Whether you’re a serious athlete or a casual gym-goer, you’ve probably seen plenty of people apply specialized tape before their games and workouts. But did you know there are actually different types of tape, each offering different benefits?

Before your next game or workout, make sure you know the basics of turf tape vs athletic tape so you can give yourself the right kind of support. 

What Is Turf Tape?

Turf tape is a thick adhesive material that’s designed to protect your skin against abrasions. This tape is commonly used by football players to avoid turf burn when sliding across artificial turf during a game.

When you slide across the gridiron after diving for the ball, you put yourself at risk for some serious turf rash. By preparing with a few strips of tape on vulnerable areas, you can avoid these nasty battle scars. Football players in positions like wide receiver, quarterback, running back, defensive back, and linebacker are more prone to getting scrapes and abrasions when diving, sliding, making tackles, and getting tackled. 

What Is Athletic Tape?

Athletic tape, also known as kinesiology tape, is a more flexible adhesive that’s meant to support your joints and muscles. By taping around certain areas, like elbows, ankles, knees, and shoulders, athletes can experience an extra layer of support during workouts or other activities.

Differences Between Turf Tape vs Athletic Tape

Now that you have a quick overview of these different kinds of sports tape, we can get down to the nitty-gritty. Both tapes serve athletes in different ways, whether they are recovering from an injury or trying to enhance their performance during a game or practice session. Turf tape is great for high-speed sports on artificial turf, while athletic tape is better for addressing injured areas like ligaments and tendons. Here’s what you need to know:

Purpose and Use Cases

Turf tape is there to safeguard your skin in case you make hard contact with the turf. You can also use turf tape on grass, blacktops, basketball courts, and any other surface where you might be at risk of a serious scrape, burn, or friction rash. You can apply turf tape before games and practices, then remove it while you’re cooling down. Learn more about how to apply turf tape in our blog.

Athletic tape, however, has a few different applications. Along with supporting your joints, it can help relieve pain, reduce swelling, and activate your muscles.¹ Applying the tape to joints like the ankle and knee can provide critical support while minimizing strain on tendons and ligaments. You can tape up before a game, during workouts, and even when you’re out doing day-to-day activities. 

Material and Durability

Both turf tape and athletic tape are typically made of a mesh adhesive material that you can easily stick to your skin for long-term use. Usually, turf tape is made from a cotton and nylon blend.² It also has an elastic element so it can easily move with your body without disrupting your movements. Because it’s designed for rough contact with the ground, it’s highly thick and durable.

The material of your athletic tape depends on how you use it³:  

• If you need to seriously stabilize an injury, you’ll likely pick a thicker tape that’s not as stretchy. 
• If you want more functional support to boost your performance, you can choose a lightweight, elastic cotton blend that supports your joints without completely restricting your range of motion.

Application and Comfort

When you use turf tape, you apply it in strips to places that might make initial contact with the turf. The backs of the forearms are a popular spot, but you’ll also see athletes put tape on their shins and other areas. Because the tape is breathable, it’s comfortable and practical for long, intense games.

The way you wear your athletic tape depends, again, on your goal. For example, if you’re healing from a shoulder injury, you’ll want to thoughtfully place the tape on surrounding muscles to cradle the joint. Some athletes even strategically tape their bodies to correct their form. Much like turf tape, it’s designed to be comfortable for extended wear. 

Cost and Reusability

Both athletic and turf tape are pretty affordable, so you won’t break the bank with either. Turf tape can be a bit more expensive because you’re paying for a thicker material, but a little strip of tape can go a long way when protecting your skin. 

Keep in mind that most types of turf tape and athletic tape are single-use only because of their adhesive properties. They’re long-lasting, but once you remove them, they aren’t made to be reapplied. 

However, you can also look for cohesive athletic tape, which is designed to stick to itself instead of another surface. This tape can often be reused, but it’s only practical for heavily wrapping joints instead of sticking directly to the body. 

Availability and Variety

Both turf tape and athletic tape come in tons of different colors and patterns. Grab a few different designs to represent your team colors or mix up your look. Or, keep it low-key with solid black. 

Whether you’re on the field or enjoying your recovery day, you can exude style and swagger with sports tape that’s just your style. 

How to Choose the Right Tape for Your Needs

So, which type of tape do you need? 

If you’re an athlete or just love to play sports, it’s a good idea to have both options in your gym bag. When you want to play rough, prepare with a few strips of turf tape. And when your joints and muscles need some TLC, your athletic tape will be a major asset. 

Trust Battle Sports for Your Turf Tape Needs

When you’re willing to give your all to the game, you need protective gear that does the same for you. Turf tape from Battle Sports is designed to ward off scratches, scrapes, and burns, so you can focus on the game—and the win. 

Explore our collection of turf tape designs today to make sure you have the right football gear for your next play.

Sources:

1. Hospital for Special Surgery. Kinesiology Tape: What It Is and How to Use It. https://www.hss.edu/article_kinesiology-tape.asp
2. ReTurf. What Does Turf Tape Do? https://returf.com/turf-tape/
3. Ocean Physical Therapy. Types of Athletic Tape. https://oceanpt.com/how-to/types-of-athletic-tape/