If you’re an athlete you push yourself, but there’s a safe way to endure physical challenges. Whether you sport professionally or recreationally, it's crucial to have proper support during your workouts. And, that’s where athletic tape comes in. There are a variety of athletic tape options to help keep you on top of your game, including kinesiology tape, adhesive bandages, and traditional white tape. We're fans of KT Tape Elastic Sports Tape because it's hypoallergenic and lightweight. It also reduces pressure and supports muscles and joints.
KT Tape Elastic Sports Tape
For the pros
KT Tape is ideal for professional athletes but anyone can enjoy its benefits, including reduced pressure and faster recovery.
Pros
- Lasts for days
- Stays on in the water
- Sweatproof and breathable
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Cotton can catch
One of the best options is KT Tape, which is an elastic sports tape for athletes that supports joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Athletes with sensitive skin will find comfort in knowing this product is hypoallergenic, latex-free, and drug-free. The premium cotton material is extremely lightweight, and breathable, so comfort is never an issue. It's available in 20 precut 10-inch strips or you can buy an uncut roll with 16 feet of tape.
KT Tape works by reducing tissue pressure supporting the athlete's muscles and joints, which results in faster recovery time. Whether you've got knee, shoulder, elbow, or back pain, this athletic tape will be a huge help. It's a bit expensive, but you can't beat the quality. After all, this athletic tape is trusted by Olympic athletes, medical professionals, athletic trainers, and more.
Mueller MTape
Stock up
Get the most for your money with Mueller MTape. It's used by medical professionals and athletes, so you know it's tough.
Pros
- Strong, hospital-grade material
- Easily tears and conforms
- Colorfast dyes won't bleed
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- May leave sticky residue
If you're an active individual who regularly uses athletic tape, you might benefit from buying in bulk. Mueller offers this 32-pack of MTape, which is sure to last a while. The product is also available in smaller packs as well if you aren't ready to stock up just yet. It's made of 100% cotton zinc oxide and provides an adhesive that's strong enough to withstand intense activities. It's specifically designed for use by medical professionals or athletic trainers.
It's expensive but this product is for those who are looking to buy in bulk and save money in the long run. Given the fact that you get nearly three dozen rolls of tape for the price, it's a pretty sweet deal. Unfortunately, this athletic tape wasn't designed to be water-resistant so you'll want to avoid wearing it in the shower or when swimming.
Sparthos Kinesiology Tape
Get strong
For the best support, improved blood flow, and reduced inflammation, look no further than this kinesiology tape from Sparthos.
Pros
- Lasts for days
- Lightweight, waterproof design
- Improves circulation and limits pain
Cons
- Adhesive can be painful to remove
- Flexibility could be better
Athletes who have painful joints or muscles will find kinesiology tape from Sparthos to be especially helpful. It's also ideal for those who need extra support during physical activity. You'll recover faster and experience improved blood circulation as well as reduced inflammation. This innovative tape was designed to support muscles and reduce pain while allowing you to maintain a functional range of motion. This means you'll have no trouble stretching and flexing your muscles as you exercise, which is essential for athletes.
Best of all? When applied correctly, this waterproof athletic tape is designed to last for several days at a time. It'll hold up through sports, showers, gym workouts, and more. It's also hypoallergenic and latex-free, so you won't have to worry about your skin becoming irritated. The strong adhesive might be painful to remove and it may not be as flexible as some other options, but the benefits outweigh that.
RockTape Kinesiology Tape
Rock on
Some sports need more flexibility than others. That's where RockTape delivers. It's flexible and reduces pain and swelling.
Pros
- Helps reduce swelling and pain
- Cotton and nylon blend is highly flexible
- Strong adhesive for long-lasting wear
Cons
- A tad pricey
- Could be more durable
Another popular kinesiology tape worth considering is RockTape. In addition to being extremely sticky, this athletic tape is also designed to reduce swelling, speed up recovery, and limit pain. It's water-resistant and capable of flexing a whopping 180 degrees thanks to the unique cotton and nylon blend. Your skin will be protected from irritation because RockTape is both latex-free and hypoallergenic. It comes in a range of colors and is available as a 16.4-foot continuous roll or 20 precut 10-inch strips.
Whether you're investing in athletic tape to treat a sports-related injury or for added support during workouts, RockTape is a solid choice. It's a bit expensive considering you only get a single roll, but all the perks make it a worthy competitor.
FlexTrek Gear Athletic Tape
Many uses
When you need an athletic tape that's good for many uses, you'll appreciate FlexTrek Gear for its versatility and support.
Pros
- Unique design easily tears
- Great for support and preventing injuries
- Skin-friendly material won't irritate
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Adhesive could be stronger
This traditional athletic tape from FlexTrek Gear is another good buy if you're looking to stock up. You get 8 rolls that are each 10 yards long. This is an excellent choice when you need a reliable tape that's going to prevent injuries and provide support. The material is 100% medical-grade cotton that's hypoallergenic and latex-free, so your skin will always feel comfortable. It can be used in various ways from wrapping your fingers to taping your ankles. It offers a versatile zig-zag design that's easy to tear.
Whether you're a beginner or seasoned athlete, this tape will come in handy in many ways. FlexTrek Gear athletic tape is used by sports players, boxers, gymnasts, and more. It's smooth and easy on the skin while still being strong enough to protect your muscles and joints. Keep in mind that it's not water-resistant, so you should avoid getting it wet.
Hampton Adams Athletic Tape
Stronger than ever
For the strongest adhesive athletic tape out there, go with Hampton Adams. You get eight rolls, so you know it'll last a while.
Pros
- 100% cotton design
- Good bang for your buck
- Can be used on equipment
Cons
- Can be tricky to tear tape
- Not water-resistant
Hampton Adams is another trusted brand when it comes to quality athletic tape, and with good reason. If you're looking for the strongest adhesive possible, this is it. You'll receive 8 rolls, each of which is 45 feet long. You won't need to Whether you use it as a supportive bandage for strains, a compressive bandage for controlling swelling, or for sports equipment bindings, there are multiple ways to use this athletic tape. Plus, Hampton Adams guarantees you won't have a sticky residue left on your skin after use.
The 100% cotton material is hypoallergenic, latex-free, and zinc oxide-infused for a comfortable wearing experience while still providing maximum support. As strong as the adhesive is, it can be a bit tricky to tear from the roll but that's nothing a pair of scissors can't solve.
Bottom line
Athletic tape is a simple way to protect your body from the strains of an active lifestyle. The world of athletic tape is full of options, but we stand by KT Tape Elastic Sports Tape. The high-quality material makes it the perfect option for all types of athletes. It'll offer the support that muscles and joints need during physical activity. It's also great for those with sensitive skin thanks to the premium material that's lightweight, latex-free and hypoallergenic.
Regardless of your reason for investing in athletic tape, there's no shortage of options to choose from. Whether you're looking for kinesiology tape or traditional tape, you'll be able to find a match for your needs. Most importantly, you'll experience enhanced performance and reduced pain with the right athletic tape.