The difference between cloth tape and shin guard tape in hockey (2026)

Summary: Cloth tape and shin guard tape are used by virtually all hockey players, but they solve entirely different problems. Cloth tape belongs on the stick blade and knob, while shin guard tape holds shin guards in place against the sock. This guide clarifies what each tape actually does, why choosing the wrong tape yields poor results, and how to create a taping routine that lasts from warm-up to final whistle.

There's a pattern in the locker room that appears at all levels. The player carefully tapes up before the game – the blade looks good, the shin guards feel secure – but after twenty minutes on the ice, things start to shift. The blade tape frays at the edge. The shin guard slides down. The grip on the shaft loses its feel.

Often, it's not a technique error. It's the product choice. Cloth tape and shin guard tape look roughly similar on the shelf but are designed for entirely different stresses and surfaces. Cloth tape is a tough, durable woven tape made to withstand contact with ice, pucks, and surfaces – it belongs on the blade. Shin guard tape is a flexible tape with adhesive adapted for moisture and movement – it belongs around the edges of the shin guard against the sock. Mixing them up results in a setup that lasts for a shorter time than it should.

Grip tape and LizardSkins are the third component – they are applied to the grip zone of the shaft and provide the hand with friction and feel during play. These are three distinct parts of the stick and equipment, and each part has its own tape. Understanding this system means you tape once before the game and don't need to re-tape during intermission.

Cloth tape on the blade – what it does and why it matters

Blade taping is the most visible choice a hockey player makes, and it's also what most directly affects the feel of puck handling. A well-taped stick provides better control, protects the blade from wear, and helps the puck stay on the blade a little longer when receiving.

CCM Cloth Tape in white or black is a durable woven tape with strong adhesive and a robust surface. It is designed to withstand direct contact with ice and pucks without fraying, and its water-repellent surface ensures the tape maintains its shape throughout the game. Use CCM Cloth Tape to wrap the blade from the top of the heel upwards along the entire blade surface. Start at the base of the heel and wrap with an even overlap, about 50%, per turn upwards. Cover the entire surface without creating air bubbles – air bubbles under the tape are the starting point for the tape to come loose at the edge.

Howies Cloth Tape is an alternative with similar function. It is known for high durability and is used by players who re-tape their blade infrequently and want the taping to last several practice sessions. Use Howies Cloth Tape for blades that need to last a long time during practice, or as a complement to a narrower tape along the knob to give the knob more volume and grip.

A common situation: a player tapes the blade with shin guard tape because it was closest in the bag. Shin guard tape lacks the surface texture that provides puck control, and the adhesive is not formulated for the mechanical stress of ice – it comes loose faster and provides a poorer feel. The result is immediately noticeable in how the puck behaves upon reception and how quickly the tape needs to be replaced.

Grip tape and LizardSkins on the shaft – grip, feel, and durability

The shaft's grip zone is the area through which hand contact with the stick is controlled, and the choice of tape here directly affects how comfortable and controlled the feel is during play. It's also the area that wears out fastest – sweat, glove friction, and intense playing motion break down the tape surface relatively quickly.

Grip tape is slightly stretchy and conforms to the shaft without creating a thick or stiff feel against the glove. Apply in a spiral pattern upwards along the grip zone with about 50% overlap per turn and with moderate tension – not pulled to the maximum. Overstretched grip tape rolls up faster at the edges and loses its natural feel after a couple of periods.

LizardSkins is the alternative for players who want a grip that lasts the entire game without needing to be changed during intermission. The material construction absorbs sweat better and retains its surface texture longer under mechanical stress. Use LizardSkins in the same spiral pattern as grip tape. Many players who try LizardSkins never go back, primarily because they don't have to change their grip between periods.

The knob – the very top part of the shaft – is usually taped with CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape in a few wraps to build up the volume and stop that prevents the stick from slipping out of the hand. How large a knob a player wants is a personal preference, but most pros have had the same knob since their teenage years and rarely vary it. Apply cloth tape along the top, then proceed with grip tape along the grip zone directly from the knob.

Shin Guard Tape PRO – keeps shin guards in place throughout the game

Shin guard tape solves a problem completely unrelated to the stick: ensuring that the shin guard stays against the sock from the first face-off to the final whistle, regardless of tackles, sweat, and quick turns.

Shin Guard Tape PRO is designed specifically for this purpose. The material is flexible enough to follow the sock's movement without the edges lifting, and the adhesive retains its grip despite moisture. It is this combination that distinguishes the PRO variant from standard Shin Guard Tape. The standard variant works well for practice. The PRO variant is built for game intensity and players with high movement activity – many tackles, a lot of movement in the hips and knees.

Use Shin Guard Tape PRO to secure the top edge of the shin guard to the sock. Apply with even tension around the upper half of the shin guard, creating an overlap of at least 3-4 cm against the sock. Do the same along the bottom edge of the shin guard against the skate boot – this is the zone most often neglected and where the shin guard most frequently starts to slide. A sealed taped zone along both edges prevents the shin guard from rotating or sliding in any direction.

