7 Best Hockey Tapes For Shafts That Won’t Destroy Your Gloves

You watch your child come off the ice, proud of their effort, but then you see it—the palms of those brand-new, shockingly expensive hockey gloves are already starting to fray. It’s a frustratingly common sight, leaving you wondering how to protect your investment without compromising your player’s performance. The secret isn’t in the gloves; it’s in the often-overlooked choice of what they wrap around their stick.

Protecting Gloves: Why Shaft Tape Choice Matters

You just spent a small fortune on new gloves, and two weeks later, the palms look like they’ve been attacked by a cheese grater. This isn’t your child’s fault. It’s the tape. Traditional cloth hockey tape, with its sticky adhesive, is the primary culprit.

That adhesive mixes with moisture from the ice and sweat from their hands, creating a gummy, abrasive substance. Every time your player holds the stick, this gritty residue acts like sandpaper, grinding away at the soft palm material of their gloves. For a young player, this isn’t just a cost issue; a comfortable, secure grip is foundational for learning how to properly handle the stick.

This is a classic "ounce of prevention" scenario. Making a smart, small choice on grip or tape is one of the easiest ways to protect a much larger investment in gloves. It ensures that gear lasts a full season, is in good shape for a younger sibling, or even holds some resale value.

Renfrew Pro-Blade XT for a Classic, Reliable Grip

You see the pros wrapping their sticks with classic black or white cloth tape and figure it must be the best option. For many, it is—but the type of cloth tape makes all the difference. Not all cloth tapes are created equal.

Renfrew is a name synonymous with hockey, and their Pro-Blade XT tape is a significant step up from the generic rolls you find in a bargain bin. It’s woven with a higher thread count and uses a more advanced adhesive that is designed to be more durable and less prone to leaving that sticky, glove-shredding residue behind.

This is an excellent, budget-friendly choice for the intermediate player, perhaps in the 9-12 age range, who has a good feel for the game and prefers that traditional tape texture. It provides the familiar feedback many players are used to, but without the rapid glove degradation caused by cheaper alternatives. It’s a simple upgrade that offers real protection.

Howies Pro Grip Tape: Consistent Feel and Durability

Your player is starting to get more serious, hitting the ice multiple times a week for practices and games. They’re at an age where they notice every little change in their equipment, and consistency becomes critical for their development.

Howies Pro Grip is a cohesive tape, which is a game-changer for glove palms. Cohesive means it sticks to itself, not to anything else. It’s a stretchy, cloth-like material that you wrap just like regular tape, but since there’s no sticky adhesive on the outside, it’s inherently gentle on gloves.

This type of grip is ideal for the developing competitive player, typically ages 11-14 and up. At this stage, building reliable muscle memory for shooting and stickhandling is paramount. A grip that feels the same every single time, without getting gummy or worn down, allows them to focus purely on their skills.

Lizard Skins Grip Tape: The Top Choice for Palm Safety

You’ve just replaced a pair of high-end gloves mid-season and have vowed, "Never again." If your top priority is preserving those expensive palms, then a polymer grip is the answer you’re looking for.

Lizard Skins are not a tape but a thin, polymer-based grip wrap, similar to what you might see on a high-end baseball bat or tennis racket. They are engineered specifically for tackiness and control, with zero abrasive qualities. There is no adhesive on the outer surface, meaning there is nothing to break down and destroy glove material.

This is a premium choice, and its higher upfront cost makes the most sense for highly committed players with top-tier gloves. However, it can also be a savvy investment for a younger player (ages 8-10) if you’ve purchased quality gloves you intend to pass down. The key decision is balancing the initial cost of the grip against the long-term savings on multiple pairs of gloves.

Buttendz Grips: A Reusable, No-Residue Solution

Is your child constantly tinkering with their stick, re-taping the knob and leaving a sticky mess behind? Are you tired of buying roll after roll of tape? A reusable grip might be the perfect solution for your family.

Buttendz are pre-molded rubber grips that slide onto the top of the stick, creating a perfect knob every time. They are 100% reusable. You apply it once, and when your child gets a new stick, you can easily remove the grip and transfer it. They leave absolutely no residue and are completely palm-friendly.

This is a fantastic choice for families with multiple hockey players or for kids in those rapid growth-spurt years (ages 8-12). For younger players, the consistent shape helps them learn to hold the stick the same way every time, building a solid foundation for their skills without the variability of a hand-taped knob.

Sniper Skin Grips for a Custom, Long-Lasting Fit

Your player is starting to develop their own style and is particular about their gear. They want something that feels perfectly molded to their hands, and you want something that will actually last the whole season without needing to be replaced.

Sniper Skin is a unique heat-shrinkable sleeve that offers incredible customization and durability. You can build up a knob with tape to the exact shape your player likes, then slide the Sniper Skin sleeve over it. Using a heat gun or boiling water, it shrinks to form a seamless, waterproof, and non-abrasive grip.

For the tween and teen player (ages 11+), personalization is a huge part of sports. Sniper Skins come in countless colors and patterns, allowing them to express themselves. From a practical standpoint, this is the ideal solution for the player who has found a grip style they love and wants to lock it in for the long haul.

Tacki-Mac Command Grip: A Veteran Player Favorite

Sometimes the best advice comes from a seasoned coach or a parent who has been around the rink for decades. They’ll often mention a brand you’ve never heard of—one they swear by. Tacki-Mac is one of those brands.

As one of the original pioneers of non-tape grips, Tacki-Mac makes durable, slip-on rubber grips in a wide variety of textures and patterns. They are renowned for their incredible longevity and provide a tacky, secure feel in all conditions. Because they are solid rubber, there is no adhesive to wear out or harm gloves.

This is a no-nonsense, function-over-flash solution. It’s an excellent choice for players (ages 10 and up) who are developing a powerful shot and need an unyielding grip to transfer energy effectively. The different patterns allow a player to find the exact texture that matches their preference, a level of refinement that becomes more important as their skills advance.

Pro Guard Tacky Grip: A Soft Feel for Max Control

Does your young player complain that their stick feels too harsh or that their hands get sore? They might benefit from a grip with a bit more cushion, which can also enhance their feel for the puck.

Pro Guard Tacky Grip is another excellent cohesive tape that sticks to itself, not your gloves. It’s often noted for its slightly softer, spongier feel compared to other cohesive options. It wraps on just like traditional tape but provides a cushioned surface that is extremely gentle on both hands and gloves.

This grip is fantastic for two distinct groups. First, the beginner (ages 5-8) whose hands are still developing strength and can benefit from a more forgiving grip. Second, the advanced puck-handler at any age who prefers a "softer" touch for cradling the puck and making subtle plays. It dampens vibrations and provides a high degree of tackiness, which can build confidence in players at any stage of their journey.

Ultimately, choosing the right grip for your child’s stick is a small detail that has a big impact—on their comfort, their skill development, and your family’s budget. There is no single "best" product, only the best fit for your player’s age, commitment level, and personal preference. By making a thoughtful choice, you’re not just saving a pair of gloves; you’re investing in their confidence and supporting their love for the game.