Kickflips, ollies, and speeding up and down the concrete are all on the menu. Skateboarding is currently enjoyed by more than 6.4 million Americans, and its popularity is growing. When it comes to choosing the greatest skateboard, it’s all about personal preference and what you want to achieve. One thing remains, however: skateboards without grip tape are just not skateboards. The best skateboard grip tape is necessary for keeping your feet just on board while performing tricks and providing traction. Finding the finest skateboard grip tape is mostly determined by your skating style, but there are a few factors to consider before making a purchase.
Grip Tape Sizes
The grip tapes you should consider are determined by the size of your board. You want something that will seamlessly cover the complete board, so you’ll need to know the measurements of your board before making a purchase. Grip tape for skateboards and longboards is constructed of the same substance, but it comes in different sizes to fit different skateboard deck sizes.
Grip tape is often sold in 9″ x 33″ sheets, which are ideal for use on street skateboards. Longboard grip tape can vary in size, measuring up to 12″ by 4″ in certain situations. If you’re a cruiser or an old-school skateboard, the measurements may differ, therefore bring them with us when you place your purchase.
Ease of Application
While some decks come with grip tape installed, you’ll most likely need to replace yours at some time. While putting skateboard grip tape is a relatively simple and uncomplicated operation, the finest skateboard grip tape will slide on easily with little air bubbles.
Don’t be alarmed if you see air bubbles in your application (particularly if you’re a first-timer). Any bubbles should be smoothed down by rolling your wheel over the grip tape.
Grip Tape Designs & Colors
Since its introduction to skateboarders in the 1970s, grip tape has gone a long way. Although black-colored grip tape is still the most popular, it may also be a work of art. Bright colors, patterns, and our personal favorite, transparent grip tape to show off your deck, are all available on some of the greatest skateboard grip tape we’ve seen.
Whatever your personality is, there’s probably a grip tape to match it. Skaters will often get creative with their grip tape, creating designs to assist them to distinguish between both the nose and tail of the board. Some skateboarders have even started spray painting their graffiti artwork on their grip tape.
Pricing
Grip tape comes in a variety of prices, ranging from $4 to $20. You may simply get a less expensive version and be fine depending on what you want to accomplish with your board. If you want to accomplish more complicated stunts, you need to look at a grittier choice, which will come at a higher price. Gritty shoes, on the other hand, are more prone to shred fast. Some boards use less grit since they know they’ll have to change it more frequently to keep their board shoes in good shape. After all, it comes down to how you want your skate and how much you hate (or don’t mind) replacing your grip tape.