Athletes and climbers rely on their gear and equipment for performance, but there are times when the equipment must be supplemented with additional support. On these occasions, you can choose climbing or athletic tape to cover blisters and calluses, and for taping joints for stability and support. While there is very few differences between climbing and athletic tape, each type is designed for a specific purpose.
Performance
Both climbing and athletic tape are designed for improving performance in their respective areas. Climbing tape, for example, is designed for protecting your hands, wrists and fingers from the abrasive surfaces on the rocks. As a result, your grip improves for safety and performance while climbing. Athletic tape is also designed for protecting your hands, but you can also use the tape for stability and support of nearly any joint, including wrists and ankles.
Injuries
Injuries can occur in any sport, with various treatment options for each injury. You can use climbing tape as an essential piece of first aid or for emergency gear repair. Athletes typically use athletic tape as a way to prevent and promote recovery of joint- and muscle-related injuries by restricting range of motion.
Size
Climbing and athletic tape is generally about the same size. The rolls of tape are about 1 1/2-inch thick and about 33 feet long. You can easily tear the tape to customize the length, or you can rip the tape in half if you need to make thinner strips for wrapping a finger.
Materials
Both climbing and athletic tape are made from 100-percent cotton materials. As a result, both types of tape are extremely durable within the individual sports. The climbing tape, however, is slightly stickier than athletic tape, according to the Outdoor Gear Lab website.
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