Best traction pads for surfboard

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1853 Posts XTreme Poster

My rear pad is fine. I want to stick down a lot of traction for the front foot without the entire deck deal that some do. What works well assuming I will do strips/patches?

Thanks,
Eric

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 203 Posts Stoked

Don't know about best, but I know cheapest: the foam mats you can buy from Costco for ~$12 for 8 of them (enough for 10 boards). Had to strip the pads off a board and add another layer of carbon - I used these pads because the board probably wont last long. Anyways they work well, very soft and grippy enough but I do use booties.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

NSI. Just stop by their shop in hood river. by a pice of padding from them and cut it to whatever size you need. Thats what I did. I think it wsa like $20 for a pad that basically covered the front of my board.

Thatspec · Since 17 Mar 2008 119 Posts Ptucky Stoked

Or just check their dumpster every so often (NSI) for this setup;

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1997.0

rollersailor · Since 28 Jun 2009 25 Posts Oahu, Hawaii

Best deck traction material for riding a surfboard strapped or strapless hands down is Versatraction. Expensive but wax is 2 bucks a bar now in Hawaii, so over the life of a board this stuff is not a bad value. It's grippy but not too coarse, pretty clear- graphics under it look good, no melting wax mess in your car, board bag, or on your leading edge when you use your board to hold your kite down on the beach. No bumming wax cause you forgot to buy some. Not thick like pads so you can feel your board better. They sell kits for different styles of boards or will sell it by the foot and you trim it the way you want. Ride with or without booties. Surfmore XM makes some clear grip too but it's not very good. If you like thick pads- NSI material is good, you can get it cheaper from Hydroturf.com, just buy a large sheet of it and cut it how you want, they have tons of choices.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1853 Posts XTreme Poster

NSI cut me a custom pad with lick'em and stick'em. Fast, friendly, affordable and flat out fantastic

Thanks,
Eric

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

The Dakine longboard pad works great, but it's not cheap ~$30. Thin and grippy with just enough shock absorption. 2nd wind has em.

http://www.dakine.com/surf/traction/longboard/

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I just like a dakine tail pad on backwards the tail ramp on the front helps me feel where on the board my front foot is without looking and helps a little with strapless jumps

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

NSI rules the seas.

Easiest and cleanest application.
Best traction.
Lightest when wet.
Best Durability.
Products available in the stores.
Serious R&D benefiting whole the industry.
Local company with 20 years of support for Hood River's economy.
Friendly owner and staff.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu May 26, 11 8:34 am

I recently made a custom skim board pad with traction pad and foam kicker tail material from NSI. They were really cool and the whole setup cost me like $25.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

For low price and minimalist approach, I've had the nsi Clear Grip Traction on my skim for years. Lightest weight setup. I wear booties quite a bit though. It isn't bad w/bare feet either. On the surfboard I prefer wax even though the sand gets to it but in the gorge that isn't an issue.

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1853 Posts XTreme Poster

That '09 quad verve is such a nice board to ride strapless. I hope they start making that one again.

E