A stomp pad is a small grip pad that you stick on your snowboard between the bindings. It gives your free back foot something to push against when you skate to the lift or ride off the chair with one foot strapped in. Here is our pick, then where to put it and whether you need one.
Our Pick: Crab Grab Mega Claws
The Crab Grab Mega Claws are the stomp pad we recommend. They come as a 2-pack of foam pads shaped like crab claws, with a raised, bumpy texture that bites into the sole of your boot. The foam is firm enough to grip but doesn't feel hard underfoot, and the adhesive holds well once it has set.
Do You Need a Stomp Pad?
- Yes, if you're learning. Getting off the lift with one foot strapped in is the hardest part of your first days. A stomp pad stops your back foot from sliding off the board.
- Yes, if you ride icy resorts. A bare topsheet is slippery when it's wet or icy.
- Maybe not, if you're experienced. Many good riders don't use one. Still, a pad costs little and makes lift exits easier.
What Makes a Good Stomp Pad
- Grip: Look for raised spikes, ridges or bumps that your boot sole can catch on. A flat pad doesn't do much.
- Firmness: Too soft, and your boot squashes it and slides. Too hard, and it's slippery. Firm foam or rubber works best.
- Strong adhesive: The pad has to stay on in the cold and wet.
- Size: It should be wide enough to catch your boot without you looking down to find it.
Where to Put It
- Strap your front foot into its binding.
- Rest your back foot naturally on the board, next to the back binding, as if you were riding off the lift.
- Mark where your boot lands. Put the pad there, usually against the inside edge of the back binding.
How to Stick It On
- Clean the topsheet with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely.
- Apply the pad indoors, at room temperature. The adhesive doesn't bond well in the cold.
- Press it down hard all over for about 30 seconds.
- Let it set for 24 hours before you ride.
The Bottom Line
A stomp pad is a cheap way to make getting off the lift easier, especially while you're learning. The Crab Grab Mega Claws grip well and come as a pair, so you have a spare for a second board.
