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Best Snowboard Stomp Pads of 2024

JUMP TO: CRAB GRAB SHARK TEETH | DAKINE SPIKE STOMP PAD | TOEJAMR STOMP PAD | CRAB GRAB SKATE RAILS | GRAYNE SCRAPER PAD | ONE BALL JAY FLYING CAT | BUYING ADVICE | COMMON QUESTIONS

Authors: Sam Brilleman, Holly Price | Updated: Apr 28, 2024
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The Short Version

The Long Version

Yeah ok, it’s probably not going to be the coolest piece of snowboarding kit you’ll own.

Hell, some might even argue that it is uncool — covering the sick design of your new board with a slab of ugly rubber.

But for beginners or resort riders spending most of their day loading and unloading from a resort chairlift, a snowboard stomp pad can help make your day that much less stressful and — consequently — more enjoyable.

And – if you’re the sort of rider who tells people what is ‘cool’ and what’s ‘uncool’, you’re probably not the most fun person to be around anyway. No offence. 

In the review below we round up the best snowboard stomp pads so that you can get the traction you need.

 

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

Not sure whether you even need a stomp pad? Nervous about ruining your new board during installation? Then be sure to check out our buying advice at the bottom of the article.

 

Best Overall: CRAB GRAB SHARK TEETH

MATERIAL: Synthetic rubber (well, “Crubber” apparently)

DIMENSIONS: 5.5” x 3.75”

PRICE: $

PROS: Grippy teeth. Customizable shape (pads or separate studs). Flexible material.

CONS: Color options sometimes limited

It might not be made from rubber per se, but it is close enough to be awarded it our rubber stomp pad “top pick” several years in a row. 

The Crab Grab Shark Teeth Stomp Pad is made from a flexible derivative of rubber that Crab Grab affectionately call “Crubber”. It should be more flexible than a traditional rubber pad, thereby providing the ability to bend with your board and (hopefully) stay in place for longer.

The shark teeth are super grippy too, and come arranged in a 6x4 sheet so that you can choose how you prefer to arrange them. The grooves between the shark teeth make it easy to separate them with a pair of scissors if you wish…. use the entire pad as-is, chop it in half, or separate the shark teeth and arrange them individually on your board. You choose!

You can also pick between a few colors — clear, black, smoke, pink, blue, and even glow in the dark. But not all retailers will have all color options, so if you like the sound of one of those colors in particular, then you might need to look around.

Best Rubber Pad: DAKINE SPIKE STOMP PAD

MATERIALS: Synthetic rubber (Urethane) 

DIMENSIONS: 4.7” x 4.7”

PRICE: $

PROS: Grippy teeth. Solid adhesive. Can be cut into strips.

CONS: Limited colors. Can’t be cut into individual teeth. 

It’s got some stiff competition from our top pick above, but nonetheless the Dakine Spike Stomp Pad is a pretty strong contender.

The Dakine Spike is similar to the Crab Grab Shark Teeth in several ways — both are made from a synthetic rubber, with a customisable tray of pointed spikes, and use a “peel-and-stick” installation. Both are available in a range of colors, although you won’t find pinks and blues for the Dakine offering — just the more conventional choices of black, white and clear.

There are however some minor differences. The Dakine pad is square with a 5x5 spike layout, compared to the rectangular 6x4 layout for the Crab Grab pad. Also, while the shape of the Dakine pad can be customised, it is only designed to be cut into strips, rather than individual teeth like the Crab Grab pad. This makes the Crab Grab Shark Teeth a little more versatile — that and the more flexible “crubber” material meant it got our top pick.

MATERIALS: Closed cell foam

DIMENSIONS: Varies (by design)

PRICE: $$

PROS: Ultralight. Variety of designs. Comes with a 3-year warranty.

CONS: Material is not transparent.

Using ultralight closed cell foam and coming with a 3-year warranty, the ToeJamR Snowboard Stomp Pad is our top pick for a foam stomp pad.

