Best Longboard Grip Tape: How to Choose and Apply It

Grip tape is the sandpaper-like sheet on top of your deck. It is the only thing between your shoes and a slippery piece of wood, so it matters more than its price suggests.

Here is the short answer. The best longboard grip tape is a single sheet long and wide enough to cover your deck, in a grit that suits how you ride. Standard 80 grit works for almost everyone. Coarser grit is for fast riding and sliding. Clear grip is for showing off a wooden deck.

This guide explains grit, size and the different types of grip. It then walks you through removing old grip and applying new grip without bubbles, and suggests three sheets to look at.

What is grip tape, and why does it matter?

Grip tape is a tough sheet with an abrasive surface on one side and strong adhesive on the other. The abrasive is usually silicon carbide, the same material used in some sandpapers. It bites into the rubber of your shoe sole and stops your feet sliding.

Good grip does three jobs. It keeps your feet where you put them when you push and turn. It lets you press sideways against the deck in a hard carve. And it gives you confidence, because you are not thinking about slipping.

Grip wears out. Over time the sharp points round off, dirt fills the gaps and the surface goes smooth. Replacing it is cheap and makes an old board feel new.

How to choose longboard grip tape

Three things decide which grip tape you need: size, grit and type.

Size

This is where longboard owners go wrong. A standard skateboard sheet is about 9 inches wide and 33 inches long. That will not cover a 40 inch longboard.

Measure your deck’s length and its widest point. Then buy a sheet that is at least an inch longer and half an inch wider. Longboard sheets are commonly 10 or 11 inches wide and 44 to 50 inches long.

If your deck is wider than the widest sheet you can find, you can use two sheets, or lay the grip in strips with deliberate gaps. Many riders do this for looks anyway.

Grit

Grit is how coarse the surface is. As with sandpaper, a lower number means bigger, sharper particles.

Coarser is not simply better. Coarse grip holds your feet harder, which is what you want at speed. It also wears through shoe soles faster, makes it harder to shuffle your feet and is unpleasant to carry against bare skin. For everyday riding, standard grit is the comfortable choice.

Black, clear or coloured

Black is the standard. It hides dirt, it is the cheapest and it usually offers the strongest grip.

Clear grip is see-through, so the wood or graphic on top of the deck stays visible. It is popular on bamboo and wood-finish longboards. It shows dirt more, and it tends to be a little less aggressive.

Coloured and printed grip is all about looks. Quality varies, so check that the listing gives a grit.

Perforations

Some sheets have hundreds of tiny holes that you can barely see. They let trapped air escape as you press the sheet down. If you have never applied grip before, a perforated sheet makes the job much more forgiving.

Our picks: 3 longboard grip tape sheets

These three are all full-length sheets sized for longboards. Two are black and one is clear.

🏆 Best all-round black grip

Black Diamond Longboard Grip Tape (10 x 48 in)

Best for: Most riders with a deck up to 10 inches wide.

A single 10 by 48 inch sheet, which is long enough to cover most longboards in one piece. It comes in many colours and patterns.

• Size 10 x 48 in
• Grit 80 grit silicon carbide
• Fitting Peel and stick
• Weather Waterproof

✅ Why it works

• Forty-eight inches covers most decks without a join.
• Eighty grit gives firm, all-round traction.
• Colours and patterns are available.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• A 10-inch sheet will not cover decks wider than 10 inches edge to edge.
• Standard grit wears smooth faster than extra-coarse tape.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

📏 Best for wider decks

ZUEXT Black Grip Tape Sheet (10.6 x 49.2 in)

Best for: Riders with decks up to about 10.5 inches wide, and first-time fitters.

A wide, long sheet with tiny perforations that let trapped air escape, which helps beginners fit it without bubbles.

• Size 10.6 x 49.2 in
• Grit 80 grit silicon carbide
• Fitting Perforated, bubble free
• Thickness 1.78 mm
• Weather Waterproof

✅ Why it works

• At 10.6 inches wide it covers wider decks.
• Perforations make a bubble-free fit easier.
• A tear-proof backing trims cleanly, according to the listing.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• It is a generic brand rather than a skate-industry name.
• Standard grit wears smooth faster than extra-coarse tape.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

👁 Best clear grip

ZUEXT Clear Grip Tape (11 x 50 in)

Best for: Riders who want the wood or graphic to show through.

A clear sheet that lets a wood or bamboo deck show through while still adding traction.

• Size 11 x 50 in
• Finish Transparent
• Fitting Perforated, bubble free
• Thickness 1.5 mm
• Weather Waterproof

✅ Why it works

• Clear tape keeps the deck graphic or wood grain visible.
• At 11 by 50 inches it covers large decks.
• Perforations make a bubble-free fit easier.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• Clear tape shows dirt more than black tape.
• Clear grip is often a little less aggressive than black.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

How to remove old grip tape

If your deck already has grip on it, the old sheet has to come off first. It takes patience more than skill.

1. Take the trucks offIt is possible to work around them, but the job is far easier with a bare deck. Undo the eight bolts and set the trucks aside.
2. Warm the gripUse a hairdryer on its hot setting and move it slowly over one end of the deck for a minute or two. Heat softens the adhesive.
3. Lift a cornerWork a blade under one corner and lift enough to grab.
4. Peel slowlyPull the sheet back on itself, close to the deck, warming the next section as you go. Slow, steady pulling keeps it in one piece.
5. Clean the deckRub off any sticky residue and wipe the deck. Let it dry completely before you apply the new sheet.

