How to Make Tape Gloves for Climbing

Anyone who's done their share of crack climbing has probably also donated their share of skin to the rock. Crack climbing takes a toll on your hands, especially the soft skin on the back of your hands that easily gets cut and scraped by sharp edges. One way to protect your hands is to make a pair of tape gloves. Cheap, easy to make, and re-usable, tape gloves can save you some blood and pain out there on the crag.

Things You'll Need

  • sports tape 4cm to 5cm wide
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Instructions

  1. Making a Tape Glove

    • 1

      Take off any rings or bracelets. Wash and dry your hands.

    • 2

      Run one strip of tape down the back of your hand from your index finger to your wrist. Tear the top inch or so of tape in half, and wrap it around the base of your index finger to hold it in place.

    • 3

      Repeat Step 2 for your three other fingers. Let the strips of tape overlap. Periodically test your tape job by closing your hand in a fist. The tape should be tight but not restricting.

    • 4

      Run a strip of tape horizontally across the back of your hand, around the base of your thumb and back across your hand. Again, make sure the tape does not hinder movement of your thumb.

    • 5

      Wrap the tape a couple of times around your wrist to hold the whole thing in place.

    • 6

      Repeat the whole process on your other hand.

    Reusing Your Tape Gloves

    • 7

      When you are done climbing for the day, carefully remove the glove from your hands. You may have to cut the strips around your wrist, but you should be able to peel the rest off in one piece. You probably will lose some arm hair.

    • 8

      When you want to use your gloves again, slide them back on each hand and wrap more tape around your wrists to hold them in place.

    • 9

      Your gloves will wear out, but you can make another pair easily enough.