I've tried several different kinesiology tapes, here are the results of my head-to-head comparisons...
In order of stretchiness:
KT Tape Pro: Super stretchy spandex-type material. Dries super fast. Breathes excellently even in multiple layers.
KT Tape: High-elastic content cotton. Dries reasonably fast. Adequate breathability in multiple layers.
Rocktape H2O: High-elastic content cotton. Dries reasonably fast. Adequate breathability in multiple layers.
Rocktape: Moderate-elastic content cotton. Takes the longest to dry but that's still fast. Not very breathable, can feel slightly stifling in multiple layers.
In order of stickiness:
Rocktape H2O: Can be repositioned, and will stick just as well after repositioning. Sticks to tape well. Can be uncomfortable to remove.
Rocktape: Can be repositioned, but loses some stickiness each time. Edges tend to peel up. Doesn't stick to tape very well. Okay removal.
KT Tape Pro: Can be repositioned, but won't stick for more than a day if you do.
Sticks to tape well. Easily removed.
KT Tape: Cannot be repositioned, edges tend to peel. Sticks to tape adequately well. Seems more painful to remove than others.
In order of longevity:
Rocktape H2O: 3+ days. Stays put until you take it off.
KT Tape Pro: 2-4 days. Once you get it stuck on, it stays. Less peeling than Rocktape.
Rocktape: 2-4 days. Edges tend to peel up on day 2, so you've got to trim it down.
KT Tape: 1 day. Edges and entire parts of strips peel up almost immediately.
In order of support:
Rocktape: Very stable support. Multiple layers offer similar support to a lightly structured brace. Useful for areas where you need a lot of stability like knees and ankles.
Rocktape H2O: Stable support.
Multiple layers offer similar support to a soft compression brace. Useful for areas where you need both stretch and support, better adhesion and superior stretch offers excellent 'massage' for sore muscles.
KT Tape: Moderately stable support. Multiple layers offer similar support to a compression sleeve.
KT Tape Pro: Light to moderate support. Multiple layers offer similar support to a soft compression sleeve. Useful for areas where you need flexibility first, particularly well-suited to wrists and fingers.
I use this stuff for my plantar fasciitis and it actually works! It takes a time or two to learn how to best apply it. For me I find that if I apply it after a shower and really washed the area of application that I can get 5-7 days per application. Make sure not to apply lotions or oils around the strips or else they will come off quicker.
Update: after a month of using this product, I discovered the importance of effective exfoliation prior to application. If I exfoliate and wash the area with soap prior to applying mine will last up to 9 days before beginning to peel. Also any non-hairy areas last longer than hairy areas.
Let me preface this with saying I have extremely sensitive skin so I am not faulting the product. That being said what has always trumped my sensitive skin has been my horrible carpal tunnel syndrome. For over a decade I have woken up with my right hand and forearm being completely numb for a few hours, not to mention being woken up countless times through the night with pain and "pins and needles". I have tried everything from yoga to strong prescription meds, custom braces, physical therapy, you name it and I'm sure I've tried it. So when I stumbled upon this stuff while looking for the next new thing for me to waste my money on I was the textbook definition of skeptical, and that's being generous.
Day 1: (12 hours in) Less pain and total loss of numbness during working hours.
Day 3: the first day for as long as I can remember that I didn't wake up with my right hand and wrist being useless.
Day 5: no pain or numbness at all, NONE! At this point I'm suspecting some sort of evil wizardry, I mean come on, it's tape, tape!
Normally something that irritates my skin gets nixed immediately, but this tape has changed my life in a way that I will never be able to articulate properly. To all the skeptics out there, try it!
I'm left handed and I've torn my left rotator twice, along with my bicep. To get added support, I bought the KT tape. My thoughts were that with Kerri Walsh being a sponsor, it must be good stuff and I'm not overjoyed with it.
I had a hard time with this and wasted 5 of the 20 strips trying to get it to stick. To place it for rotator support, it's very difficult to place yourself and the tape has a tendency to "slingshot" back when trying to apply it. It sticks to itself great but it didn't stick well to my skin. Because I paid $15 for the roll, I'll use what I have left, as best I can but I won't rebuy this brand.
** UPDATE 10-08-2017 **
KT immediately contacted me after my review was published and as you can see from their response, offered tips and tricks. Additionally, they offered to replace the roll at no charge. I gladly took them up on this offer and they shipped the replacement roll, free of charge, immediately.
