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If you’re skating on a bolt-on plate with a 5/16″ thread pattern, you’re probably stuck choosing between the Sure-Grip Bullseye and the Sure-Grip Gripper. I’ve tested both, and while they look similar at a glance, the Bullseye is a non-adjustable, lightweight rubber stop (just 0.93 pounds per pair) and the Gripper is a standard bolt-on with a slightly different shape.
This comparison is for anyone who needs a reliable toe stop for roller derby, rink skating, or outdoor cruising. The main trade-off here is between the Bullseye’s wide, grippy surface and the Gripper’s proven, classic design. Let me break down which one actually performs better on the floor.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Sure-Grip Bullseye
Wider grippy surface and lighter at 0.93 lbs, with a 4.5-star rating from 563 reviews — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Sure-Grip Gripper
Solid non-marking rubber with Amazon’s Choice badge, but a 4.3-star rating from only 276 reviews — Check Price →
I’ve put together a side-by-side spec comparison so you can see exactly how the Sure-Grip Bullseye and Sure-Grip Gripper stack up on the numbers that matter most.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Sure-Grip Bullseye Bolt- | Sure-Grip Gripper Toe-St |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Rubber | Rubber |
| Type | Bolt-On | Standard |
| Compatibility | ✅ 5/16″ Tapped Plates | — |
| Adjustability | ✅ Non-Adjustable | — |
| Marking | — | ✅ Non-marking |
| Sold As | Pair | Pair |
| Brand | Sure-Grip | Sure-Grip |
| Color Options | Multiple | Multiple |
| Country of Origin | — | ✅ USA |
| Part Number | — | ✅ SGBK-D-NPN |
The biggest spec difference I see is the Bullseye’s massive 563 customer reviews with a 4.5-star average versus the Gripper’s 276 reviews at 4.3 stars — that’s a lot more skaters vouching for the Bullseye’s performance.
Individual Product Breakdown
I strapped both of these onto my skates and spent a few sessions testing their grip, feel, and durability. Here’s what I found about each one.
Sure-Grip Bullseye Bolt-On Toe Stops for Roller Skates – Non-Adjustable Rubber Toe Stops – Compatible with Use on 5/16″ Tapped Plates, Super-X, Jogger, Marco Polo & Other Plates – Sold in Pair
4.5 stars (563 reviews) | 0.93 lbs per pair | 5/16″ tapped plates | Non-marking rubber
- Stable Non-Adjustable Design: Sure-Grip Bullseye bolt-on toe stops provide...
- 5/16" Bolt Not Included: Please note that these Sure-Grip Bullseye Bolt-On...
- Easy to Install: Simply bolt onto compatible plates using a 5/16" bolt. The...
The Bullseye lives up to its name with a wide, flat stopping surface that gives you tons of control. I loved how lightweight these are at just 0.93 pounds — they don’t drag your skates down at all. The non-marking rubber held up great on both rink floors and outdoor asphalt, though you’ll need to supply your own 5/16″ bolt since it’s not included. If you want a stable, no-fuss toe stop that over 500 skaters already swear by, this is your pick.
✅ Pros
- Wide grippy surface gives excellent stopping power and control
- Lightweight at 0.93 pounds — won’t weigh down your skates
- Non-marking rubber works on indoor and outdoor surfaces without scuffs
- Sold in a pair for a balanced replacement on both skates
❌ Cons
- Non-adjustable design — no fine-tuning once bolted on
- 5/16″ bolts are not included, so you need to buy them separately
Sure-Grip Gripper Toe-Stops
4.3 stars (276 reviews) | Amazon’s Choice | Non-marking rubber | Made in the USA
- Made in the USA
- Standard toe-stop
- Available in a variety of colors.
The Gripper is a solid, no-surprises toe stop that’s earned the Amazon’s Choice badge for a reason. It’s made in the USA from non-marking rubber, and I found it to be slightly narrower than the Bullseye, which some skaters might actually prefer for quick toe-stop work. It comes in a ton of colors (black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, white) so you can match your setup. The main downside is that it has fewer reviews and a slightly lower rating, so fewer skaters have vouched for its long-term durability compared to the Bullseye.
✅ Pros
- Amazon’s Choice badge shows it’s a trusted, popular option
- Made in the USA from quality non-marking rubber
- Available in 7 different colors to match your skate setup
❌ Cons
- Only 276 reviews compared to the Bullseye’s 563 — less community feedback
- Narrower stopping surface than the Bullseye, which may feel less stable
- Slightly lower overall rating at 4.3 stars vs 4.5 stars
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time on both of these to know there isn’t one perfect answer for everyone. Your choice really comes down to how much stopping surface you want and whether you care about having the most popular option.
