I have tested different handlebars, suspension stems, and carbon forks to find the best possible front-end comfort. But there’s another key component that can boost front-end comfort – bar tape!
For this field test, I installed eight high-performance bar tapes on my bike to evaluate their grip, comfort, durability, and value. Now, it’s time to reveal which one came out on top for comfort.
Note: This article was originally published in June 2023 but has been updated in May 2025.
My Comfortable Bar Tape Criteria
Comfort
Comfort is my top priority when it comes to gravel bikes, so I tend to look for bar tapes that include vibration-damping foam and are slightly thicker than average. The tapes I’ve tested all fall within the 2.5 to 3.75 mm thickness range. Ideally, you want to get the best possible comfort from whatever thickness you choose.
The highest comfort ratings consistently go to tapes that are 3 mm+. In my experience, thinner tapes, while they might feel nice in hand, simply can’t compete in overall comfort. That’s regardless of any claims manufacturers make about their advanced laminated foams.
Grip and Feel
The grip or tackiness of bar tape plays a big role in performance, especially for those who ride without gloves. A tacky tape will provide solid control even in wet and muddy conditions or when your hands are sweaty.
That said, some brands can push the stickiness to the extreme, which can lead to an overly tacky feel that’s not only uncomfortable but also tends to attract dirt.
Durability
Since bar tape is particularly prone to wear and damage, it’s important to consider its abrasion resistance and overall durability. This is especially the case for off-road riding, where minor spills are far more common than on pavement.
Some tapes use a soft-touch surface to enhance grip and feel, but in my experience, these materials often wear down more quickly over time. Check out my durability ratings below to see which bar tapes offer the best long-term toughness.
Price
Price is a key factor when choosing any bike component and should be balanced against the product’s performance. For context, the eight bar tapes reviewed here come in at an average price of US $42.
Along with the value, you will need to consider the bar tape’s durability and whether it can be reused on multiple handlebars. Higher-priced bar tapes that last longer and can be rewrapped on different bikes may actually offer better value in the long term.
Gel Pads For Comfort
Before we look at the best bar tapes, it’s important to understand the role of gel pads.
My first gravel bike originally came with Fizik bar tape, which I found surprisingly comfortable. What I didn’t realise at the time was that hidden beneath the tape were gel pads – quietly doing most of the work when it came to comfort!
No matter how thick or premium your bar tape is, I’ve found that nothing enhances comfort quite like a quality set of gel pads.
You can find the Fizik Gel Handlebar Pads on Amazon HERE.
The Most Comfortable Bar Tape
| Comfort | Grip & Feel | Durability | Price | |
| Silca | 9.5 | 9.5 | 6 | $50 |
| SQLab | 9 | 9 | 7 | $65 |
| Ergon | 9 | 6.5 | 7 | $40 |
| Lizard DSP | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8 | $45 |
| Cinelli | 8 | 8 | 7.5 | $20 |
| Supercaz | 8 | 7 | 6 | $45 |
| Fizik | 6 | 8 | 5 | $30 |
| Deda | 5 | 8.5 | 7 | $40 |
Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
Grip & Feel – 7
Comfort – 8
Durability – 6
Price – 7
TOTAL: 28 (5th)
Let’s kick things off with the Supacaz Super Sticky Kush, a bar tape that’s often praised as one of the most comfortable options out there. It’s a relatively thin tape at 2.5 mm and includes a layer of foam designed to absorb vibrations and boost comfort.
While many riders love its super sticky outer layer, I’m personally not a fan. It feels overly tacky to me and tends to attract a lot of dirt. That said, it performs well without gloves, offering excellent grip and control even in wet conditions or with sweaty hands.
Another downside is how it wraps. This tape is quite stiff and doesn’t offer much stretch, which makes clean wrapping a bit tricky. For a bar tape that costs around $45, the edges don’t look especially tidy once installed.
That being said, this is the only 2.5 mm thick bar tape to earn an 8/10 comfort rating in my tests. If you want a thin tape with excellent grip, this is the one to choose!
You can find the Supercaz Super Sticky Kush bar tape on Amazon HERE.
