The 5 Best Athletic Tapes – 2017 Reviews and Top Picks
Sprains and strains are two of the most common types of injuries experienced by athletes. Using the best athletic tape might help you prevent these injuries and help you stay on top of your game.
There are a lot of athletic tapes out in the market and choosing the right one can be confusing especially since these tapes almost look the same. We have compiled 5 of the top-rated athletic tapes to help you out.
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BSN Medical Leukotape P Sports Tape is precisely made for patellofemoral taping. It immobilizes joint rigidly and limits movement. It has a high tensile strength, but is easily teared during application.
Kinesio® Tex GoldTM Tape works well on the body since it offers 140% elasticity. It is latex-free, durable, and water-resistant. It can stay on the skin for 4 days and yet still offers comfort.
MuscleFix Bulk Clinical Uncut Kinesiology Recovery Tape is made up of quality breathable waterproof cotton mesh and is latex-free. This medical grade tape is heat-activated and hypoallergenic.
Professional Grade Athletic Tape by 1st Elite is made of premium 100% cotton. It is self-adhesive and latex-free. It is easy on the skin as it offers the right amount of tensile strength.
Johnson and Johnson Consumer Coach Porous Athletic Tape has a high tensile strength and is made of 100% cotton. It adheres perfectly to skin.
It guarantees support and conformity which helps protect you from injuries.
Reviews Of The Best Athletic Tapes
Product Name | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
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**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
With its aggressive zinc oxide adhesive, it firmly sticks to skin. It’s water-proof and latex-free.
This tape works better than moleskin in preventing blisters. It’s an ideal support for fragile ligaments and joint in fingers.
It works well with people with plantar fasciitis. It can be used as a bandage to secure sutures and protect wounds.
This 1.5 inch x 15-yard tape can be purchased at a price range of $9.15 - $ 9.19 for 1 or $184.95 - $255.95 for 30 pieces.
Most users of this product attested to how effective this tape is in preventing blisters and on how durable and tacky it is.
If you have a sensitive skin, this tape might not be a good choice for you. Some claim to have had itchy rashes after use.
As it is super sticky, some mentioned difficulty in removing the tape.
Things We Liked
- Tacky
- Prevents blisters
- Latex-free
- Water-proof
- Durable
Things We Didn’t Like
- Possible skin irritations
- Difficult to remove
The elasticity and thickness of this tape resembles that of our skin and muscles. Due to its porous cotton fabric and medical grade adhesive, it gives the skin room to breathe.
This uses a taping method which permits stability, support, and a full range of motion. As it is made for a 30 to 40 percent longitudinal stretch, it lifts the skin and protects underlying tissues.
It is latex-free and water-resistant.It adheres well to skin. It can be worn for 3 to 4 days.
It is safe to use even on pediatrics. This tape can be used to manage edema and pain, too.
This tape comes in beige, black and blue color. Packaging usually comes with 2 rolls of 2” x 16.4' tape and price ranges from $23.98 - $25.87.
A great deal of users mentioned how great this tape is at staying on skin for hours, providing pain relief and offering protection from injury. Some find it effective in managing edema and protecting surgical wound sites.
A few users expressed their dismay about it not lasting longer on skin.
At least six out of 35 users were dissatisfied with its packaging as they only received one instead of two rolls of this tape.
Things We Liked
- Relieves pain
- Latex-free
- Water-resistant
- Edema management
- Prevents injury
Things We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t stick on skin longer
- Misleading description
This product received a certification from the ISO, CE, and FDA. It can be used by children, adults, pregnant women, and the elderly.
It is latex-free and is made of a high-quality water-proof cotton mesh. It is comfortable to use and can be worn for days without developing skin irritations.
It is made of a medical grade and heat-activated adhesive.
It improves an athlete’s performance as it lifts the skin away from the muscles leading to improved blood circulation, quicker pain relief, protection for joint, support for muscles and decrease in fatigues inflammation.
Its manufacturers offer a free access to their website for the step-by-step process in taping.
Many users of this product were happy about its price which ranges from $43.97 - $44.97. They mentioned how they got a product worth their money.
A lot were happy about this product’s ability to relieve pain and support joint.
It might not be good to use for some people, especially those with sensitive skin as some users complained of skin irritations after use. They were also dissatisfied about its elasticity and adhesive.
Things We Liked
- Latex-free
- Worth the price
- Relieves pain
- Supports joints
Things We Didn’t Like
- Less elastic
- Doesn’t stick on skin longer
This tape is made with 100% cotton and latex-free zinc oxide.It is non-porous and is made with high quality materials. As it is made with the right amount of adhesive, it will prevent slipping.
Since it offers perfect support for ankles, toes, feet, knees, joints, hands and shoulders, this tape is suitable for those who are into sports like boxing, weight lifting, gymnastics, soccer, football, and basketball.
It works perfectly even without a pre-wrap on.
Its price ranges from $17.97 - $62.97.
Most people who have tried this product expressed satisfaction on how this tape is easy to tear after use and how comfortable it feels on skin. They were also happy about how effective it is in supporting joints.
One user even tried it on a dog who participated in a Fly ball competition and the tape did not rip apart.
After a tiring activity, you might be too excited to remove this tape. Be careful since a user got a part of his skin peeled off as he tried pulling it.
A few people mentioned that this tape is not as sturdy as it supposedly is. They said that it tears apart when you get sweaty.
Things We Liked
- Latex-free
- Comfortable
- Easy to remove
- Protects joints
Things We Didn’t Like
- Peels off easily when you get sweaty
- Not sturdy.
This tape is made with 100 % cotton. It allows skin to breathe.
As this is made with a high tensile strength, it does not rip easily when in use.
It offers great adhesive and is easily teared using your hands.
This tape provides a great support against sprains and injury.32 rolls of this 1 1/2" by 15 yard-tape has a price range of $66.36 - $72.99.
Most of users were pleased about its price, value and protection against injury. They were also happy about how it is easily teared, but still stays durable.
At least 2 users were not happy about it not sticking well.
Things We Liked
- 100% cotton
- Great protection
- High tensile strength.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Expensive
How Does Tape Work
Taping is done for the following reasons:
- It supports the ligaments and capsules of unstable joints of the body by restricting movement.
- It improves proprioception.
- It supports injuries by compressing and limiting range of motion of affected joint.
- It helps secure splints, dressings, and pads.
How To Choose Your Athletic Tape
Athletic tapes come in different colors, sizes, length, prices, and materials. Knowing what you need is a key factor in finding the right tape for you.
When choosing your tape, determine the following:
- The part of your body which needs taping
A narrow tape would best fit a finger injury while a durable and non-elastic tape might be a good choice for an ankle injury. - The type of tape you need
Elastic tapes are flexible and wider than the opposite. It works on large areas of the body like the hamstring muscles on the back of the leg. - The color of your tape
Skin-toned tapes which are hardly noticeable might be good for gymnasts while colored tapes might be useful for group sports.
Safety Precautions
Before taping up, remember to do the following:
- If you have a circulatory problem or is taking any medication, talk to your doctor first.
- Don’t apply it over skin with psoriasis or eczema.
- Don't put it over fresh scars or sunburned skin.
- Don’t place it on moisturized skin.
- Don’t tape your wrinkled parts of your skin.
- Remove the tape if you feel any numbness after application.
- Rather than peeling it off, cut it instead when removing.
Conclusion
In this review, BSN Medical Leukotape P Sports Tape is our top choice.
Like the other tapes, it is durable, tacky, latex-free and water-proof. However, nothing beats its affordable price and its blister prevention feature.
This tape exceeded our expectations. We believe this is the best athletic tape in town.
