I've had a Star STX midsize on my driver this year along with my old Pure DTX mids on the rest of the clubs. I'll probably replace everything, eventually, with STXs.
I've had the Pures on for several years and they've held up amazingly well, so with Pure gone, Star is it for me. The tread/texture is different between the two, and the STX feels a little softer. If anything I like the Pure DTX slightly better (a little firmer with more grooves that break up the texture), but I always disliked that there's a lot of bare un-textured area on the first inch by the grip cap. Star STX doesn't have this issue as seen in the pics below. I also like the monochrome color of the STX.
I don't think the STX or the DTX feel like cord at all. The texture is much more pronounced (peaks / valleys vs having a main surface), than a cord grip, even vs a Z Grip. But they're all rubber, and to me they're not rough on the hands. It's like a firm squishiness in technical terms 😄, but definitely not Winn, not cord, not Tour Velvet, just their own heavily textured rubber thing.
To me the traction of STX and DTX feel better and more secure than a cord grip, or any grip, when dry. However when wet, I'd feel more secure with cord. Never had an issue though just keeping the STX and DTX grips dry with a towel, and keeping them clean. I haven't tried leather, but people say it's best for wet conditions. I'd imagine though that leather might not feel tacky in cold winter weather until the hands warm it up (???). STX and DTX feel great to me in any weather.
I have a Sidewinder midsize on my other driver, and it's a great tacky grip too as wrx'ers have reported. However I prefer the tread / texture of STX and DTX. It feels more secure to me.
Btw another grip with a heavy texture (different though and only comes in standard size) is the old Royal V Sand Wrap. Golfworks had these for something like $24 for 12 grips, and I put them on some travel clubs. I don't think they will last as crazy long as Star or Pure, but that might've been the best deal on grips ever.
https://www.golfworks.com/royal-grip-v-sand-wrap-golf-grip/p/rg0001/?srsltid=AfmBOooyI8gDTFxwr3FXQuMm9oAEofJ-5Ek-vu25_ntyQGNZez3P5hYZ