Best hockey tape?

[hockeyguy1 1]

Couldn't find any similar topics about hockey tape so here it is... Right now I'm using Renfrew tape(black to be exact) and its great on the shin pads but taping the stick blade is a different story. After just a game of playing with a fresh tape job i notice it starts to get worn out already and by the 2nd day of playing it gets pretty beat up. Does this happen to anyone else? am i using a bad brand of tape? also too is using clear tape better for the shin pads or does it not really matter? Anyone have recommendations on any good brands they have used?

[rayuelo 1]

Clear tape is more compliant/stretchy, therefore better for shins since it doesn't constrict movement and blood flow.

As for hockey stick tape, whatever your method of taping the blade, apply wax to prevent ice build-up, and to make the stick blade tackier for better shots/stick handling. That's the general idea, though I know players think that it's all bunk. Personally, I wax my blade tape, apply hair dryer heat to let the wax seep in, then re-apply more wax once surface has cooled.

The wax does help with longevity of the tape job, I find.

[hyster110 3]

tape is cheap if it needs changing, then change it

[SirJW 207]

Wax helps beat ice build up late in the game.

Many say you need to retape your stick every game. I use Howies tape, wax with surf base wax, melt a few times and it last a few games if it doesn't get cut up.

I use electrical tape from Big Lots or 99. store.

[Stewie 721]

I use howies clear on my shins and their white on my blade, but the wax definitely helps, and heating it into the tape does as well. I used to wax and retape in locker room before game but now I try to do it days ahead if I can to let it set in. In my experience it works better as a repellant this way

[wrangler 157]

Here are a few to look at:

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/56659-best-tape

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/55389-hockey-tape-debate-renfrew-vs-jaybird

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/53752-tape-that-the-pros-use

[hockeyguy1 1]

Here are a few to look at:

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/56659-best-tape

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/55389-hockey-tape-debate-renfrew-vs-jaybird

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/53752-tape-that-the-pros-use

haha thanks, i searched for tape but nothing like that in the links came up

[hockeyguy1 1]

tape is cheap if it needs changing, then change it

yea of course, i dont have a problem doing that. I just want to get some good tape out there and get a bunch at one time.

I use howies clear on my shins and their white on my blade, but the wax definitely helps, and heating it into the tape does as well. I used to wax and retape in locker room before game but now I try to do it days ahead if I can to let it set in. In my experience it works better as a repellant this way

Ive just been hearing of Howies tape, definitely going to try it and order a box from their site.

[Stewie 721]

yea of course, i dont have a problem doing that. I just want to get some good tape out there and get a bunch at one time.

Ive just been hearing of Howies tape, definitely going to try it and order a box from their site.

Using my method, i generally get quite a few skates out of my tape. also make sure your not heating the wax too much as it can soften the blade materials over time, or in intense cases, cause cracking. you just want it to flow a bit to fill in the tape pores and even out.

I use howies because i feel its a bit better than renfrew, not that renfrew is bad necessarily, i still have a few rolls of that i use on occasion, but Howies is local and i feel top notch performance wise compared to other tapes i have used. definitely give it a try, luckily for me they carry it a lot of places in michigan (smaller shops mostly) but i dont know how good their distribution is elsewhere. also, if you do find it in a shop, i have noticed the roll size tends to vary more than compared to other companies (length wise), so pay attention to that.

[Hockeydog 8]

+ 1 for Howies. I actually use the clear white on my handle. Seems to keep the palm of my glove in better shape and I don't have any grip issues. I always hated the Renfrew black because as I wrapped a blade, the sides would fray ( for lack of a better description) as I was taping. Had to stop every so often and pull the leftover tape from the sides of the roll. I have liked any tape Howies has made so far.

[Puck Norris 0]

Howies. Plus if you buy by the box off their website its super cheap and you can make your own box with shinpad tape and whatever other tapes you want. I just got some wax from them since I ran out, and I find it holds up better than the sex wax I was previously using. Other than that make sure you rub the tape with something to make sure it sticks on there well with the roll of tape you used, your hand, or a puck.

