How to Get Kinesiology Tape to Stick - The 6 P's of Kinesiology Taping

K Tape Beach Volleyball

One of the great things about kinesiology tape is that it can be worn for several days through all kinds of wet, muddy or sandy conditions - provided it is applied properly in the first place. When it isn't applied properly, however, even the greatest-looking applications can fall off much sooner than expected, sometimes in a matter of minutes or hours. When you're in a hurry to get your tape on so you can get on with your workout, it helps to keep in mind the 6 P's of kinesiology taping - Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Premature Peeling. Let's break these tips down into 3 phases:

Phase 1: Skin Preparation

1. Skin Must be Completely Dry Before Applying Tape If you just had a shower, don't apply your tape the instant you hang up your towel - wait until all of the surface moisture is gone. If it was a really hot shower, you might need to cool down a bit first. Ditto if you just finished working out. Wait until you have completely stopped sweating - even if you towel off, if you're still producing even a little bit of sweat, your tape will not stick.

RockSauce Liniment and Skin Prep

2. It Also Needs to be Clean And now to the cleanliness issue ... in all likelihood what you think of as clean and what your k-tape adhesive thinks of as clean are 2 different things. It doesn't matter if it has been 8 hours since you used your favorite body lotion, body spray or sunscreen - even a little bit of oil residue can be the kiss of death for k-tape adhesive. Ditto for perspiration and even natural body oils that build up over time. Take a minute to clean the entire application area right before you apply the tape. You can use an astringent, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol or our favorite, RockSauce. RockSauce is an awesome topical liniment that also happens to be a great skin prep. Rub it in, wait a few seconds, then wipe it off with a paper towel. In addition to having the perfect skin surface for your tape, your injury will love the icy hot tingle that it produces.

Phase 2: Tape Preparation and Application

StrengthTape Precut Strips - Royal Blue

1. Use Good Quality Tape Always start with a good quality tape. Saving a couple of dollars per roll doesn't pay off it you get only half the application time per application. For athletes training and competing in extreme conditions, our favorites are StrengthTape and RockTape H2O, which both have extra-strong adhesives. For those wearing the tape under less rigorous conditions, any of the quality brands we carry on our website should work fine. 2. Round the Corners If you're cutting strips from a roll of tape, take a couple seconds to round the corners. Rounded corners are a lot less likely to catch on things or begin to curl or roll up after time. The quickest way to do this is to fold your strip in half and cut two corners at once. 3. Don't Touch the Adhesive This might seem easier said than done, but there are a couple of tricks that make it easy to keep your fingers off the sticky side of the tape. In fact, we just published a post that describes these tricks in excruciating detail. You can read it here.

How to Apply K Tape

4. Go Easy on the Stretch K-tape is so nice and stretchy, it is tempting to give it a good stretch during application, thinking that it will provide better support, For most conditions, however, the best results come when the muscles are stretched and the tape is not stretched. So, overstretching the tape may actually make it less effective in addition to making it more likely to come off. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that 2 inches at each end of the strip are applied with zero stretch.

5. All Strips Must End on Skin Kinesiology tape is designed to stick to skin, not to other pieces of kinesiology tape. It is OK to cross pieces over each other, but all strips should end on skin.

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape

6. Activate the Adhesive The acrylic adhesive on k-tape is heat-activated and friction is a great way to produce just the right amount of heat. After applying your tape, rub it briskly from the center towards the ends for a few seconds to get that adhesive warmed up. If you rub from the ends toward the center, you run the risk of catching an end and lifting it from the skin. (If this happens, cut the loose piece as close to the skin as possible with scissors and carry on.)

Phase 3: Wearing the Tape

1. Avoid Contact at the Ends Even if you follow all of the advice above and get a perfect-application in place, if the ends end up rubbed by pads, equipment or human contact, they will likely lift. If you know that this is likely, you can apply a pre-taping adhesive spray under the ends of the tape in high risk areas. If you don't have any, even a little bit of hairspray can help. If ends do lift, just snip them close to the skin with scissors to prevent the lifting from continuing down the entire strip. So now you know the 6 P's of Kinesiology Taping and in the process have learned exactly how to get kinesiology tape to stick. Be sure to share this with your friends and fellow tapers so they too can avoid the dreaded "premature peeling" phenomenon and get the most value from every application.

How to Get Kinesiology Tape to Stick - The 6 P's of Kinesiology Taping

There are 147 products.

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RockTape H2O Single Rolls

$25.20 $26.99

RockTape H2O is the ultimate kinesiology tape for water sports. Designed to work in harsh environments to enhance performance and recovery, H2O has undergone rigorous testing in the wild waters of the Pacific and come out with flying... or should we say, swimming colors.

H2O is a great tape for surfers, swimmers, water polo players, triathletes, and other water sports. Because of the extra-sticky adhesive, it\'s not recommended for infants, geriatric use or individuals with sensitive or fragile skin. RockTape has a tighter weave and greater elasticity than other kinesiology tapes, allowing it to provide enhanced support for injured or working muscles. 

