The Best Hockey Tape for 2024 (with reviews)
Hockey Tape is an essential piece of your hockey gear that can serve a variety of purposes. In this article, we will go over some of those, along with the benefits and differences of Hockey Tapes. Check out our full selection of hockey tape.
In this article, we’ll cover:
| Rank | Name | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renfrew White Cloth Hockey Tape - 3 Pack |  |  |
| 2 | Renfrew Clear Shinpad Hockey Tape - 3 Pack |  | |
| 3 | Renfrew Black Cloth Hockey Tape - 3 Pack |  | |
| 4 | Renfrew 1.5in Cloth Hockey Tape |  | |
| 5 | Renfrew Colored Grip Hockey Tape |  | |
| 6 | Lizard Skins 0.5mm Solid Hockey Stick Grip Tape |  | |
| 7 | Phat 2in. Shin Guard Tape - 30 Yards |  | |
| 8 | Tacki-Mac Command Grips |  | |
| 9 | Renfrew Themed Cloth Hockey Tape - 1in. |  | |
| 10 | Renfrew Colored Cloth Tape |  | |
Use: Stick and socks
Overview: Thanks to its versatility, the overall most popular tape in hockey is the one-inch white cloth tape.
Key Features:
- Can be used on your sticks butt-end and blade, and can be used around your hockey socks to hold up your shin guards (although cloth tape is usually used on your stick).
- Creates a barrier between your stick blade and the ice giving you enhanced control of the puck during stickhandling and shooting.
- White cloth tape is also a great way to add durability to your stick blade, particularly the toe of the blade.
Use: Socks
Overview: The Renfrew Clear Shinpad Hockey Tape is the go-to option for players who use tape around their hockey socks to help hold shinpads in place.
Key Features:
- A bit more elasticity than cloth tape, allowing you to stretch the tape as you wrap your shinpads to get that comfortable and perfect feel.
- Water-resistant -- won’t have any issues losing its “stickiness”.
Use: Stick and socks
Overview: Another great option for your stick is the Renfrew Black Cloth Hockey Tape. You can use this on your hockey socks to hold up your shinpads, but it is predominantly used on the stick blade for enhanced durability.
Key Features:
- Creates a barrier between your stick blade and the ice giving you enhanced control of the puck during stickhandling and shooting.
- Black cloth tape is also a great way to add durability to your stick blade, particularly the toe of the blade.
Use: Stick and socks
Overview: The Renfrew 1.5 inch cloth hockey tape can be used on your sticks butt-end, blade, and shinpads. However, most players typically use this hockey tape on their stick blades.
Key Features:
- 1.5-inch thickness means you can use less tape to cover the entirety of your blade.
- Cloth tape is also a great way to add durability to your stick blade, particularly the toe of the blade.
- Creates a barrier between your stick blade and the ice giving you enhanced control of the puck during stickhandling and shooting.
Use: Butt-end of stick
Overview: Renfrew Colored Grip Hockey Tape is a great option to add to the butt-end of your stick. Not only does it have more of a “cushioned” feel, but it protects the palms of your gloves better than regular cloth tape.
Key Features:
- Sticks to itself -- no adhesive
- Comfortable
- Mesh-like construction is easier on glove palms
Use: Butt-end of stick
Overview: The Lizard Skins Hockey Stick Grip Tape is another great option for players who are looking for added protection for their glove palms, compared to cloth tape.
Key Features:
- Constructed of Dura Soft polymer for a cushioned and comfortable feel during gameplay
- Helps preserve glove palms
- Slip-resistant for optimal stick control
Use: Socks
Overview: Phat Shin Guard Tape offers players a unique look thanks to the wide variety of different patterns to choose from.
Key Features:
- Perfect amount of elasticity so you can get perfect fit and feel
- Good adhesion that stays secured during gameplay
Use: Butt-end of stick
Overview: The Tacki-Mac Command Grips became widely popular when a few NHL players were spotted using them, and for good reason. They are meant to mimic the feel of real cloth tape, without having to worry about wearing down your glove palms.
Key Features:
- Snug install process ensures that the grip stays tightly in place during gameplay
- Won’t “dry out” like traditional cloth tape
- Consistent feel without wearing down, or discoloring, glove palms
Use: Stick and socks
Overview: The Renfrew Themed Cloth Hockey Tape offers players a unique look thanks to the wide variety of different design choices. Additionally, this tape can be used anywhere on the stick as well as the shin pads.
Key Features:
- Unique look
- Can be used on the butt-end of stick, stick blade, and on hockey socks to hold shin guards in place
Use: Butt-end of stick, stick blade, socks
Overview: Like the regular Renfrew cloth tape, the Renfrew Colored cloth tape has a multitude of different uses. However, this variant comes in a wide range of colors!
Key Features:
- Can be used on stick blade for added control of the puck
- Wide range of colors gives players the ability to add some customization to their setup
The Different Types of Hockey Tape
In Hockey, there are multiple different types of hockey tape. Some serve a few purposes, while others only serve one. Let’s take a look at all the different types below.
- Hockey Tape (cloth tape): Cloth hockey tape is the most universal because it has multiple uses. Players can use it on their stick blade, the butt-end of their stick, and around their hockey socks to hold their shin guards in place. This hockey tape also comes in 1-inch and 1.5-inch thickness.
- Grip Tape: Grip tape is used on the butt-end of the hockey stick and is a great option for players who want to preserve the palms of their gloves. It also provides a soft and spongy feel, compared to regular cloth tape.
- Electrical Tape: Electrical tape is just over a centimeter in width and is mainly used at the top of the stick for the butt end, adding a different grip style depending on player preference.
Shin Guard Tape: Shin guard tape is the tape of choice to help secure shin guards in place by wrapping it around the hockey socks. It comes in a few different colors, but clear is the go-to for most players. - Pro-Wrap Tape: Pro-wrap tape is usually used to secure joints like wrists and ankles to provide comfort without sacrificing flexibility. This tape can also be used underneath cloth tape on your stick’s butt-end for a thicker feel without adding weight.
- Pre-made Rubber Grips: As the name states, these grips are constructed of rubber and are meant to emulate the feel of real cloth tape. However, these pre-made rubber grips do a better job of preserving the life of the palms of your gloves. Additionally, the major brands like Buttendz and Tacki-Mac offer a variety of different styles including different knob sizes, lengths, and designs (candy-cane style, regular, etc).
Best Hockey Tape Brands
Renfrew makes some of the most popular cloth and shin guard tape in hockey. They have a wide variety of different colors to choose from in both variations, as well as 1-inch and 1.5-inch options. Buttendz are the most popular “pre-made” rubber grips in hockey for the butt-end of your hockey stick. They have a number of different options you can choose from based on personal preference like knob size, length, and design styles.
How to Tape Your Hockey Stick Blade
Hockey players use cloth tape on their hockey stick blade. However, which color, style, and tape thickness all come down to personal preference. To learn more, check out our complete guide on how to tape a hockey stick blade.
How to Tape Your Hockey Stick Handle/Knob
Like the hockey stick blade, how players tape their hockey stick knob also comes down to personal preference. Some players prefer a pre-made rubber grip, some like grip tape, and some may just like standard cloth tape. To learn more, check out our complete guide on how to tape a hockey stick handle/butt end.
Find the Best Selection of Hockey Tape at HockeyMonkey!
What type of tape you use on your hockey stick and shin guards all comes down to your personal preference. To help make your decision easier, browse our full selection of Hockey Tape!
Login and Registration Form
or
Create an account