5 Best Snowboard Stomp Pads

Stomp pads aren’t a gear item that many riders think about often. Some experienced riders don’t even use them. But if you’re just beginning, a good stomp pad can help you have a better day on the slopes. 

I’m a certified snowboarding instructor who has been teaching people of all abilities for the last ten years. I’ve seen many different types of stomp pads during that time, and I know what to look for in the best options. 

The Dakine Modular Mat is my pick for the best snowboard stomp pad. This option will stick to your board and stay on no matter how hard you go. It also has a modular design that lets you customize your setup. 

In this post, I’ll show you a few other good options to help you make an informed choice on a stomp pad that will meet your needs. 

Time to strap in and get started. 

What is a Snowboard Stomp Pad and Why Use It?

Generally speaking, a stomp pad, also known as traction pad or deck grip, refers to a specially designed pad or studs attached to your snowboard’s top sheet. It is usually placed in between the bindings but closer to the back foot binding area.

A stomp pad can be a great help when you are learning to ride, especially when getting off of the chair lift. You can put your free foot on the pad, and it will help you stay balanced while you exit the chair. 

By giving your free foot (most likely is your back foot) a place with more traction to rest on, a traction mat helps to provide your boot with a better grip on the board and won’t slip off.

In my opinion, stomp pads can really help beginner and intermediate riders because this is the time you are still trying to control the board. Some advanced riders don’t use a stomp pad, but I would recommend them for every beginner. 

Stomp pads also help you uniquely customize your board. There are a lot of different patterns and shapes to choose from. In addition, they are cheap enough that you can select a new one each season if you want to. 

Top Snowboard Stomp Pads

Here are my picks for the best snowboard stomp pads: 

1. Dakine Modular Mat

• Best for: Overall
• Key features: Modular style, affordable, easy-install durable, multiple colors available, snow scraper bar included
• Style: Mat/Modular
• Material: Rubber/Synthetic
• Cost: $

The Dakine Modular Mat is my top pick for the best snowboard stomp pad. This is a durable and practical option that will work well for just about any rider. It’s a well-made mat that won’t wear down or slide off. 

My favorite thing about his mat is its modular design. The item comes in three pieces so you can customize your setup. You can use all of the pieces for a larger stomping area or only one or two for a smaller imprint. 

It also comes in several different colors so that you can match the mat to your snowboard’s style. I like the simple black option because it just looks cool and classy. But you might want to change things up. 

The Modular Mat is also made with environmentally friendly materials, which is a nice eco-friendly touch that is important to think about. It also comes with a snow scraper to help you install and get the snow off your boots.

It can be a little challenging to line up the modular sections with one another if you don’t have any experience with this.  

==> You can also get it on Buckman’s or Christy Sports or PRFO Sports.

2. Burton Foam Stomp Pad 

• Best for: Foam 
• Key features: Foam construction, durable, effective, easy to install, looks good
• Style: Mat
• Material: Foam
• Cost: $

The Burton Foam Stomp Pad is another recommended option. This one features a foam construction that is a little more grippy when it gets wet than some of the rubber or plastic options out there. 

I usually use a plastic mat, but I like what this foam option from Burton offers. It gives you a good grip and an effective way to wipe snow away from your boots. It has a large surface area to cover your entire boot. 

This stomp pad also looks cool. It features the Burton Family Tree logo, which is awesome to pair with your Burton board. You can always use this on other boards as well; it’s just good for anyone who wants to rep the brand. 

Another benefit of this option is that it doesn’t use any plastic in its construction. Instead, it’s made from algae biomass, which is a pretty awesome consideration that shows how Burton is committed to environmentally friendly practices.

The downside is that it can wear out faster than a plastic or rubber mat. However, that’s a small price to pay for using less plastic.  

==> You can also get it on Burton or Backcountry or Tactics.

3. Devembr Snowboard Stomp Pad

• Best for: Design
• Key features: Unique design, good traction, easy to install, lifetime warranty
• Style: Mat
• Material: Plastic
• Cost: $

The Devembr Snowboard Stomp Pad features a cool snowflake design that looks really nice on a board. This unique design is excellent for anyone who wants to add a little customization to their snowboard. 

The pad is made out of a solid and durable plastic material that is built to last. Once you have it installed, you can rest assured that the mat will stay in place at all times when you get off the lift. 

It also has special 3D bumps on the top of the flake design that gives you maximum traction for a solid grip and feel. It’s also easy to install, so you can be up and running in no time. 

A lifetime warranty is another nice touch that the makers of this option include adding value and customer service. 

A snowflake design might not be for everyone, but I think it’s pretty great.  