The ultralight foam won’t be as heavy as a rubber pad. And with the long-term warranty, the usual concern with foam pads — durability — shouldn’t be a concern.

We’ve chosen the bigfoot design as our favorite, but the same technology is used in a range of alternative designs including the cougar paw, wolf paw, panda, ace of spades, and more. The designs are also available in both gray and brown, for example it might be the brown skull that tickles your fancy.

Of course the material isn’t see-through, so it will interfere with your deck design. But if you have a plain board design, this foam pad could brighten it up.

Best for Style: CRAB GRAB SKATE RAILS

MATERIALS: C-foam (“rubbery foam”)

DIMENSIONS: 12" x 1.125" (two per pack)

PRICE: $

PROS: Not a traditional stomp pad design. Stay securely in place.

CONS: Less customizable than other options

If you want a stomp pad but don’t like the usual stomp pad look, then perhaps the Crab Grab Skate Rails are the perfect choice.

They are designed to look like the rails on a skateboard harping back to the 80’s. They even include fake screws to make sure they really look the part. It might all sound a little cheesy, but it actually looks pretty cool.

Better yet, when positioned correctly they actually do help with providing a solid grip for grabs. So if you are a freestyle or freeride snowboarder then this might be the “grip” and “grab” stomp pad to suit you.

The foam is also nice — lightweight and squishy — and contains little grippy nipples that Crab Grab affectionately call “Gripples”. Make of that what you will.

They also come in a few different colors, including a pretty funky rainbow pattern.

MATERIALS: Synthetic rubber (with metal studs)

DIMENSIONS: 5.75″ x 3″

PRICE: $

PROS: Clear material. Includes scraper pad for removing boot ice. Metal studs for durability. 

CONS: Clear material prone to yellowing over time

The Grayne Metal Studded Scraper Pad is a great choice if you want the benefits of a scraper pad as well as traction.

A scraper pad helps you to remove ice from the base of your boot by scraping the sole of your boot against the raised ridge in the middle of the stomp pad.

The Grayne Metal Studded Scraper Pad includes ten metal studs to ensure the longevity of the pad — the metal studs won’t wear down over time.

Clear materials mean that your board graphics will remain visible. Grayne also sell their scraper pads in a variety of shapes, so if the standard design isn’t your thing, then perhaps consider the oval or circle designs (although they don’t use the metal studs).

MATERIALS: Synthetic rubber

DIMENSIONS: 6" x 4"

PRICE: $$

PROS: Fun design

CONS: Not as reliable as our top picks

Love cats? If the answer is yes, then the One Ball Jay Flying Cat might just be your dream stomp pad.

It might not be the most reliable stomp pad on this list — with some users reporting the rubber grip separating from the adhesive sticker base. So if durability is a concern for you, then maybe look elsewhere (for example the Crab Grab Shark Teeth are likely to be much more reliable). But these reports are pretty rare and may well be a trade-off you are willing to make if your kid (or yourself) just really love cats.

Don’t like cats? Then maybe the One Ball Jay Labrador Stomp Pad or the Owl version is the one for you.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SNOWBOARD STOMP PADS

Why use a stomp pad?

A snowboard stomp pad can help give you traction on the otherwise traction-less deck of your snowboard.

It sits on the topside of your snowboard deck just in front of your rear binding. When placing your rear foot on it you can get significantly more grip — and therefore control of your board — than without it.

It is only useful at times when your rear foot is not inside the rear binding. This primarily means when loading and unloading from a resort chairlift, but also on a surface lift e.g. tow rope or T-bar, or (god forbid) stuck on a flat “slope”.

Some argue that you can get enough traction from pressing the edge of your boot up against your rear binding. It’s kind of true, but not to the same extent as the stomp pad. It’s kinda like saying instant coffee is coffee — it’s meant to do the same thing, but the quality is so bad that you can’t really compare it to a product designed to do the proper job.

