A good tape job is the difference between a stick that feels like an extension of your hands and one that feels like a foreign object. Here's exactly how to tape a hockey stick — blade and knob — the way players who care about puck feel do it.
What you'll need
- Cloth hockey stick tape (white or black — 1" standard or 1.5" double wide)
- Hockey stick wax to seal and protect the job
- Scissors (optional — our tape tears clean by hand)
How to tape your blade
- Start at the heel or toe. Most players start at the toe and work toward the heel. Pick the end you'll wrap toward and anchor the tape there.
- Angle the wrap. Lay the tape at a slight angle so each pass overlaps the last by about half the tape's width. This creates a smooth, even surface with no gaps.
- Keep tension consistent. Pull firm and steady — loose tape bunches, too tight tears. A quality high-tack tape grips without fighting you.
- Finish clean. Tear the tape by hand and press the end down flat so it won't peel mid-game.
How to tape your knob
The knob gives your top hand something to grip and keeps the stick from sliding out of your glove. Twist a length of tape into a rope and wrap it near the butt end to build up a lip, then tape over it smoothly to lock it in. Build the knob as thick or thin as you like — it's personal preference.
Make it last: wax your tape job
Snow and ice melt into your tape and kill the grip within a period. Rubbing hockey stick wax over a finished cloth tape job seals out moisture, so your tape stays tacky and your tape job lasts 2–3x longer. Apply heel-to-toe on both sides until you see a thin, even coat.
How often should you re-tape?
Most players re-tape every 1–3 skates. A higher-quality cloth tape that resists fraying — like Best Dam Cloth Tape, engineered to be 30% stickier and last twice as long — stretches that further. Re-tape when the surface looks worn or stops holding wax.
Ready to upgrade your tape job? Shop Best Dam cloth tape and grab a tin of wax to go with it.
