Although most protective hockey equipment comes with its own fastening gear such as adjustable belts and straps etc, many hockey players like to modify their equipment with clear tape for a better or more comfortable fit. A prime example of this is to see players use clear hockey tape.
Clear hockey tape, also known as shin pad tape or “shinny”, is used to help keep players’ shin pads, hockey socks, and other items of equipment in place during the action. Some players also wrap it around their skates at the ankles for added support.
Can You Use Clear Hockey Tape on your Stick?
Clear hockey tape is made from a different material and for a different purpose than hockey stick tape and therefore shouldn’t be used on sticks. Stick tape is made specifically for sticks to help strengthen and prolong the blades among other things while clear tape is designed for use on your equipment.
Do All Hockey Players Use Clear Tape?
Not all players use clear tape to keep their hockey socks and shin pads in place. Most of them use it to make sure their pads and socks don’t move around and shift out of place during play. The socks are typically designed to stay up via Velcro attachments which are built into athletic-supporter shorts. Also, if you prefer to just wear the supporter on its own rather than have it sewn into a pair of shorts, the socks can be kept up with a suspender/tab system.
The Velcro and suspender systems sometimes wear out though and clear tape is basically used as a backup method or instead of the Velcro to make sure the socks and pads are secure. It’s also a superstition or tradition for some players who have been doing it since they were youngsters.
What’s the Difference Between Stick Tape and Clear Tape?
Hockey stick tape is typically made of a cotton/polyester blend which gives it a cloth-like feel and can usually be found in black, white and several other colours. It has a rubber adhesive on one side of it and is designed to protect the blade and shaft of your stick. It’s durable and meant to be waterproof, wear-resistant and anti-slipping. Because of these qualities it also helps you better control the puck when receiving passes, passing, stickhandling and shooting.
Clear hockey tape is just as advertised as it’s clear in color and has a smoother texture, more like plastic than cloth. It’s more stretchable than stick tape and is also adhesive on one side. It’s usually made out of a strong Polyurethane material and is also designed to be waterproof.
How to Use Clear Hockey Tape?
To keep your hockey socks and shin pads securely in place you simply need to take the tape and wrap it around your outer pads and legs. It is recommended to wrap it on the outside of your socks to help keep your socks up too. I have seen people wrap it under the sock and then over, but I prefer it over the sock on the outside like the photo below.
Be sure you don’t wrap the tape too tightly though as it could cut off your circulation if you do. Make sure it’s tight enough but comfortable without hindering your mobility. Players may also use clear tape to keep other pieces of equipment in place such as elbow and shoulder pads if the straps are wearing out. The tape can also come in handy for quick equipment repairs when needed.
Where Can You Buy Clear Hockey Tape?
Clear hockey tape can be purchased at just about all sports stores and hardware shops etc as well as at concession stands and pro shops in most hockey rinks. It can usually be bought in single rolls as well as in packages of multiple rolls. You can purchase Howies clear shin pad tape by clicking here on Amazon.
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.