Michael – SkateboardingInfo.com

Skateboard griptape is one of the most important parts of a skateboard. Without it, most tricks would be far more difficult, and some wouldn't even be possible. These days there are tons of different brands to choose from, and it can be hard to decide what the best griptape is for your situation. Griptape can vary when it comes to things like coarseness, durability, and color selection, but once you figure out what you like, it’s actually a straightforward process. In this article, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about the best skateboard griptape brands, and how to choose the right grip for your board setup. Best Skateboard Griptape There’s an overwhelming amount of grip tape out there, which can make it incredibly difficult to decide what skateboard griptape is the best. If you’re in a hurry and want some quick recommendations, here are some options that you can’t really go wrong with: Best griptape overall - Jessup GriptapeStrongest grip - Mob GriptapeBest style - Black Widow Color GripBest value - Jessup 100 Sheet BoxBest Griptape for Longboards - Zuext Best for customization - Mob ClearBest for keeping griptape clean - Black Diamon Griptape Cleaner Mob Griptape Mob is easily one of the most popular griptape brands available. It's distributed by NHS, who's famous for producing other skateboard brands such as Independent and Santa Cruz. Mob is known for having some of the most grippy griptape on the market. It has a strong level of grit that really helps keep skaters planted on the board, and it's some of the longest-lasting griptape that you can buy. Aside from the high level of grip, Mob is also known for being one of the first brands to perforate their grip. When griptape is perforated, it has lots of tiny holes in it that allow air bubbles to escape when being applied. Trying to prevent air bubbles when applying grip can be very difficult, so removing this problem is a major benefit. Since Mob is one of the best skateboard griptape brands out there, almost every skate shop carries it. In fact, it often comes standard when you purchase a new board. If you're new to skating and want a simple and safe option, you can't go wrong with Mob. Jessup Griptape Jesup griptape is arguably the best skateboard griptape when it comes to value for your money. It provides solid grip, it has a strong adhesive, and it's normally more affordable than other brands. Jessup griptape is a little smoother than other options, which is exactly why so many skaters prefer it. A lot of griptape can be too grippy, and Jessup provides a nice alternative. Since it has a smoother grit, there's no break-in period, and it doesn't wear down your shoes as quickly. Jessup is currently one of the oldest skateboard griptape brands that are still operating. They first started making grip in 1975, and claim to have gripped over 25 million boards since then. Since Jessup is one of the most commonly found griptape brands, you can easily get a sheet at most skate shops or online stores. It's already an affordable option, but if you want to save even more money, consider buying a full roll instead of individual sheets. The only downside to Jessup is that it isn't perforated, so it's easier to get air bubbles. However, most skaters just poke air bubbles with a knife and then tend to go away. Black Widow Colored Griptape If you want to get creative with your griptape, Black Widow is one of your better options. They're a well-established brand that's incredibly popular with artistic skaters. Black Widow makes a very coarse griptape that comes in a variety of fun designs. They have tons of colors and patterns to choose from, and they even have clear griptape options as well. Since their griptape is so affordable, many skaters will even buy several sheets and cut them up into different designs. This allows them to get a lot more creative, and give their board a unique look. There's virtually an unlimited amount of ways to customize griptape, and Black Widow gives you a ton of options. If you're the kind of person who likes to personalize their board, it can definitely be worth trying out. Zuext Longboard Griptape Zuext is some of the best skateboard griptape for longboarders or cruiser boards. Unlike traditional skateboard griptape, Zuext griptape is much wider and much grippier. The increased width allows it to be applied to larger boards, and the extra grip makes it easier to stay on at high speeds. Zuext grip has an incredibly strong adhesive, which is both a pro and a con. Once it's on, it's highly unlikely it will ever peel up. However, you do have to be extra careful when applying it since it's hard to remove. Due to the larger size, this griptape does cost slightly more than other options. The good news is that longboards and cruisers last much longer than normal skateboards, so you do get much