Traction strips on skis?

I have seen pictures of what appears to be traction strips on the sides of the cockpit of skis. I'm sure this has been discussed before somewhere here. Would someone please stear me towards those discussions? I really need to get some traction to help in remounting. I would like to know what works best? Thank you!

I can't imagine why you would need/want what you describe?
Grab ski, slide on/in, paddle.

Just think SHARK! You'll find the re-mount is very quick and easy

Are you sure they are traction strips and not tape to protect from paddle damage in the area of the catch?

I think what you're referring to are the tape strips many of us use to protect the cockpit edges from errant paddle strikes. Black stuff up near the foot pedals, yes?

There's all kinds of "how-to-remount" articles and videos floating around. Not to be a dick but if you're wishing for traction strips you really should seek some guidance from someone who knows what they're doing. If you don't have a paddling community nearby I think the epic website has a video of Oscar remounting in a pool.

A friend bought a ski with some traction tape on the sides of the cockpit. Bad idea - several of us found it next to impossible to remount his ski as our life vests would get stuk on the high-friction tape. Removed it half-way though our paddle and remounts were much easier.

If you do put protective tape, make sure it is sleek and not something rough and high-friction or that is not very low profile.

Thank you all for responding! After looking at some of the pics I had referred to in my initial post, I guess they are the protective strips that many of you have referred to. So if I may, do any of you have a favorite type of tape or strip that you use for the protection?
Thanks!

Of the guys out here in Hawaii that put anything on, most use a product called "pipe wrap" that's basically a rubbery tape a couple mil thick. More useful for beginners or guys with crappy form. Plenty of paddlers go bare (cockpit) with no ill effect.

I use a clear, thick, self adhesive, plastic tape locally known as Helicopter Tape; (originally developed to protect the leading edge of helicopter blades from chips and damage). Eventually, it "yellows" with age but is easy to remove/replace.

There is also a thick clear tape product used on SUPs called rail tape. I found it at a SUP dealer.

A far cheaper alternative than rail tape, to achieve the same purpose can be bought from car accessory stores. It has a variety of names but is applied to prevent stone chips.

On the subject of traction tape on the ski cockpit sides, I have often considered applying this to aid in carrying the ski in wind. Persons with short arms and small hands have difficulty in holding on to the slippery cockpit rim, especially after a hard paddle.Potential difficulty in remounting has dissuaded me.

Hi Marieski and others,

I use a grip tape/traction tape :-I think its called deck tape and is designed to help your footing on boat decks or slippery steps - its black and has the texture of sandpaper, available from chandlers.

I use it to help pick up the ski with cold and or wet hands, and also helps grip the boat in the wind, and getting it on and off the roof racks and storage racks. I've placed it where it doesn't impede remounting or anything else, and makes handling the ski much easier.

One strip (2"x1") is on the inside of the footwell, just below the rail/gunwale, a little to the rear of the foot plate, and the other (same size) is just inside the bucket at its widest point. The spacing is just the most comfortable for picking up the ski, and gives extra grip right at the fingertips.

This tape is very grippy: when I put the ski away in the garage I need to squeeze down a narrow space between the car and the racking. I can carry the ski at thigh height with just my fingertips on the inside of the gunwale, and then 'knee' it on to the rack without risk of it slipping out of my hands.

I also have a thin strip on the shaft of my paddle to prevent 'death grip', but that's another story...

Hope this helps.

I put that black non slip tape on my footboard and rudder pedals.

My new Stellar came with that black, abrasive tape on the footboard and pedals. However, after my 1st decent long paddle, I'd just about worn the upper layer of skin from the bottom of my feet, (I always paddle barefoot). They were sore for days! Needless to say, that horrible tape was quickly removed and my tender little feet are now caressed by the nice, bare, carbon fibre.
Incidentally, on my DD3 and my seakayaks I have the pedals/footpegs covered in 2mm closed cell h/d foam - bliss!

Thank you all for responding, you all have solved my problems!
Thanks again.

I recently made a full-length footboard for my K1 and covered it with 3M non-slip-tape. That stuff is intended for stairs and I found it much too abrasive (blog post at www.gregstamer.com/2012/02/01/diy-footboard-upgrade).

I removed that and installed traction pad material from Hydro Turf (hydroturf.com/products/Accessories_-_PWC/Traction_Strips). Much better! The material looks similar to what Epic uses and is comfortable and "grippy" but not abrasive. The stuff is not cheap; if someone has a better supplier of similar material, please pass it on.

Greg Stamer

The black stuff I use on my footplates is more rubbery than abrasive.
The stuff Epic uses can be bought here in Australia at Clark rubber for nicks.

I find the Epic stuff a little too thick and it leaves me between adjustment holes for length.
I also know others that were between holes that fitted it to find the right length.

The tape I use as a paddle bash strip is also very smooth, but textured and very rubbery. It won't damage your paddle and has some thickness to to cushion the blow on the boat.

Cheap as chips in Whitworths boat supplies.