Grip or No Grip? The Grip Coating Explained
Grip or No Grip? The Grip Coating Explained
It is one of the last questions in the configurator and one of the least explained: do you want your stick with grip or without? And what does “Extra Grip” mean on top of that, and what is the story behind Tactile, Fishbone and X-Net?
The short answer: these are two completely independent decisions. Here is what they mean.
The two decisions
| Decision | What it is about | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Grip strength | How firmly your hand sticks to the shaft | No Grip, Standard Grip, Extra Grip |
| 2. 3D Grip pattern | The tactile texture on the shaft | Original, Tactile, Fishbone, X-Net, Candy, Ribbed, Spiral |
The first one determines how much it grips. The second one determines how it feels.
What does the grip coating actually do?
A bare carbon shaft is smooth. The coating makes sure your bottom hand does not slip away when you shoot – especially when your gloves are damp, which after twenty minutes is pretty much always the case.
The catch: sometimes you need exactly that slip. During stickhandling and quick hand repositioning, your bottom hand travels along the shaft. Too much grip slows that movement down.
So it is not about “more is better”, but about where you want to sit between hold and glide.
Which grip strength suits you?
No Grip – the bare shaft
No coating, smooth surface. Your hand slides freely.
Best for: players who reposition their bottom hand a lot, and anyone who tapes the entire shaft themselves anyway. Also popular with players coming from older wooden sticks.
Downside: it gets slippery with damp gloves. Without tape, that is too little hold for most players.
Standard Grip – the safe choice
A light grip coating, noticeably grippy, but your hand can still glide. This is the version the vast majority orders.
Best for: practically everyone. If you are unsure, take this one – it is the best compromise between hold and mobility.
Extra Grip – maximum hold
A significantly stronger coating. Your hand stays exactly where you put it.
Best for: players with a powerful shot who want maximum energy transfer on the slapshot, and anyone whose stick has slipped out of their hands before. It also makes sense if your hands sweat a lot.
Downside: repositioning your hands becomes slower. Anyone who dangles a lot will find that restrictive.
And what about the 3D Grip pattern?
The 3D Grip is a tactile texture applied to the shaft. Its main job is not to change the amount of grip, but the feel and your orientation: you can sense through your glove where you are holding the stick, without looking down.
| Pattern | Character |
|---|---|
| Original | smooth standard surface without any additional texture |
| Tactile | finely textured, subtle, very popular |
| Fishbone | herringbone pattern, clearly noticeable orientation |
| X-Net | mesh texture, even hold all the way around |
| Candy / Ribbed / Spiral | more pronounced grooves and patterns for more grip feel |
In the end this is a matter of taste. If you have no particular preference, you will do well with Original or Tactile.
Grip and tape – how do they work together?
The two do not rule each other out. Many players order Standard Grip and still tape the lower section where the bottom hand sits.
The difference: grip is permanent, tape is a wear part. The grip lasts for the entire life of the stick, tape has to be replaced regularly – but in return you can change it at any time.
If you are not sure whether Extra Grip would be too much for you: take Standard Grip and test the extra hold with tape first. It does not work the other way round – grip cannot be removed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the grip afterwards?
No. The coating is applied during production. You can add more hold with tape, but you cannot take hold away. So when in doubt, go for Standard rather than Extra.
Does the grip wear off?
Over time, yes, especially where the bottom hand sits. That is normal and does not affect how the stick performs. If you want to protect that spot, tape it.
What do most people choose?
Standard Grip with Original or Tactile. Extra Grip is mainly chosen by players with a hard shot and by defencemen.
What makes sense for kids?
Standard Grip. Children have small hands and their hand travels a lot along the shaft while they are learning – too much grip gets in the way more than it helps.
In short
Standard Grip is the right choice for almost everyone. Extra Grip pays off if you shoot hard or sweat a lot. No Grip only if you tape the whole shaft anyway. With the 3D pattern your own feel decides – and when in doubt, Original or Tactile.
👉 Choose your grip in the configurator
Further guides
This article is part of our big hockey stick guide. Also worth reading: the right flex, left or right handed and cutting or extending your stick.