So regardless of whether you are a beginner, or an intermediate rider who would just prefer to be more confident when riding with only one foot bound, a stomp pad can be a handy addition to your snowboard.

Types of Stomp Pads

TRADITIONAL RUBBER STOMP PADS: These are the most common type of stomp pads, typically made from durable rubber material. They often feature a textured surface or raised bumps that provide traction for your foot when getting on or off the chairlift. Rubber stomp pads are known for their durability and reliable grip in various snow conditions.

FOAM STOMP PADS: Foam stomp pads are lighter and softer compared to rubber stomp pads. They offer a more cushioned feel underfoot and can provide decent traction, especially in softer snow conditions. However, foam stomp pads may wear out more quickly than rubber ones, particularly if subjected to frequent abrasion or rough use.

METAL STOMP PADS: Metal stomp pads are less common but offer exceptional durability and traction. They are often made from aluminum or stainless steel and feature raised metal studs or spikes that dig into the snow for a secure grip. Metal stomp pads are suitable for riders who prioritize durability and performance in all snow conditions, but they can be more expensive than rubber or foam options.

NOVELTY STOMP PADS: These stomp pads come in various fun shapes, designs, and materials, such as silicone or plastic. While they may not offer the same level of traction or durability as traditional stomp pads, they add a personalized touch to your snowboard and can still provide sufficient grip for basic maneuvers.

Installing a stomp pad

If you are installing a stomp pad yourself (e.g. onto a new board), then it is worth taking the time to do it properly.

If you do it correctly the first time, then the stomp pad should stay put for a long time. On the other hand, if you take shortcuts then it may not be long before the stomp pad pulls away and you are left with an irritating adhesive patch on the top of your snowboard.

Follow the steps below to install a stomp pad (or better yet, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions):

  1. Clean the area where you plan to install the stomp pad, and make sure that it is dry.

  2. Choose the position for your stomp pad. It is best to position the stomp pad just in front of the rear binding, so that when your boot is resting against the binding (for additional control) the stomp pad is under the center of your boot.

  3. Use a hairdryer to heat up the location on your board. Then use the hairdryer to heat up the adhesive side of the stomp pad (after you peel off any adhesive covering). This helps to increase the quality of the adhesive bond that will form.

  4. Place the stomp pad onto the board and then apply some pressure to remove any air that might be trapped between the board and the stomp pad.

  5. Leave the adhesive bond to set (ideally overnight, but whatever the manufacturer suggests should be fine).

  6. Go riding!

COMMON QUESTIONS

What are the benefits of using a stomp pad on a snowboard? Using a stomp pad gives you stability and control when disembarking the chairlift and a way to scrape snow and ice off the underneath of your boot before strapping in. If your back binding breaks (stranger things have happened), a stomp pad allows you to ride to the nearest place where you can get it fixed.

Where on the board should I position my stomp pad? Most riders will position their stomp pad where they would place their back foot when it’s out of the binding, which is usually just inside the back binding, with their foot wedged against the binding itself. This ensures it’s in an ideal position for any riding you’ll do without your back foot being strapped in. Ultimately though, the placement of your stomp pad will come down to your own personal preferences! For installation tips, see our buying guide above.

What are the different types/materials of stomp pads? The design of a stomp pad can significantly impact things like traction and longevity. When choosing the best one for you, you should consider your riding style, preferences, and the typical snow conditions you encounter most often. Popular stamp pad materials include rubber, foam, and metal.

Should I do anything to clean/maintain my stomp pad(s)? Just using your common sense when it comes to your stomp pads should be enough to ensure it lasts as long as it should. Remove any debris and dirt with a soft-bristled brush and ensure that you keep an eye out for any lifting on the sticker itself - you might need to re-apply adhesive down the line, so be sure to follow the original manufacturer's instructions to prevent damage to your board.

MORE INFORMATION

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