Hey adventure lovers, do you love climbing? Well, climbing is a sport and an advantage at the same time. So, everyone must have a curiosity about climbing. It is an exciting way to explore the world, but also dangerous. Don’t you want to go climbing?
For climbing, you need a lot of gear and equipment. One of the pieces of equipment is finger tape. Most climbers use this tape for many reasons and this tape is really helpful. It protects you from unwanted accidents and gives mental support as it’s holding your fingers.
There are different kinds of finger tapes. Also, several awesome ways to tape fingers according to the climber’s choice. So, how do tape fingers for climbing? To discover that, let’s dive into the deep in this article.
Key Takeaways
- The finger tape for climbing and what it is made of.
- The reasons most climbers use finger tapes are to protect skin and finger joints to reduce pain.
- Finger taping methods for climbing and steps for taping.
- The most reliable method to use and my personal opinion.
What is Finger Tape in Climbing?
Finger tape is also known as climbing tape for climbers. This tape is specially made for supporting tendons or pulleys while climbing. Most climbers use it and it is important. This tape is made of 100% cotton. Climbing tape is manufactured with zinc oxide adhesive that keeps it in place and is moisture-resistant.
Why Do Climbers Use Finger Tape?
Finger tape is very useful for climbing. It is used by climbers for two purposes, either to protect the layer above your skin or to support injured soft tissue such as pulleys and tendons. The most common reasons to tape fingers as a climber are pulley injury, split finger-tips, flappers and to protect your skin on a very sharp rock, usually while warming up or working moves
Chances are that throughout your life as a climber, you will encounter at least a few of these reasons to tape up. That’s why we’ve prepared this ultimate guide to finger-taping when that inevitable time comes.
Skin Protection
This tape is particularly useful for climbers who climb outside. Flinger areas are more vulnerable while climbing rocks. The core idea is to form a layer of protection to prevent your skin from scratching. This is usually done at the end of a long, hard session when your fingers are raw, painful, worn down, and most likely to tear. An extra layer or two of tape can save you from an injury that might take a few days to heal.
Prevent Finger Injuries
Your fingers are the most valuable tool during good height climbing. Climbers need to sense through their fingers and climbing gloves cannot really help that much. Your fingers can get injured easily while climbing high rocks for all the pressure. In this situation, a little support by finger tape can make your finger hold together and avoid tensed sprain.
Psychological Tool
Finger taping has a psychological effect. Chances are that if you are climbing while injured and you pull too hard on your injured finger, you are going to make your injury worse. Many climber experts will advise stopping outdoor climbing which certainly you won’t want to follow. As a result, the finger tape will be an important reminder that you are injured and that you should not use your finger too much.
In this case, any taping method will do. Your tape just works as a visible reminder. Every time you reach up to grab that upcoming tuck, you should see the tape and consider the impact your movement is about to have on your ongoing state of injury.
You might also see this sort of psychological taping on the fingers of climbers who have recovered from injury, which they keep on doing as a reminder to consider their choices and their potential for injury. A taping method around your formerly injured finger can help remind you of the importance of climbing in a way that keeps your fingers healthy.
Avoid Joint Pain
Climbing can cause an effective amount of finger joint pain due to body weight and forcing stress. Finger tape can reduce your joint pains from climbing. Tighten your finger joints with perfect pressure while climbing.
See Also: How To Store Climbing Rope ?
How To Tape Fingers For Climbing – Step By Step
There are many different finger taping methods you can use. Before you tape your fingers, you should know which method suits you and what you might like.
Let’s see what those are:
There are a few useful finger taping methods for climbing. They are:
- Ring method
- X method
- M method
These methods are useful for climbing most of the time. Now, let’s see how to tape fingers for climbing in different methods.
Ring Method
For this method just grab some climbing tape and this is the easiest way to taping. It protects the mainly pulleys that usually get injured.
- Step 1
- Start under your finger joint. Lay the tape over the finger like a ring. Then pull the tape with a little bit of tension while you start wrapping it around the finger like a wedding ring.
- Step 2
- Slowly move the tape up the finger, so you have overlapping strips, while you keep the finger slightly bent.
