If you go with tape, look for some gaffer tape. It's like high quality duct tape. Matte finish, and the adhesive is less likely to stick "to" what it's sticking to. <grin> Probably $10 a roll.
Or perhaps bike (handlebar) tape, though that stuff is maybe 3/4 inch wide. It's thick with texture.
Fellows use "stair" grit tape too. I just saw that in another forum.