First off, there's nothing particularly wrong with this tape. I rated it 4 stars because a) It seems to be a solution looking for a problem, b) the texture isn't aggressive enough, and c) its expensive. If you have a problem this would solve and it needs a light texture, you'd probably rate this tape 5 stars. This is a slightly rough textured nylon strip with strong 3m double sided tape backing. Like all adhesives, best to use on a clean/dry surface, but this one (300LSE) is noted for working in slightly oily environments (think machine tool handles). The adhesive likes warm environments and sets better as temperature rises toward 100 -- so if you really need it to set, hit it with a hair dryer). Oddly one of the use cases listed is 'snow blower handles' yet the adhesive spec sheet indicates it shouldn't be applied below 50 degrees and you may have adhesion durability issues in cold temperatures. YMMV. The nylon strip is stable with only minimal stretch. You peel the backing and apply, cutting to length either before or after depending on your application. The adhesive is quite tacky and easy to set and apply. It can be repositioned if you do it quickly. After a few minutes, it sets up pretty good and you'll have difficulty removing it from some surfaces. Whether it works or not comes down to two things: - The textured Nylon tape -- Its sturdy and appears to handle abrasion and abuse fairly well. While the surface initially feels rough, its a very low rise texture. Its the type of roughness you'd want against the palm of your hand to get a good grip. Sounds about right. Except it 'floods' easily. It doesn't take much sweat, dirt or oil to start to gloss over the texture. I'd like this for a hammer I use occasionally. But I doubt I'd notice it on a dirty/oily hammer after a few minutes. I didn't try it, but I suspect it might work better if wearing gloves. I no longer play tennis but wouldn't want to use this to replace the standard blue grip tape. The roughness is initially nice but seems it would lead to blisters quickly. And, again, that flooding issue with sweat. However, if you find the blue doesn't work -- perhaps this is an option (caution: see adhesive comments). I tried this on some worn golf club grips and liked it a lot -- that, or perhaps a hockey stick, are almost the perfect application. I also liked it on the handle of a hoe. (EDIT: I REALLY like it as a wrap around the bottom of AR mags -- its a nice, low profile texture addition.) - The adhesive -- As noted, its aggressive. You wouldn't want to put it on something you need to take it off of. This pretty much rules out using it on most athletic equipment. This makes it more appropriate for tools, work environments and the like. So, is it good or not? Well, that depends on whether you need it. I found myself thinking of all sorts of places I could use it -- but none where I've been actually wanting a solution. Sure, I can put it on that hoe handle and it works well -- but I never before thought I needed grip tape on my hoe handle. Same issue with my lawn mower and tiller handles. Sure I can put it on my old golf grips and it gives a nice tacky feel -- but that's a duffer hack that most players wouldn't go for. This is why I call it a solution looking for a problem. If you've been needing this particular solution, you'll probably like it -- except for possibly that price. At the current price it works out to >$5/yard. I can buy the blue grip tape for <$1.50/yard. I like the adhesive and I like the nylon texture, but I'd better need it pretty bad to pay this premium. I'll certainly use the roll I got to review (all those shovel and rake handles just sitting there naked!), but I'll have to be pretty impressed to buy more.
