Best finger tape out there?

Hey all,

Just curious if anyone out there is like me and puts a lot of thought into their finger tape? I used to buy Johnson & Johnson Zonas tape in the .5" and 1" sizes for taping in between the joints for either tendon support or finger crack skin protection and in the 2" size for crack gloves (which, I guess isn't necessary anymore with all of the crack gloves out there). I think it's perfect: it grips, doesn't stretch much, and the adhesive works even when it gets wet. Then, J&J stopped producing the .5" and 1" sizes (much to the disappointment of veterinarians who used these sized to tape down dog ears - I went down an internet hole on this...) and now they don't even make Zonas Tape anymore. A company called Actimove now does, and only in the 1.5" size.  

The other two companies making tape in the smaller sizes that I found are Tension Climbing (from .3" to 1") and Metolius (1" size). The Tension Climbing tape looks like it would be good, but it stretches way too much and starts coming off the second it gets wet. Metolius tape is great, but expensive. Are there any other options out there worth trying? I've tried only tearing a .5" wide thread off of a larger roll of tape, but would prefer the roll to just be .5" wide to begin with. For now, I will just live off of my stash of Zonas tape and buy Metolius when in need. Hopefully someone out there has a cheaper option!

https://www.neptunemountaineering.com/products/euro-tape

I usually always have 2 rolls going.  One full width, one with a .5" strip and a 1" strip- it easily tears down the length.  

I recently bought the climbing tape from Bighorn Athletics (they primarily sell Jiu Jitsu Finger tape). It's way cheaper than metolius finger tape, and I'm liking it so far. It also comes with a nice little tin (optional).

The climbing tape is 100% cotton. Comes in 0.3 and 0.5 in sizes. 45 feet per roll. Its about 1 mm thinner than the metolius tape.

Photos are black and pink bighorn tape next to pink metolius tape (all unused).

EU specific Euro tape and Leukotape are the two I use specifically that I feel are different than the rest of the market for tape. 

I think the rest of the metolius, tension climbing, etc tape are all from one source and just branded. Look at the Bighorn jiu jitsu tape vs tension tape. Literally the same thing but different branding in the inside of the roll. I recall finding the supplier on Alibaba which was sourcing like 1K rolls of tape for like couple hundred bucks and you could add your logo and etc. This is not to say I don't use this tape, I actually use the most cause it is the cheapest version out here but looking at the price differences at some sites shows you how much marketing to specific groups effects pricing haha. 

But for EU euro tape, somehow the adhesive is different than the US version (the way to tell the difference between the US version is inside the roll the markings are of black text that says euro tape vs the red markings) I use this specifically for crack gloves and general tape around joints for crack climbing. 

Leukotape is mainly for hikers for blister prevention but because of the ability to not fall off from sweat the adhesive and staying power of this tape is generally the best I found. Primarily use this for finger splits or cuts. Expensive per roll but it lasts a long time and you'll have to tear it your preferred width cause it comes in the standard roll size and not pre-cut sizes. 

For me it's the tape from Tension Climbing. It's about as sticky as leukotape, but seems to hold up even better somehow and comes in some convenient precut sizes. I think it's .25", .5" and 1", not sure. 

For me tension tape is the best for hard sport/bouldering. The adhesive is great and comes off clean and the tape texture is grippy. If you are worried about things getting wet, you should probably be using super glue with your tape.

Anyone used the new Friction labs tape yet? Curious how it compares.

Love that tension is making some of the tweakiest holds out there then further capitalizing on our finger injuries by selling us tape 

YayBird non strech or Metolius,

Bug Boywrote:

Love that tension is making some of the tweakiest holds out there then further capitalizing on our finger injuries by selling us tape 

I love that Wideboyz promotes OW self-mutilation and sells super-expensive tape.  With a tin of course  ;-]

Sparkington TheThirdwrote:

I recently bought the climbing tape from Bighorn Athletics (they primarily sell Jiu Jitsu Finger tape). It's way cheaper than metolius finger tape, and I'm liking it so far. It also comes with a nice little tin (optional).

The climbing tape is 100% cotton. Comes in 0.3 and 0.5 in sizes. 45 feet per roll. Its about 1 mm thinner than the metolius tape.

Photos are black and pink bighorn tape next to pink metolius tape (all unused).

Based on this recommendation I bought the 0.5" climbers tape from Bighorn and can report back that it gets the job done. Wore it at the gym and outdoors in Joshua Tree and it held up well, even after getting wet. It's almost $1.50 cheaper per roll than Metolius's tape (I am not factoring in shipping) and I think you get more tape with Bighorn (based on eyeballing it, because Metolius does not list length of it's roll on their website). I will forever miss J&J Zonas tape, but I'm a convert to Bighorn. They also sell 1" tape for those that use it for finger cracks. 

Why is no one posting prices? 

I'd never even consider $10 for a roll of tape as I'd feel like the world's biggest sucker. 

I'm a dirtbag and uninterested in overpriced tape in swanky packaging.  

I use a ton of tape for various purposes. I used to use a good quality Johnson & Johnson tape (local sporting goods store would have boxes of it) and they replaced it with a good quality Mueller tape, which has been my go to for a couple decades ...  it was my all purpose tape and also used to make climbing tape gloves. Recently the sporting goods store (once pretty spectacular but now never ceasing to disappoint) suddenly stopped carrying it. Gah! The replacement was thinner with poor adhesive and I complained to the merchandise buyer. Are you fukking serious? I guess there's no real need for me to shop in that store anymore. Looking for a replacement that's a decent thickness (NOT the super thin tripe), that has adhesive that actually sticks, and is somewhat affordable was stressing me out. I'm not paying shipping fees for athletic tape. I'm not paying $10 or $20 for a roll delivered. 

I eventually found a good replacement. The best thing is the price: $3.99 for two rolls!!!  (The price may have increased slightly recently).  I've not climbed cracks for a while so can't review it on the climbing glove front but I've no doubt it will excel as it hits all the right marks and metrics and I always feel good when unrolling some knowing that it's the GOOD STUFF.  I wouldn't mind if it was just a smidge thicker - most tapes could benefit from this - and perhaps slighly stickier (it's plenty sticky though) but it's not a point of complaint in anyway as the thickness is very good. It sticks well and sticks to itself. It's not an underwater tape. 

Packaging:

Comes in a pretty orange box which neatly holds two rolls. Cardboard flap on box closes securely and positively (maybe too well when first opening it). Cardboard thickness is sufficient to hold up in packs. For those that are deep into the pegboard universe the box has a hole for hanging. 1.5" x 10yds x2 rolls. If you have any issues or complaints with this tape (thickness, stickiness, durability, etc.) the vendor will refund your purchase as they stand behind the product "Satisfaction guaranteed - Love it or you money back". If you want to talk or have any questions they print their phone number on the box along with this invitation "We welcome any questions you may have ...". 

I always feel satisfied that in a sea of ripoffs I'm actually getting a great deal when I buy it: it's less then half the cost of my previous go-to tapes. It doesn't come in a useless swanky case with a sticker. When they stop selling it I'll be pissed. They have a vast distribution network crisscrossing the United States as the purest expression of ultimately realized late stage capitalism and have located their stores en route to most major climbing destinations. 

A climber can buy this en route to any major crag in the USA for pocket change. I can't imagine needing - or paying for - anything more than this and I'm no longer interested in sourcing the Meuller tape or buying the Johnson & Johnson (unless it's $2 a roll). The tape is Target brand athletic tape. You heard that right Target. What a hidden gem.

The only issue is that it's often out of stock.