The Best Athletic Tapes
If you have been sidelined by a nagging injury or are looking to prevent a future one, athletic tape is an ingenious tool made to help your muscles to operate at peak capacity. Similar to kinesiology tape, athletic tape is increasingly used by professional athletes and amateurs alike. Both kinds of tape help increase blood flow and decrease inflammation on pressure points. If you're afflicted by sore and strained muscles, or if you're protecting a joint or ligament from further injury, using the right kind of tape will make a big difference. Check out our favorites to see which is right for you and your body.
KT Tape Original Cotton Athletic Tape
I'm stuck on you
Kinesiology tape is a miracle for athletes worldwide, and the KT Tape company is one of its most well-known manufacturers. This tape will make a huge difference in your recovery because it has been shown to reduce irritation between the skin and muscles, or joints, lying beneath. It can make a huge impact on your recovery time regardless of what kind of injury you have. To give you an example, it can assist in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer’s elbow, and quad strains, to name a few. On top of fantastic fabrication, this tape is trusted by medical professionals and top athletes alike for reducing pain from workouts and competition no matter what muscles you’re moving.
Pros:
- Can be purchased using a Healthcare Savings Account
- A huge online archive of application tutorials
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Glue strength seems to vary across colors
Hampton Adams Premium Kinesiology Tape, 2 Pack
More tape for your buck
If you want to really stretch your dollar and still score an awesome roll of tape, go with Hampton Adams. This 2-pack is a great way to buy in a bulk and it comes in a variety of cool color options. Plus, with an extra roll of tape, you can keep one in your gym bag and one at home. We also like having one handy in the trunk of the car, in case an old injury starts acting up again while we’re on the road. Better yet, these 16-foot rolls are uncut and two inches wide, so you can customize the length and fit for your specific needs.
Pros:
- Water-resistant, so you can take a shower with it on
- The adhesive is long-lasting and keeps its hold after several days
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- The adhesive is relatively stronger, so you have to remove it carefully to avoid irritating the skin
KT Tape Pro Synthetic Kinesiology Sports Tape
Big muscles call for big tape
Sometimes the thin strips of tape just don’t provide the coverage we’re looking for. Especially when you’ve hurt a large muscle group, like the glutes or the obliques, this wide tape from KT Tape Pro can feel like a lifesaver. It has all the amazing features that made KT Tape famous, like the breathable design and easy application, yet it’s available at a surprisingly cost-effective price. We also appreciate how long it remains elastic, so feel free to use this for several days at a time.
Pros:
- Excellent breathability
- It wicks off sweat and moisture instead of absorbing it
- Strong elasticity
- The wider tape covers more area
Cons:
- The precut wide option is only available in black
SB Sox Kinesiology Tape Roll
Tighten thighs and strengthen shoulders
SB Sox’s kinesiology tape comes in a compact roll and can stay adhered to your skin for days on end. This impressive company designed their tape to give any muscle or joint a wide range of motion, no matter the size, with just the help of a pair of scissors. We love the way that SB Sox’s tape lifts your skin without irritating thanks to its sweat-wicking properties and hypoallergenic construction. That’s where the water resistance really comes into play: when you’re sweaty and sore.
Pros:
- Available in nine unique color options
- Sixteen feet total length
- Excellent value for the price
Cons:
- The tape’s edges can irritate the skin if not applied properly
Nextrino Athletic Finger Tape
Move those digits
Folks that love Nextrino Athletic Finger Tape include rock climbers, heavy lifters, boxers, martial artists, and many more. Clearly, it’s a versatile product that protects your digits, including your toes, during those intense workouts. It can also be therapeutic for sprained or broken fingers. With Nextrino, the price is right, the material is breathable, and the adhesive doesn’t leave any residue behind. Goodbye sticky fingers.
Pros:
- Great value for the price, you can get the 3-pack or the 6-pack
- Easy to tear off a strip from the roll without needing scissors
- The adhesive is latex-free and doesn’t hurt the skin
- Sweat-resistant
Cons:
- The adhesive may not hold during really “hands-on” activities like MMA
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the science of kinesiology?
At a high level, kinesiology is the study of how the human body moves. Countless subdisciplines fall under the umbrella of kinesiology, including orthopedics, biomechanics, and sports psychology, to name a few. The primary focuses in the study of kinesiology involve motor redundancy, neuroplasticity, and adaption through exercise, all of which are concerned with the relationship between our brain and our muscles.
How was kinesiology tape invented?
Dr. Kenzo Kase invented kinesiology tape half a century ago under the brand name Kinesio to replace traditional white athletic tape. Originally a chiropractor by trade, the inventive Dr. Kase was fed up with the limits of rigid athletic tape in treating joint pain for his arthritic patients. Instead of giving up, Dr. Kase combined his years of education in Chicago with the help of product engineers to develop the flexible yet supportive tape we all know today.
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