Cork vs EVA grips 2025

Fishin Dad reply :

Hey all,

In my search for new rods, I seem to have a preference for EVA type grips over cork. I own quite a few of each, but seem to lean away from cork. Please let me know your likes/dislikes and why.

Thanks!

jbsoonerfan reply :

Winn for the win for me.

ItsHardwick reply :

I like cork, some really nice cork feels really good in the hand. Especially a full cork grip mmmmmmmm.

However, I don’t let cork/eva get in the way of making the right rod decision when it comes to buying rods.

I like cork more, but my last 6 rod purchases have had Eva grips. Go figure.

tbone1993 reply :

Eva just seems too cheap for me. Spending $200+ on a rod it better come with some cool looking smooth cork. The foam handle rods I have just seen cheap, granted they are only $150. I like how a weathered cork rod looks and the battle scars they get. Not a fan of cork handle reels either.

The Maestro reply :

I prefer eva but cork's not a deal breaker.

d-camarena reply :

I dont care, my rods are half cork and the other half eva. Although i think weathered cork looks great, battlescars are a plus for me

rt dak reply :

The majority of my rods are cork but I really don't care either way. If they were the same exact rods in every other way but with eva instead of cork I would have still bought them.

Hulkster reply :

cork only for me. when I started fishing hardcore 20+ years ago, good rods had cork, cheap rods had black foam. I just can't get passed the connotation lol

MIbassyaker reply :

Cork. Looks right, feels right.

MN Fisher reply :

I buy a rod based on two things: Is it the power and action I want and is it in my budget. The grip material is immaterial to me...both do the job. Right now I have 4 EVA and 1 Cork, and it really doesn't matter.

Fishin Dad reply :

I bought a Dobyns Champion, with cork at the end of last season to throw Chatters. It just seemed slippery to me. Felt like I had to hang on tighter. I assume that is average cork or a little better. I agree with the aged cork and battle scars. Seems to have better grip too. Maybe I just need to fish more! I do have summers off.........Mmmmm

thanks guys. Just wanted to see if others had the same ideas with it.

On 4/20/2019 at 5:56 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

Winn for the win for me.

Jbsoonerfan, I do like my Winn grips a lot!

CrankFate reply :

I dont know? I like quality hard light EVA, cork is OK. Some days I feel like I like it, other days I don’t. I don’t like that it gets old and I don’t like that it looks so new when you get it. Have barely fished the Winn grips, but I am definitely liking it. I don’t know? I care more about weight and action.

BassWhole! reply :

Cork, cause it feels best and it doesn't compress like synthetic materials when you squeeze it. and no sealer. It's supposed to look like it gets used.

CroakHunter reply :

Cork

Winn

Eva

Fishin Dad reply :

I agree that I first choose the power, action, feel, etc. first. Just wondering, all other things being equal??? I can’t tell if it affects feel or sensitivity to me. It just seems that the rods I am looking at getting next, the strong majority come with cork. Not sure it will be a deal breaker, just seem to prefer the feel in hand of non-cork rods. Seems as though like the cork. Will finally get back on the water for bass in about a month after a long, long winter to feel the difference again.

cadman reply :

Cork for me only. I just like the feel of cork. I don't want any spongy foam. Looks cheap to me.

LCG reply :

On 4/20/2019 at 8:53 AM, CroakHunter said:

Cork

Winn

Eva

X2. Although Winn is so comfortable, time will tell if it takes the number 1 spot.

Catt reply :

When EVA handles get wet they keep your hand wet which is why I will not own em.

I prefer full cork handles but Winn grips are quickly moving up!

FishTank reply :

Cork handles for me. I have a rod with EVA and I like the rod by itself but the EVA has never felt right.

GreenPig reply :

Own both and can't feel the difference through my fishing gloves.

Mobasser reply :

I like the feel and look of a nice cork handle.

ike8120 reply :

All my Dobyns rods have cork including my ultra lights. I clean my cork grips once a year with a magic eraser let dry the add a thin coat of cork sealer.