more use out of it. If you're looking for the best griptape for a longboard or cruiser, Zuext is an excellent option worth considering. Primitive Griptape Primitive is one of the newest skateboard griptape brands, but it's also one of the most loved. The quality of their griptape is great, and they offer some of the coolest, most creative, and most artistic griptapes you can find. Instead of trying to stand out with a different level of grip or a lower price, Primitive chose to focus on graphics instead. While many companies offer colored griptape, Primitive has actual licenses and collaborations with several popular tv shows, cartoons, and comic franchises. This allows them to print some really cool graphics on their grip, and sets them apart from other brands. Keep in mind, griptape with graphics on it does tend to cost more. However, finding some griptape with a character you like on it can be a great way to personalize your board. Grizzly Griptape Grizzly is another iconic griptape brand that's somewhat new to the scene. They're backed by Diamond Supply Co, and they sponsor some of the top professional skateboarders in the industry. The Grizzly griptape formula is very different from the rest. They have a unique grit mix that gives it a fair amount of grip that stays consistent over time. With Grizzly grip, the first flick and the one-thousandth flick will feel almost identical. Grizzly typically offers a variety of griptape styles. Some of their more popular designs include their bear mascot cut-out, and their classic logo grip. They also have several colored designs well. Despite being a newer company, Grizzly has established itself as one of the best skateboard griptape brands on the market. Mob M80 Griptape For people who like to skate Mob but want something a little less grippy, Mob M80 is a great alternative. Mob M80 has the same perforated holes and strong adhesive as regular Mob, but it has a slightly smoother grit. This makes it easier to flip your board, and it also keeps your shoes from wearing down so quickly. Mob M80 is a popular griptape with certain pro skaters who prefer a smoother grip, and it's great if you want to support Mob as a company while also skating a smoother grip. Most people who want a smoother griptape tend to go with Jessup instead, but if you want perforated grip, you might prefer M80. The one downside to Mob M80 griptape is that it can sometimes be hard to find. Most skate shops don't carry it, so you often have to search for it online. Shake Junt Griptape Shake Junt is a top choice with dedicated skaters. It's made by Baker Boys distributions, which is one of the most respected distributors in skateboarding. Shake Junt offers a slightly smoother grit which is great for technical skaters, and it's also perforated so it doesn't get air bubbles. Compared to some of the other brands, Shake Junt lasts quite a long time before it starts to lose its grip. It also has a very strong adhesive, so you don't have to worry about edges peeling up. Shake Junt griptape is most well known for its iconic logo graphic. They have a cool stencil-like design for a logo, and it's without a doubt their best-selling design. Aside from that, they also have more lowkey designs as well. Mob Clear Griptape Mob clear grip is another griptape that a lot of creative skaters love. It works almost the same as normal Mob griptape, but allows you to get more artistic. Skaters will often have strips or patches of clear griptape on their board along with black or colored griptape to get a cool custom design. With clear griptape, you can print out custom artwork and place it underneath, giving your board a completely unique look. Skaters will put a variety of items under their grip. This includes printed-out pictures, stickers, playing cards, money, and pretty much any other flat object you can think of. While most skaters only use small sections of clear griptape at a time, you can also use the entire sheet as well. The one downside to clear griptape is that it gets dirty a lot easier than black griptape. If you only use small sections at a time then this isn't a massive problem, but it is worth mentioning. Black Diamond Griptape Cleaner Even though it's not actually griptape, buying some griptape cleaner is something every skater should consider. It's one of the best skateboarding accessories you can buy, and every skater should carry one in their bag. A griptape cleaner is very similar to sanding belt cleaner. It's a rectangular bar of rubber that's designed to get all of the dirt and dust off of griptape. No matter how careful you are, getting your griptape dirty is almost inevitable. Since skateboarders are constantly stepping on the ground and then back on their board, it's incredibly easier to get dirt and dust caked onto griptape. Gripgum was the first brand of griptape cleaners to come out, but since then