Renthal Traction Lock-On Aramid Grips review

Renthal’s Traction Lock-On Aramid bar grips provide good grip in all conditions and feature a slimline design that provides plenty of feedback.

While the grip doesn’t provide an excess of cushioning, the flexible grooves under the palms reduce trail noise and make for a comfortable hold on longer rides.

The dual-clamp design poses some drawbacks, especially if you're used to single-clamp grips.

The Traction Lock-On Aramid grips feature Kevlar Aramid resin particles in the compound, which are said to improve longevity while remaining tacky through the grip's life cycle, with more Aramid particles being exposed as the grips wear.

Renthal uses a dual-collar clamping mechanism at the ends of the grips, with the clamps themselves made from CNC-machined aluminium.

The brand says this gives the grip all-weather security and reduces the chances of the central core slipping on the bar.

Long, open-ended grooves span the length of the grip and are designed to lock into your fingers and palm when rotating on the grip.

Renthal says this design helps mud to shed from the grips in bad weather.

Total length is 130mm, with the grip section between the clamps measuring 110mm.

Priced at £35 / $44, Renthal’s Traction Lock-On Aramid grips weighed in at 105g for a pair on our scales.

Renthal Traction Lock-On Aramid performance

The dual-collar design of the Traction Lock-On Aramid keeps the grips firmly in place, removing any danger of twisting on heavy landings or when ploughing through rock gardens.

The design is not without its constraints though, and it took a little time to get used to. Having a clamp at each end makes for a narrow grip area and meant I couldn’t hang my hand over the end of the bar in my usual style.

Initially, this led to me clipping the odd tree on tight and twisty trails until I got used to the bulbous outer clamps that protrude more on these grips than on single-clamp designs.

That said, it gave me added confidence that my hand wouldn’t slip off the bar on high-impact corners.

Unlike other grips, Renthal doesn’t leave you guessing how the Traction Lock-On Aramid should be oriented on the bar, with moulded instructions on the top of the grip pointing to the optimised position.

The horizontal grip pattern provides plenty of rotational traction, with the forward-facing grooves digging into your palms when rotating backwards and the rear-facing grooves maintaining hand position under braking and when dragging the bars through a jump.

The Kevlar Aramid compound proved grippy in all conditions, with my test grips showing very little in the form of wear.

I was also impressed by the level of comfort on offer, with the grips balancing feedback and cushioning very well without feeling overly bulky.

Renthal Traction Lock-On Aramid bottom line

Renthal’s Traction Lock-On Aramid grips perform well, providing plenty of grip in all weather conditions.

However, the dual-collar design feels outdated and takes some time to get used to if you're a rider who overhangs their hands off the bar.