Know your tape.
Four kinds of tape, four different jobs. Here is what each one does and how to get the most out of it.
| Tape | Goes on | Main job |
|---|---|---|
| Cloth tape | Blade and knob | Protects the blade, softens passes, grips the puck |
| Grip tape | Upper shaft | Stops your top hand slipping |
| Stick wax | Over cloth tape | Keeps snow and water out of the tape |
| Clear and sock tape | Shin pads and socks | Holds gear in place without bulk |
Cloth tape
Goes on: Blade, knob
Cloth tape is the one everyone pictures: woven cotton with a rubber-based adhesive, torn by hand off the roll. On the blade it protects the stick from chips and cracks, takes the sting out of hard passes and gives the puck a slightly grippy surface to sit on.
The two widths you will see most are about 2.5 cm (1 inch) and 3.8 cm (1.5 inches). Narrow tape follows the curve of the blade more easily. Wide tape covers the blade in fewer passes.
Tips
- Pull it tight as you wrap so it lies flat.
- Replace it when it frays, peels at the edges or stays wet.
- Store rolls somewhere cool so the adhesive does not go gummy.
Grip tape
Goes on: Upper shaft
Grip tape is thicker and tackier than cloth tape. Wrapped down the top of the shaft, it keeps your top hand from twisting or slipping, especially with worn gloves.
Many players use grip tape on the shaft and finish with a cloth knob on top, getting the tack of one and the shape of the other.
Tips
- Wrap with a small overlap so there are no gaps.
- Finish the end with a few wraps of cloth tape so it does not unravel.
Stick wax
Goes on: Over cloth tape
Wax goes on top of freshly taped cloth. Rubbed in firmly, it fills the weave so snow and water bead off instead of soaking in. Wet tape gets heavy, loses its grip on the puck and wears out quickly.
Waxing takes under a minute and noticeably extends the life of a tape job, especially on outdoor rinks.
Tips
- Rub across the blade in both directions until the tape looks matte.
- Wax both faces of the blade and the bottom edge.
- Re-wax between periods if the tape starts to look dark and wet.
Clear and sock tape
Goes on: Shin pads and socks
Clear tape is thin, stretchy plastic tape made to hold shin pads and socks in place. It adds almost no bulk and does not catch on anything.
Coloured sock tape works the same way and is how teams match socks to jerseys. Wrap snug but not tight, and never so tight that it pinches.
Tips
- Wrap over the sock, not directly on skin.
- Cut it off after the game rather than unwinding it.