How to make the tape last longer 2026

Summary: This article is about why the tape on your equipment stops sticking as it should before you even realize it, and what actually extends its lifespan. It is written for players, parents, and coaches who are tired of re-taping the same thing every week. Readers will get concrete methods for application, storage, and the correct replacement time for grip tape, shin guard tape, and cloth tape.

It's a cost most players don't think about until it has already eaten up too much of their allowance: tape that needs to be replaced long before it should. This almost always happens for the same reason – the tape was applied too quickly, stored incorrectly between practices, or wasn't replaced in time before it started slipping. Getting tape to last longer is rarely about buying a more expensive product. It's about a couple of habits that most players have never been taught, even though they make the difference between re-taping every week and lasting a whole month on the same wrap. We see the same pattern in almost every team: the same tape, the same product, but completely different durability depending on who applies it and how it's stored between sessions. In this article, we go through four concrete habits that extend the lifespan of grip tape, shin guard tape, and cloth tape, so you don't have to spend unnecessary time and money doing the same job every week.

Clean the surface before taping – otherwise nothing will stick properly

Tape applied directly to a dirty or damp surface will never adhere as well as on a clean surface, regardless of how good the tape itself is. This is the most common reason why a wrap that should last a whole week comes loose after just one practice. Use Grip Tape on a shaft that has been wiped clean and is free of old tape residue, as adhesive never properly sticks on top of an already worn or damp surface. We often see players tape directly over old, worn grip tape to save time, which in practice only postpones the problem for a week instead of solving it. In practice: remove all old tape completely, wipe down the shaft, and let it dry completely before applying a new layer of Grip Tape – it takes two extra minutes but makes the tape last significantly longer than if you build layer upon layer.

Taping technique determines whether the tape slips or stays put

A wrap with gaps or uneven pressure creates weaker points in the tape that wear out first, while the rest of the wrap still holds – making the entire grip feel unstable even though only a part has actually given way. This appears in almost every team among players who tape quickly without thinking about overlap. Use Grip Tape with a consistent overlap of approximately half the tape's width for each turn, and stretch the tape slightly while wrapping instead of laying it flat. You can solve this with the same technique whether you're taping the grip zone of the shaft or using LizardSkins as an alternative for players with very sweaty hands, as an even wrap is crucial for both products. In practice: always wrap in the same direction all the way, without changing direction halfway, as this creates a weak point where the tape is more likely to fray after a few practices.

Storage between uses – cold and moisture break down adhesive faster than you think

Tape stored in a cold bag or in damp equipment between training sessions loses some of its adhesive properties even before it's used for the first time. This is especially common during the winter season, when the equipment bag goes between the cold outdoors and a warm hall without ever truly drying out. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO and CCM Cloth Tape from rolls stored dry and at room temperature, rather than in a bag that has been in a cold car overnight. We often see players blame the tape's quality when the problem is actually how it was stored between uses. In practice: store unused rolls of Shin Guard Tape PRO and CCM Cloth Tape in a separate, dry compartment in the bag – not with wet equipment immediately after a game – and the adhesion will be significantly better the next time they are used.

Replace at the right time – waiting too long costs more than replacing too early

Tape that has already started to fray or slip rarely lasts much longer, and continuing to use it often just postpones the problem until the middle of the next game instead of resolving it in the locker room. After 20 minutes of practice, it usually becomes clear whether today's wrap will last the rest of the session or not. Use Waxed Skate Laces and regularly check if the lace is starting to lose its stiffness, as a worn lace comes loose faster even if it still looks intact. You can solve this by establishing a simple routine: check grip tape, shin guard tape, and skate laces before every game, not just when something already feels wrong. In practice: replace Grip Tape as soon as you notice the slightest slip during a hard shot, instead of waiting until the grip is completely gone – an early replacement is always cheaper in time and money than tape that gives way in the middle of a crucial situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should grip tape normally last before needing to be replaced?
Grip tape usually lasts one to two weeks of regular practice, but it depends heavily on how much the player sweats and how well the wrap was initially applied. Use Grip Tape and replace it as soon as you feel the slightest slip during a hard shot, rather than waiting until the grip is completely gone. A simple test is to take a few quick swings before a game – if your hand moves noticeably then, it will only get worse during the game.

Does it matter how I wrap the grip tape for how long it lasts?
Yes, an even wrap with consistent overlap lasts significantly longer than a quick, uneven wrap with gaps or varying pressure. Use Grip Tape and wrap with approximately half overlap per turn, in the same direction all the way without changing direction halfway. Take the time to redo the wrap if you notice it has become uneven, as a quick shortcut now usually means you'll have to re-tape much sooner than planned.

Can storage really affect how well the tape adheres?
Yes, tape stored in cold or damp conditions loses some of its adhesive properties even before it is used, which is especially common when the equipment bag alternates between a cold car and a warm rink during the winter season. Store unused rolls of Shin Guard Tape PRO dry and at room temperature, preferably in a separate compartment away from wet equipment. This makes a noticeable difference the next time the tape is to be used, compared to it having been in a damp bag between sessions.

Does cleaning the shaft before wrapping new grip tape help?
Yes, and it is probably the single most important habit for making the tape last longer. Remove all old tape completely and wipe down the shaft before applying new Grip Tape, as the adhesive never properly sticks on top of old, worn surfaces. Never build a new layer directly on top of the old one to save time – it costs more time in the long run because the tape will then come loose significantly faster.

Is LizardSkins a better alternative than regular grip tape when it comes to durability?
LizardSkins is designed to maintain grip longer even when hands get damp, making it a good option for players who sweat a lot or train in warm rinks. The material also stays in place longer between replacements compared to regular tape under similar conditions. Use LizardSkins if you've noticed that regular grip tape needs to be replaced more often than once a week despite good application.

Why does shin guard tape come loose faster for some players than others in the same team?
The difference is usually due to the application technique rather than the tape itself – how tightly it's wrapped, how clean the sock is before taping, and how often it's checked during a period. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO and wrap two to three times just below the knee and once at the ankle on a clean sock, rather than directly over sweat or dirt from the previous session. Check the taping before every game, not just when it already starts to feel loose.

How do I know if my skate laces need to be replaced, not just retied?
A waxed lace that loses its stiffness doesn't hold a knot as well even if it looks intact, which means the support around the ankle deteriorates without it being immediately visible. Use Waxed Skate Laces and replace the lace if it feels noticeably softer or if the knot starts to slip despite proper tightening. Don't wait until the lace breaks in the middle of a game – a replacement in the locker room is always easier than dealing with it on the ice.

Can I extend the durability of cloth tape on the stick blade in the same way as grip tape?
Yes, the same principles apply – a clean surface before application and even wrapping without gaps. Use CCM Cloth Tape on a blade that is free of old, worn tape and apply with slight overlap diagonally across the surface. Check the toe regularly as wear usually starts there, and re-tape that part as soon as you notice that control over the ball or puck is deteriorating.