Each 16\' roll provides enough tape for 8-12 average applications, with a wear-time of 3-7 days. Every box includes a full-color, 2-sided poster showing instructions for a variety of therapeutic and performance-enhancing applications.

Availability: Out of Stock
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RockTape 1" Rolls (2-Pack)

$24.20 $25.99

Sorry, OUT OF STOCK and Discontinued by RockTape. Check out Vetkin or KinesioTex Gold FP for other 1" Wide options!

RockTape\'s 1" wide kinesiology tape is an integral part of any taping kit. Also referred to as finger tape, it is ideal for taping small areas like the hands, fingers, feet and toes. It can also be used to create X and Y configurations without the need to cut 2" tape down the middle. This means less fraying and longer-lasting applications, since all of the edges are machine-cut. This narrow width tape is also ideal for taping infants and children without having to cut regular tape into smaller strips.

RockTape 1" is used extensively by bowlers, volleyball players and other athletes whose hands and fingers take a beating. It\'s equally effective for conditions such as arthritis in the fingers, hands, feet and toes.

* Each pack contains 2 rolls of 1" x 16.4\' (2.5cm x 5m) kinesiology tape

Availability: Sold Out
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RockTape 4" Single Rolls

$51.00 $45.00

RockTape makes the only 4" wide kinesiology tape in the industry. If you prefer to cut your own kinesiology taping applications, you\'ll love this widebody roll that allows for complete customization for every situation. Mini Big Daddy is perfect for taping larger areas like the thigh and lower back, allowing quick creation of custom applications without cutting multiple strips. For areas with large bruises or significant swelling, use this 4" tape to create a custom fan taping with multiple "fingers" to enhance lymphatic drainage.

  • Each 4" x 16\' (10cm x 5m) roll has enough tape for 10-12 average applications
  • Each roll comes in its own dispenser box
  • Includes a full-color, 2-sided poster showing a variety of therapeutic and performance-enhancing applications
  • RockTape has a tighter weave and greater elasticity than other tapes for greater support of working or injured muscles
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RockTape 2" Bulk Rolls

$153.00 $128.00

ROCKTAPE is a premium kinesiology tape with a tighter weave, greater elasticity and stronger adhesive than industry standard. A tighter weave means enhanced support for working muscles and joints. Extra elasticity promotes "snap back," helping muscles contract and relax more efficiently. And Rock Tape\'s stronger adhesive allows it to stay on longer, even under the toughest conditions. This makes it an ideal athletic tape for high performance athletes and those competing in extreme sports.

Bulk rolls are an economical solution for those who tape a lot.  At 2" wide x 105\' long, a RockTape Bulk Roll is equivalent to 6.5 regular rolls. Each roll comes conveniently packaged in its own dispenser box, making it easy to cut just the amount of tape you need. Includes poster with instructions for a variety of injury and performance taping applications.

Availability: Out of Stock
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RockTape 2" Single Rolls

$25.99 $26.99

ROCKTAPE has a tighter weave, greater elasticity and stronger adhesive than other kinesiology tapes. It stays on longer and provides enhanced support, even under the toughest conditions. This makes it a top choice of high performance athletes and those competing in extreme sports.

Single rolls of RockTape are perfect for sport bags, travel kits and home use. Each 2" x 16.4\' roll has enough tape for 8-12 applications. And with a huge assortment of colors and patterns from basic beige to flying skulls, you can make a fashion statement as you blow by the competition! Each single roll of RockTape comes in its own dispenser box and includes a full-color, 2-sided poster showing a variety of therapeutic and performance-enhancing applications.

Availability: Product available with different options
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RockTape Precut Strips - 20 Strip Rolls

$24.20 $22.00

Best selling RockTape is now available in rolls of precut strips. No need for scissors or cutting - just tear off one or more strips and apply.

  • 2" x 10" strips are the ideal size for many applications
  • Each 16\' (5m) roll includes 20 strips in its own dispenser box
  • Each roll comes a full-color poster with instructions for a variety of applications

ROCKTAPE has a tighter weave, greater elasticity and stronger adhesive than other kinesiology tapes. It stays on longer and provides enhanced support, even under the toughest conditions. It can be used to apply either compression to promote recovery, or decompression to relieve pain and swelling. This makes it a multipurpose tape for both therapeutic use and for performance enhancement. 

Availability: Last items in stock
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CureTape 3" X 16' Roll - Beige

$18.99 $21.99

CureTape is the number one professional tape in Europe, and is widely used by professionals worldwide. Developed with the aid of health professionals specially for use in the Medical Taping Concept style of taping, CureTape is backed by nearly 20 years of intensive research, practice, and development. This thorough process has lead to the development of a high quality cotton tape with an excellent adhesive that is perfect for therapeutic taping applications. 


CureTape is comprised of breathable, quick-drying premium grade cotton in a specialized weave that provides a stretch identical to human skin which makes it comfortable for the entire time it\'s worn. The heat-activated acryllic adhesive is gentle on the skin, but powerful enough to stay attached continuously for 3-5 days without peeling off. CureTape 3" wide single rolls are 3 inches wide and 16.5 feet long, enough tape for 10-12 average applications.

