Today’s hockey game is ever evolving, and even the tried and true stick tape we have used for decades has found some competition. Stick grips that you install on top of your stick made of rubber with varying textures and patterns have begun emerging and gaining prominence recently. Some people may still prefer the classic white tape, but stick grips do offer benefits in many areas and have even won NHL players over. Our top pick for stick grips is the Buttendz Twirl Z, check out our full reviews below to help you decide if it’s time to replace that old white tape you’re still using on your twig!
Best Overall Grip
Amazing, Tacky rubber for an unbeatable grip with a simulated tape twirls makes this our top overall grip!
A grip that Buttendz teamed up with Patrick Kane to create, this is a symmetrical grip with a simulated tape twirl. Buttendz also offers it in multiple colors so you can customize your sticks look in whatever way you choose! Best of all? You break your stick, you can remove the grip and install it onto a new stick! This could be the last grip you ever purchase and for that reason it is our top choice!
Best Grip For Defensemen
Featuring the same awesome rubber and design as the Twirl 88, A large knob will really help you hold onto the stick when going for pokechecks
Buttendz makes over 5 different grips, and this one we believe is a fantastic choice for defensemen. A quick and accurate poke check is one of your best weapons to strip a forward of the puck, and a large knob has been a tool to enhance your poke checks and get a good grip on your stick. Buttendz has implemented a knob on top of this grip for that very purpose, making this our choice for best grip for a d man!
Best Grip For Goalies
This titanium mask provides top of the line lightweight protection with improved vision technology.
The Sentry is Buttendz take on goalie grips, as you can tell is has a massive knob on top, and features Buttendz typical high quality rubber for enhanced grip.
The Best Hockey Stick Tape
Top of the line hockey tape that goes on easier, stays on longer, and builds up less ice than conventional tapes
Howies has been making waves in the tape game with their ultra premium, high thread count tape. I have personally used this several times and it truly does adhere to your stick and withstand more abuse than traditional tape. It also comes in a wide variety of colors allowing you to customize your stick however you choose!
Our Recommendations
An excellent, tacky rubber grip with a simulated tape twirl for the ultimate in grip and stick control!
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A grip with a larger knob that would work well for players needing to do lots of poke checks!
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Designed for Goalies, this grip features a massive knob for sweeps and poke checks
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For the players who like the vision of the visor but want full face protection, this is the best full face shield out there!
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Big, Tacky, and Durable, Oggie’s makes a straightforward stick grip
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A premium tape that lasts longer and keeps ice off your blade better than discount brands
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A Durasoft Polymer tape that allows you to get a stick grip level of tack in a tape style application
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The original, classic tape. Often the cheapest option but has remained in the marketplace due to being able to get the job done for less money!
Our Rating
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Specifications and Features:
- Peak Top Hand Control – Thinner grip with a twirl line, gives great feel and control for the top hand
- High Quality Rubber – Enhanced grip and less slippage will result in less wear and tear on your glove palm
BOTTOM LINE:
An excellent all around grip that we feel works best for forwards or offensive minded players, as it lacks a large knob typically sought by d men. You can also take it off a stick and re-install on a new one of it breaks! A great investment for your stick and more specifically your gloves!
2. Buttendz Flux Z
Specifications and Features:
- Large Top Knob – A feature many D-men will install on their stick, this allows for better poke check control and accuracy
- High Quality Rubber – Enhanced grip and less slippage will result in less wear and tear on your glove palm. This rubber is featured across the entire Buttendz lineup
BOTTOM LINE:
Buttendz tried and true high quality rubber grip, with a big top knob that will really help you pick pucks cleanly off peoples sticks. As always with Buttendz
3. Buttendz Future Drip
Specifications and Features:
- Raised Knob with Tape Twirl – If you’re not ready for either extreme of the Twirl 88 of Flux Z, the Future Drip is the perfect middle ground
- High Quality Rubber – Enhanced grip and less slippage will result in less wear and tear on your glove palm. This rubber is featured across the entire Buttendz lineup
BOTTOM LINE:
Not much else to say at this point, Buttendz has made sure to cover any and all knob taping styles and closes out their last player knob in our review with an offering that gives a bit more top knob and still has that tape twirl feature. A great middle ground!
4. Buttendz Sentry
Specifications and Features:
- Unbeatable Goal Stick Control – A huge knob up top gives you excellent control with your goalie stick for either around the net sweeps or precision pokechecks with a player bearing down on you!
- High Quality Rubber – Enhanced grip and less slippage will result in less wear and tear on your glove palm. This rubber is featured across the entire Buttendz lineup
BOTTOM LINE:
Buttendz take on a goalie knob follows their tried and true formula of high quality rubber, a big knob, and the ability to reuse incase of a stick break. You may never have to tape a knob again after purchasing one of these!
5. Oggies Classic Grip
Specifications and Features:
- Bold Grip Pattern – Foregoing the looks department, the x cross hatching does give great grip on the knob
- Large Knob – Really helps with top hand control when it comes to poke checks and sweeping your stick
BOTTOM LINE:
An alternative to other grips out there, but not our top choice due to non premium rubber and a design that honestly isn’t aesthetically pleasing. Will still undoubtedly provide more grip than tape alone
1. Howies Hockey Tape
Specifications and Features:
- High Thread Count – 68 strands per inch helps increase durability and reduce the number of re-tapings needed
- Extra Adhesive – Howies didn’t cheap out when it comes to adhesive, keeping the tape firmly on your stick game in and game out
- Unbeatable Color Selection – Howies cloth stick tape comes in 16 different colors, allowing you to spice your knob and blade up however you’d like
BOTTOM LINE:
Howies hasn’t been around for as long as some tape brands, but the extremely high build quality and high thread count really push it into our top place as the best hockey stick tape available for your stick. As an added bonus, Howies offers 16 different colors allowing you to make your stick look as mild or wild as you please!
2. Lizard Skin
Specifications and Features:
- Durasoft Polymer – Lizard Skin’s key element, give the grip a soft tacky feel
- Full Rainbow Of Colors – You can choose from up to 12 different colors of lizard skin, allowing you to completely customize the look of your stick
BOTTOM LINE:
A great grip tape for the knob of your stick, Lizard skin gives you an option that falls somewhere between premium cloth tape like Howies or a full out grip like Buttendz offers. A wide range of colors is great for customization, and the Durasoft polymer really helps with grip.
3. Renfrew Stick Tape
Specifications and Features:
- Polyester Cotton Construction – A tried and true classic, this tape has been trusted for decades to get the job done
- Great Price Point – This will undoubtedly be the cheapest option you will find for your stick
BOTTOM LINE:
The original stick tape, many of us have used this stuff for decades! While it might be outclassed by some alternatives these days, if you are just looking for a quick purchase to throw something on your stick, Renfrew’s tape isn’t a bad choice!
Conclusion
We went over many different Grips and Tapes, and I hope at this point you have a good idea of what might work for your game. Any little advantage or boost to your game helps these days, so hopefully you find a grip that fits your game perfectly! Sound off in the comments with your thoughts!