One detail that makes a concrete difference: let the sock sit in place for a couple of minutes before taping. If you tape immediately after pulling on the sock, it may still be loose, and the tension of the taping will be set against the wrong position. Always tape inside the locker room, not along the ice – adhesive against a slightly damp surface adheres less effectively initially.

A comprehensive taping routine that lasts game after game

Hockey taping works best as a three-part system: the blade, the shaft's grip zone, and the shin guards. Each part has its own tape, and the order matters to avoid having to re-tape during the game.

Start with the blade. Clean blade without old tape and ice residue. CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape from the base of the heel upwards in even wraps with overlap. Build the knob with a few extra wraps of cloth tape at the top, adjusting the volume to what feels comfortable.

Then the shaft. LizardSkins or Grip Tape in a spiral pattern along the grip zone, directly from the knob downwards as far as the glove covers. Moderate tension, 50% overlap per turn.

Finally, the shin guards. Dry sock, shin guard adjusted in place. Shin Guard Tape PRO along the upper edge with a generous overlap against the sock, and along the bottom edge against the skate boot. Check that the shin guard doesn't move in any direction – if it does, add an extra layer.

In total, the routine takes 10–15 minutes. This time is repaid by the blade lasting the entire game, the grip feeling consistent, and the shin guards staying in place without needing adjustment.

FAQ

1. What is cloth tape for in hockey?

Cloth tape is used in two places on the stick: the blade and the knob. On the blade, it protects against wear from ice and pucks, and provides the surface texture that keeps the puck on the blade a little longer when receiving. On the knob, cloth tape is used to build up the grip and volume that prevents the stick from slipping out of the hand. CCM Cloth Tape and Howies Cloth Tape are the two options we have at StickyTape – CCM in white or black for a classic look, Howies for players who prioritize maximum durability. Cloth tape should never be used on shin guards or the shaft's grip zone – it is not designed for those tasks.

2. Can shin guard tape be used on the blade?

Technically, it will adhere, but the result is inferior in several ways. Shin guard tape lacks the surface texture that provides puck control, and the adhesive is not formulated for the cold and mechanical stress of ice. It frays faster along the edges and needs to be replaced more often. It is a product built to hold against a soft, moving surface – not for direct contact with ice and pucks. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO for shin guards and CCM Cloth Tape for the blade – they perform their respective tasks considerably better.

3. Why do my shin guards slide down during the game even though I've taped them?

The most common reason is too little overlap with the sock at the bottom edge of the shin guard. Most people focus on the top edge and forget to secure the bottom edge against the skate sock – that's where the sliding begins. Apply Shin Guard Tape PRO along both the top and bottom edges with at least 3–4 cm overlap onto the sock. Another common cause: taping against a sock that hasn't settled, or against a slightly damp sock. Always tape indoors and let the sock sit for a while before taping.

4. What is the difference between LizardSkins and regular grip tape?

Grip tape is a classic choice that works well and is easy to change. It gradually loses its surface texture during the game, especially with sweat and intense glove friction. LizardSkins absorb sweat better and maintain grip longer – most players who try it don't need to change grip between periods. The feel against the glove differs slightly, and it's a matter of preference. But in terms of durability during a match, LizardSkins consistently lasts longer.

5. How do you tape the knob correctly?

Start with a few turns of CCM Cloth Tape or Howies Cloth Tape right at the very top of the shaft to build up the volume you want. How big a knob you prefer is personal – most pros have had the same size since their teenage years. Then apply grip tape or LizardSkins directly from the knob downwards along the grip zone. The knob is re-taped less frequently compared to the blade, so take your time to make it exactly how you want it from the start.

6. How often should you change blade tape?

This varies greatly depending on skill level and surface. Many junior players re-tape the blade before every game, sometimes every practice. At the elite level, changes occur at least per game, sometimes between periods. A simple guideline: when the tape starts to lift along the edge or when the feeling during puck reception noticeably deteriorates, it's time. CCM Cloth Tape generally lasts longer than thinner alternatives, and a clean taping without air bubbles lasts longer than a quickly done taping.

7. Should you tape the blade in white or black?

This is a matter of preference and style rather than performance. White cloth tape on the blade is a classic choice and provides a clear contrasting surface against the dark puck, which some players find visually aids puck control. Black is more common among forward players who want a more discreet stick. CCM Cloth Tape is available in both colors – choose what feels right; it does not affect the tape's function or durability.

8. How do you store hockey tape correctly?

Store at room temperature, dry, and out of direct sunlight. The most common mistake: tape is left in the hockey bag for extended periods with fluctuating temperatures and humidity. Adhesive exposed to cold and heat repeatedly loses quality and adheres less effectively. Remove Shin Guard Tape PRO, CCM Cloth Tape, and grip tape from the bag after practice and store them separately. It's a small routine that noticeably extends the effective lifespan of the tape.