Any forum search I attempt is erroring out, so I apologize if this has been addressed recently...

Is there a particular brand/line of grip tape that is best suited to dampening hand shock and conducive to overall hand comfort on my 2013 Orca BRV, which is still wearing the factory Orbea tape?

Cork tape wrapped twice (double wrapped) on all my drop bars has that beloved Oury grip feel. Cheapest tape from China works great.

I'd look for a sale and when you find one.........Lizard Skins DSP 3.2mm Bar Tape | Competitive Cyclist

+1. Love the Lizard. OP: It comes in various thicknesses.

You will get lots of opinions on this subject. I personally prefer Fizik Performance tape as it has that leather look to it. I hate how skinny road bike bars are though. Thus, I purchased Fizik Bar Gel Pads to help make my bars thicker. It will help with the hand shock that you are referring to as well.

I've put Fizik performance 3mm tape on every bike I use regularly. It exudes class and is super comfy.

I went a different route when I recently put new tape on my bars. My older spec roubaix came with some nice gel padding under the tape that really made a difference. So instead of trying to get "padded" tape I just get a set of these that go "under" the tape on the bar directly.

Specialized Bicycle Components

It did add a bit of bulk to the bars, but not much. Now I don't have to worry about tape or getting padding gloves and I still have a very cushy ride.

Plus infinity on Lizard Skins. I picked up a bunch at Interbike in Vegas last year.

Another vote for the Lizard. It is pricey, but it should last longer than the cork/foam tape.

I like my LizardSkins a lot, and it might just be because I didn't wrap it correctly, but I've managed to tear mine up in the two places I grab for sprints. I believe that they were wrapped properly, but the tape slipped on itself and things went downhill from there. (Caveat: I'm 236lb and have a very strong grip, but still.)

EDIT: Scratch that, it's behind the hoods where it's really come apart. It's also come undone/slipped out from under itself in the curves of the drops, though.

I recommend Fizik performance tacky black. To make it even more interesting, that's the only fizik product I like.

I have the exact opposite experience with Lizard Skin, it is amazing but started flaking and looking ugly very quickly (black color)

The most durable shock absorbing bar tape I have used is Specialized S-Wrap Roubaix. Fizik is perhaps the least durable.

+1
I double wrap the cheap nashbar tape. I have large hands and I lie the cushy feel.