Clear Grip Tape: Is It Any Good and When Should You Use It?

Clear grip tape gets asked about a lot in the shop. Usually by someone with a graphic deck they’ve just spent good money on, who doesn’t want to cover it up with a sheet of black sandpaper. Fair enough. But the question that follows is always the same: does the stuff actually work, or is it just for show?

Here’s the honest answer. Clear grip tape does grip. It’s a genuine, functional product, not a novelty. But it isn’t a straight swap for black grip in every situation, and knowing where it fits will save you a wasted purchase.

What is clear grip tape?

Clear grip tape is skateboard grip tape made from a transparent or lightly tinted grit layer, bonded to a clear adhesive backing. It goes on your deck the same way standard grip tape does, sits under your feet in the same way, and does the same core job: giving your shoes something to bite into so you don’t slide off mid-trick.

Standard grip tape uses a silicon carbide grit for that bite, glued to the deck the same way clear grip is. The difference is what’s underneath. Because clear grip is see-through, whatever graphic is printed on your deck stays visible once it’s applied. With standard black grip tape, that graphic disappears completely under a layer of coarse black grit.

It’s worth saying clear grip tape isn’t new or gimmicky. Most of the main grip tape brands sold in the UK, including the MOB grip tape range, produce a clear option alongside their standard black sheets, using a similar grit and adhesive process.

Does clear grip tape grip as well as black grip tape?

This is the real question, and the answer is: mostly, but not always identically.

Good-quality clear grip tape uses a genuine grit coating, and once it’s applied and broken in, it performs closely to standard grip in day-to-day riding, pushing, and most tricks. You’ll get proper foot lock-in and won’t be sliding around on your deck.

Where it can fall short is at the sharper end of performance. Some clear grip products use a slightly finer or less aggressive grit than premium black grip tape, because the coating needs to stay transparent enough for the graphic to show through. If you’re doing technical street tricks that rely on maximum board control and grip under pressure, a top-spec black grip tape will usually edge it out.

For cruising, park riding, learning, and general street skating, the difference is small enough that most riders won’t notice it. It’s really only at the competitive or highly technical end that the gap becomes meaningful.

Why skaters choose clear grip over standard grip

The main reason is simple: showing off the deck graphic. If you’ve bought a deck with artwork you actually like, whether that’s a pro model, a collab, or a blank deck you’ve customised yourself, black grip tape hides all of it. Clear grip tape lets the design stay part of the board, not just something you glimpse when you flip it.

Other reasons skaters go clear:

• Custom and hand-painted decks. If you’ve built your own board using a blank skateboard deck and added your own art, clear grip protects your work while keeping it visible.
• Collectible or display setups. Some riders build boards they don’t skate hard, and want the deck to look complete rather than blacked out.
• A different look underfoot. Some skaters just prefer the aesthetic, especially on cruisers and surfskates where grip tape doubles as part of the overall style.

It’s a style choice backed by function, not the other way round.

Best boards and setups for clear grip tape

Clear grip tape suits certain setups better than others:

• Graphic decks you want to keep visible — the obvious use case, and the one most people are buying for.
• Cruisers and surfskates — where grip is still needed, but riders are usually cruising rather than doing technical street tricks, so the slightly softer grit isn’t an issue.
• Custom builds — riders assembling their own setup from a blank deck who want the finished product to look considered rather than covered in black grit.
• Beginner and intermediate boards where riders are still learning fundamentals and aren’t yet pushing grip performance to its limits.

Where it’s less suited is high-impact street and technical park skating, where riders lean on maximum grip during flip tricks and grinds. For that, standard black grip tape, particularly a coarser grit, remains the safer choice.

How to apply clear grip tape without air bubbles

Application is the same basic process as applying grip tape to a skateboard deck, but clear grip tape is less forgiving of mistakes because you can actually see them.

