forte Secondo features a curved metal bar that is bendable to your liking. Wolf also makes a Primo shoulder rest, which is a straight metal bar with legs that swivel and bend; and a Superflex shoulder rest, with a straight yet flexible metal rod and swiveling legs.

Best Pre-Formed Viola Shoulder Rests

Everest Shoulder Rest

My personal favorite shoulder rest!

I personally love and use an Everest shoulder rest. I find that the shape and height work well for me, and it stays firmly on my instrument when I play.

Out of the box, this shoulder rest doesn’t extend very high. If you have a tall neck, you might think you should skip this shoulder rest, but Everest does make taller feet! If the size and shape of this shoulder rest intrigues you but you’re looking for something with more height, I’d recommend trying the shoulder rest with taller feet.

While this shoulder rest is made of ABS plastic, I find that it’s very sturdy, and mine is still in great condition after playing on it for a few years! I also love that it’s sold at a reasonable price point. Read my full review on Everest violin shoulder rest if you want a detailed breakdown of it.

Kun Viola Shoulder Rest

The most popular pre-formed shoulder rest.

The Kun shoulder rest is really what I consider the popular go-to shoulder rest. When I was learning, my teacher pointed me in the direction of this shoulder rest, and I see many students start out with this particular shoulder rest before trying other options.

However, many musicians have a problem with this shoulder rest in particular falling off while playing. If you love the shape and style of this shoulder rest, I’d recommend looking into one of their newer models, The Kun Super Shoulder Rest. This version offers finer width adjustments, so you can find the optimal size and placement to keep the shoulder rest firmly attached to your viola.

Performa Padauk Wood Shoulder Rest

A beautiful option that can boost acoustics.

Performa shoulder rests are great for those looking for a low shoulder rest that distributes the weight of the instrument a little differently than most other rests. This shoulder rest features a wider base on the side that goes closest to the shoulder.

Their newer Padauk wood shoulder rest is one to look into, as the wood can enhance your instrument’s natural acoustics. It also looks really sleek!

Best Sponge Option

PolyPad

A supportive foam shoulder rest.

The PolyPad is a great foam option. If traditional shoulder rests are uncomfortable for you, you may really like the feel of foam.

While the PolyPad is great for what it is, foam shoulder rests will deaden the sound of your viola more than traditional shoulder rests do. With a traditional option, the feet provide space between your instrument and the shoulder rest, allowing the wood to vibrate and produce sound. Essentially all foam options will sit against your instrument, dampening some of the vibrations, and therefore interfering with the sound. It’s just up to you to decide if the comfort of a foam pad is worth it.

At the time of preparing this blog post, the PolyPad was unavailable on Amazon. However, there is an alternative—Players Economy Foam 4/4 for violin, which is also suitable for violas.

Final Thoughts

There are so many fantastic shoulder rests out there for violists! I hope that this article has helped you find a new option to make playing more comfortable.

If you liked reading about the best viola shoulder rests, try reading 10 Best Violin Holders and Stands or Violin Humidifiers – both can be used for violas. Happy playing!