traction pads

Stomp pads...?

 

They aren't necessary per say, but on SB's it helps. I have ridden a SB without one and with one, and I will choose to have one for now on.

 

I am the opposite. I like it mo' betta without one.
Then again, my feet soles have frog-like suction cups that cancel any need for pads, which are gay.

 

Whatever works for you, ribbit...

 

I think if you are actually driving your back foot into turns you want it. Nothing worse than your back foot sliding off the back and getting a nasty groin pull.

 

I like having the back stop back there and a raised arch as reference points and to give extra grip.

 

You do know that you are supposed to wax your board, right??
brrrrpppp!!!!

 

I have 9 boards in the quiver and only 1 has a traction pad. The one that does is a step up (6'5) and the reason I put one on there was to help with foot placement as I'm not use to riding a board that length. Most seem to have them but they've never done much for me.

 

Yeah i like them. Here's the thing though. Its not about traction at all. It serves two main proposes. One is to know where my back foot is. And two is the kick in the pad.... it gives you something to push against when your really trying to go big on a turn.

I never used to use them. But when i dialed in my equipment and basically revamped the quiver i started using them, mostly for a place marker for my back foot. I ended up liking it.

 

They can also be handy during heavy duck dive...snag with the toes on the back ridge.

 

Surfed almost 25 years without a trackpad. Threw one on my fish last year and loved it. Just bought a new board a few weeks ago and stuck on the trackpad immediately. I like the extra stickiness when I turn.

 

It's an oil based product. Didn't you want to save Earth and hug animals??

 

wax on wax off....again

 

.
Don't forget to wax the bottom of your feet, that's my go to for kung fu grip.

I don't use one, haven't for years - decades. If I busted airs on the regs, sure, it would be of value to my board and my back ankle/foot. I am more of an improvisationalist when it comes to foot placement. All depends on the wave. If it's steep, I don't like the pad getting in the way. If it's mushy, I don't want to be too back footed.

But I love Herbie Fletcher, he is The Man.

 

Any tips on how to remove a traction/stomp pad?

 

Heat it up with a hair dryer and pull it off.

 

I could take them or leave them. Two of my boards have them, more boards don't. I have no problem surfing without one. I like them better on really short boards (well under 6') where my rear foot is always planted in the same spot.

I have a heavy rear foot, so when I rode traditionally glassed PU boards I always put them on to help delay the inevitable de-lamination to the tail. I figured it gave a little cushion. I've yet to encounter this issue on my Coils so I don't "need" them.