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Every rock climber knows how important it is to find the best climbing tape to use on their fingers and hands because there comes a point when your skin is worn raw and you need an extra layer of protection. Climber’s tape does exactly that – protects your skin, as well as provides support to your tendons and ligaments, and gives the rock an added layer of friction.Â
But top-rated tape for climbing can be difficult to find because it needs to have certain characteristics that other tapes lack. For one, rock climbing finger tape should not stretch, but it should be able to be torn into thin strips. Our list and buying guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the right decision and will help you find the best option on the market.
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Latex-free and hypoallergenic
- Breathable
- Extra sticky so it stays in place
- The stiff design prevents injuries and muscle fatigue
- Zig-zag edge is easy to tear
Material: High-grade cotton
Dimensions: 1.5 inches x 10 yards (single roll)
Package: 8 rolls
Color: White
EDITORS CHOICE
Mueller Pre-Wrap Rainbow Pack Climbing Tape
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Water-resistant so that it stays in place as climb
- Light foam cushion for sensitive fingers
- Soft surface
- Pack of 8 rolls in rainbow colors
- Wide width
Material: Foam
Dimensions: 2 Âľ inches x 30 yards (single roll)
Package: 8 rolls
Color: Rainbow assortment
BEST VALUE
Hampton Adams Sports Climbing Tape
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Extra durable for heavy-duty protection
- Thicker but still easy to tear using your fingers
- Rigid for more structural support
- Made with medical-grade cotton
- Infused with zinc oxide to stay cleaner for longer
Material: Cotton substrate
Dimensions: 1.5 inches x 15 yards (single roll)
Package: 3 rolls
Color: White
MTape White Athletic Climbing Tape
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- High tensile strength is easy to handle
- Quick to unwind and put on
- Excellent tackiness
- Soft and comfortable
- Prevents injuries
Material: Cotton backcloth
Dimensions: 1-inch x 15 yards (single roll)
Package: 12 rolls
Color: White
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Zinc oxide formula resists moisture
- 100% cotton construction is breathable
- Versatile for use from your fingertips to wrist
- Wider width
- Taping instructions included
Material: 100% cotton
Dimensions: 1.5 inches x 33 feet (single roll)
Package: 1 roll
Color: White
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Designed to prevent blisters, cuts, and internal damage
- Adds compression to your hands for comfort
- No glue residue
- Thinner construction is ideal for fingers
- Easy to use and tear
Material: Medical grade cotton
Dimensions: 1.5 x 33 feet (single roll) and 0.5 inches x 33 feet (single roll)
Package: 3 rolls + 1 extra roll
Color: White
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Versatile and can be used for various sports
- Provides you with the ultimate protection
- Sweat-resistant design with a strong stick
- No leftover residue
- Skinnier width is great for taping knuckles and fingers
Material: Premium
Dimensions: 1.5 inches x 10 yards (single roll)
Package: 3 rolls
Color: White
Mueller White Athletic Tape
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Waterproof
- Cloth-like texture for more grip
- No sharp edges so that it is more comfortable
- Extra sticky adhesive is skin safe
- Easy to tear
Material: Cotton
Dimensions: 1.5 inches x 15 yards (single roll)
Package: 1 roll
Color: White
Lingito Easy Tear Sports Athletic Climbing Tape
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Durable and long-lasting
- No loose or rolled edges
- Lays flat on the skin
- Functions like kinesiology tape
- Medical grade and latex-free
Material: 100% cotton
Dimensions: 1.5 inches x 45 feet (single roll)
Package: 3 rolls
Colors: White or Black
Armadillo Skin Finger Climbing Tape
- What Makes This Climbing Tape Stand Out
- Skinny width is perfect for wrapping fingers and knuckles
- Quality protection
- Easy tear edges are easy to use
- Powerful adhesive but breathable
- Latex-free and safe for climbers with allergies
Material: 100% cotton
Dimensions: 0.3 inches x 15 yards (single roll)
Package: 6 rolls
Colors: White
How To Choose A Climbing Tape – Buying Guide
Type
There are commonly two types of climbing tapes – skin protection and structural support. Skin protection tape is only used to prevent blisters, cuts, or other damage to your skin. It is used as a barrier of protection around your fingers, knuckles, and hands, particularly when crack climbing (although some climbers use crack gloves instead). A climber who uses skin protection tape sometimes misses the feel of bare rock and needs time to get used to the second layer. It is also important to still use climbing chalk with tape for additional grip assistance.Â
However, skin protection tape can also be used to protect already damaged skin. If you are climbing and experience a cut or tear in your skin, using a climber’s finger tape can help you prevent further damage and keep the wound clean. Many climbers will continue even with damage to their skin, but with taped fingers for climbing, you’ll be more comfortable.Â
