Zinc Oxide Tan Tape

Zinc Oxide Tan Tape

A staple in every physio bag, zinc oxide tan tape is often used to support joints and muscles that are injured. Its non stretch properties make it incredibly effective at providing rigidity, helping to restrict movement in any joint that is stiff or painful. It’s often used to support sprained ankles, for example, or to prevent knee pain by taping the patella and iliotibial band. It’s also a popular choice for taping the feet and hands during high friction activity or sport, such as running and CrossFit, in order to prevent blisters.

Zinc Oxide tan tape is a latex-free, breathable and hypoallergenic athletic tape that offers great durability and resistance to water, dirt and humidity. It’s made from a cotton fabric and zinc oxide glue, making it ideal for both preventing and treating injuries caused by friction and pressure. The tape is easy to apply and has a serrated edge which makes it easy to tear off to the desired length. It’s also a favourite of long distance runners, walkers and soldiers because it’s ideal for preventing blisters on the feet.

Both zinc white and tan athletic tape use the same adhesive, however, the difference is in the fabric and thickness of the tape. The tan version is thicker and stronger than the white tape, meaning it can be better used for weight bearing and heavily stressed joints like ankles, hips and knees. It’s also a popular choice to use to protect non-weight bearing joints such as the wrist, fingers and elbow from injuries sustained playing contact sports.

Both tapes are also available in different sizes to suit the joint that you’re taping. For larger joints, such as the shoulder or hip, it’s often best to go with tan tape as it will be more cost effective in the long run, as you’ll be using a lot less tape than with the white version. Conversely, if you’re taping smaller joints such as the finger or thumb, then white tape may be the more suitable option.

Ultimately, it’s down to clinical reasoning and the specific needs of your patients or athletes that will determine which tape is best for them. As a rule of thumb, though, if you’re a physiotherapist then it’s probably best to stick with the tan version as it’s 2x stronger and will last longer than the cotton alternative.

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