An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a first edge, and a second edge, where a tape tenting region extends from the first edge toward the second edge, the first edge being a first end of the tape tenting region, a second end of the tape tenting region being positioned between the first and second edges. The apparatus includes a guide positioned relative to the first edge for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape and a transducer positioned in the tape tenting region. In addition, the module has a wear coating on a media facing side of the transducer, where a peak height is defined between the peak of tenting and an upper surface of the coating. The thickness of the wear coating is in a range of between about 0.5 and about 3 times the peak height.