Cycling · Head-to-head
SILCA Nastro Cuscino 3.75 vs Fizik ComfortFeel 3.5mm Tacky
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Handlebar Tape: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Cuscino wins because it pairs a genuinely cushioned 3.75mm with the most complete kit in the box, including the adhesive butterfly that fixes the one part of a wrap most people get wrong. The Fizik is within a quarter of a millimetre for less money and easier wrapping.
SILCA Nastro Cuscino 3.75
Buy itA 3.75mm laminated tape that comes with the pieces most wraps are missing, including a pre-cut adhesive butterfly for behind the lever clamps.
- Thickness is in the product name at 3.75mm, and SILCA sells the same tape as a 2.5mm version if you want less.
- Built as a laminate of SILCAthane, SILCAlon and 3M visco-elastic adhesive instead of a single foam extrusion.
- SILCA states three to five times the durability of existing tape materials, along with higher wet and dry grip.
- The kit includes a full adhesive-backed butterfly for the lever clamp area, high-grip finishing tape and expanding aluminium and composite end plugs.
- No weight published anywhere on the page.
- No stated width, though SILCA's FAQ gives a 230cm roll length, which it says wraps standard drop bars with some to spare.
- Most expensive tape here by a clear margin.
Fizik ComfortFeel 3.5mm Tacky
Buy itWithin a quarter of a millimetre of the SILCA for less money, with a tacky embossed surface and a stretchy material that forgives a first attempt at wrapping.
- 3.5mm stated in the product name, aimed specifically at gravel and rough surfaces.
- Tacky nonslip surface with an embossed texture, which Fizik positions for secure handling in all conditions.
- Fizik describes the material as lightweight and elastic and says it simplifies wrapping, which matters if you have never done it.
- The same range includes the RaceFeel Tacky at 2mm, so the thickness decision can be made inside one brand.
- No published width or roll length.
- The tacky surface holds grit, so it looks worn sooner than a smooth tape on dusty roads.
- Nothing stated about what comes in the box.
Side by side
The 9 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| SILCA Nastro Cuscino 3.75 Our pick | Fizik ComfortFeel 3.5mm Tacky | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Riders who want real cushioning and would rather the awkward bits of the wrap came in the box. | Gravel and rough-road riders who want cushioning without paying premium money, and anyone wrapping bars for the first time. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Stated thickness | 3.75mm | 3.5mm |
| Stated width | Not published | Not published |
| Length per roll | 230cm, stated in SILCA's FAQ | Not published |
| Stated weight | Not published | 78g |
| Material | Laminate of SILCAthane, SILCAlon and 3M visco-elastic adhesive | Elastic tacky compound with an embossed texture |
| Thinner or thicker option in the same line | Cuscino 2.5 at 2.5mm | RaceFeel Tacky at 2mm |
| Stated box contents | Adhesive butterfly, high-grip finishing tape, expanding end plugs | Not stated |
| Wrapping guidance published | Butterfly supplied to cover the lever clamp area | Says the elastic material simplifies wrapping |
| Stated discipline | Not stated | Gravel and rough terrain |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the SILCA Nastro Cuscino 3.75 if
riders who want real cushioning and would rather the awkward bits of the wrap came in the box.
Know before buying: no weight published anywhere on the page.
Pick the Fizik ComfortFeel 3.5mm Tacky if
gravel and rough-road riders who want cushioning without paying premium money, and anyone wrapping bars for the first time.
Know before buying: no published width or roll length.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the SILCA Nastro Cuscino 3.75 - A 3.75mm laminated tape that comes with the pieces most wraps are missing, including a pre-cut adhesive butterfly for behind the lever clamps. Choose the Fizik ComfortFeel 3.5mm Tacky instead if gravel and rough-road riders who want cushioning without paying premium money, and anyone wrapping bars for the first time.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Handlebar Tape: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).