The Best Hockey Tape

Buying Guide

Hockey players know the impact of a good tape job on their gameplay. A stiffer, rougher tape job on a hockey stick boosts speed, rotation and energy, which can give a hockey player an advantage in a competition. Tape protects your stick from wear and tear while making it also easier to hold and control. It also “softens” the blade so that it accepts passes easier.

But the right tape is just as important as a good wrapping technique. You can use many types of tape (or other materials), like friction tape and grip tape —tapes designed for versatile uses — to wrap your hockey stick. However, dedicated hockey tape tends to be made of cloth. Using cloth tape, you can customize your stick in any way you like, both aesthetically and for performance.

Cloth tape comes in a variety of sizes to make it easy to find the look and feel that works for you. Regular cloth tape is an inch wide, but you can find cloth tape that’s 1.5 inches in width. You’ll also find that roll sizes vary, so pay close attention to how much you’re getting before you buy one tape over another. You might see a lower price, only to find that you get double the amount with the more expensive option.

Consider color: Black may match the puck, making it hard for opponents to see what your strategy is; white matches the ice, rending your motions less transparent. You may wish to consider your team colors as well, or go for a clear tape that allows your stick’s design to show through.

Hockey tape is often sold in sets. You can buy two, three or six in one package or purchase other configurations. This can help if you need a roll to keep in multiple places, such as a locker at the rink, your gym bag or at home. With multiple rolls, you’ll also always have a backup roll when you run out. Multiple rolls can also come in handy for sharing with teammates or if you have multiple hockey players in your home.

• Some hockey players like to use something called stick wax to both boost a blade’s water resistance and improve the friction between the blade and the puck.
• Although many hockey tape rolls are now designed to easily tear without scissors, you still might find a pair of scissors offers a cleaner cut. If you’re taping up your stick at home, keep a pair nearby while you work. For tape jobs at the rink, this might not be an option unless you bring a pair with you.
• Preferences in tape application will vary from one player to another. Until you know what you like, feel free to stick with the basics. As an example: you might, over time, find that you like the thickness to be uniform from the top of your hockey stick to the very end, while other people like extra thickness in the grip area for hand comfort.
• For tape that will cover your blade, water resistance is crucial. You’ll want the tape to be able to withstand constant exposure to moisture during gameplay and practice sessions.
• Some tapes don’t use adhesive at all, instead relying on the natural gripping properties of the material. Adhesive tapes can be beneficial for their own reasons, though. If you opt for a tape that has adhesives, make sure it won’t leave behind a sticky residue when you remove it.
• Pay close attention to the thickness of the tape you choose. Some might appear to be cheaper or come in longer rolls. But if they’re thin, you’ll have to double wrap just to get the same results you’d get with thicker tapes.