Traction pad material- latest and greatest?

[AirJunky]

Yes it is.

[magentawave]

Yes cork is cheap and looks kinda cool but I have wondered if it was aggressive enough for surfing. I wonder if cutting the cork into small pieces would be grippy enough for surfing?

Its "just" grippy enough for surfing but sometime if i step on it wrong, i will slip off and it doesnt have enough traction on a super choppy day where im sinking my rail to stay balance. Im using the corecork 3mm thick cork so it might be different if it was a bit thicker.  Its def a poor man's traction pad that looks good and does it job.  No complaint fromit as it only cost less than 5 dollor.

[magentawave]

Hey I have a few questions about that Canal Rubber EVA please...

1) Is this the EVA you're talking about? http://www.canalrubber.com/ethylene-vinyl-acetate.html

2) Is it as grippy to the feet as Hydroturf is? Grippy enough for surfing or just flat water cruising?

3) Is EVA the same material used to make those thin sleeping pads that backpackers use?

4) What thickness do you recommend and how big are the sheets?

Thanks! 

How much work and how much versatility do you want?  With 3M #72 spray on PSA, you can make your own marine grade peal and stick whatever,  EVA foam from someone like canal  rubber in NYC with like 10 colour choices. 

Spray back of foam, apply wax paper, cut to shape(get fancy and use a mat cutter) peel and apply

[Celeste]

1) Is this the EVA you're talking about? http://www.canalrubber.com/ethylene-vinyl-acetate.html

Their site sucks to try to navigate, try this one http://www.canalrubber.com/EVA_2.html

2) Is it as grippy to the feet as Hydroturf is? Grippy enough for surfing or just flat water cruising?

I don't know, I have no experience with Hydroturf, I have not surfed with it, but I have it down in strips that do not touch each other so there is texture to add grip.  I do know that HT is an open cell so it absorbs water, EVA is closed cell and does not.

3) Is EVA the same material used to make those thin sleeping pads that backpackers use?

I don't know for sure, but it is very similar if it is not the same
 
4) What thickness do you recommend and how big are the sheets?

Sheets are 37"x72"   I used 2mm, but that is not much padding and my feet tell me about it after 8 miles of so.  If you like cushy., then go 1/4"
Thanks! 

[magentawave]

Thank you. If its like that foam they use for backpacker sleeping pads (and yoga pads) then it doesn't seem like it would be grippy enough for surfing. I'm going to call them tomorrow and find out more. Maybe they can send me a sample.

I was wondering today while out there if the Hydroturf on my board was closed cell. Always kinda wondered why the board felt heavier after surfing but assumed it was cuz I was tired. 

[Celeste]

If they won't send you a sample, I can.  Just PM me where to send it.

[stoneaxe]

I don't care for the really thin EVA for pads, particularly if it has no texture on the surface. It probably wouldn't be as bad in a mosaic but all the EVA pads I've been on tend to get somewhat slick over time. Not bad on a board that isn't going to get shoved around but I've slipped off on occasions when trying to set the rail on boards that have it.

[magentawave]

dpmaui - I sent you a PM.