Here are a couple of pros opinions :

David Fritts Cork "The cork also helps the rod float if it falls into the water"

Kevin Van Dam Foam "Cork is good, but it gets slippery when wet"

Russ Lane Winn"I also don’t have to squeeze the rod as hard to have a firm grip,”

Fishin Dad reply :

All good points everyone. Thanks

MickD reply :

I have no EVA because many years ago I had "black foam" grips deteriorate due to UV exposure. I have no confidence that the newer materials will be any better. They must be somewhat better since no one is mentioning UV problems.

I have Winn and like them. Winn grips have EVA inside, but the surface is not. I trust Winn has done its homework relative to UV.

NYWayfarer reply :

I like Winn Grips.

I know how to repair cork handles that I got a hook in. I guess I could re-wrap a Winn grip that gets damaged. Never could figure out how to repair EVA.

fin reply :

On 4/20/2019 at 6:58 PM, ike8120 said:

David Fritts Cork "The cork also helps the rod float if it falls into the water"

Will somebody test this for me and tell me if it's true?

lol

ike8120 reply :

On 4/20/2019 at 10:02 PM, fin said:

Will somebody test this for me and tell me if it's true?

lol

He stated in the article that he has dropped a few rods over the side. I will not be testing his theory out LOL

LionHeart reply :

On 4/20/2019 at 6:58 PM, ike8120 said:

All my Dobyns rods have cork including my ultra lights. I clean my cork grips once a year with a magic eraser let dry the add a thin coat of cork sealer.

Here are a couple of pros opinions :

David Fritts Cork "The cork also helps the rod float if it falls into the water"

Kevin Van Dam Foam "Cork is good, but it gets slippery when wet"

Russ Lane Winn"I also don’t have to squeeze the rod as hard to have a firm grip,”

Helps the rod float if it falls in the water?

First off, no, it don't. Sink inperceptably more slowly? Sure.

I'm pretty neutral and have rods with each. Cork looks the best but Winn feels the best. IME there are crappy EVA grips, and good EVA grips. I like good EVA just as much as cork or Winn.

shamanjp reply :

I own cork, Winn, and EVA. On my Lews rod's I love the EVA. It's hard with just a bit of give, never gets slippery, and feels the warmest on my hand without making my hand sweat, and has held up great. The other thing is the fatter profile of the grip. I had a flat round EVA grip once and hated it. The one rod I have with a Winn grip is too thin and tacky and feels like it might peel over time, hope not because I do like it otherwise, I just don't trust it yet. I am not a fan of cork, I don't have a reason but I have put shrink tubing over cork on a couple of rods that had chipping and I liked the feel of the shrink tubing better than the original cork. The shape and thickness of the handle is more important than the material to me. The handle material isn't the most important part of a rod but it does make a difference. It just needs to feel good in your hand.

Fishin Dad reply :

On 4/21/2019 at 2:52 AM, LionHeart said:

Helps the rod float if it falls in the water?

First off, no, it don't. Sink inperceptably more slowly? Sure.

I'm pretty neutral and have rods with each. Cork looks the best but Winn feels the best. IME there are crappy EVA grips, and good EVA grips. I like good EVA just as much as cork or Winn.

LionHeart, good point! I bet there a bunch of different levels of EVA. I may have to head to the store and check more out to see what I like.

On 4/21/2019 at 4:03 AM, shamanjp said:

I own cork, Winn, and EVA. On my Lews rod's I love the EVA. It's hard with just a bit of give, never gets slippery, and feels the warmest on my hand without making my hand sweat, and has held up great. The other thing is the fatter profile of the grip. I had a flat round EVA grip once and hated it. The one rod I have with a Winn grip is too thin and tacky and feels like it might peel over time, hope not because I do like it otherwise, I just don't trust it yet. I am not a fan of cork, I don't have a reason but I have put shrink tubing over cork on a couple of rods that had chipping and I liked the feel of the shrink tubing better than the original cork. The shape and thickness of the handle is more important than the material to me. The handle material isn't the most important part of a rod but it does make a difference. It just needs to feel good in your hand.

I agree shamanjp. The handle material is probably just part of why I like some of my EVA type rods, but the other part is shape. Shape seems to make a big difference with my rods. Darn, now another thing to check out more and see what I really like. Good stuff though fellas. More food for thought.

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Cork vs EVA grips 2025

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