The second type of finger tape for climbing is used for structural support. This type of taping hands for climbing ensures that your muscles, ligaments, and tendons have more support while you climb. A top-rated tape for climbing that is used for structural support can even help prevent fatigue or injuries. Most climbers will tape around their knuckles, joints, or wrist for structural support.Â
Width
The best tape for climbing will have a thinner width because it makes it easier to wrap around fingers and knuckles. Most tapes will be half an inch or less in width, which makes them ideal for your narrow fingers and tips.Â
However, some tapes are up to 1 ½ inch wide, which makes them better for taping hands for climbing instead of your fingers. The wider width can be used to provide structural support to your wrists for a difficult climb. But the best climbing tape that is wider will also be versatile and should be able to be easily torn into thin strips to use on your fingers or knuckles.Â
Stickiness
Not all finger tape for climbing is made the same and there are a lot of different levels of stickiness that are featured in the adhesives. One climber’s finger tape may be a sticker or less sticky than another design.Â
Ultimately, the level of stickiness will determine whether you experience rashes or irritation while you climb, as well as how easy it is to take the tape off. Skin irritation should be avoided, so a good stickiness will ensure that the tape cannot slip out of place. However, the best tape for climbing won’t leave any sticky residue and should be easy to remove.Â
Tearability
Your hands are already working hard and when your mind is already in the mood to climb, the last thing you want to have to do is a struggle with tearing and applying your rock climbing tape. The best climbing tape will be easily torn with your fingers so that it can be quickly applied. You should not have to carry extra tools like scissors or knives to cut and apply your tape. Tape for rock climbing that is easily tearable will have a serrated or zig-zag edge.Â
But climbing tape reviews can help you determine how easy a tape is to tear and whether it has good climbing potential or is frustrating to manage.
FAQs
Q:Â What Kind Of Tape Do Climbers Use?
There are a lot of different sport or climbing tapes that have been specifically designed to assist you in your climb. While climber’s tape does resemble medical tape, they are not always the same. The climbing tape needs to be stiffer for more support, which means that you’re better off using a specific tape for rock climbing.
Q:Â Why Do Climbers Use Tape?
Climbers use tape to protect and support their hands. Rock climbing tape adds another layer between your skin and the rock, which means fewer cuts or damage. But tape can also be used for structural support, which means that you are less likely to be injured while you climb. Taped fingers for climbing can also help improve your grip due to the texture of the tape, which can be helpful for beginner climbers.
Q:Â How Do You Wrap Climbing Tape?
There isn’t a “one-way is best” mentality when it comes to taping hands for climbing. Most climbers will use an X or ring method to apply the tape. The X method or sometimes an H method is used to tape around the knuckles and joints of your fingers. The shape allows your fingers to still bend, but the tape keeps your joints supported as they bear weight and dig into the rock, as well as jam in cracks.
The ring method is exactly as if you were wearing a ring of tape around your finger. For some climbers, this method is more comfortable when bending fingers, but it provides the same assistance as the X or H taping methods. You can also check climbing tape reviews to see how other climbers tape and protect their hands or what methods they suggest you try.
Q:Â How Do You Use Climbing Tape?
You can use climbing tape however you want. There isn’t much of a safety concern, so the choice is yours. It can be used to protect your skin from cuts or to support underneath your skin by providing more structure to your muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Q:Â What Is Climbing Tape Made Of?
Most climbing tape is made out of cotton because it is a lightweight, durable, and breathable material. It can also bend easily, which means that it won’t restrict the movements of your fingers while you climb. Cotton is also an affordable material, which means that you won’t have to invest a lot to stay safe while climbing.
Q:Â What Does Taping Your Fingers Do?
Taping helps prevent injuries and can improve performance when jamming. Just like you use climbing harnesses and helmets for your safety, when you use the best tape for climbing you can protect your hands from abrasion and injury. Hand tape for climbing can also improve your grip in cracks.
Globo Surf Overview
While there are a lot of health benefits of rock climbing, you must stay safe while you exercise. Your hands and fingers are essential to navigating a climb and protecting your skin can eliminate pain and keep you climbing for longer. With the best climbing tape, you’ll have the support you need to spend a full day on the rocks.
More Climb Reviews:
- Climbing Knife
- Chalk Bag
- Climbing Books
- Quickdraws
- Intermediate Climbing Shoes
- Recovery Tool For Climbers
- Belay Device
- Womens Climbing Shoes
- Grip Strengthener
- Pumice Stone
Do you own one of the rock climbing tapes that made it onto our list? Let us know which climber’s tape your favorite is in the comments section below.Â