Choosing Your Griptape

Skateboard griptape at Lockwood

Griptape is what keeps your deck stuck to your feet. The big difference between griptapes is how coarse the grain is. Think of sandpaper. Coarser griptapes have a lower grit number, softer ones a higher grit. Coarse grip gives you more grip, so your deck sticks to your feet better. The downside is that it wears through your shoes faster. Souljah and Ashes are examples of coarse grip. MOB is an example of a softer grip. Softer grip is a bit kinder to your shoes, and it also lets your deck flip a little more easily because it grabs your feet a touch less. Coarse or less coarse is purely personal. As a beginner, we recommend something in between, like Jessup.