If you climb regularly then you know that tape is as important as any other gear. It doesn’t matter if you climb regularly or occasionally, it is of utmost importance that you find a tape that is durable, strong and useful for all circumstances. You will need a climbing tape for two main reasons and they are for your skin protection as well as structural support. Unfortunately, not all the tapes available in the market are able to serve that purpose.
Top Best Climbing Tape Reviewed
Evolv Magic Finger Tape
Evolve Magic actually does work like magic. It is a tape that is non-sticky, seals itself and has a good breathability. It manages to be sealed even after your fingers get wet. This tape will help you protect and soothe your fingers or hands when you have to go through long sessions of climbing.
The tape has superglue which seals without tampering with blood circulation. This tape is suitable for indoor climbing, rock climbing, bouldering etc.
For perfect wrapping, there are various techniques that can be used. You might find it difficult to wrap correctly in the beginning but with practice, it’ll be a piece of cake for you.
Pros
- It is a very thin tape.
- The adhesive is really good.
- Tears off easily.
- Doesn’t stretch even a bit.
Cons
- Wrapping can be a little tricky.
Armadillo Skin finger tape:
Armadillo skin/finger tape is specially designed to protect your joints from any kind of injury or soreness. The tape gives ample support to reduce the pain of your injury and makes sure your hand can function for a longer time. Another plus point of this tape would be that it is latex free and is made from hundred percent pure cotton.
The seven newtons ensure that the tape gives the maximum amount of adhesiveness. What’s amazing is that the tape doesn’t leave any residue behind after it is removed.
Its quality and design was tested in Texas. This was done to ensure that the tape adheres to your fingers despite excessive sweat and will protect your fingers at all cost. The pack comes with six rolls of tape and each roll measures about 0.3 inches and 15 yards. It is very thin and can be wrapped around your fingers easily. The tape can also be removed easily without any hassle.
Pros
- The taping is solid.
- Doesn’t leave behind any residue when taken off.
- The tape is very thin making it more flexible.
- The pack comes with enough tapes.
Cons
- Not a hundred percent waterproof.
The White Athletic Sports Tape
Hampton Adams has come up with a white athletic sports tape that is a three-pack tape made from cotton substrate. With a good tensile strength, the tape is comfortable and as soft as they can get. The white athletic sports tape uses a formula that makes it easier for the tape to reel with ease.
The tape is strong and durable but you won’t need any tape cutter to cut it off. It just takes three simple steps- wrap, pinch and tear. You will notice a clear difference between the athletic tape and the sports tape. The quality and impact of the athletic sports tape is far apart.
Sports tape has a reputation of not holding for too long but this tape is different as it is extremely adhering. The material used for construction of this tape is a hundred percent cotton which will be appreciated by physical therapists as it is medical-grade. The tape is robust enough to last you a complete day of climbing in any weather condition.
Pros
- Stickiness level- insane
- Excellent tensile strength
- Compression is to the max.
Cons
- The tape is thick and hence can’t be used on fingers.
- The adhesive doesn’t last long in sweat.
Metolius Climbing Tape
Equipped with a new zinc oxide formula, Metolius climbing tape is made from a hundred percent cotton that helps the tape block moisture and makes it extra sticky.
The tape can be used for any condition of climbing. Like no other tapes, Metolius comes with an instruction manual guiding you step by step on how to use the tape. If you’ve never had any experience in using climbing tapes, chances are, you are not going to succeed in the first try and thus the manual will come in handy.
This tape is manufactured from the USA. The tape measures about 33 feet and is an inch and a half in width. The strips of this tape can be cut in half to cover your fingers. It is different from the traditional athletic tapes and has an adhesiveness ideal for all you climbers. The tape doesn’t roll off even after hours of climbing.
Pros
- It is very strong.
- Doesn’t stretch at all.
- There are instructions that come with the tape on how to use it.
Cons
- It can be a little difficult to get the tape off.
Hampton Adams black tape
Hampton Adams came with a three-pack sports tape made from cotton, made especially for climbers, athletes and for people who enjoy physical activities. The tape is unique in itself as unlike most tapes that are white, this tape comes in black, offering a stylish look.
It is very gentle on your skin. The tape is non-elastic which means the compression will be maximum. The application of the tape will have to be flawless as any mistake in application will result in blood circulation issues.
The tape will also act as a bandage for your strains or sprains. The tape gives support to help reduce your injuries to wrists, knees, ankles, elbows and fingers. No scissors will be required to remove the tape as it can be easily removed along its length and width. The tape is ideal for physical therapies as well as it doesn’t cause any irritation.
Pros
- The support offered is very strong.
- Causes zero irritation
- Strong adhesives
- It is a non-sticky tape.
Cons
- The tape isn’t ideal for rock climbers.
Kuzushi Labs finger Tape
Built for sports professionals, climbers, grapplers etc, Kuzushi labs finger tape is made for athletes. The pack comes with six rolls of tapes, each roll comes in different colours like blue, red, white, yellow and green. The tape is 0.3 in width and 13.7 long. The pack is well organized and makes it clear that they want you to keep the tapes long-lasting.
The zinc oxide adhesives make the stickiness of the tape extremely strong and long lasting. This tape also doesn’t use any latex adhesives making the tape safer and more durable. It is also a hundred percent waterproof and the tape doesn’t lose its adhesives. The tape is also not hypoallergenic as the combination of hundred percent cotton and zinc oxide makes it work like magic.
Pros
- Made from 100 percent cotton.
- It is completely latex free.
- It doesn’t stretch and is non-elastic
- It suits all skin types and isn’t hypoallergenic.
Cons
- The tape might leave some residue after being removed.
Mighty-X Athletic Tape
Mighty-X athletic tapes are designed for strenuous activities like climbing, sports, boxing etc. It is constructed using hundred percent cotton which is hospital-grade and thus can be removed easily.
The tape also has an under layer that prevents any form of abrasion. The combination of under layer and cotton makes the tape extremely comfortable. This product is completely void of latex.
Pros
- Helps prevent irritation and chafing.
- The tape can be used for multi-purposes.
- It is a natural adhesive and latex free.
- It is very comfortable.
Cons
- It is extremely thin
- Can stretch a little when exposed to wetness.
Things to keep in mind when you are shopping for a climbing tape
Width
Climbing tapes come in a variety of widths and each width tape serves a different purpose. For instance, if you have finger injuries then you should pick a half inch tape having thinner width. You will also be able to find tapes that are even thinner than that, tapes that go up to a third an inch. You should pick a tape of width 1 or 1.5 inches if you want to tape your ankles.
Adhesiveness
Tapes come with different levels of adhesives; some tapes stick more than others. Your climbing level will define the need of buying a specific type of tape. Let’s say you will be climbing in a gym, then you will require tapes that are less sticky and easy to take off. But if you have plans for climbing for a couple of days in the hot sun, then you will need the stickiest tape there is.
Easy to tear
After a long day of climbing, when your fingers are completely sore, you don’t want your tape to add to your misery. Find tape that will be easy to take off without a lot of hassle. Usually tapes with serrated edges come off easily compared to other tapes.
Conclusion
People new to climbing may feel that the basic athletic tape would serve the purpose. This may not be the case as several experienced climbers despise using such tapes for climbing. The reason is that athletic tapes have the tendency to stretch a lot and which can prove to be counterproductive to a climber’s purpose and will loosen the grip.
When you are about to buy the tape, make sure you look at whether the tape is skin protection or structural supportive and choose your pick accordingly.