Taping to prevent chafing in skates (2026)

Summary: Blisters in hockey skates are more common than they should be and are almost always due to a combination of friction at a specific contact point and an unprotected surface – skin or sock. This guide covers where blisters most commonly occur, how to proactively tape these friction points, and how the right laces affect the entire blister problem.

There's a pattern among players who start training more intensely or switch skates. They step onto the ice, the first few training sessions feel okay, and by the end of the third session, a burning sensation starts along the heel bone or at the ankle. The next session, it's a blister that needs patching up. The skates feel right and fit well, but the skin reacts to the friction.

Blisters in hockey skates are caused by friction between the skate and the skin or sock at a specific point. This can be the back edge of the heel against the heel counter, the ankle against the top edge of the boot during bending movements, the toes against the inside of the boot, or the foot against a hard seam inside the skate. All these points can be preventatively protected with taping, and it's significantly easier to prevent blisters than to play with them.

Taping to avoid blisters in skates involves applying a friction-reducing layer at the specific contact points. It's a simple step that takes 5–10 minutes before a training session, and for a player starting with new equipment or training more frequently, it's a step worth incorporating into their routine from the start.

Where blisters occur – and why there

The most common blister points in hockey skates are not random. They occur at the points where the skate moves relative to the foot during playing movements – and this is always where there's hard contact combined with repetitive movements.

The heel bone is the most common point. The heel counter in a new skate fits tightly against the back of the heel, and friction occurs with every knee bend and propulsion movement. Players switching to new skates almost always experience some of this during the break-in period.

The ankle at the top edge of the boot is the second most common point. The edge of the boot presses against the ankle when the player bends their knee deeply, and repeated deep bending movements during quick stops and crossovers cause friction along a narrow zone on the outside of the ankle.

The toes, especially the outside of the big toe, can chafe against the inner lining of the boot during longer training sessions if the fit is marginally too tight. This is a point that is rarely a problem during normal skate use but becomes noticeable during long training sessions and games.

Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is a stretchable PVC tape for hockey and football, and it is relevant as a friction-reducing layer against these points. The smooth surface of the PVC tape reduces friction when in contact with the inner material of the skate. Use Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape to cover the heel bone and ankle against the points where the inner material of the skate contacts the skin or sock during playing movements.

How to proactively tape friction points

Taping to prevent blisters is applied to the skin or sock, depending on where the friction point is and how close the contact point is to the skin.

For the heel point: apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape directly to the skin along the back and upper part of the heel – the area where the heel counter of the skate makes contact. The smooth surface of the PVC tape reduces friction against the heel counter when the foot moves inside the skate. Cover a sufficiently large area – the blister will occur exactly at the edge of the tape if the tape is too small and movements create friction at the edge. Around 4–6 cm wide and 6–8 cm high is a good starting measurement.

For the ankle point: apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape along the upper outside of the ankle in the area where the top edge of the boot moves against it during deep knee bends. This is a narrower taping area – usually 3–4 cm wide – but placed precisely at the point where friction occurs.

Shin guard tape can be used as a complementary outer layer on top of Advance AT7 against the sock – this keeps the tape layer in place against the skin during the training session. Apply Shin guard tape along the edges of the inner tape layer to secure it against displacement inside the skate.

The taping should not be too tight. The purpose is to create a friction-reducing layer, not to compress the tissue. If the tape feels tight against the skin immediately after application: remove and reapply with less tension.

The effect of skate laces on blisters

The lacing tension profile along the skate's boot directly affects how much the skin moves inside the skate during playing movements. A skate laced too tightly in the wrong zone creates localized pressure which, combined with movement, causes friction and blisters. A skate laced too loosely allows more movement of the foot inside the skate, which creates more friction along the entire contact surface.

Waxed skate laces grip tighter in the eyelets, providing a more stable lacing profile along the entire height of the boot. This means that tension is distributed more evenly along the lacing zones of the boot, reducing localized pressure peaks that can otherwise contribute to blisters. Players who switch from unwaxed to waxed laces often notice that the skate fits more consistently along the entire lacing zone.

Unwaxed skate laces provide a softer feel and more progressive tightening, but tend to move more in the eyelets during intense play. If the laces regularly start to loosen during the training session – resulting in a progressively looser skate – more movement occurs inside the skate, increasing the risk of blisters at the friction points.

General advice: lace the skate gradually from bottom to top with even tension. Do not pull too hard on the top eyelets – this creates localized pressure against the ankle which contributes to blisters at that very point. Even tension along the entire lacing zone is safer against blisters than a hard pull at the top.

