I've got alloy battens and use closed-cell foam padding, just taped on.  The batten pockets mostly hold it in place and protect the tape, but I have a window in the batten pockets at the mast and have to renew the tape in that spot once in a while.  I am sure there are other, more permanent solutions - I'd be interested to hear them - but being a bit of a ramshackle character, a bit of re-taping now and then suits me.