If you’re looking for the best skimboard traction pads, you’ve come to the right place.
I know that finding the right traction pad can be tough. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the nine best pads on the market.
I want to help you find the perfect pad for your needs, so you can hit the waves with confidence.
You probably want a mix of performance and price, which is why this Ho Stevie traction pad set came out ahead in our tests, a premium brand that manages to produce their pads at affordable prices.
There are a few different brands to look at well, for different reasons or uses you might have, so let’s look at the top choices real quick:
| Best skimboard traction pads | Images |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Ho Stevie Premium |  (view more images) |
| Best budget: Abahub Diamond Grooved Traction Deck |  (view more images) |
| Editor’s choice: Creatures of Leisure |  (view more images) |
| Best skimboard traction pad with arch bar set: Punt Surf 5 Piece Stomp Pads |  (view more images) |
| Best skimboard grip tape: Seafard EVA foam |  (view more images) |
| Best skimboard tail pads with back kicker: Punt Surf Tail Pad |  (view more images) |
In this post we'll cover:
- 1 What to Look for When Buying Traction Pads for Skimboarding
- 2 Traction Pads for Skimboarding reviewed
- 2.1 Best overall: Ho Stevie Premium
- 2.2 Best budget: Abahub Diamond Grooved Traction Deck
- 2.3 Editor’s choice: Creatures of Leisure
- 2.4 Best skimboard traction pad with arch bar set: Punt Surf 5 Piece Stomp Pads
- 2.5 Best skimboard grip tape: Seafard EVA foam
- 2.6 Best skimboard tail pads with back kicker: Punt Surf Tail Pad
- 3 Can you use traction pads on foam skimboards?
- 4 Can you put traction pads on a wooden skimboard?
- 5 How to put traction pads on your skimboard
- 6 Conclusion
What to Look for When Buying Traction Pads for Skimboarding
Here are a few advantages of using traction pads (or read about all of the advantages of traction pads vs wax here):
1. Traction pads provide more grip with bare feet, which can help you stay on the board longer.
2. Traction pads can help you perform tricks more easily.
3. Traction pads protect your feet from getting injured if you fall off the board.
4. Traction pads keep your feet from slipping off the board in wet conditions.
5. Traction pads come in a variety of colors and designs, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.
So those are the things to look for when buying one:
Traction
Skimboard traction pads provide great traction and grip to the board. This is important as it allows you to stay on the board while performing tricks and stunts.
It also helps prevent you from slipping off the board in wet conditions.
Foot protection
If you fall off the board, a traction pad can help protect your feet from getting injured. This is especially important if you are a beginner and are still learning how to balance on the board.
That’s pretty obvious. But some traction pads also have a built-in ergonomic shape that helps your feet on the board itself.
If you’re having trouble positioning your feet on your board, this might be a feature to look out for.
Style
Most traction pads come in a variety of colors and designs. So you can find one that matches your style and personality.
If you’re the type of person who likes to express themselves through their gear, then this is an important feature for you.
Durability
Another important factor to consider is the durability of the traction pad. You want one that will last you for a while and won’t wear out easily.
Some pads have a more durable construction than others. So if this is important to you, be sure to check out the specs of each pad before making your purchase.
Replacing an existing pad and removing all of the glue can be quite a hassle, so it’s best not to have to do that more often than is necessary.
What is an arch bar on a skim board?
An arch bar on a skimboard is a raised section in the center of the pad that helps to provide support to your feet.
This can be especially helpful if you have problems positioning your feet on the board.
Some traction pads come with an arch bar built-in, while others do not. So if this is something you’re looking for, be sure to check the specs of each traction pad before making your purchase.
Traction Pads for Skimboarding reviewed
Best overall: Ho Stevie Premium
The best traction pads out there are from Ho Stevie!
I love how soft and grippy they feel, but at the same time, my feet don’t get scraped up by the lines when surfing on them.
The 3-piece rear grip pad is a high-quality traction device for your skimboard.
It’s made by the best companies in production, and it will not disappoint you!
Plus the black palm tree design brings tropical vibes to any ride out there–or if that isn’t enough they also offer plain colors without decorations on either side as well.
The 3 piece design allows you to spread the pad as wide as needed on your skimboard’s tail.
The middle arch supports extremely well and the kicktail locks you in place for stability
And since we all know how powerful 3M adhesive can be – even without any added measures to make it stick like sandpaper- this traction strip will stick tight no matter what type/size bottom material is being used.
The 3M adhesives are a godsend! I’ve had my skimboard for about ten sessions now and it’s not coming off.
Check availability and prices here
Best budget: Abahub Diamond Grooved Traction Deck
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend too much on a traction pad, the Abahub Diamond Grooved Traction Deck is a great option.
It’s made of ultralight diamond grooved EVA foam, which makes it soft and comfortable to stand on.
It also maintains textured traction for your feet, so you can still perform tricks and stunts with ease.
The adhesive is authentic green label 3M high-grade, so you know it will stick firmly to your board.
Plus, the deck comes in a variety of colors and designs, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.
Overall, the Abahub Diamond Grooved Traction Deck is a great option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly traction pad.
If you’re looking for a high-quality trackpad with an affordable price tag, look no further than the Abahub.
