Grip tape
{{Short description|Friction-surfaced material for skateboards}}
Grip tape, also referred to as grip, is an adhesive backed friction-surfaced material usually attached to the deck of a skateboard or longboard to give the rider more friction to control the board.{{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}}{{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}}
File:Kava Vasquez with blue grip tape and stylish nose stall.jpg
In skateboarding
The most common type of grip tape is a solid black color with a texture that resembles sandpaper.Grip Tape Styles http://www.livestrong.com/article/349339-grip-tape-styles/ When a skateboarder does a trick, the grip tape allows skateboarder's feet greater control over the skateboard.{{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}}
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.{{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}}
Grip tape is sometimes used decoratively, since it can come in many different styles and colors. Some skaters choose to decorate their grip tape in a unique fashion.{{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}} Alternative materials to the traditional sandpaper style grip tape have been proposed but not widely adopted.{{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}}
In other sports
Grip tape is also used to refer to the adhesive tape used to wrap baseball bats.{{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}}