- Step 3
- Wrap around 2 to 3 times. Just do not pull the tape too tightly, as you don’t want to suppress blood flow or bandage the finger. Tension should be just enough to fasten the tape in place, one good indicator is if you can feel the tape supporting your finger a little bit when you crimp or flex the finger.
X Method
This method tapes the front and back of a joint. The theory is that if one pulley is tender and damaged the other one will very likely be hurt and damaged too. So better tape them both. You will use one piece of tape to tape both sides.
- Step 1: Fix some tape around the front of the joint.
- Step 2: Twitch it tight, and then wrap it around and come back across the joint until you reach the other area behind the joint.
- Step 3: Now continue and wrap one complete pass around, and cross back to where you came from to make an “X” shape.
What you have now is looks like an X as the tape crosses over in the middle of the joint. Repeat this two or three times. Now, you have the full range of motion, it’s not restricting both pulleys are secured, and the tape supports them when you crimp or flex.
H Method
The “H” method is the newest of all and it is also called the shuffle method. This taping method looks just like its name. As it was first described by Isabel shuffle in 2007. It is essentially a modified mix version of the X and round method as it also assumes both pulleys to be sore when one starts to hurt.
- Step 1: Cut or tear the tape into 2 pieces with the same width and length.
- Step 2: Start on the back pulley again moving around the finger, move the tape which is in the way to the side, and secure it.
- Step 3: Then go in the opposite direction with the other piece of tape.
- Step 4: Wrap it around and you will have the full range of motion here as the knuckle of your finger is not taped up.
But you can see when you flex the finger that you have got a lot of support on the pulley and on the back of your finger.
Which Method Is More Useful?
The “H” method is best according to studies on climbing experts and from the scientific point of view. This has proved that this method of taping can pull up the tendon and keep the bone extremely close together. Therefore, theoretically, the “H” method is the most efficient way to keep things together.
Compared to the X method and the ring method which is the least effective. But you need to keep in mind that it is just the job of tape to keep the tendon and the bone as close as possible. But rather to stop bowstringing and transferring forces from pulleys to another structure, all three methods successfully do it and alleviate pressure on the pulleys and your fingers.
Personal Experience
From my experience, the “X” method is easy to make and the best to use. I have used the ring method before and I have used the “X” method and I like them both. But, most times, I use the “X” method as it is easy to tape.
The “H” method is a pain in the back to tape sometimes, as it is more complicated. And the round one doesn’t really work so well. However, the climbing taping method depends on personal opinion and comfort. Just make sure to tap properly, not too tight but tight enough.
FAQs
Does taping fingers help grip?
Taping fingers has zero effect on grip for climbing. The results of grip strength showed that conflicts with the perceptions and it depends on different professionals. In short, taping both the fingers and wrists does not improve grip strength.
How tight should finger tape be?
Wrap the tape resolutely, but not so tight that it can cause the fingers pain and turn colors or become numb. If this happens, take off the tape and try again with a new piece of tape. The injured finger can still flex and extend. But it won’t be able to twist.
Why tape two fingers together?
The even digit acts as a sort of splint and helps to support, protect, and realign your finger or toe. It can also help prevent further risk by not taping two fingers together.
How long do you have to keep your fingers taped together?
You can take this strapping off to wash or if the taping gets dirty. Also can reuse them afterward. But, it is better to change the used tape after a season of climbing as it will get dirty and stinky. Also, use the trash can to practice recycling and keep the sustainability of the environment.
Can I use any tape instead of climbing tape?
Of course not. It will be stupid to use something that is not meant to be. Using cos tape or other industrial tapes will be no help for climbing and can cause skin damage. So, do not use tapes rather than finger taps that are dedicated to climbing only.
Final Thoughts
Finger taping is very important, especially for climbing. It helps a climber’s hand, and wrist. It gives mental support in a little amount that affects climbing at large. It protects your skin from unconscious scratches and prevents injuries. There are a few useful methods of taping your finger. All of them are pretty effective under personal preference. Finger taping avoids joint pains. Using this tape has also a great psychological view for climbing. It reminds you of your injuries and limits the gravity of your climbing. So, tape your fingers before going climbing. Make it a habit as an essential for climbing.
