Armstrong Adjustable Carbon Tail Kick Pad V1

The Armstrong Adjustable Carbon Tail Kick Pad V1 is a three-piece traction pad designed for rear-foot positioning on Armstrong V1 foil boards. Made by Armstrong Foils, it pairs a foam deck pad with a thin carbon plate base, creating a lightweight yet rigid platform that can be repositioned along the board's track insert pattern. The "V1" designation indicates compatibility with Armstrong's V1 board line, distinguishing it from the separate FG-board version Armstrong also offers.

Foot placement on a foil board directly affects balance, leverage over the mast, and overall control. Rather than committing to a single glued-down position, this pad lets riders slide the kick section fore or aft and lock it in place using the existing footstrap screw holes on V1-series decks. Hardware for installation is included.

• Piece count: 3-piece set
• Base material: Carbon plate
• Pad material: Foam deck pad fused to carbon plate
• Adjustability: Repositionable via footstrap insert holes
• Board compatibility: Armstrong V1 boards
• Included: Mounting hardware

This pad suits intermediate to advanced foilers who have settled on an Armstrong V1 board and want to fine-tune their stance without permanently adhering a traditional traction pad. Armstrong recommends starting with the rear foot directly above the mast — the default balance point — then experimenting with positions slightly forward or aft to match individual weight, height, and riding style.

Riders who frequently switch between disciplines (wing foiling, prone foiling, dock starts) on the same board will appreciate the ability to reposition the kick between sessions. It is less relevant for beginners still on high-volume learner boards, where a full-coverage deck pad or simple footstraps typically provide enough reference.

Armstrong sells two board-specific versions of this tail kick pad: the V1 edition covered here and a separate FG edition shaped to match the insert pattern on their FG board line. Both share the same carbon-plate-plus-foam construction and adjustable design; the difference is hole spacing for each board family. Armstrong also lists a newer "Carbon Kick Tail Pad 3p Set" on their current product page, which may represent an updated generation.

At roughly $68 on sale (down from a ~$97 list price), the V1 pad sits in the mid-range for carbon-backed traction accessories. Comparable aftermarket options include generic adhesive kick pads from brands like Dakine or Creatures of Leisure, though those lack the bolt-on adjustability that defines Armstrong's design. For riders already invested in the Armstrong V1 ecosystem, this is essentially the factory-matched option.