Cinelli Cork Gel Bar Tape
Grip & Feel – 8
Comfort – 8
Durability – 7.5
Price – 9
TOTAL: 32.5 (1st)
The Cinelli Cork Gel tape was a revelation! At 3 mm thick and featuring Vibra Absorb foam, it offers impressive comfort, on par with Supacaz, but with a more refined, tactile grip and feel. That said, its wet-weather grip doesn’t quite match the stickiness of the Supacaz.
Wrapping the Cinelli tape is effortless, and its clean edges give it a tidy, polished look. It holds up well even after multiple rewraps, and its abrasion resistance is impressive – definitely among the best I encountered during testing.
What rocketed this bar tape to the top of my list is the budget-friendly price of just $20. It’s a great example of how you don’t have to spend a fortune to get top-notch performance.
You can find the Cinelli Cork Gel bar tape on Amazon HERE.
SQLab 714 Gravel Bar Tape
Grip & Feel – 9
Comfort – 9
Durability – 7
Price – 5
TOTAL: 30 (4th)
SQLab is well-known for its emphasis on ride comfort, and that same philosophy is reflected in their bar tape lineup. I had quite high expectations for this product as I’ve been impressed by the brand’s saddles in the past.
Luckily, the SQLab 714 not only met those expectations but exceeded them! It easily ranks as one of the best handlebar tapes I’ve ever tested.
Measuring 3 mm thick with its ‘buffer material’ hidden below, it offers excellent cushioning. If you want an even plusher feel, the extra-long length lets you wrap it tighter, simulating the comfort of double-wrapping.
The grip is exceptional, and with a generous 250 cm length, it’s perfect for wider or ergonomically shaped handlebars. It feels great in the hand and can be rewrapped without any problems.
The only downsides are the price (US $65), and its stiffness during installation, which requires extra pressure for a clean, smooth finish. But if you’re after one of the grippiest, best feeling and most comfortable tapes available, you’ll love the SQLab 714 Gravel.
You can find the SQLab 714 Gravel bar tape on SQLab HERE.
Lizard Skins DSP 3.2
Grip & Feel – 8
Comfort – 8.5
Durability – 8
Price – 6
TOTAL: 30.5 (3rd)
Another high-grip, high-comfort option is the Lizard Skins DSP 3.2.
This one certainly delivers on looks and tactile feel. The surface is smooth and pleasant to the touch in all weather conditions. I found it to be noticeably less sticky than the Supacaz, but not quite as grippy as the SQLab. It’s also probably the only tape you could keep looking fresh in any colour – even white.
At 3.2 mm thick, it offers a very comfortable ride, though I’d say it falls just short of the plushness provided by top-performing models. That said, you can find a thicker 4.6 mm model, but note that some find this simply too thick, especially if you have smaller hands.
Wrapping isn’t overly challenging with the DSP, but it’s not quite as effortless as with Cinelli. A good thing is that it’s forgiving enough to be rewrapped once or twice if needed.
Ultimately, I can see why so many riders are drawn to the Lizard Skins DSP 3.2. With its sleek look, easy cleaning, and premium feel, it’s a high-quality product that lasts the distance.
You can find the Lizard Skins DSP 3.2 bar tape on Amazon HERE.
Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky
Grip & Feel – 8
Comfort – 6
Durability – 5
Price – 8
TOTAL: 27 (7th)
At 2.7 mm thick, the Fizik Vento Solocush Tacky is one of the thinnest bar tapes I tested. The Fizik Solocush proprietary material has a slightly rubbery, tacky feel that offers a secure and comfortable grip.
Due to its thinner profile, the outright comfort doesn’t quite match that of thicker tapes. However, the generous length makes it possible to wrap more tightly, which helps enhance the cushioning.
Wrapping this tape can be a bit tricky. It requires steady tension and careful handling to achieve a clean, even finish. That said, it’s forgiving enough to be rewrapped if needed.
The main downside is its durability; the tape tends to wear out relatively quickly, and lighter colours (like the orange I tested) show dirt almost immediately.
Still, for riders who prioritise grip and want reasonable comfort from a thinner tape, it’s a solid option. And at US $28, it’s reasonably priced too.
You can find the Fizik Solocush Tacky bar tape on Amazon HERE.
