Similar stuff, spence.
Most of my rods have cork on the fore grips. When I build them I use the foam (dense stuff not that old neoprene stuff that was like a sponge and would crack). I have a few rods with the 3M tread tape stuff and I have no complaints about it. I have some rods with the dense foam (brown) on it that is over 25+ yrs old - still looks nice.
I hardly ever have my hands on the foregrip unless I am into a mule of a fish, or when I choke up on the rod to grab the fish. The back portion behind the reel seat I never touch and the end section is that hard foam. Typical factory grips are too long for me anyway so I end up grabbing the blank on the back......lol.
I wear those TF mangrove sun gloves all the time so I wouldn't ever get abraided any way.
Cork now a days is very $$. All the stuff they sell has lots of filler in it. Given a choice and $ wasn't the issue and I had a lathe to turn the grip I would go with cork. Gotta love natures materials.
Regardless of what you prefer, its comes down to what YOU like.