Review: RSPro Cork 1mm Front Grip
Summary: The RSPro Cork 1mm Front Grip is excellent traction for river surfing. Continue reading for the full review…
While surf wax is great for the ocean, it isn’t usually ideal for the river. The water in the river can be super cold, requiring a soft wax. The air temps are often very high, leading to your cold wax melting off your board whenever it’s left out of the water. I’ve made the transition to using permanent traction on all my river surfboards.
The RSPro Cork 1mm Front Grip is designed to provide traction for your front foot on your shortboard. I have the first version of this traction. RSPro has since released the “Front Grip II”, which is nearly identical to the version I’m reviewing here.
The total surface area covered by the traction is about 15″x20″. This is enough for a typical river shortboard that’s under 5’6″. If you’re trying to cover a longer board or a SUP, this probably won’t be enough unless you have your stance perfectly dialed.
The stickiness of the traction feels good. It’s not as sticky as soft wax, but is as sticky as any other traction pads I’ve used. It works well when surfing with booties, river shoes, or bare feet. It also feels equally sticky in any temperature water.
At just 1mm thick, this grip is noticeably thinner than most other traction. Typical surfboard and SUP traction is made of soft, squishy foam that is often at least twice as thick as the RSPro cork. The thinner traction in theory allows you to have a higher level of control, since there is less material between you and the board. I can’t tell if the board is easier to control, but I do like the way the thinner traction looks on the board.
Installing the traction is easy. The cork is backed by adhesive which allows you to simply peel and stick the traction on like a sticker. The glue backing the cork is very good. I’ve had no issues with it coming unstuck from the board over the two seasons I’ve had it.
The only issue I’ve had with the RSPro cork, is it gets damaged easier than other traction. In a few places the cork has chipped away. It’s not a huge deal, but I’ve never had that issue with other traction pads.
If you’re looking for a traction pad for your river shortboard, I recommend RSPro Cork 1mm Front Grip. I will be installing the latest version of this traction on my new river shortboards this coming year.