[Stewie 721]

Howies. Plus if you buy by the box off their website its super cheap and you can make your own box with shinpad tape and whatever other tapes you want. I just got some wax from them since I ran out, and I find it holds up better than the sex wax I was previously using. Other than that make sure you rub the tape with something to make sure it sticks on there well with the roll of tape you used, your hand, or a puck.

awesome. their wax is about the only thing i havent tried by them yet. i love their laces and tapes, next time in the shop, ill check out their wax.

[hyster110 3]

Using my method, i generally get quite a few skates out of my tape. also make sure your not heating the wax too much as it can soften the blade materials over time, or in intense cases, cause cracking. you just want it to flow a bit to fill in the tape pores and even out.

I use howies because i feel its a bit better than renfrew, not that renfrew is bad necessarily, i still have a few rolls of that i use on occasion, but Howies is local and i feel top notch performance wise compared to other tapes i have used. definitely give it a try, luckily for me they carry it a lot of places in michigan (smaller shops mostly) but i dont know how good their distribution is elsewhere. also, if you do find it in a shop, i have noticed the roll size tends to vary more than compared to other companies (length wise), so pay attention to that.

i tried heating the wax once and found it really made no difference. i find if you wax it completly its the same result.

one thing to remember is if your stick is always on the ice (like a dman) your tape will wear out regardless. i usually tape before each game just so i know the tape is good. plus after a while i can feel the difference in shooting as i am not getting the same grip on the puck

[Larry54 243]

I use Renfrew tape and Ice Wax, and it typically lasts 2 games/sessions. I always just assumed that the tape wear on the bottom of the blade was normal.

[hockeypro8791 0]

I use renfrew wide white tape with sex wax holds up pretty good

[TBLfan 25]

Howie's is sold at Play it Again Sports, regionally at least, if you want to try it... That's what I use right now.

My favorite tape was Andover with the white/red graphics on the inside(the yellow version sucks) but I can't find this anymore. I HATE Renfew cloth tape, they make really good clear tape. Comp-o-stick is decent, it's almost more canvas than cloth but it's thin(width wise). Sportstape cloth tape isn't horrible but in black it's really fragile, it will tear cleanly while taping your blade with any pressure.

With every tape I soak it in wax with a heatgun. Comp-o-stick seems to soak in the most wax helping tape durability.

[hb4167 6]

Love me some jaybird, the problem I have with the renfrew is its really thin and rips/gets chunked too easily. (IMO of course)

[strosedefence34 175]

+1 more for howies. I just get a mixed case of half clear and half white. I also wax my blades every skate. It really depends on how often I tape my stick usually its before every skate unless the tape isn't too chewed up then I can get two skates out of it.

[hockeyguy1 1]

Using my method, i generally get quite a few skates out of my tape. also make sure your not heating the wax too much as it can soften the blade materials over time, or in intense cases, cause cracking. you just want it to flow a bit to fill in the tape pores and even out.

I use howies because i feel its a bit better than renfrew, not that renfrew is bad necessarily, i still have a few rolls of that i use on occasion, but Howies is local and i feel top notch performance wise compared to other tapes i have used. definitely give it a try, luckily for me they carry it a lot of places in michigan (smaller shops mostly) but i dont know how good their distribution is elsewhere. also, if you do find it in a shop, i have noticed the roll size tends to vary more than compared to other companies (length wise), so pay attention to that.

Yea its a plus living in the mid west to have local hockey shops be more frequent and carry good supplies. I live in in San Diego, Ca and hockey shops are few and far between here so getting equipment and accessories is mostly done online unless i drive up north which happens every once in a while.

[GiancarloSFL 15]

Sportstape by far the best!!!

[bolt91 31]

Howie's is the best!