I have yet to be disappointed by any of their products and this pad is no exception! It’s made from 3m material like other leading brands but at half the cost – so many benefits in one package!!
Editor’s choice: Creatures of Leisure
Creatures of Leisure is a brand that I trust when it comes to skimboard traction pads, and it’s probably one of the only brands that designs theirs solely for use on a skimboard.
Their pads are made with ultralightweight EVA foam, which makes them soft and comfortable to stand on.
They also provide maximum grip for a truly elevated surfing experience.
The adhesive is authentic green label 3M high-grade, so you know it will stick firmly to your board.
Plus, the pads come in a variety of colors and designs, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.
Overall, Creatures of Leisure offers some of the best traction pads on the market but they do come with a price tag so they might not be for everyone.
It can be worth investing the additional cost for more control over your board as these pads will sit in exactly the right spot.
Best skimboard traction pad with arch bar set: Punt Surf 5 Piece Stomp Pads
Punt Surf’s 5 piece stomp pads are a great option for anyone looking for a customizable traction pad.
The pieces can be spread out or put together to fit any skimboard, and the tail pad dimensions are 10.5″ x 11.75″.
The pad also has a 10mm center arch and 25mm tail kick.
The arch bar dimensions are 20″ long (two pieces combined) x 3.25″ wide.
The adhesive is authentic green label 3M high-grade, so you know it will stick firmly to your board.
Overall, Punt Surf’s 5 piece stomp pads are a great option for anyone looking for a customizable traction pad.
I found the arch bar very helpful in giving me that extra grip on critical bottom turns and cutbacks – it was really easy to customize the placement to my skimboard. The overall quality is great, especially for the price. Definitely recommend!
The company uses environmentally conscious design in all of their products as well, contributing to a better surfing environment all over the world.
Check the latest prices and availability here
Best skimboard grip tape: Seafard EVA foam
When it comes to skimboard grip tape, Seafard’s EVA foam is hard to beat.
The ultralight diamond groove pattern EVA foam is comfortable to stand on while strong enough to provide the support needed for all the movements in surfing.
The non-slip surface ensures that you’ll never lose your footing, even in the most challenging of waves.
The adhesive is authentic green label 3M high-grade, so you know it will stick tight no matter what type/size bottom material is being used.
Overall, Seafard’s EVA foam provides an unbeatable grip and comfort for anyone looking to up their skimboarding game.
With grip tape, you can have a thin strip running across our board if you like, unlike with sets with a set front arch bar if this is your personal preference.
This might help your bearing of the front foot as well as your back foot.
Best skimboard tail pads with back kicker: Punt Surf Tail Pad
Punt Surf’s tail pad is a great option for anyone looking for a lightweight and comfortable traction pad.
It’s made of ultralight diamond grooved EVA foam, which makes it soft and comfortable to stand on.
It also maintains textured traction for your feet, so you can still perform tricks and stunts with confidence for the ultimate riding experience.
The adhesive is authentic green label 3M high-grade, so you know it will stick firmly to your board.
Overall, Punt Surf’s tail pad is a great option for anyone looking for a lightweight and comfortable traction pad.
I found the tail pad to be really helpful in providing extra grip on critical bottom turns and cutbacks – it was easy to customize the placement to my skimboard. The overall quality is great, especially for the price.
Can you use traction pads on foam skimboards?
Yes, you can use traction pads on foam skimboards. However, it is important to choose the right type of traction pad for your board.
It might be that the adhesive doesn’t stick well enough to a foam board, in which case you can add some superglue to keep it on your board.
You already have more grip with a foam board, but adding professional pads for increased grip can be a worthy investment nonetheless.
Can you put traction pads on a wooden skimboard?
Yes, you can put traction pads on a wooden skimboard. However, depending on the type of board and the adhesive used, it might not stick well enough. In this case, you can add some superglue to keep it in place or make sure to sand down the surface first.
How to put traction pads on your skimboard
If you’re new to skimboarding, or just need a quick refresher, here’s how to put traction pads on your board.
1. Remove the old traction pad from your board. This can be a bit tricky, so be careful not to damage the board itself. One way to do it is to slowly peel it off with the help of a razor blade.
2. Clean the area where the new traction pad will be placed with Windex or some similar cleaning product. This is important, as any dirt or debris or even old wax on the surface will prevent the pad from sticking properly.
3. Apply the traction pad to the board after it is completely dry. Be sure to press it down firmly, so that there are no air bubbles between the pad and the board.
4. Let the traction pad dry for 24 hours before using it.
5. Enjoy your new traction pad for a comfortable ride! 🙂
This is an important skill to have, especially if you’re looking to improve your skimboarding skills. With the right traction pad, you’ll be able to stay on your board longer and practice your tricks with ease.
Where do you put the traction pad on a skimboard?
The traction pad on a skimboard is all the way to the back of the board, with just a little room left over on either side of the left and right pads. Since there isn’t a leash plug on a skimboard, you can move it all the way back.
That’s the best setup for most skimmers’ foot placement.
Conclusion
As you can see, the right skimboard traction pad is one of the most important things to consider when it comes to taking your game up a notch.
Also read: these are the best skimboard you can buy right now
