If you’re anything like me, the moment you get your hands on a new board, you’re itching to get it set up and start skating. And with every new board comes the same question: how should I grip it? With so much time on our hands these days, spending a bit of time on your grip is a perfect way to customize your board, and maybe even express yourself.
Personally, I’ve been fascinated by the Dan Drehobl method. Drehobl is arguably one of the most fun skateboarders to watch, and his grip tape seems to follow a unique, almost coded pattern. It’s unclear whether it serves a practical purpose, such as foot placement guidance, or if it just started as a way to save grip tape on wider boards, or if it means absolutely nothing at all. Knowing Dan Drehobl, it probably doesn’t mean shit, but it does make me think about the different approaches to griptape and why it matters, even if we pretend it doesn’t. So, here’s a deep dive into some of the most popular griptape styles.
The Speed Stripe
A favorite among the more progressive skaters, the speed stripe is a vertical stripe that runs down the center of the board, nodding to skateboarding’s surfing roots, while defying the norm. “Stripers” can pull off any trick, but they often choose to try combinations that seem easy, but are actually quite difficult or maybe they aren’t. It’s all a bit of a joke anyway. And if you think it looks dumb, the joke’s on you.
Home turf: A spot that isn’t really a spot
Soundtrack: Pop punk party hits of the ’90s
Board brands: Frog, WKND
Key offenders: Jesse Alba, Austyn Gillette
The Endorsee
There’s something undeniably corny about turning your griptape into an advertisement. Why would you pay to promote a brand? You could argue that brand allegiance is a big part of skateboarding, and riding what your favorite skaters ride supports their careers, but this just feels different. The same logic applies to grip tape with hot babes, flames, or bottles of whiskey printed on it.
Home turf: The mall
Soundtrack: Shake Junt!
Board brands: Thankyou, Baker, Primitive
Key offenders: Torey Pudwill, Lil Wayne, and children.
The Patchwork
When done right, the patchwork can lead to some of the coolest and most distinct grip tape designs. It’s a seemingly spontaneous creation of scraps, with a piece here and a piece there, maybe a sheet stuck at an odd angle with a single sticker peeking out. However, a patchwork can quickly go wrong if it’s not spontaneous and meticulously planned, perhaps even using screenshots from old Drehobl parts for reference. Yes, I’m speaking from personal experience.
Home turf: The porch
Soundtrack: Neil Diamond, Ween
Board brands: Krooked
Key offenders: Dan Drehobl
The Blacktop
This is obviously the safest way to go, even if ironically, a fully blacktopped board can make it hard to tell which end is which. It’s hard to fault the blacktop, but this most basic of styles can be interpreted as a lack of creativity, and a refusal to embrace the whimsical, romantic side of skateboarding. To a blacktopper, the board is merely a tool, and we should just shut up and skate. Extra points if applied using a blunt object or even a rock.
Home turf: The streets
Soundtrack: Black Sabbath, Motörhead
Board brands: All of them
Key offenders: Everyone
The Gonz
Characterized by bright colors and bold statements, this free-wheeling relative of the patchwork has become popular once again in recent years. Mark Gonzales’ paint pen masterpieces were studied and copied back in the ‘80s. During the next couple of decades, the only acceptable color on your grip was a sprayed tag or an ominous motivational word. But now, anything goes – patches of colored or clear grip mixed with stickers, patterns, and even song lyrics. I’m all for it, but personally, I’d find it too distracting.
Home turf: The studio
Soundtrack: John Coltrane
Board brands: Anything shaped
Key offenders: The Gonz, the youth
The Pro Stripe
The Pro Stripe is named that way because it’s the most time-efficient way to grip a board – a chore that many pros have to go through constantly. To achieve this style, simply apply your grip tape about a half-inch from the toe-side of your board, add a sponsor’s sticker or two poking out, then trim around the rest of the board. For extra flair, you can set it at an angle, or even back it off from the nose. At its best, the Pro Stripe is both beautiful and functional, creative yet simple. But when done by non-professionals, it can often come off as a bit poseur. Again, I’m speaking from personal experience.
Home turf: Paris
Soundtrack: Bauhaus
Board brands: Fucking Awesome, Hockey, Quasi
Key offenders: Kevin Rodrigues, and people trying to be Kevin Rodrigues
The Vert Stripe
A straight (or better yet, torn) horizontal gap in the grip, placed just above the back truck mounting bolts, the vert stripe has its roots in the ‘80s, when boards were boards, and stickers were cool. This is a sensible choice as it solves the “which end is it” problem, and adds some character to your board, while showing your allegiance to classic style. The problem is, if you mess with any form of switch skating, that bare stripe is exactly where you want some grip.
Home turf: Pools, curbs
Soundtrack: Devo, Slayer
Board brands: Anti Hero, Santa Cruz
Key offenders: Grant Taylor, the other Tom Knox
The Juxtapoz
If you’re bored with too much time on your hands and a new skateboard, you might find yourself dreaming up some overly elaborate grip tape design. Fish scales, brick walls, a pirate ship, or a neon peace sign — it’s all a complete waste of time, and you’ll probably regret it, but don’t let that stop you. Your non-skater friends will think it’s cool.
Home turf: The couch
Soundtrack: The Clash
Board brands: Black Label
Key offenders: Jason Adams, Sebo Walker
In conclusion, griptape is more than just a functional part of your skateboard; it’s a way to express yourself. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the blacktop or the wild creativity of the Gonz, your griptape style can say a lot about your approach to skateboarding. So, have fun with it, experiment, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Your board is a canvas – make it your own.