The tips and tricks did help but I still have trouble getting this on myself (because of my injury location), but it's no fault of KT. My suggestion to you is that if you have a rotator cuff injury that you're trying to support, have someone else put the tape on for you. The instructions inside the package will also give you a picture of how to apply it correctly for that particular injury location.
** Update 2 ***
It will help you out tremendously if you buy some alcohol prep pads, which are very inexpensive. I've found that by wiping down the area with a prep pad and letting it dry, before I apply the KT tape, makes a huge difference. The tape seems to go on better and adhere to the skin better, in addition to easier removal when you're read to take it off.
** Update 3 **
I've updated my review to a 5 star rating. I don't know if KT has improved the adhesive on their product or if the big difference was made by me learning to apply it correctly. Whatever the situation, this stuff REALLY sticks.
Before I apply it, I just pour some alcohol on a paper towel and wipe down the area thoroughly, before letting it dry or wiping it down with another paper towel. There's no danger of this stuff coming off and I'd suggest when you remove it, that you do so in the shower. If you pull it too quickly - like a band-aid, you're gonna pull skin.
In my opinion, the precut strips are the way to go and here's a tip: When you start to put them on, peel the backing back only about one inch. This will allow you to get it started without it flopping back and sticking it on itself or on your hands and from there, just slowly remove the backing as you move along the area that you're applying it too. Once I've started it, I just hold the backing tape with my thumb and index finger and I'm moving it along my arm and shoulder. When you get the technique down, it's easy to apply yourself (unless you're putting it on your back).
KT Tape has been a tremendous help to me. I've reordered three times and will continue to do so in the future.
I suffer from plantar fasciitis in one of my feet, and I've tried a lot of home remedies. KT Tape Pro is the only product that heals my foot, although not completely. Most other products simply provide temporary relief. The instructions say to use three pieces of tape, but I've been successful with only two. That helps, because this product is not cheap.
The other drawback is that you can't wear it every day. It needs to be removed at the end of the day (I wouldn't wear it over night -- use a boot instead). But after several days, I started getting blisters on my leg wear the tape pulled on it. So no more than 3-4 days in a row.
Feature Product
- FOR SERIOUS ATHLETES - The most advanced kinesiology tape, made from 100% synthetic fabric to last far longer than other brands. Lightweight, latex free, comfortable, provides both support & mobility, and includes safety reflective print & carry case.
- STRONG ADHESIVE - Latest technology that sticks for days with effective skin preparation. Our synthetic, moisture-wicking, breathable fabric provides maximum water, sweat, and humidity resistance. And the precut rounded corners help avoid frays.
- EASY TO USE - Ready-to-use precut strips are perfect for tape applications. No need for messy cutting with long, uncut rolls of tape. Easy to self-apply using our free instruction videos for dozens of common injury areas. Contact us with questions.
- HOW IT WORKS - KT Tape helps reduce tissue pressure and provide muscle support, helping you recover faster from pain. Just ask one of our Pro or Olympic athletes who rely on KT Tape when pain is present and when championships are on the line.
- CAUTION - Beware of counterfeit products sold by unauthorized sellers. Buy only when it says "Ships and sold by" Amazon, Theratape, or KTTape.com. Users have experienced problems buying from unauthorized sellers.
Description
Need support that will endure your toughest workout? KT TAPE PRO is just what the trainer ordered. It will relieve pain and provide support exactly where you need it. Our tape is designed to stay in place through multiple demanding workouts for up to seven days. It will stick with you in the harshest conditions including daily showers, humidity, cold, even in the pool. Pro Tape is performance engineered to work in the harshest environments. It's the world's only 100% synthetic kinesiology tape, re-engineered with stronger adhesive, to outlast anything you can throw at it. Each box comes with 20 precut strips of 100% synthetic tape. One hard plastic carrying case with twist on lids to keep your tape in good shape in your gym bag or purse. One Quick Start Guide with step-by-step instructions on the most common injuries.