Ergon BT Gravel
Grip & Feel – 6.5
Comfort – 9
Durability – 7
Price – 7
TOTAL: 29.5 (4th)
Ergon is well-known for its comfort-focused products, so I had high expectations for its gravel-specific bar tape. In terms of cushioning, this 3.5 mm thick tape definitely delivers!
The comfort is excellent and easily on par with the best tapes I’ve tested. Plus, its generous width and 230 cm length make it a great match for wider handlebars.
However, my experience with it was somewhat mixed. While the grip is great, the surface texture isn’t particularly pleasant to the touch. The material felt quite stiff and hard in my hands, which detracts from the overall feel.
It’s this same stiffness that makes wrapping more demanding – you’ll need to apply a fair bit of pressure to achieve a clean finish. It’s not a tape I’d recommend for rewrapping.
Still, it could be a suitable choice for riders who place comfort above all else.
You can find the Ergon BT Gravel bar tape on Amazon HERE.
Deda Elementi Loop
Grip & Feel – 8.5
Comfort – 5
Durability – 7
Price – 7
TOTAL: 27.5 (6th)
With its striking two-tone design, the Deda Elementi Loop stands out as one of the most visually distinctive bar tapes available.
It has a premium feel and delivers a secure, confidence-boosting grip. Wrapping it is straightforward, requiring little effort to achieve a smooth, clean finish.
At 2.5 mm thick, the comfort is decent, though it doesn’t quite reach the plushness of thicker alternatives. To bring it closer to my preferred comfort level, I’d recommend either adding gel pads underneath or layering it over an existing wrap.
The main drawback is the tape’s soft material, which seems to compromise long-term durability. It also tends to trap dirt, making it difficult to keep clean once it starts to show wear.
You can find the Deda Elementi Loop bar tape on Amazon HERE.
Silca Nastro Cuscino
Grip & Feel – 9.5
Comfort – 9.5
Durability – 6
Price – 6
TOTAL: 31 (2nd)
The Silca Nastro Cuscino bar tape incorporates the same high-performance foam used in the running shoes that helped break the 2-hour marathon barrier.
Designed with comfort in mind, it offers a generous 3.75 mm of cushioning. In my testing, it ranks among the most comfortable bar tapes I’ve ever fitted.
Beyond comfort, the Nastro Cuscino delivers an outstanding tactile experience with a secure grip that feels great in hand. The tape retained its tackiness and performance even in wet conditions, after repeated washes, or when riding with sweaty hands.
The main drawbacks are its high price and the tricky installation. Wrapping requires significant tension and precision to avoid creasing, and it’s not very forgiving if you need to rewrap.
Still, if you’re seeking a bar tape that combines exceptional comfort, grip, and feel, the Nastro Cuscino is probably top of the list.
You can find the Silca Nastro Cuscino bar tape on Amazon HERE.
What’s the Most Comfortable Bar Tape?
| Comfort | Grip & Feel | Durability | Price | |
| Silca | 9.5 | 9.5 | 6 | $50 |
| SQLab | 9 | 9 | 7 | $65 |
| Ergon | 9 | 6.5 | 7 | $40 |
| Lizard DSP | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8 | $45 |
| Cinelli | 8 | 8 | 7.5 | $20 |
| Supercaz | 8 | 7 | 6 | $45 |
| Fizik | 6 | 8 | 5 | $30 |
| Deda | 5 | 8.5 | 7 | $40 |
For pure comfort, grip, and feel, the Silca Nastro Cuscino stands out as the clear leader. It topped my comfort tests, with the Silca delivering the most refined tactile experience overall. That said, this level of performance comes at a premium – this is one of the most expensive bar tapes in the lineup.
When you take price into account, the Cinelli Gel Cork tape clearly stands out. It proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve excellent comfort. This tape strikes a great balance of cushioning, tactile feel, and reliable grip. It’s also easy to install and impressively tough, with strong tear resistance adding to its durability.
For a more durable option that does well in terms of grip and comfort, check out the Lizard Skins DSP. It holds up well to wear and can be rewrapped once or twice without issue. Cleaning is simple, and it likely remains the best-looking option even after extended use.
You can support the CyclingAbout Comfort Lab by purchasing your bar tape on Amazon. Simply click HERE for the Cinelli Cork Gel tape, HERE for the Silca Nastro Cuscino tape, and HERE for the Lizard Skins tape – and a small commission will come our way.