A couple of things to watch for specifically:

1. Air bubbles are far more visible. On black grip, small trapped air pockets are hidden by the surface texture. On clear grip, they sit right over your graphic and stand out immediately. Work slowly from the centre outward, smoothing as you go, rather than laying the whole sheet down at once.
2. Alignment matters more. Because the graphic underneath is visible, any misalignment between the grip tape edges and the deck shape is much more obvious than it would be on black grip. Take an extra minute to line the sheet up before you commit to sticking it down.
3. Clean the deck surface first. Dust or residue under clear grip tape will show through, so wipe the deck down before application.
4. Use a proper application tool. A grip tape applicator or old gift card helps push out air evenly without pressing your fingers into the adhesive.

If you’re assembling a full setup from scratch, our guide on how to assemble a skateboard covers where grip tape fits into the wider build.

Clear grip tape vs coloured and printed grip tape

Clear isn’t the only alternative to standard black. Coloured and printed grip tape are also popular, but they solve a different problem.

Coloured grip tape (solid colours, no visible deck graphic) adds personality to the top of the board without needing a graphic underneath. It’s a style statement in its own right.

Printed or patterned grip tape has its own design baked into the grit layer, again without relying on what’s underneath.

Clear grip tape is the only one of the three that lets your actual deck graphic remain visible. If the goal is showing off the artwork on your specific deck, clear is the only real option. If you just want a look that isn’t plain black, coloured or printed grip tape gives more design choice with no compromise on standard grit performance.

Looking after clear grip tape

Grip tape wears down over time as the grit smooths from friction with your shoes, and clear grip is no different. On clear grip, dust, scuff marks and general grime tend to show up more obviously than on black grip, simply because there’s nowhere for it to hide.

If it starts looking grubby, a grip tape cleaner will lift dust and everyday marks and keep the surface gripping properly for longer. When the grit itself wears smooth and tricks start feeling less precise, that’s your sign to re-grip rather than replace the deck. Old grip tape comes off cleanly with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive, and any leftover residue can be rubbed down with nail polish remover before you apply a fresh sheet.

Shop grip tape at Skatewarehouse

Whether you’re after clear, black, coloured or printed, our skateboard grip tape collection covers the full range, including the MOB grip tape range, one of the most trusted names in grip. If you’re building a full setup rather than just re-gripping, take a look at our skateboard accessories for everything else you’ll need.

Not sure grip tape is even your next step? Our guide to buying your first skateboard is a good place to start if you’re still working out your setup from scratch.

FAQs

Is clear grip tape as grippy as normal black grip tape? It’s close, but not always identical. Good clear grip tape uses a genuine grit coating and performs well for cruising, learning, and general skating. For high-impact technical street or park tricks, a top-spec black grip tape usually offers slightly stronger bite.

Does clear grip tape show dirt or wear more than black grip? Yes, generally. Because it’s transparent, dirt, scuff marks, and wear patterns are more visible over time than they would be on black grip tape, which hides everyday grime.

Can I put clear grip tape over a graphic on my deck? Yes, that’s exactly what it’s designed for. Clear grip tape lets the deck graphic remain visible once applied, unlike standard black grip tape, which covers it completely.

How long does clear grip tape last compared to standard grip? Lifespan is broadly similar to standard grip tape when it’s a quality product, though the grit can wear smoother slightly sooner on some clear options due to the finer coating used to keep it transparent.

Do I need different tools to apply clear grip tape? No, the same tools work: a sharp blade, a grip tape applicator or card, and a file or grip tape edging tool for the sides. The process just needs a bit more care because bubbles and misalignment are more visible.

Is clear grip tape good for beginners? Yes, it works fine for beginners, especially if you want to keep a graphic deck looking good while you learn. Just be aware that if you progress into more technical tricks later, you may prefer to switch to a coarser standard grip tape.

Still deciding between clear, black, coloured or printed? Head over to our skateboard grip tape collection and filter by type, or give the shop a call if you want a straight answer on what suits your setup.