Grip tape

'''Grip tape''', also referred to as '''grip''', is a coarse, sandpaper-like material with an adhesive backing used on the deck of a skateboard or longboard for traction, to give the rider more friction to control the board.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Snack |date=2022-06-08 |title='A Canvas For the Psyche' — The Politics of Griptape in Skateboarding |url=https://quartersnacks.com/2022/06/a-canvas-for-the-psyche-the-politics-of-griptape-in-skateboarding/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Quartersnacks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alleaume |first=Claire |date=2020-10-08 |title=EVERYTHING YOU NEVER KNEW YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT GRIPTAPE |url=https://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2020/10/08/everything-never-knew-wanted-know-griptape/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Jenkem Magazine |language=en}}</ref> thumb|Kava Vasquez skates with blue grip tape at 51 Skatepark in Brooklyn

== In skateboarding == The most common type of grip tape is a solid black color with a texture that resembles sandpaper.<ref>Grip Tape Styles http://www.livestrong.com/article/349339-grip-tape-styles/</ref><ref name=":0" /> When a skateboarder does a trick, the grip tape allows skateboarder's feet greater control over the skateboard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinto |first=Luís M. |title=Andy Anderson designs the revolutionary Theory Map grip tape |url=https://www.surfertoday.com/skateboarding/the-theory-map-grip-tape |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Surfertoday |language=en-us}}</ref>

Skateboard grip tape comes as smooth sheets that are slightly longer and wider than an average skateboard deck. Grip tape is typically applied by a skate shop employee or by the customer.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Skateboarding |date=2020-02-17 |title=Setting Up Your Board |url=https://www.skateboarding.com/how-to/setting-up-your-board |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.skateboarding.com |language=en}}</ref>

Grip tape is sometimes used decoratively, since it can come in many different styles and colors.<ref name=":0" /> Some skaters choose to decorate their grip tape in a unique fashion.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-22 |title=This Skateboard's Griptape Is Made From a Louis Vuitton Purse |url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/10/louis-vuitton-skateboard |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref> Alternative materials to the traditional sandpaper style grip tape have been proposed but not widely adopted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-04-23 |title=Ramshackel trades grip tape for hemp skateboard carpet |url=https://newatlas.com/ramshackel-hemp-skateboard-carpet/26407/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=New Atlas |language=en-US}}</ref>

== In other sports == Grip tape is also used to refer to the adhesive tape used to wrap baseball bats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-31 |title=Willson Contreras On Eating Grip Tape: "It Was Disgusting. It Was A Bad Taste." {{!}} Defector |url=https://defector.com/willson-contreras-on-eating-grip-tape-it-was-disgusting-it-was-a-bad-taste |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=defector.com |language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grip Tape}} Category:Skateboarding equipment