The material plays a major role in the durability, comfort, cost, aesthetics, and overall feel of the grip. Some materials feel great on the hand but break down or tear easily. Others last forever but cause blisters if used without gloves. Some materials look beautiful but are too slippery. You get the idea. There are trade-offs.

When it comes to choosing a grip material, a few things to consider include whether you ride with gloves or bare hands, the climate you ride in, and your budget. The most popular bike handlebar grip materials include:

• Rubber grips- This is the most common grip material. The main reason is that rubber grips are cheap. They are also durable and long-lasting. Rubber grips require basically zero maintenance. The material does not degrade when exposed to UV light. Additionally, rubber grips absorb a good amount of shock and vibration from the road or trail. They also provide a bit of insulation which can keep your hands warmer during the winter. The main drawback of rubber grips is that they aren’t breathable. They don’t allow your sweat to vent or absorb. For this reason, blisters develop more easily when you use rubber grips.
• Silicone grips- These grips are lightweight, provide grip in all weather conditions, and have excellent vibration absorption properties. Another benefit is that they are UV resistant so they don’t get hard or degrade when they get exposed to sunlight. The main drawback of silicone grips is that they are pretty fragile. If you have an accident or lean your bike up against an abrasive surface, they may tear. Bar ends or end caps can help to prevent this. Silicone grips are incredibly popular among mountain bikers these days. They are very comfortable.
• Cork grips- Performance-wise, cork is probably the best grip material. The main benefit is that cork dries quickly. Sweat doesn’t stick around and make your hands slippery. The quick-drying property also reduces your likelihood of developing blisters. Cork is also durable and long-lasting. One interesting property of cork is that it is environmentally friendly because it is completely natural. The main drawback of cork grips is the cost. Cork is one of the most expensive grip options.
• Gel grips- These are some of the most comfortable grips on the market. Often times manufacturers combine gel with rubber to improve durability. Price-wise, gel grips are pretty affordable as well. One drawback is that gel does not vent or absorb sweat so blisters are common if you don’t ride with gloves.
• Leather grips- The main draw for leather grips is looks. Leather is a classic and natural material that looks great on cruisers and old school bikes. This material is more expensive than most other grip materials. Leather also gets slippery when it’s wet. This can harm your handling.
• Foam grips- These grips are inexpensive and lightweight. They also absorb sweat which helps to reduce blisters. The main drawback of foam is the fact that it breaks down pretty quickly when it’s exposed to UV light. It can also easily tear if you drop the bike or lean it against something abrasive. This means you’ll have to replace your grips more often. These were popular among mountain bikers until silicone grips took over around 10 years ago.
• Aluminum- Oftentimes bar ends or locking collars are made of an aluminum alloy. A few companies also make anodized aluminum grips. These are sometimes wrapped in leather or rubber. Some are textured for grip. This material is lightweight, durable, and it doesn’t corrode. The drawback is that metal grips can get slippery when they’re wet if they don’t have any kind of coating, cover, or texture for additional grip. The material also gets cold during the winter.
• Wood or bamboo- A handful of companies make grips out of non-traditional natural materials like wood and bamboo. These grips are pretty much only for looks. They give the bike an interesting natural look. They don’t provide much in the way of vibration dampening or durability.