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CureTape 2" X 16" Single Rolls

$13.50 $14.99

CureTape is the number one professional tape in Europe, and is widely used by professionals worldwide. Developed with the aid of health professionals specially for use in the Medical Taping Concept style of taping, CureTape is backed by nearly 20 years of intensive research, practice, and development. This thorough process has lead to the development of a high quality cotton tape with an excellent adhesive that is perfect for therapeutic taping applications. 


CureTape is comprised of breathable, quick-drying premium grade cotton in a specialized weave that provides a stretch identical to human skin which makes it comfortable for the entire time it\'s worn. The heat-activated acryllic adhesive is gentle on the skin, but powerful enough to stay attached continuously for 3-5 days without peeling off. CureTape single rolls are 2 inches wide and 16.5 feet long, enough tape for 10-12 average applications.

Availability: Out of Stock
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CureTape Punch 2" X 16" Single Rolls

$13.50 $14.99

CureTape Punch comes in standard size 2 inch X 16.5 foot rolls. While it uses the same premium quality cotton and gentle but powerful adhesive as Classic CureTape, CureTape Punch has alternating rows of 2 and 3 holes punched into the tape, which gives it some qualities that are unique among kinesiology tapes.


The punches allow the tape to stretch along the height and the width, and allows the tape to apply pressure 3-dimensionally. This means that the tape provides increased stimulus and stretches skin and fascia due to the variations in pressure and stretch created by the openings, which has an increased effect on neurolymphatic and endorphine analgesic systems in the areas where it is applied. The openings also allow for greater ventilation of the skin, and allows the tape to dry more quickly after getting wet. 

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CrossLinq Small, Medium, OR Large Acupressure Tape Patches

$17.99 $18.50

This box Contains 20 Pages of Patches - Varies by per sheet.

CrossLinq Patches are easy peel-and-apply kinesiology tape precuts specially designed for use in relieving pressure in areas with bruising, lymph edema, and chronic pain or on acupuncture, acupressure, and trigger points. When applied to these areas, the grid pattern of the patches helps to lift and separate the skin and fascia and allow better drainage and flow of fluid to reduce pain and swelling.

CrossLinq patches come from the CureTape family of products, and are made up of the same fine, premium quality cotton backed with gentle and hypoallergenic but durable and waterproof medical adhesive that allows them to stay on comfortably for up to 7 days.

RockTape 4" Bulk Rolls

$292.00

RockTape "Big Daddy" is unique in the kinesiology taping industry - a supersized roll that is 4" wide and 105\' long. Big Daddy is perfect for larger areas like the thigh, lower back or IT band, allowing custom applications without cutting multiple strips.If you tape a lot and prefer to cut your own applications, you\'ll love this "widebody" roll that allows for complete customization for every situation. One Rock Tape 4" roll can accommodate 80-100 applications for individuals of all sizes.

Availability: Sold Out

RockTape HookGrip Tape for Thumbs

$22.00

HookGrip tape is designed to protect the thumbs of weightlifters when using the hookgrip* technique. Instead of a standard 16\' roll of RockTape, HookGrip Tape is precut into 32 strips, each 2" wide by 6" long - the perfect size for any thumb. Strips tear off easily for quick application. THat means less time taping and more time lifting!

  • protects thumbs and enhances grip during high volume barbell lifts
  • approved for use in all competition as long as thumb tip is not covered
  • developed with CrossFit legend Jason Khalipa, exclusively for RockTape
  • 32 strips = 16 lifting sessions per roll
  • 2" (5cm) width works for all thumbs
  • no scissors required - just tear off and apply

* Hookgrip - a method of holding a barbell by gripping the thumb between the barbell and the fingers, increasing grip strength when performing heavy lifts

Availability: Sold Out
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CureTape Giant Kinesiology Tape Rolls - Asst Colors

$79.99 $88.99

CureTape is the number one professional tape in Europe, and is widely used by professionals worldwide. Developed with the aid of health professionals specially for use in the Medical Taping Concept style of taping, CureTape is backed by nearly 20 years of intensive research, practice, and development. This thorough process has lead to the development of a high quality cotton tape with an excellent adhesive that is perfect for therapeutic taping applications. 

CureTape is comprised of breathable, quick-drying premium grade cotton in a specialized weave that provides a stretch identical to human skin which makes it comfortable for the entire time it\'s worn. The heat-activated acryllic adhesive is gentle on the skin, but powerful enough to stay attached continuously for 3-5 days without peeling off. CureTape Giant Rolls are 2 inches wide and 103 feet (5cm x 31.5m) long, enough tape for nearly 70 standard applications.

Availability: Sold Out

Equi-Tape Advantage 2" Equine Kinesiology Tape Roll

$16.95

Helps to decrease swelling and relieve pain

Relieves tight, sore muscles associated with training and work

Supports ligaments, tendons, and joints to help prevent injuries

Helps Increase suppleness, flexibility and strength

Improves training potential and athletic performance by helping horses train more efficiently and recover quicker

Extends the effects of other treatment modalities such as chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage

Availability: Sold Out