The longboarding world is constantly evolving, with new products emerging to enhance performance and rider experience. Dark Matter grip tape has entered the scene, posing a challenge to established brands. This review dives deep into its features, comparing it to popular options like Vicious, Cuei, and the renowned Lokton, to determine its position in the market.
Dark Matter aims to address common issues in grip tape durability, grip level, and ease of use. Let’s explore if it lives up to its promises.
Dark Matter Grip Tape: The Details
- Quantity: 3 sheets per pack
- Dimensions: 12.6 inches (length) x 10.2 inches (width)
- Grit: Undisclosed, but feels similar to a 40-grit
- Backing: Durable fiber
- Price: Around $29
- Extras: One sheet with the Dark Matter logo, stickers
Dark Matter grip tape packaging with logo sheet and stickers
Insights from the Source: Dark Matter Interview
To understand the development behind Dark Matter, we interviewed the team at Rocket Longboards, the creators of this new grip tape.
- Why Dark Matter? Dissatisfaction with the durability of existing grip tapes motivated the creation of Dark Matter. Many riders were resorting to using various sandpapers, which while durable, lacked flexibility and were hard to apply. Dark Matter aimed to combine the durability of sandpaper with the convenience of traditional grip tape.
- Design Goals: The primary focus was to create a high-grip, easy-to-apply, and incredibly durable grip tape.
- How is Dark Matter Different? The material used is distinct from other grip tapes, featuring unique grains and a specialized fiber backing, contributing to its ruggedness and longevity. The sharp grains also maintain their grip even when wet.
- Adhesive Type: Unlike pressure-sensitive adhesives, Dark Matter uses a standard adhesive that enhances its stickiness when heated. However, heating is usually not required.
- Application Tips: Dark Matter is designed for easy application. Its fabric backing allows for straight tearing by hand, which is useful when sharing sheets. The grip is most effective when used with brake soles.
- Future Plans: The company is currently focusing on the current version of the product and will assess market response before considering other options.
- Additional Thoughts: Early testers of the grip were very impressed, particularly noting its long-term durability.
Dark Matter Grip Tape In-Depth Review
Overall Performance
Dark Matter lives up to its claims, offering a sharp, grippy, flexible, and durable experience. It adheres well, doesn’t flake excessively, and doesn’t tear easily.
While not as sharp as the 36-grit Lokton, it provides enough grip to keep your feet secure, and retains that key “bite” that locks you into the board. The balance between grip and foot maneuverability is where Dark Matter truly shines. This is a key factor for riders who need to adjust their position quickly and efficiently without losing confidence in their grip.
However, riders who prioritize maximum grip may find Lokton 36-grit superior.
What is Dark Matter Grip Tape?
Dark Matter grip tape is a new product from Rocket Longboards, a Swiss company known for high-quality longboards. They developed this grip tape to address the shortcomings they perceived in the available options on the market. Designed specifically for downhill skateboarding, Dark Matter features a coarse texture for enhanced grip.
Rocket Longboards logo
How Sharp is the Grip?
The grip is very sharp with an initial “bite,” ensuring a secure hold. This bite provides confidence by preventing foot slippage. Lokton grips are known for this “bite,” while Cuei does not offer the same level of locked-in feeling. Dark Matter successfully replicates this essential feature.
Grip Level: The Perfect Balance
Dark Matter is not the sharpest grip available. It falls between the 36-grit and 60-grit Lokton. For riders who find 36-grit Lokton too aggressive, Dark Matter provides a more balanced option.
The 36-grit Lokton, while incredibly grippy, can make foot adjustments difficult, requiring more effort and deliberation. This can unsettle the board, especially during high-speed maneuvers.
A close up view of Lokton grip tape
Dark Matter addresses this by offering a level of grip that allows for both secure footing and easy foot movement. This makes it ideal for riders who need to shift their feet swiftly without sacrificing stability.
Durability and Longevity
- Balding: Dark Matter shows no signs of balding, even after prolonged use. This is a significant improvement compared to other grip tapes that tend to lose their grit over time.
- Dulling: Although long-term use may cause some slight dulling, Dark Matter’s sharpness remains consistent. This ensures a reliable grip that does not degrade quickly.
- Flaking: Unlike Lokton, which is known for flaking, Dark Matter exhibits minimal flaking, enhancing its overall durability. Dark Matter’s secure hold of the grains prevents them from easily coming off, leading to a longer lasting grip.
Flexibility and Strength
Dark Matter’s fiber backing makes it flexible enough to conform to various concave shapes. This flexibility also contributes to its strength. The grip tape is difficult to tear by hand, indicating its resilience. This strength is a notable advantage over Lokton which is easily torn and can sometimes separate from the deck during removal.
Dark Matter Grip Tape is flexible, allowing it to be wrapped around rails
Application and Ease of Use
The application is straightforward and hassle-free. The grip sticks firmly without needing any additional adhesive. It’s easy to cut, especially after scoring the edge for a clean, bald spot which helps to make precise cuts. Its ability to adhere to complex concave shapes is an added advantage.
Fiber Backing Advantages
The fiber backing provides several benefits:
- Improved rain performance
- Environmental friendliness
- Enhanced flexibility
Dark Matter vs. Competitors: A Comparison
Here is a detailed comparison of Dark Matter against other popular grip tapes:
| 36-grit Lokton | 60-grit Lokton | Cuei Grip | Dark Matter Grip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backing | Paper | Paper | Plastic | Fiber |
| Sharpness | Very Sharp & Bites | Sharp & Bites | Sharp but Doesn’t Bite | Sharp & Bites |
| Durability | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| Stickiness | Good | Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| Flexibility | Poor | Poor | Very Good | Very Good |
| Rain Perf. | OK, but gets soggy, edges lift | Not tested | Not tested | Not tested |
| Overall | Very Good | Love It | Good | Love It |
| Price | $25-$32 | $27-$33.5 | $29.95 (4 sheets) | CHF 29.00 ($29) |
| Flaking | A Lot | A Little | Negligible | Minimal |
| Sharpness Loss | A little | A Little | A little | A little (speculated) |
| Balding | None | None | None | None |
See in-depth reviews of Lokton Grip and Cuei Grip for more details.
Areas for Improvement
The only minor drawback is the limited color options, currently only available in a reddish-maroon color, and some riders may prefer more choices.
Close up shot of the Dark Matter logo on a grip tape sheet
Value for Money
Dark Matter is definitely worth the investment, especially for those seeking high performance and durability at an affordable price, particularly in Europe. Its eco-friendly materials add to its appeal.
Additional Insights
- Stacking: Stacking grip is possible, but the surface area must be adequate to ensure proper adhesion.
- Flexibility with Heat: Heating the grip enhances its flexibility, but care should be taken during application to avoid peeling.
Areas Not Fully Tested
Rain performance and durability in very wet conditions require further testing. These will be updated once the opportunity to test in the rain arises.
Final Thoughts
Dark Matter grip tape stands out as a high-quality product that offers an excellent balance between grip, durability, and ease of use. While it might not be the absolute sharpest grip, it is more forgiving, making it ideal for riders who need to adjust their foot positions more easily. It outshines Lokton in areas like flexibility, tearing resistance, and flaking, making it a great all-around choice for many longboarders.
We thank Daniel from Rocket for providing this product for review. Please share your questions or personal experiences in the comments below.
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