Seems there is a new solution that may be worth a try. It claims to be as grippy as wax, but rash-free: Wax Mat by Surf Co.

surfcohawaii.com/wax-mat/

Seen on the Zone atwww.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,30649.0.html

Jamin Jones tested many solutions (he says Hexa Traction is similar to the 3M Safety Walk) and summarized it here:

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colas said..
Seems there is a new solution that may be worth a try. It claims to be as grippy as wax, but rash-free: Wax Mat by Surf Co.

surfcohawaii.com/wax-mat/

Seen on the Zone atwww.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,30649.0.html

Jamin Jones tested many solutions (he says Hexa Traction is similar to the 3M Safety Walk) and summarized it here:

Colas:
Wax Mat and Hot grip are different products

No cork on that list !

Hard to sell Hexatraction at that price I would have thought. Its a bloody sticker.....

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Mark _australia said..
Hard to sell Hexatraction at that price I would have thought. Its a bloody sticker.....

I use it and its very good on shortboards, I'm going try the cork next.

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Mark _australia said..
Hard to sell Hexatraction at that price I would have thought. Its a bloody sticker.....

Worth every cent, I have found.

I finally bought a wax mat deck for my prone surfboard surfcohawaii.com/wax-mat/
With shipping and taxes, it amounts to more than half the value of a surfboard for a full deck, so it is quite expensive.

But since I decided to "celebrate" my retirement next year to attempt to surf prone again from time to time (in this way I am following the opposing route of people switching to foiling: I am more interested in going back to something simpler), and I have found the last prone board I will ever need (a full carbon, sandwich deck 9'1" cruiser), I said, why not try this Wax Mat.

I have just received and applied it and... it definitely anihilate any other surf grip! It feels as sticky than a good wax job, even more, and is very soft to the touch (suction holes rather than spikes = no rash). Plus it is quite light and thin, but stretchable, so adapts well to domed decks. The soft sticky silicone seems an incredible solution. However, it is far from transparent. It is also advised to apply on a board at more than 25C let it cure 72 hours before using it.

I will make another post after some sessions (don't hold your breath, I need to loosen my joints before that), but I can see how this could be a much better solution for SUP decks than the current hard clear pads on the market. And may be as a paddle grip. Although for just the front part of a SUP, hexatraction is good enough I guess, and more transparent if looks are important.

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Nugdam said..
Been using this for awhile now abd simply love it.

$$$$9.90 Croc Grip spray on grip from Bunny's, the kite guys put me on to it years ago.I have used monster grip in the past and this is as good at a quarter the price

It all depends on an individuals foot, soft supple feet will find benefit from grips like versa and hexa.
Tough hard skin on feet will find it slippery so wax or deck grip will be best.
In other words some products work for some and not others.
I tried hex and found it wasn't ideal for me, but that's not to say it doesn't work well for others

$10 at Bunnings, just watch out for gravel rash if you fall on it, I've used hexa but it's getting to expensive.

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micksmith said..
In other words some products work for some and not others.

In my experience, I must say that basically anything is good enough for the front part of a SUP.

What is tricky is finding a solution for either:
- prone surfing: as the water lifts your body, your belly does not apply a lot of pressure on the grip and slide easily. Plus a wetsuit has less grip than a foot or boot sole.
- full pad for a SUP where standing hours on a hard pad can be uncomfortable.
- noseriding: crosswalking is much more pleasant if you feel a very sticky surface underfoot. This is where wax is still better than Hexatraction for instance, but I can see Wax Mat being ideal for this.

But yes, spray-on grip is definitively the less expensive solution for the front part of a SUP.

I have used 3 different hex kits

My 9'0 to 9'6 boards require 20 full Hex to cover the whole nose

Current prices in USD $
Hexatraction - 20 for $69.99 --- $3.50 each --- board cost $69.99
WaxMat ------- 11 for $29.94 -- $2.72 each --- board cost $59.88
Funktion -------- 20 for $36.80 --- $1.84 each ------- board cost $36.80 (I paid $26.90 in December)

The Funktion is shown on the GenRation boards (black rails) as you can see the Funktion virtually disappears after installation.

The WaxMat is my favorite
but I just got 5 new boards - 3 required deckpads as well as hex, so I had to use the Funktion Hex pads for the noses on all the boards.
There is no real difference between the RSP and the Funktion.
The RSP may go on a bit cleaner... but you never notice after application.
The Funktion is as grippy as the RSP - they both work perfectly
The WaxMat is noticeably grippier and thicker. More of a rubber feel than the typical RSP feel.
The WaxMat also comes in colors

WaxMat is an awesome product if you are doing only one board.
Funktion is great if you want to save money.
RSP is great if you like throwing money away needlessly.

Funktion Hex with paper backing still on - figuring the layout

Shot on angle so you can see the Funktion Hex after installation

Invisible Funktion on all 3 boards
ha ha... same BPS deckpad ($50 USD) installed 3 different configurations - the bigger boards needed to be wider

White WaxMat (full kit) and clear Funktion

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colas said..
I have just received and applied it and...

The completed board:



The suction slots and semi-transparency:


The thinness compared to the central strip of regular pad I have put on the tail for positioning my foot by feel:

I now have the new cork Hexatraction - surfed it for a few hours the other day in just boardies & no rash.
You would be bleeding if you did that with the standard Hexatraction.

Has anyone (this has probably been answered before) removed Hexatraction?
About to do a whole board, would like to know the the scenario if I don't like it

Nozza - dunno about removing the hexatraction but was considering doing my Search in full hex and was talked out of it. By people way smarter than I.
Apparently it's good for the nose - as the Creek's done - but you may want to get a second opinion before doing the whole stick.
Or not.

I only removed small parts (for repairs), but it seems to come off very easily, as it does not tear like an EVA pad.
As for damage on the board, it is just as with rail savers: bad quality paints may come off, otherwise no worries.

As Mango Said, I would not use hexatraction for a whole board, but I would definitely use Wax Mat: no rash, more grip, and a tiny bit softer underfoot. Or at least use regular pads on the tail & paddling position, and hexa on the rest.