How to apply grip tape without bubbles

You need the grip sheet, a sharp utility knife or razor blade, a metal file or the shaft of a screwdriver, and about twenty minutes.

1. Start with a clean, dry, bare deckRemove the trucks if you have not already. Dust and grease stop the adhesive bonding.
2. Peel the backingPeel the backing paper off the sheet. Hold the sheet by its edges and keep the sticky side away from anything it could touch.
3. Position itHold the sheet over the deck with an even overhang all round. Let the middle touch down first.
4. Press from the centre outwardSmooth the sheet down from the middle toward the ends and edges, pushing air out as you go. Use the backing paper as a pad so you do not scuff your hands.
5. Score the edgeRub the file or screwdriver shaft firmly along the edge of the deck all the way round. It leaves a pale line that shows exactly where to cut.
6. Trim the excessHold the blade at an angle against the edge of the deck and cut along the scored line, pulling the offcut away as you go.
7. Sand the edgeRub a scrap of the offcut along the cut edge. This seals it down and stops it lifting.
8. Open the bolt holesPush a screwdriver or bolt up through each truck hole from underneath. Then refit the trucks.

Fixing a bubble

If a bubble appears, do not peel the whole sheet back. Prick the bubble with the tip of a blade or a pin, and press the air out through the hole. On a perforated sheet, firm pressure alone is usually enough.

Leaving gaps or patterns

You do not have to cover the whole deck. Cutting the sheet into sections and leaving thin gaps is a common way to add a personal touch, and to show some wood on a board with a nice top. Keep full grip where your feet actually stand: around the front bolts and across the back of the deck.

Looking after grip tape

Grip tape needs very little attention, but it does collect dirt, and dirty grip is slippery grip.

• Brush it. A stiff brush lifts dry dust and dirt out of the surface.
• Use a grip cleaner. A rubber block made for the purpose pulls ground-in dirt out. Rub it over the grip like an eraser.
• Avoid soaking it. Water can work under the edges and into the deck. If you must use water, use very little and dry the board straight away.
• Wipe your shoes. Mud and wet leaves on your soles end up packed into the grip.

When to replace it

Replace your grip when your feet start to slide during normal riding, when the surface looks smooth and shiny where you stand, or when the edges are peeling and catching on things. For a regular rider that might be every year or two. Sliding and downhill riding wear it out much faster.

Grip tape for different kinds of riding

Dancers are the exception to the more-grip-is-better rule. They need to step, pivot and slide their feet across the deck. Many dancing boards use coarse grip only near the trucks and smoother grip, or none, in the middle.

Alternatives to standard grip tape

Sheet grip is not the only option. Two alternatives are worth knowing about.

• Spray-on or paint-on clear grip is a coating with grit mixed in. It follows every curve of a shaped deck and leaves the wood fully visible. It takes longer to apply and needs time to cure.
• Foam or soft grip is a cushioned, textured mat. It is gentle on bare feet and is used on some dancing and surf-style boards. It gives less bite than silicon carbide grip.

For most riders, a standard sheet is still the simplest, cheapest and most reliable choice.

Real-life examples: which grip would they choose?

The riders below are made-up examples, based on the kind of questions people often ask in longboarding groups and forums. They are not real people or reviews. See which one sounds most like you.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Key terms in plain English

Longboard listings use a lot of jargon. Here are the terms used in this guide, explained simply.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best grip tape for a longboard?

The best longboard grip tape is a full sheet longer and wider than your deck, in about 80 grit for general riding. Longboard sheets are usually 10 to 11 inches wide and 44 to 50 inches long. Choose coarser grit for sliding and downhill.

What size grip tape do I need for a longboard?

Measure your deck and choose a sheet at least an inch longer and half an inch wider. A standard skateboard sheet of about 9 by 33 inches is too small for most longboards.

What grit is longboard grip tape?

Standard grip tape is about 80 grit. Freeride and downhill riders often use coarser grip of about 60 or 46 grit. A lower number means a rougher surface.

Is clear grip tape as good as black?

Clear grip gives good traction and lets the deck show through, but it is often a little less aggressive than black and it shows dirt more.

How do I apply grip tape without bubbles?

Start with a clean, dry deck. Let the middle of the sheet touch down first, then smooth outward toward the ends and edges. If a bubble forms, prick it with a pin and press the air out. Perforated sheets make this easier.

Your grip tape checklist

Run through this before you buy and before you start.

• I have measured the length and width of my deck.
• The sheet is longer and wider than the deck.
• The grit suits how I ride.
• I have chosen black or clear.
• I have a sharp blade and a file or screwdriver.
• The deck is clean, dry and free of old adhesive.
• I have set aside twenty minutes with no interruptions.

The best longboard grip tape is simply the right size and grit, put on carefully. It is one of the cheapest things you can buy for your board, and fresh grip changes how secure every ride feels.

Product specs and availability were checked in October 2026 and can change. Always confirm the details on the product page before you buy.