New to hockey or buying for a player? You've probably seen "shin tape," "sock tape," and "clear tape" used like they're different things. They're not — they're all the same product. Here's what shin tape is and how to use it.
What is shin tape?
Shin tape is a clear, stretchy poly tape that wraps around your shin guards, over your hockey socks, to hold the pads in place during play. It goes by a few names — shin tape, sock tape, clear tape, poly tape — but it all does the same job: keeping your shin guards from rotating or sliding while you skate.
Why not just use stick tape?
Cloth stick tape is the wrong tool for your legs. It doesn't stretch, and it soaks up sweat and moisture. Clear shin tape is built to stretch with your stride and resist moisture, so it stays put without cutting off circulation.
How to use shin tape
- Put on your shin guards and pull your hockey socks over them.
- Wrap the clear tape around the top and bottom of the shin guard, over the sock, with firm but comfortable tension.
- Don't wrap so tight that it pinches behind the knee — you want the pad secure, not your leg strangled.
How much do you need?
Most players use 3–5 feet per leg per game. A single 90 ft roll of Best Dam Clear Tape covers roughly 9–15 skates. Players who tape up every game usually grab a multi-roll pack to save per roll and avoid mid-season runs to the pro shop.
What makes good shin tape?
Grip and stretch. Cheap clear tape slips or tears; quality poly tape holds through sweat and ice shavings from warmups to the final horn. Best Dam Clear Tape is engineered to be 30% stickier and last twice as long, at 90 ft per roll.
Want the full setup? Pair clear shin tape with cloth tape for your stick — here's the difference between the two.