Hand Taping for Rock Climbing

[scottgg]

What is your advice on taping your wrists for rock climbing? I have seen people doing it, but whenever I try it my circulation gets cut off and I cant feel my fingers.

My wrists tend to ache while climbing near my limits, and it seems like tape might help this....any thoughts?

[chucK]

If your circulation gets cut off, then perhaps you should tape a bit more loosely. Flex your hands when applying the tape.

 

I'm not sure about taping to avoid aching wrists. I think most people tape hands in rock climbing to avoid abrasion. Tape also seems to make most handjams more secure.

[RuMR]

i'm not sure if you are a beginner or not, but i'll assume that you are...

 

If you are taping due to tendonitis (this would be your aching wrists) your best bet is to forego the tape and back off in either intensity, or frequency or both until the aching goes away. The taping will do absolutely squat for you...

[selkirk]

I've taped fingers joints a bit. Whenever I boulder the first joint of my fingers (down by the hand) seems to stiffen and ache a bit and taping tightly seems to help a little? Never done it for wrists though. Only seems to be a problem in the gym though.

[mattp]

This is not quite on topic, but there may be another question associated with taping your wrist.

 

When you make a fist, your wrist expands a little bit. My guess is that if you tape around your wrist with your hand held in a neutral position, you will reduce your power to the hand and fingers in some way.

 

When I had an elbow tear some years back, I would use a band of tape around my forearm just below the elbow to prevent fully firing the muscles that controlled my hand and attached just above the elbow.

[catbirdseat]

When you put the wrist wrap on to hold your tape glove in place, pull enough tape off the roll to do the entire wrist, rather than unrolling as you go around. You can then better control tension and avoid over-tightening the tape band.

 

Here is an good link with pictures.

How to make a tape glove.

 

This method is superior to simply wrapping tape completely around the hand, because it keeps the palms bare for good feel of the rock, and because it allows one to remove the glove for later reuse. It takes a little longer to make is all.

Edited September 8, 2006 by catbirdseat

[scottgg]

Thanks all! Great link CBS, I'm going to try that out next week!

[RuMR]

wait a minute...are you taping for crack climbing or because of interior pain?????

 

tape gloves won't do shit for wrist aching...

[Peter_Puget]

This method is superior to simply wrapping tape completely around the hand, because it keeps the palms bare for good feel of the rock, and because it allows one to remove the glove for later reuse. It takes a little longer to make is all.

 

CBS -

 

From my perspective this system is bulky, doesn't protect fingers and a reused 'glove' seems likely not to be very stable.

[mattp]

PP, I've been wondering about that. It always seems a bit of a nuisance to wind the tape around my hands, and I do think that even being careful to avoid taping in a manner that constricts the muscles I may still be doing to to some extent, but I have yet to adopt the gloves andI think a carefully applied tape job offers better coverage. By the way, CB, I don't think the tape on the palm of my hands has ever caused any problem, but the convenience of the tape gloves is certainly a worthy consideration.

[catbirdseat]

This method is superior to simply wrapping tape completely around the hand, because it keeps the palms bare for good feel of the rock, and because it allows one to remove the glove for later reuse. It takes a little longer to make is all.

 

CBS -

 

From my perspective this system is bulky, doesn't protect fingers and a reused 'glove' seems likely not to be very stable.

I don't consider it to be bulky. One can make them as thick or thin as desired.

 

Fingers are taped separately, as needed. Reused tape gloves are just as stable as new ones because you use a new piece of tape on the wrist each time.

[RuMR]

tape is aid and less secure...period...

[Alpinfox]

a reused 'glove' seems likely not to be very stable.

 

I've reused tape gloves many times (once for ~8 days or so at Joshua tree) with good results.

 

That is a great link CBS. I remember trying to find a similar link a few months ago with no success.

 

tape is aid and less secure...period...

 

Bullshit. It is more secure and comfortable. That's why its aid (at least in the same way that sticky rubber is aid).

[RuMR]

Bullshit to you...i prefer no tape and i do find it less secure...particularly when its hot out...

 

and in flares, tape is absolutely shitty...i much prefer skin dried with chalk for flares of all sizes...

Edited September 8, 2006 by RuMR

[RuMR]

also, you have to admit that people with tape tend to "drag" their jams until they catch...placing their hands like chocks, so to speak, instead of jamming...so in that sense, they are aid...

[Peter_Puget]

Well I aint buying the reuse theory......not saying you can't, just that there are better options avaible.

[catbirdseat]

So here we have a fellow who asks for advice on how to tape his hands and we get one person who criticizes one method of taping he hasn't tried. We get another who criticizes taping at all. I'll give you a hint, you aren't helping. To each his own. The guy wants to tape. At least let him do it the right way.

[Alpinfox]

Well CBS, you don't even know if the guy is asking about taping to prevent wrist tendonitis (my interpretation) or if he is taping for crack climbing comfort/security (yours apparently). If the later, then your link pretty much sums things up. If the former, its still an open topic (though I agree with RUMR's advice). In either case, who gives a shit. This is an internet chat board meant primarily for entertainment (well it is for me anyway).

 

Spray on!

[jmace]

you guys are all crazy

 

first of all the guy straight up asks about his wrists hurting:

My wrists tend to ache while climbing near my limits, and it seems like tape might help this....any thoughts?

 

Second tape gloves are for wussies!

[Peter_Puget]

So here we have a fellow who asks for advice on how to tape his hands and we get one person who criticizes one method of taping he hasn't tried. We get another who criticizes taping at all. I'll give you a hint, you aren't helping. To each his own. The guy wants to tape. At least let him do it the right way.

 

CBS I have used a lot of tape over the years. Via a variety of techniques. Some quite similar if not identical to this one. I am just letting him know my preferences. I don't belive there is "one" right way to tape. If I asked the question I would be interested in a variety of opinions.

[Alpinfox]

 

PP, you have any pictures of your method? I'd be interested to see how you protect the fingers without being overly bulky.

[Gary_Yngve]

This is an internet chat board meant primarily for entertainment (well it is for me anyway).

 

Spray on!

 

This is "Newbies," which should have better etiquette than "General Discussion," which should have better etiquette than "Spray."

[Alpinfox]

I don't give a shit. I'm not being uncivil to the guy; nor do I think anyone else thus far on this thread has been. He's getting his answers - as well as this motley crue can provide them anyway.

 

If he (or others) get flustered by coarse language or delivery styles; fuck em.

[catbirdseat]

In response to Rudy, he's probably right about being more secure without tape, but it takes technique. Plus some cracks just plain hurt.

 

I've found that as my skill improves I tape less often. I'll generally tape when I am pushing my limits, but skip it on easier routes. So taping can be regarded as a "learning aid" if you will.

[fenderfour]

Tape Doesn't sweat

 

Even then, I haven't taped at all this year. Mostly because I'm too lazy.