there have been several great alternatives. Most griptape cleaners are only a few dollars, so it's definitely a worthwhile investment. What is the best skateboard griptape? Griptape can vary a lot in terms of both design and grip, and a lot of it comes down to preference. Some people prefer a standard black griptape, while others prefer colors and graphics. Some people prefer extremely grippy griptape, and others prefer smoother griptape. There's no way to say which style is better because it varies from person to person. Figuring out what the best skateboard griptape is for you is going to take some time. It's hard to know for sure what you like and don't like until you get the chance to try out several different styles. At the end of the day, it's hard to go wrong with any name-brand griptape. Each brand does have its own pros and cons, but most of them are good quality. Even if you don't like the first brand you choose, it'll likely be good enough to get by until you get a new board. How To Choose The Best Skateboard Griptape Finding the best skateboard griptape mostly comes down to preference, so it can be hard to say for sure which brand is the best. With that said, there are a few key things to look out for that can help you find a style you like. Here are some criteria that can help you make an educated decision on a grip tape purchase: Grip Grip/grit is typically the key factor in griptape, and the ideal amount of grip varies depending on who you ask. Some skaters like a smoother griptape that allows them to flick their board easier, and others prefer a more coarse griptape that keeps them planted on the board. Keep in mind that more grip isn't always better. Griptape that is more coarse will wear down shoes much faster, so don't go searching for a stronger grip unless you genuinely feel it's necessary. There's nothing wrong with skating coarse griptape if that's what you prefer, but many beginners choose it simply because they think "more grip = better". In general, classic Mob griptape is going to be the most coarse griptape you can find for normal boards. Longboard griptape tends to be more grippy than Mob, but it can somewhat vary. Size Choosing the right size of grip is sometimes not obvious, but it’s definitely essential. If the griptape is too small then you won’t have enough. If the griptape is too big, you're likely wasting money on larger sheets that you aren't using. When ordering grip, check what size your board is and make sure it fits in the parameters of the grip. You generally want at least 1/4 of wiggle room for the length and with. Although it depends on the brand and style, most skateboard griptape is 9"x33". Since the majority of skateboards are under 9" wide and less than 33" long, you generally don't have to worry about this too much. With that said, it's always good to double-check. If you're skating a board that's only 8" wide or smaller, you can sometimes find smaller sheets of griptape that will be a few dollars less. Color/Style Color and style are major factors when searching for the best skateboard griptape. Skateboarders are very big on aesthetics, so naturally, this applies to their griptape as well. Some skaters like solid black griptape, while others like griptape with more colors and graphics. One good thing to note is that sometimes colored griptape can lose its appeal as it gets used. Since skaters are constantly walking on the ground before stepping on their board, colored griptape can start to look dirty over time. With black griptape, it's much harder to notice all of the dirt and dust on a board, because it usually blends in. Also, griptape cleaner tends to work much better on solid black griptape. If you enjoy getting creative, colorful griptape with graphics can be a lot of fun. Just be aware that the lighter colors typically don't age as well. Price Price is always one of the biggest things to consider when making any purchase. Most skateboard griptape is only $10-$15, but sometimes it can cost $30 or more depending on how it's made. In general, plain black griptape is going to be the cheapest, and colored graphic griptape is going to be more expensive. There are also some artists who make custom griptape using spray paint and markers, which is usually on the more expensive side as well. When To Change Skateboard Griptape Many people who are new to skating are curious about how often they should change their griptape, but there isn't an exact answer. Skateboard griptape needs to be changed once it starts to lose the amount of grip that you desire it to have. It usually takes several months for a sheet of grip to wear down, and by then, it's often time for a new board. It's very rare that skateboarders replace their griptape without replacing their deck as well. It does happen occasionally, but it's much more common in longboarding than in skateboarding. Some