Tape

I am fairly new to climbing, starting less than A year ago. Just a quick question about taping. I see climbers with tape wrapped around varies fingers or wrists. I am curious for what purpose taping is. Like when to use it and how. I am sure there are a lot of opinions and ways of doing it and I would like to hear it all! Thanks!

Before taping to support finger joints, read Dave MacLeod's brilliant book about managing climbing injuries: Make or Break.

kenr wrote:Before taping to support finger joints, read Dave MacLeod's brilliant book about managing climbing injuries: Make or Break.

Taping for jamming in cracks is useful.

Taping fingers in hopes that the tape can be an adjuvant of the finger pulleys is wishful thinking. People do it a lot, but whether it's effective is...well, rockandice.com/rock-climbin…

I err on the side that the mechanical forces that taping can add to keeping flexor tendons in place are minimal, for if won't "protect you from injury". Once a finger is busted, people tape it and climb: I'd rather let it heal, see a hand surgeon if necessary.

I think taping fingers can help, a little.

I learned hand taping from some friends in Veed..'nuff said there.

I have TFCC pain in both wrists (and have had surgery...). Taping wrists seems to overall help me.

There's a couple of things I've noted over the last two years of regular taping:

- I think I get pumped more easily, makes some sense. You need tight tape to provide structural support, but that'll hurt circulation.

- Each athletic tape is different, if its too stretchy it won't provide support. If it's not stretchy enough it'll cut into you at the edges. Metolius tape is my favorite.

- My wrist injuries have been from poor alignment when doing a strenuous move. The tape reminds me of when I'm bending my wrist away from straight. I think that may account for some or most of the helping

My suggestion to all is to pay attention to how your body parts are lining up, and in what direction they're stronger/more comfortable. I didn't and now have a lifetime (minor) injury.

I tape up regularly.  Here is a recent picture of me hiking up to Super Crack of the Desert.  Notice the tape gloves.

I primarily tape fingers to cover sensitive areas to preserve skin (i.e. so I don't rip flappers).  I find I have to tape more often for gym climbing.