Many dirt riders and some road racers tape their hands to avoid blisters when riding. Clean, good-fitting gloves are the first place to start, but with a roll of half- and one-inch (1- and 2.5-cm) medical adhesive tape, you can prevent almost any blister. Just follow this step-by-step guide.
STEP 1 Make sure your hands are clean and completely dry.
STEP 2 Cut moleskin patches to cover up any areas where you have blistered in the past—usually the top of the palm where the fingers join the hand, but sometimes the inside of the thumb as well. When in doubt, make the moleskin about twice the size of your last blister.
STEP 3 Cut a piece of tape 6 inches (15 cm) long; apply as shown.
Repeat in any area where you get blisters.
STEP 4 Using the 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide tape, wrap a strip as shown, starting at the back of your hand and wrapping it over the palm. Press the tape down smooth and tight. Use two layers of tape.
STEP 5 Flex your hands. You want the tape tight, but not so tight that it restricts your hand movement. Don’t use so much that you can’t put on your gloves.
STEP 6 Dust talcum powder lightly on your hands or inside your gloves, to help you slide your hands into the gloves without balling up the tape. It will also help reduce blisters by keeping your hands drier and cutting down on chafing.
Many dirt riders and some road racers tape their hands to avoid blisters when riding. Clean, good-fitting gloves are the first place to start, but with a roll of half- and one-inch (1- and 2.5-cm) medical adhesive tape, you can prevent almost any blister. Just follow this step-by-step guide.
STEP 1 Make sure your hands are clean and completely dry.
STEP 2 Cut moleskin patches to cover up any areas where you have blistered in the past—usually the top of the palm where the fingers join the hand, but sometimes the inside of the thumb as well. When in doubt, make the moleskin about twice the size of your last blister.
STEP 3 Cut a piece of tape 6 inches (15 cm) long; apply as shown.
Repeat in any area where you get blisters.
STEP 4 Using the 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide tape, wrap a strip as shown, starting at the back of your hand and wrapping it over the palm. Press the tape down smooth and tight. Use two layers of tape.
STEP 5 Flex your hands. You want the tape tight, but not so tight that it restricts your hand movement. Don’t use so much that you can’t put on your gloves.
STEP 6 Dust talcum powder lightly on your hands or inside your gloves, to help you slide your hands into the gloves without balling up the tape. It will also help reduce blisters by keeping your hands drier and cutting down on chafing.