Skateboard Grip Tape: The Ultimate Buyers Guide for Beginners

Griptape is the sandpaper-like sheet you stick on top of your skateboard deck. It provides the necessary traction between your shoes and the board. But, if you’re like me, you’ve probably overlooked grip tape. I mean, for the longest time, I thought grip tape was just grip tape—slap it on, and you’re good to go.

But over the years, I’ve realized that choosing the right grip tape can make a big difference. So, let’s dive into everything a beginner needs to know to make the right grip tape choice.

Factors to consider when choosing grip tape

Buying grip tape is actually not that daunting. It’s pretty simple, but this is the ultimate guide to choosing it so here’s everything that you might need to keep in mind when you’re considering grip tape.

1. Material

Grip tapes is made from silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.

Quick comparison summary

When making your choice, consider these two factors:

• Performance vs. Longevity: If you prioritize the highest level of grip for technical performance and don’t mind replacing your grip tape or shoes more often, Silicon Carbide grip tape might be the choice for you.
• Balanced Approach: If you prefer a grip tape that offers good traction while also being durable and less damaging to your shoes, Aluminum Oxide grip tape could be more suitable.

2. Grit and coarseness

The grit level of your grip tape affects both grip and how quickly your shoes wear out. While grip tape doesn’t have standardized grit ratings like sandpaper, it generally falls into three categories:

• Coarse Griptape: Provides maximum grip but can wear out your shoes faster. Often used by downhill and freeride longboarders.
• Standard Griptape: Offers a balance between grip and shoe wear. Ideal for most street, park, and vert skating—perfect for popsicle boards.
• Fine Griptape: Less abrasive, easier on shoes, but provides less grip. Not commonly used for trick-oriented skating.

Pro tip: If your tape is too grippy, you can make it smoother

If your tape is too ‘grippy,’ you can wear it down a bit using leftover grip tape to sand down the nose area slightly, saving your shoes from excessive wear. And don’t use grip gum to wear down the grip tape. Grip gum is actually meant to clean dirt off your grip tape to make it grippier.

3. Design and aesthetics

Griptape isn’t just about function; it’s also a chance to express your style. Grip tapes come in all kinds of colors and design choices. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

• Plain Black: This is the classic look, and it’s what I usually go for. It’s simple, clean, and goes with everything. Plus, it doesn’t show dirt as much as lighter colors. If you’re all about function over form, black is your best bet.
• Colored Griptape: Want to add a pop of color to your setup? Colored griptape is the way to go. From bold reds to cool blues, you can match your griptape to your deck graphics or go for a contrasting look. Just keep in mind that lighter colors will show dirt and wear more quickly.
• Graphic Designs: This is where griptape gets fun. You can find griptape with:
  • Brand logos: Show off your favorite skate brandsPatterns: Geometrics, camo, tie-dye, you name itCustom prints: Some companies even let you design your own griptape
• Transparent Griptape: If you’ve got a sick deck graphic, you might want to show it off. Transparent griptape lets you do just that. It’s not completely clear – more like frosted glass – but it does let the deck art shine through.
• Die-Cut Designs: This is next-level stuff. Some skaters cut intricate designs into their griptape, revealing the deck graphic underneath. It takes some serious patience and skill, but the results can be amazing.

While I keep it simple with plain black (old habit, I guess), it’s all about personal preference. Your griptape is like your board’s signature, so choose something that reflects your style.

A Word of Caution: Just remember that heavily printed or painted griptape might offer slightly less grip due to the ink layers. If you’re all about performance, you might want to stick to plainer designs, especially in areas where you need the most grip.

Pro tip: Mix up styles

If you want the best of both worlds, consider using a plain griptape for most of your deck, but add a small custom design or logo near the tail or nose.

4. Price

Fortunately, grip tape is pretty affordable. And there’s not a whole lot of variation, different types that justify expensive tapes or anything like that. So they’re pretty much all gonna be relatively the same price. Here’s a quick rundown on prices:

• Standard Sheets: Most quality grip tape sheets run between $5 to $15.
• Budget Options: You can find a basic grip for as low as $3-$5 a sheet.
• Premium or Specialized Grip: Expect to pay $15-$20 for top-tier or unique designs.
• Bulk Packs: If you’re a frequent skater or shop owner, bulk packs (3-5 sheets) can cost $20-$40, saving you some cash in the long run.