skaters will replace their griptape if it gets a liquid spilled on it, but it's normally much easier to clean it instead. Although griptape can be changed, it’s not easy and it's usually not worth the time and effort. Typically if grip needs to be changed, the board needs to be changed as well. If you skate frequently and need a new deck every few months, then it's unlikely you'll encounter this problem. How To Change Skateboard Griptape Remove trucks, take off your trucks, and set them aside. Heat up griptape by either a blow dryer or leaving it in the sun. If using a torch be careful and follow all safety precautions, also do not set your skateboard on fire. This is the most important trick. Heating the grip and keeping it hot will loosen the adhesive. Slowly peel off the griptape, sometimes a flat object can help like a scraper. This is not easy and May take a while to complete. Use some work gloves as well to protect from the grip cutting or burning you. Apply new grip tape, be sure the trucks are off so you don’t put the grip over bolts, which is a mistake a lot of beginners doFile the edges to help press the adhesive side down and provide an outline for you to cut. Cut off the excess griptape around the edges of the board.Sand down the edges of the grip so it doesn’t peel up in the future.Poke holes in the griptape where hardware goes. For good measure, cut out excess grip around bolt holes to countersink hardware.If griptape is too grippy, lightly sand it down. Be careful if you overdo it. Once you sand it down too much, there's no going back.If needed or preferred you can sand down the nose of the board to prevent grip thumb. How To Save Money On Griptape Skateboarding can be an expensive hobby, so finding ways to save money is important. There are a handful of ways you can cut corners that will save a few bucks, and still keep your skate setup in prime condition to shred. Buy in bulk Buying in bulk is without a doubt the best way to save money on skateboard griptape. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't realize that you don't have to buy individual sheets of griptape so this isn't something skaters do often. Most companies allow you to buy either an entire box or a full roll of griptape, which will save you anywhere from 10%-40% depending on the brand. Generally, griptape boxes will save you the most money, but you can often save money by buying a roll as well. These are some of the better companies who offer this: Mob Griptape RollJessup Griptape BoxTrazon Griptape Roll A great benefit to buying in bulk is that you can often sell a few sheets to your friends to help offset the cost. Buying decks with free griptape A lot of skaters try to only buy boards that come with "free griptape", but that's not always the best idea. Many shops and stores offer free grip with a purchase of a deck, which can save you the hassle of having to buy it separately. However, a lot of stores hide the griptape price in the board's price, so oftentimes you aren't actually saving money. Also, the griptape that is included isn't always the griptape you prefer, so you're forced to make a compromise. With that said, there are some shops out there that throw in good griptape without hiding the upcharge in the price of the deck. Learning to spot the difference requires a bit of experience though. Buy Multiple Products If you buy multiple products from a skate shop on the same visit, they'll often throw in some goodies for free. This is especially true if you're a frequent shopper there. For example, if you go to buy a pair of shoes, a shirt, and a new board, there's a good chance they'll give you some free griptape if you simply ask. This isn't to say you should always haggle some small local skate shop, but if you build a relationship with them they'll be more willing to hook you up. Follow Griptape Companies Online Keeping up with griptape companies (or skate companies in general) online is a great way to save money on their products. If you sign up for email lists and keep an eye out on their social media, you can keep track of when they're having good sales. Not only that, but skate companies are well known for doing giveaways. Sometimes something as simple as leaving a comment on a post can allow you to win a massive product package for free. Save griptape scraps Every time you grip a board, you usually have leftover scraps. This is especially true if you do a lot of custom grip jobs involving multiple sheets of grip. If you save your scraps and don't peel off the adhesive cover on the back, over time you can build up enough pieces to cover an entire board. This might seem a bit dramatic, but most skaters keep a box of old spare parts, and you can easily do the same with griptape. Prevention If you want to save money on griptape, prevention is key. Simply taking care of your board can allow you to get a lot more