Incredible, don't understand how it works but it does! I have lumbar spinal stenosis and sometimes am in incredible pain when I have to walk a lot. My daughter recommended I try the kinesthesiology tape. I went to YouTube to watch videos on how to apply it - lots of methods (choose what works best for you - for me it was the 4 tape "star" pattern) I took this with me for a 2 week trip to France with LOTS of walking, hills and cobblestones. I was amazed!!!! I had little or no pain and on days when I used the tape. When I didn't use the tape, I was miserable. Must say for the lower back and the star pattern, it helps to have someone else apply it. I am definitely buying this again. Ready to try it for my sciatic pain :-)
Why KT Tape? Because it not only gives support to injured areas, it engages other muscles around the weak area so you can focus on strengthening the weak muscles (instead of worrying about them). I have been battling a knee injury for several years and have used many kinds of braces, sleeves, and wraps. And while those do give support to my knee, KT enables me to safely push past what those weak muscles can normally do because the KT tape is activating and engaging all the muscles and tendons connected to the knee.
Baseline: FYI I wear 3 pieces of the pre-cut KT Tape on my knee (watched multiple videos on doctor & physical trainer websites for the correct application). I have an active on-the-feet job, workout on machines at the gym weekdays and shower once a day. As a baseline for comparing the longevity of the different tapes I would consider my lifestyle slightly above average for most people and average for active/athletic people.
KT Original: is great for every day use and rehabbing an injury. The texture is soft and because this type has been out the longest their are dozens of different colors and patterns! The one drawback is if you plan on showering a lot or sweating a lot, the tape starts peeling in the first 24-48 hrs.
KT Pro: I think is the best KT product and perfect if you are the always moving, active, or athletic type. If applied on properly the tape lasts a solid 3 days. Packaging says it can last up to 5 days, but if it is at an active joint (such as knee or wrist or elbow) or at the edge of your clothing line not likely. (Personally if I keep it on more than 3 or 4 days my skin starts to inch, the sort of the feeling you leave on a band-aid for too long or if you have had a cast for a broken bone.) The major negative drawback is the adhesive will sometimes build up around the edges if you leave the tape on for 4 or more days, so when you take the tape off a little adhesive outline remains. (This can simply and easily be wiped off with soap/water or rubbed off with your fingers but it is a little annoying.)
KT Pro Extreme: has about the same review as KT Pro. There is only one difference that I noticed -- KT Extreme eliminated the adhesive residue and build up. There maybe a slight difference in the KT Pro Extreme not lasting as long and not sticking as long as the KT PRO, but very similar in performance and results.
Final Recommendation: I would go with KT Pro hands down. The KT Original is great, just the KT PRO lasts longer after multiple water encounters. The difference between the KT PRO and KT Pro Extreme is only slight and not worth the price jump in my opinion.
I was a skeptic but this tape really works. I use it for my knee and I can definitely feel the difference. I have sciatica and lost some of the cartilage in knee so I have constant pain and it gets bad especially when I run. The KT Tape definitely provides support and lessens the pain. It took me several trials to finally learn to apply the tape correctly. My current application is on 2 days with 2 showers and still staying on pretty well with only minor fraying on some of the edges. The key for me was understanding that this is heat activated tape. On my previous applications I applied the tape according the instructions but didn't rub the tape enough to get it hot enough to activate the adhesive. Once I apply the tape and rub it well to activate it the heat the tape sticks very well.
Ugh, I hate how this the KT Tape is so expensive. At $15 a pop, I could get 5 knock-offs on Alibaba. However, I must say that even those knock-offs, while they do a great job, still can't compare to the original KT Tape. I use these for races and the knock-offs for training. They're thinner than the knock-offs and yet stronger. I have a tilted patella and started using KT Tape when I found a way to tape myself so that I can realign my knee cap for running, and it has been life changing. Absolutely life changing. I'm talking about pain that was so bad that I lost confidence because I couldn't even run without persisting pain. Also, this KT Tape was such good quality it lasted me the entire marathon. The precut strips are nice and look much better than if you're trying to cut them yourselves. If you're new to KT, I'd make sure you know what you're doing in terms of using them because I have definitely taped myself incorrectly before, which exacerbated my pain. And of course, you should train with them to make sure they work for you for race or game day.
I have had knee problems for many years and this has helped me in the process of recovering from lateral release surgery. The pro tape is the BEST. Take it from someone who has had knee problems for 6 years and has tried many brands. The regular KT stays on for a couples days, whereas the pro stays up to a month for me. Black is the best color for some reason. I tried a couple different colors and they did not want to stay on. This is not a solution to knee problems; it helps you for the time being and also helps you recover from surgery.
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