A preventative routine for players with sensitive blister points

A player who knows their blister points doesn't need to wait for a burning sensation to address it. A short preventative routine before training takes 5–10 minutes and is easiest to perform before pulling on socks.

Identify the specific points: heel bone, ankle, toes. It's usually one or two recurring points, not all three. Focus the routine on the actual problems.

Apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape to the skin at each friction point. Cover a sufficiently large area so that the tape edge is not in the friction zone. Press firmly with your palm along the entire tape surface.

Supplement with a layer of Shin guard tape along the outer edges of the tape against the sock if you notice the tape moving inside the skate during training.

Lace the skate with Waxed skate laces with even tension from bottom to top. Avoid pulling too hard on the top eyelets.

The combined routine – taping friction points plus correct lacing – eliminates most blister problems that arise during the break-in of new equipment and during periods of increased training intensity.

FAQ

1. Why do you get blisters in hockey skates?

Blisters occur at specific contact points where the skin or sock is subjected to repeated friction movements against the inner material of the skate. The most common points are the heel bone against the heel counter, the ankle against the top edge of the boot, and the toes against the inner panel. New equipment with stiffer materials and periods of high training intensity are the most common triggers. Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape applied to the friction point before training creates a friction-reducing layer that reduces direct contact and prevents blisters from forming. Apply to dry skin and cover a sufficiently large area so that the tape's edge is not in the friction zone.

2. Should the tape be on the skin or on the sock?

On the skin provides the best friction protection at the contact point, but this requires the skin to be dry during application and that the tape does not irritate the skin. Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is applied directly to the skin for best effect. On the sock also works but provides thinner protection – the sock still moves against the skate, the tape only helps to indirectly reduce friction against the skin. If you have sensitive skin or have previously experienced skin irritation from tape on skin: test a small test layer on your lower leg before training and check the skin's reaction.

3. How long does the taping last inside the skate?

Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape typically lasts an entire practice or game session inside the skate. Sweat and movement stress the adhesive strength of the tape against the skin, and in cold environments, the adhesive strength may be slightly lower initially. If the tape starts to lift during the practice, it is usually a sign that it was applied to damp skin or that the tension was too high. Change the tape before each session – tape that has been used for a session with sweat has given all it can. New taping always provides better friction against the skin and more consistent protection.

4. What do you do if a blister has already formed?

Heal the blister before continuing to train if it's open or a bubble – taping over an open blister won't help and can worsen the situation. If the blister is dry and healed but still sensitive: apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape along the entire sensitive zone and ensure that the tape covers a sufficiently large area so that friction doesn't transfer to the tape's edge. Supplement with a layer of Shin Guard Tape along the edge to keep the tape in place.

5. Does lacing technique affect the risk of blisters?

Yes, noticeably. Uneven lacing that creates localized pressure in one area increases friction and the risk of blisters at that pressure point. Lace the skate from bottom to top with even tension. Do not pull too hard on the top eyelets – this creates localized pressure against the ankle. Waxed skate laces grip tighter in the eyelets and provide a more even tension profile along the entire lacing zone, which reduces the risk of localized pressure points that contribute to blisters. If the ankle is a common blister point: try Waxed skate laces and reduce tension in the top eyelets.

6. Is there a difference in taping for new versus broken-in skates?

Yes. New skates have stiffer materials that have not adapted to the foot's shape, leading to more friction at the contact points. The risk of blisters is highest during the break-in phase. Broken-in skates are more contoured to the foot, and friction decreases – but if the equipment profile suddenly changes (new insoles, new skate socks), old friction points can be reactivated. Apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape preventatively for all training sessions with new equipment and gradually reduce the routine when you notice that the friction points are no longer active.

7. Can you tape your toes to prevent blisters inside the skate?

Yes, and it is a relevant step for players with a marginal fit at the toes. Apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape along the outside of the big toe and along the toes that are closest to the inner panel of the skate. The tape should not be too wide – 2–3 cm along the toes is sufficient. Make sure the tape does not create an unevenness inside the skate that in itself creates a new friction problem. Apply to dry skin and press firmly along the entire surface before putting on the skate.

8. How do you remove the tape after training without skin irritation?

Remove the tape slowly in one direction, close to parallel with the skin, not straight upwards. This reduces mechanical pull on the skin and minimizes the risk of irritation. If Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is applied directly to the skin after a sweaty training session, moisture may have softened the bond – this often makes removal easier. If the tape is difficult to remove without pulling the skin: try applying it over the sock next time. This reduces the adhesive strength against the skin and eliminates skin irritation for most players.