Sports Taping Supply Check List

In my MovEvolution rehab and recovery tool box, I always carry my sports taping supplies. On-the-spot, I may need to treat an aerialist with shoulder rotator cuff weakness, a grappler with chronic patella tendon pain or a runner who doesn’t fully trust that cranky ankle joint. You never know.

In 2020, I was working at a 3-day (Chicago-style stepping) dance event. I ran of sports tape for my dancers!  I needed to excuse myself and sprint to a local CVS to buy some more sports tape! How embarrassing.

Want to learn how to sports tape?

After learning the foundations of sports taping, collect the right tools you’ll need for your most efficient and effective treatments. I’ve made a checklist you can follow to make sure your toolbox is fully stocked.

• Sports Tape. There are soooooo many. My advice? Stick with the 5 top-rated brands, and see which one(s) work best for you as far as application, comfort, longevity and ease of removal. My favorites are Rock Tape, Nordic Lifting Kinesiology Tape and  KT Pro.
• Scissors: Practice, practice, practice — not only cutting, but deciding on the most efficient pair of scissors. A dull or inefficient pair of scissors can ruin your sports taping day.
• Rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes: Before sports taping, do your best to remove from the skin as much sweat, lotion, oil, or anything else that may impair the sport tape’s ability to stick .
• Tape Spray: The adhesive spray creates a sticky surface that improves the adhesion and increases the security of the sports tapes. It is more water-resistant than the adhesive on most tapes, making it ideal for applying sports tape to areas that are more likely to be wet/sweaty/dirty (sprained ankles, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy. We like Cramer Tuf-Skin.
• Tubular/Compression stocking:  Performing a great sports taping and then having it ripped off accidentally by clothing absolutely sucks. That’s why I keep a few feet of Tubigrip elasticated tubular support bandages on hand. Tubigrip is normally used to  provide continuous support for the management of strains, sprains, and swelling. The extra benefit? It protects your sports taping artwork!

Want to learn how to sport tape? We can teach you how in one session! Contact us here.

Heal. Move. TAPE. Evolve.

Richard Symister, MSPT, CSCS

Owner, MovEvolution Physical and Performance Therapy

Bite-Sized Blogs

Read The Benefits of Sports Taping here. 

Get your SPORTS TAPING CHECKLIST here.

Nagging knee pain during BJJ? Read how we SPORTS TAPE FOR PATELLA TENDONAPTHY here.