5. Perforation

Some grip tapes, like Mob Grip, come perforated to prevent air bubbles during application. Trust me, nothing’s more annoying than peeling back your griptape to fix a bubble. Perforated griptape makes the application process smoother and saves you time.

6. Sheet size

When you buy a sheet of grip tape, it will very likely be a few inches larger than your board, especially if you have a standard popsicle board. Standard grip tape sheets are typically 9″ x 33″, fitting most standard decks. If you’re riding a wider board (like my preferred 8.5″), make sure the grip tape covers the entire deck. Always measure your deck before purchasing to ensure proper fit. You definitely don’t want to start peeling it and sticking it only to find that it doesn’t cover the whole thing. Just double-check, OK?

7. Adhesive quality

A good grip tape should have a strong adhesive to prevent peeling. This one is the last on the list because he won’t really have much control over it. It’s just a byproduct of whatever brand you choose. Brands like Mob and Jessup are known for their reliable stickiness.

Popular grip tape brands

There aren’t as many grip tape brands as there are deck brands. But there are a few to choose from. Below are just some of the most popular ones. Here’s a quick comparison of some popular grip tape brands to help you decide:

Why so many skaters choose Mob Grip

MOB and Jessup are really the most common and popular grip tapes, however, Many skaters choose Mob Grip for two main reasons:

1. Superior Grip: It’s incredibly grippy. Yes, it might be too grippy at first, but it wears down to a perfect level and stays there. Other brands might start less grippy and lose effectiveness over time.
2. Perforation: Mob Grip is perforated, meaning no air bubbles when you apply it. This feature saves a ton of hassle during setup.

Back in my early skating days, I didn’t pay much attention to grip tape. I only knew the stuff on those Toys “R” Us boards was garbage—slick as ice and utterly useless. But beyond avoiding that, I didn’t think much about it.

My new favorite gript tape

I stumbled upon this hex-patterned grip tape from S&X, and I fell in love with it. Not only did it perform well, but people at the park couldn’t stop asking me about it. It looked cool, and it has become my go-to ever since. While I don’t do any fancy designs on my grip tape—aside from cutting a line to distinguish the nose from the tail—it’s nice to have something that stands out a bit.

How to apply grip tape

1. Prepare Your Deck: Make sure it’s clean and dry.
2. Align the Griptape: Start from one end, ensuring it covers the entire deck.
   • This is optional, but you can cut the grip tape in half about a quarter-way length wise. This way, you can keep a small gap between the two sheets and easily tell the nose and your tail apart.
3. Apply Slowly: Press down firmly as you go to avoid bubbles.
4. Smooth It Out: Use a hard object like a screwdriver to press down and remove any bubbles if you’re not using perforated griptape.
5. Trim the Excess: Use a sharp razor blade for clean edges.
6. File the Edges: This prevents peeling and gives a professional finish. And file hard, really hard. You should not worry about the aesthetics at this point. You should be smashing that file on the edges of your board to make sure the adhesive and plastic really blend into the wood.

When to replace your old grip tape

Griptape can last anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on how often you skate and the conditions you expose it to. Here are signs it’s time for a replacement:

• Loss of Grip: If your feet start slipping more than usual.
• Visible Wear and Tear: Holes, tears, or significant wear spots.
• Peeling Edges: Edges lifting can lead to further peeling and reduced performance.

You can replace the grip tape on your skateboard without needing to buy a new deck. Replacing grip tape is a common maintenance task that can rejuvenate your board’s grip and overall feel.

Here’s how to move your old grip tape.

1. Apply Heat: Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up one end of the grip tape. Patience Is Key. Take your time peeling off the grip tape.
2. Lift an Edge: Carefully use a razor blade to peel up the edge of the grip tape.
3. Peel Off Slowly: Gradually peel back the grip tape, applying heat as needed. Go slowly to prevent the grip tape from tearing.

Tips on applying grip tape can be found in our guide to setting up your skateboard.

Final thoughts

Eight folks so that’s it that’s my guide on choosing grip tape. Honestly while I was writing this I learned a lot myself that I didn’t know. But fortunately, the whole concept or topic of grip tape is actually pretty straightforward. There’s not a lot to think about. So, just get some mob tape and cut it up the way you want or some color grip tape just make sure it’s 80 grit and that’s it. Easy Peezy.