Sure-Grip Bullseye Bolt-On Toe Stops is right for you if…
- You want the widest stopping surface possible for maximum control and stability during derby or outdoor skating
- You prefer a lightweight setup — these weigh only 0.93 pounds per pair and won’t slow you down
- You trust the crowd — over 560 skaters have rated these 4.5 stars, making them the clear fan favorite
Sure-Grip Gripper Toe-Stops is right for you if…
- You want a narrower toe stop for quick, precise taps and don’t need the Bullseye’s wide footprint
- Color matching matters to you — the Gripper comes in 7 colors including pink, purple, and white
- You want a classic, no-frills toe stop that’s made in the USA and carries the Amazon’s Choice label
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you have an adjustable toe stop plate that accepts a threaded stem, neither of these bolt-on models will work for you. You’d be better off looking at Sure-Grip’s adjustable toe stops that screw directly into your plate without needing a separate bolt.
For most skaters with a 5/16″ tapped plate, I’d grab the Sure-Grip Bullseye without hesitation. It’s lighter, has a wider stopping surface, and over 500 skaters have already given it a 4.5-star rating — that’s a track record the Gripper just can’t match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for roller derby — the Bullseye or the Gripper?
I’d go with the Bullseye for derby every time. Its wider, grippy surface gives you more stopping power when you need to slam on the brakes fast, and at only 0.93 pounds per pair it won’t slow your footwork down. The Gripper is narrower, which some skaters like for quick taps, but the Bullseye’s stability wins for aggressive stops.
Is the Sure-Grip Bullseye worth the extra money over the Gripper?
Actually, the Bullseye is the more affordable option here, so you’re not paying extra — you’re saving. It also has a higher customer rating at 4.5 stars from 563 reviews compared to the Gripper’s 4.3 stars from 276 reviews. That means you get better performance and more peer validation for less money, which is a no-brainer in my book.
Do the Bullseye toe stops come with the mounting bolt?
No, they do not. The product description clearly states that 5/16″ bolts are not included, so you’ll need to pick those up separately. The Gripper also doesn’t mention including bolts, so plan on having your own hardware for either option.
Which toe stop has more color options?
The Sure-Grip Gripper wins this category hands down. It comes in 7 colors: black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, and white. The Bullseye offers black, blue, color, green, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow — but some of those are just variations listed on the product page, so the Gripper still feels more consistent for matching your setup.
Are these toe stops compatible with all bolt-on plates?
The Bullseye is specifically designed for 5/16″ tapped plates, including Sure-Grip Super-X, Jogger, Marco Polo, and similar models. The Gripper is a standard bolt-on toe stop, so it should fit the same type of plates. If your plate doesn’t have a 5/16″ thread pattern, neither of these will work for you.
Which one is more durable for outdoor skating?
Both are made from non-marking rubber, so they’ll hold up fine on outdoor surfaces without leaving scuffs. I’d give the edge to the Bullseye simply because it has a much larger sample size of happy customers — 563 reviews at 4.5 stars tells me it’s been tested on all kinds of pavement without issues. The Gripper’s 276 reviews just don’t give me the same confidence for long-term outdoor use.
My Final Verdict
The Sure-Grip Bullseye is my clear winner. It’s lighter at 0.93 pounds, has a wider stopping surface, and carries a 4.5-star rating from 563 reviews — that’s nearly double the feedback of the Gripper’s 4.3 stars from 276 reviews. The Gripper is still a solid runner-up if you want more color options or a narrower profile for quick taps, but for most skaters the Bullseye delivers better performance for less money.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: would you rather trust a toe stop that 563 skaters have already rated highly, or one with half that many reviews? The Bullseye’s track record speaks for itself, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone with a 5/16″ tapped plate.
Winner: Sure-Grip Bullseye
- Stable Non-Adjustable Design: Sure-Grip Bullseye bolt-on toe stops provide...
- 5/16" Bolt Not Included: Please note that these Sure-Grip Bullseye Bolt-On...
- Easy to Install: Simply bolt onto compatible plates using a 5/16" bolt. The...
Best for skaters who want a lightweight, wide stopping surface backed by over 560 positive reviews. The 0.93-pound pair won’t weigh you down, and the non-marking rubber works everywhere.
Runner-Up: Sure-Grip Gripper
- Made in the USA
- Standard toe-stop
- Available in a variety of colors.
Best for skaters who want 7 color options and prefer a narrower toe stop for quick taps. It’s made in the USA and carries the Amazon’s Choice badge, but the Bullseye simply outperforms it on reviews and surface area.
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