==> You can also get it on Ubuy.

4. Volcom Kids Big Stone Stomp Pad

• Best for: Kids
• Key features: Good traction, fun design, easy install, cheetah spots coloring
• Style: Mat
• Material: Plastic
• Cost: $

Little kids will love the look and performance of the Volcom Kids Big Stone Stomp Pad. 

This one has a fun cheetah print design that will add a little flair to any kid’s board, especially if you tell them it will make the board go faster!

The mat is shaped like the Volcom Stone logo, which is an effective shape for grip and traction. It also has traction pads to make sure the boot stays in place off of the lift. 

It’s easy to install and will stay in place thanks to a strong 3M adhesive. 

The adhesive is so strong that it can be challenging to take off. 

==> You can also get it on Volcom or Buckman’s or Evo.

5. Dakine Spike Stomp Pad

• Best for: Spike Style 
• Key features: Good traction, durable, wide base, multiple colors available 
• Style: Spike
• Material: Plastic
• Cost: $

The best spike-style stomp pad is this option from Dakine. It has a broad base that will give you a large surface area of good traction. 

Square in design, this is a great option for beginner riders who need a little extra traction and grip to help them get off of the lift without worry. 

The spike design also adds traction and lets you quickly scrape snow off of your boots as well. 

The pad comes in several different colors, so you can match it to your board or clothing. It’s simple flat colors, but at least the options are nice. 

This is a larger profile option, so it will take up more room on your board. 

==> You can also get it on Outdoor Gear Exchange or Christy Sports or Outdoor Action.

Different Types of Stomp Pads

Here are the different types of stomp pads you can choose from. 

Rubber Pads

Typically rubber pads are kind of big. Most of my rubber pads are almost or even bigger than 10cm x 10cm. They come with specially designed patterns to ensure the best grip.

The rubber material provides extra flex so your traction mats won’t fall off even when you are bending or twisting your snowboard.

Studs Sets

Individual Peanut M&M size studs could be made of plastic or metal and can exist in different shapes: diamond, pyramid, round, etc.

I love using these studs because they are the only stomp pads that allow me to customize the pattern I want. It’s almost invisible compared to rubber pads and foam pads.

Usually, they come in a set of six, and that’s the other reason I love these studs. They still help me get a better grip, with even one or two out of six of them peeled off.

Foam Mats

Foam mats are compressed foam pads. They are light in weight, usually at a reasonable price, and could come in different colors, patterns, sizes, and shapes.

You can easily find a design that fits your taste and footprint. New foam pads provide excellent grip, and they are usually cheaper than a rubber mat. It also deforms less than a rubber mat because rubber pads could get harder under cold temperatures.

Foam mats don’t last as long and will wear out more quickly than a rubber mat. They can also leave a sticky residue when you want to take them off your board, in a worse way than a rubber option. 

Additional Tips

Once you have picked your mat, the next thing we want to make sure is it sticks tight on the board so it won’t fall off after a few runs. It is also essential to learn how to take it off properly to not hurt yourself or the board.

How to install/apply a stomp pad?

First of all, always clean and dry your board before applying the stomp pad.

Warm up both your board (the area you want to apply the mat on) and the adhesive service of your mat before applying. Do this heating process gently, you don’t want to mess up the surface of your board.

It’s a good idea to keep your board inside overnight and apply the stomp pad after it’s warmed up. If you try to attach it when it’s cold, there is a good chance that the adhesive materials won’t work. 

Place the sticker on the area you want to step on when you are doing one-foot riding, apply as much pressure as possible. I usually place some heavy items (like a book) on top of the stomp pad for 24 hours.

How to remove a stomp pad?

Try to use a hairdryer to heat the adhesive and make sure it’s not too hot. Once you find the glue is softened up, you can start to peel the stomp pad off.

Some of my friends cut it out with a cutter. I would say this is not a good idea. One of them cut himself, and the other one just damaged his graphic. Try to heat the adhesive first, and then use a scraper or butter knife if needed. 

Also, to clean the remaining glue on your board, you can use nail polish cleaner or another cleaner like GoofOff. Just make sure that you don’t take off any top sheet colors or graphics. Test it on a small space first. 

My Verdict

My pick for the best snowboard stomp pad is the Dakine Modular Mat. This is a rugged pad that will hold up well all season long. It also has a modular design, so you can customize your setup to get the perfect fit. 

If you are a beginner or intermediate rider, I would highly suggest using a stomp pad. They come in very handy and are easy to install. They are also very cheap, and it’s not hard to find one that matches the style of your board. 

About Lorraine