Firstaid4sport Zinc Oxide Strapping

Just what the doctor ordered! Well, mate actually.I sprained my left ankle quite badly while trying to pick up my running & the distance I could comfortably go. Having notoriously weak ankles meant I was always aware of a potential injury, but after this I was not keen on running at all, never mind repeating the sprain or doing worse. I was actually quite fearful of going out again even after the 'healing' period. This was a shame as I was getting somewhere in my distance when this injury could've potentially meant I had to stop.After two weeks rest & some mate's advice, I tried this tape as a support against turning my ankle again. The method is simple and works great for me:I run about 12 - 15inch of tape down the outside of my calf (extensor digitorum longus I think), then ever-so-slightly, pronate my foot and run the tape under the arch of the foot, back up the other side of my foot but instead of taping up the inside of my leg, I wrap the tape around the front of my ankle and back to the outside of my leg, crossing the tape there. I generally cut the tape so it reaches to my Achilles.There are articles online showing the pictures, but I cant find any quickly.Doing the above meant that as I stand straight there is a slight (ever so slight) tension on the tape. After a few minutes, that tension seems to disappear. Skin gives, tape stretches a little etc. What this means is that I can continue running without support, except in the case where my ankle gives way and wants to roll; then I have additional support that prevents a nasty sprain. Without support means that my muscles/tendons/etc start to regain their strength and hold up on their own. Always a good thing!I am not a doctor (well, actually I am, just not a medical one) so I don't want to give false promise or hope. However, this has worked so well for me that I thought it worth passing along. I may well have given up running by now had it not been for this, and although it is probably frowned upon, I now tape both ankles before running anywhere.I hope this can make a difference for others out there.Ps. I used the 2.5cm tape & have just ordered four more reels.Cheers!Dan

Brought this tape for a injured wrist few years back because somebody recommended it, helped with going the gym and lifting weights an also made it feel alot stronger, also used this tape in sports like handball and football did the job.The tape is also strong enough to wrap around hockey or tennis racket handles, friend of mine used it for re-gripping most of his hockey sticks and it lasted awhile, and the tape is so thick I still have it to this day four years down the line and use it for almost everything.Highly recommendHope review helps...

Pros: as described, sticks very well, even when you remove and reapply a few times and not overly adhesive to the touch. It's not easy to straighten out if it has self-adhered but this is expected. Breathable material and not at all unconfortable once wrapped around your fingers (I use the tape mainly as injury prevention during climbing and weight lifting when chalk seems to be insufficient)Cons: slight chemical scent but main draw back was difficulty in tearing the tape; it is of a woven material so frays when you try to tear with teeth initially but I've managed to get the hang of tearing it like this before conventionally with fingers - just needs some more effort and pulling power and you're golden. Scissors often adhere to the tape so wouldn't recommend faffing with that

This is such a great find. I use it every day to prevent rubbing in my uncomfortable work shoes. This tape cannot be torn, so if you're on the run, you have to bring scissors, but it's also a plus because the edges don't fray like the type you tear - that's usually the tradeoff. Sticks well - whole day unless quite sweaty whereby it only shifts a bit. It does though leave a sticky residue when you take it off (after a whole day) - but this is expected and happened with other tapes I've tried. It's much cheaper than buying blister bandaids. Would highly recommend.

A bit fiddly to use since it doesn't tear easily, but this does show the robustness of the tape.The right level of stickiness in my opinion- tape adhered to skin well and peeled off reasonably easily, but where stuck to itself formed a much stronger bond.