English
Skaterboard Grip tape: The ultimate buyers guide
创建于03.13
1. Material
Grip tapes is made from silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.
Silicon carbide grip tape
1. Abrasiveness and Grip:
- Sharpness:Silicon Carbide has very sharp, angular grains. This sharpness provides an exceptional grip because the abrasive particles can “bite” into the soles of your shoes.
- Traction: The grip is often more aggressive, allowing for precise control, which is beneficial for technical tricks that require quick foot movements and secure footing.
2. Durability:
- Wear Over Time:While Silicon Carbide provides superior initial grip, the grains are more brittle. They can break down faster with heavy use, potentially leading to a decrease in grip over time.
- Consistency:The grip may become less consistent as the sharp grains wear off unevenly.
3. Impact on Shoes:
- Shoe Wear:The aggressive texture can be tough on shoe soles, causing them to wear out more quickly due to the sharper abrasive action.
4. Ideal For:
- Those who don’t mind replacing grip tape or shoes more frequently for the sake of performance.
- Skaters who prioritize maximum grip and are performing advanced tricks.
Aluminum oxide grip tape
1. Abrasiveness and Grip:
- SharpnessSilicon Carbide has very sharp, angular grains. This sharpness provides an exceptional grip because the abrasive particles can “bite” into the soles of your shoes.
- Traction:The grip is often more aggressive, allowing for precise control, which is beneficial for technical tricks that require quick foot movements and secure footing.
2. Durability:
- Wear Over Time:While Silicon Carbide provides superior initial grip, the grains are more brittle. They can break down faster with heavy use, potentially leading to a decrease in grip over time.
- Consistency:
3. Impact on Shoes:The grip may become less consistent as the sharp grains wear off unevenly.
- Shoe WearThe aggressive texture can be tough on shoe soles, causing them to wear out more quickly due to the sharper abrasive action.
4. Ideal For:
- Those who don’t mind replacing grip tape or shoes more frequently for the sake of performance.
- Skaters who prioritize maximum grip and are performing advanced tricks.
Quick comparison summary
When choosing griptape, the material used can significantly impact your skating experience. Here’s a comparison of the two main griptape materials: Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Oxide.
Feature | Silicon Carbide | Aluminum Oxide |
Grip Level | More aggressive, sharper grip | Slightly milder, smoother grip |
Durability of Grip | May wear down faster due to brittle grains | Longer-lasting grip due to tougher grains |
Shoe Wear | Causes shoes to wear out faster | Gentler on shoes, extends footwear life |
Consistency | Grip may become uneven as grains break off | Wears evenly, maintaining consistent grip |
Best For | Maximum grip for technical tricks | Balanced grip and durability for general skating |
Table: Comparison of Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Oxide griptape materials
When making your choice, consider these two factors:
- Performance vs. Longevity:Silicon Carbide
- Balanced Approach:Aluminum Oxide
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
- Standard Griptape
- Fine Griptape
Understanding grit ratings is crucial when selecting the right grip tape for your skating style. Here’s a breakdown of different grit ratings and their typical uses:
Grit Rating | Type | Uses |
24-40 Grit | Super Coarse | Ideal for downhill or freeride longboarding. Provides maximum grip but can tear up shoes quickly. |
50-60 Grit | Medium Coarseness | Good for general longboarding and doing that thing where girls dance on longboards. |
80 Grit | Standard Skateboarding | A common choice for street, park, and vert skateboarding—perfect for popsicle boards. This is what MOB grip tape will be. |
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
- Colored Griptape
- Graphic Designs
- 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
- Die-Cut Designs
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
- Budget Options
- Premium or Specialized Grip
- Bulk Packs
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.
电话
WhatsApp