use out of it, and will help you avoid having to replace various parts. To take care of your griptape, avoid getting dirt, dust, and mud on it. This might seem like common sense, but skaters often forget to wipe off their shoes after walking on dirt, and it inevitably gets caked onto their griptape. If you're walking through sand or dirt, find a clean dry patch of concrete to rub the bottom of your shoes on before stepping back onto your board. Also, it can be helpful to clean your griptape as well. Grip gum is an excellent product for cleaning skateboard griptape, regardless of how dirty it is. You can also use sanding belt cleaner as well. Skateboard Griptape FAQs As someone who spent years working in a skate shop, I've heard a lot of questions about skateboard griptape. These are some of the common questions people would have: Can you use skateboard griptape on a longboard? Yes, you can use skateboard griptape on a longboard. However, it's important to check the size beforehand since skateboard griptape is often much smaller than longboard griptape. If the griptape is too small, there are ways to get creative with the design to make it work, but it largely depends on the size of the board. How often should you replace griptape? You should replace your griptape whenever you feel that it's not providing the amount of grip that you prefer. Typically skateboarders only buy new griptape when they buy a new board. It's incredibly rare for a skater to replace griptape without replacing their board as well. Depending on how much you skate, griptape lasts between 6-12 months. However, if it's exposed to extreme heat or cold, the adhesive may start to degrade sooner. Can skateboard griptape get wet? No, skateboard griptape should never get wet. Most skateboard griptape comes with tiny holes that prevent air bubbles. This means if the griptape gets wet, the board is getting wet as well. When a skateboard gets wet, you should immediately try to dry it off as soon as possible. This can be done by throwing it on the ground and leaving it in the sun. A small spill won't make a big difference, but if a board is fully exposed to water even for a few seconds, it's usually ruined. What do I need to know about griptape? Skateboard griptape is relatively simple. It's used to prevent skateboarders' feet from sliding around too much and is standard on skateboards and longboards. Skateboard griptape has varying levels of grit, with some skaters preferring more grip than others. What kind of griptape should I get? If you're unsure about what griptape to get, start off with either Mob or Jessup. Mob has a slightly stronger grip, and Jessup has a slightly smoother grip. Over time you'll develop a preference as to which one works best for you. What is the best griptape for beginners? The best griptape for beginners is MOB. It provides excellent grip which is great when learning. If you decide you want something smoother, you can always switch to Jessup later on. What griptape do pro skaters use? Pro skaters use a wide array of grip brands. They generally ride only the brand that sponsors them. Most pro skaters are sponsored by the brands mentioned on this list. Keep in mind that a pro skater riding a brand does not always mean it's the best. However, if you happen to appreciate a specific skater's style, it can be fun to match their setup. What griptape is the best? The best griptape varies depending on who you ask, but Mob and Jessup are by far the most common. How to prevent grip thumb? Grip thumb is when a skateboarder rubs their thumb raw after repeatedly touching their griptape. The best way to prevent grip thumb is with smoother griptape. If you use griptape with strong grip, it's going to be hard to avoid getting grip thumb. Some other solutions include: sanding down the tip of the nose of your boardavoiding throwing down your board excessivelyapply lotion to your thumb after skatingcarry your board with your other hand If you enjoy skating boards with strong grip, your thumb will naturally get more calloused over time and grip thumb won't be an issue. Can you reuse skateboard griptape? No, you cannot reuse griptape. After griptape has been set on a board for more than a few minutes, the adhesive on the back will not be strong enough to stick on another board long-term. How to get wrinkles out of skateboard griptape? Skateboard griptape comes in sheets, so it's often stored and shipped in individual rolls. Unfortunately, this can sometimes cause it to get wrinkles. Griptape can also get wrinkles when it's applied incorrectly. To remove wrinkles from skateboard griptape, heat up the griptape either with a blow dryer or by leaving it in the sun. This will melt the adhesive enough to allow you to flatten out any wrinkles. Be sure to press the affected area down well afterward.

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