Let's be honest: for most of the last 15 years, nobody thought twice about griptape. You picked one of the same two brands every shop carried, slapped it on, and went skating. A few other companies tried to get in, some had a moment, and most of them faded out. Grip just wasn't something people switched over.
Then Pepper showed up, and it didn't fade. It kept growing. We see it at the shop every week: skaters come in asking for Pepper by name, and the ones who try it keep coming back for it. A new grip brand doesn't usually break through like that, so here's our take on why it did, and which sheet you should grab.
Why Pepper Caught On
It feels good out of the box. Some grip either shreds your shoes in a week or goes smooth after a month. Pepper's formulas hit the middle: enough bite to lock your feet in for flips, without eating through your shoes.
The sheets are actually bigger. Most Pepper sheets are 33.5" long, which is longer than standard grip. If you've ever come up short on the nose of a longer deck, you know why that matters. The 10.5" wide sheets cover wide shapes and cruisers too.
It goes on clean. Pepper sheets are perforated, so air escapes while you press the grip down. No bubbles, no poking holes with a razor after the fact.
There's something for every setup. Pepper didn't just make one black sheet and call it a day. There's a premium formula, an extra-grippy formula, clear grip, and glitter.
The Pepper Lineup: Which One Should You Get?
G5: The One to Start With
G5 is Pepper's premium formula, built for board feel and consistency. If you just want great grip and don't overthink it, get this. It comes in 10.5" x 33.5" black for wider boards, 9" x 33.5" black for standard decks, and a 9" x 33.5" with a center-printed Pepper logo.
XG: More Grip
XG is Pepper's all-new formula, inspired by Max Palmer and made grippier than their other sheets. If you want your feet locked in and you like a sheet with serious bite, grab XG in 9" x 33.5".
Salt: Clear Grip
Got a deck graphic you don't want to cover up? Salt is Pepper's clear grip in a 10.5" x 33.5" sheet, so it fits wide boards too and your graphic stays visible.
G5 Galaxy Glitter: G5 With Some Shine
Galaxy Glitter is the same G5 formula with gold flakes that give it a slight shimmer. It grips like G5 and looks a little different from everyone else's board at the park.
Quick Picks
- Standard deck, just want good grip: G5 9" x 33.5"
- Wide deck or cruiser: G5 10.5" x 33.5"
- Want maximum grip: XG
- Want to show off your graphic: Salt clear
- Want something that stands out: Galaxy Glitter
- Want everyone to know you rock with Pepper: G5 Logo
Try It Yourself
Grip is the cheapest part of your setup and the part your feet touch every single push. If you've been riding the same sheet for years out of habit, try a Pepper sheet on your next deck. There's a reason people keep asking for it.
Check out all of our Pepper Griptape Here