Bout to place my hydroturf order in dark gray for the new boat and can't decide on the Diamond cut or Groove.
I have diamond cut on my current rig because it was the cheapest and read somewhere a long time ago that I would slip less when it was muddy. Never been on a boat with cut groove at all much less with muddy waders.
I like the idea of getting bigger sheets and the ability to hide the seams easier, but I dont like the $20 increase for the groove.

Current rig seems to work fine but I did not have to butt two pieces together and thats seems next to impossible (since I haven't tried) and may not look right.

Look up precision archery and give them a call tomorrow and see what kind of price they got on both groove and diamond. Thats where I ordered mine from.

The grooved stuff isn't slick at all and I talked to a couple different guys who run bowfishing charters that used the flat stuff. They said it doesn't get slick either even covered in fish slime.

I dont see any differance in traction or durability with design. There is a difference in texture between the cut or molded finish. I like the molded which seems to be easier to clean. The cut seems to catch more crap due to the rougher texture caused by the cut. It also seems to catch on boots easier IMO. How much? I guess if your anal about it, it may bother you. Id worry more about sheet size and or waist. The verticle does make it easier to hide seems but if you are careful you can splice in the diamond with little seam showing.

I had the groove in one of my boats and think it is easier on the bare feet lol!! As for as durability the diamond is better !

Go with the flat cut diamond with grooves and you will be fine.

Diamond is very hard to put down and line up on next sheet.
PS the sheet are not square.