What’s the Difference?
Pre-wrap is a thin, foam-based dressing designed to stick to itself without an adhesive. Pre-wrap is soft and porous, so it is comfortable to wear even in the heat. Athletic tape’s material varies depending on the brand. But they all have a focus on high tensile strength while still being easy to tear. Athletic tape limits motion to help prevent injury or reduce the chance of injuries progressing. As the name suggests, pre-wrap is put on before an adhesive wrap. Pre-wrap prevents irritation from the strong adhesives on athletic tape, especially with removal. Adding pre-wrap gives an athlete all the benefits from wrapping an injury without any of the drawbacks.
Is Pre-wrap Necessary?
Pre-wrap is not necessary, but it is usually a good idea. If your skin doesn’t get irritated easily, then you may not need pre-wrap for occasional athletic tape usage. If you wear athletic tape on a regular basis, then pre-wrap is a great idea. Not only will pre-wrap help protect your skin, but it will also keep the wrapped part of your body cool.
Athletic tape can limit circulation if applied too tightly and will trap sweat and heat on the skin. Pre-wrap will provide a cushion, so a tight wrap won’t cut off circulation and lets the wrapped skin breathe. Pre-wrap is like bubble-wrap. It isn’t always necessary but will always provide some benefit.
Other Uses for Pre-wrap and Athletic Tape
Since it has no adhesive, pre-wrap is not able to replace athletic tape, but it has its own benefits. You can fashion pre-wrap into a headband, keep shoelaces covered, and help secure clothing like socks or shin guards without using an adhesive. Both Pre-wrap and Tape can be used to prevent blisters and secure things like cold packs or bandages.
When to Use Athletic Tape and Pre-wrap
As previously stated, athletic tape is an adhesive strip with a high tensile strength. The main purposes of athletic tape are to help support injured joints and to help keep dressings and bandages on wounds. The high tensile strength of athletic tape lets you wrap an injured joint without fully restricting movement. It also keeps the tape from tearing from the movement it allows. There are also elastic stretch tapes for people who need the support but find traditional athletic tape uncomfortable.
Pre-wrap is very useful when you’ve sustained a fairly serious injury and need to wear athletic tape for extended periods of time or are repeatedly removing and reapplying the tape. Most athletic tapes are nonporous, so they will trap sweat against the skin, which causes the skin to wrinkle and become irritated. If you are repeatedly reapplying the tape the strong adhesive will pull out hairs and small amounts of skin. Pre-wrap prevents both scenarios by providing a porous, non-adhesive barrier between the tape and the skin. If you suffer an injury and can be treated or reach a medical professional quickly, athletic tape without pre-wrap can be sufficient.
Final Wrap-up
Athletic tape and pre-wrap are two extremely useful tools. If you have sustained an injury, or are just experiencing some pain in a joint, wrapping it can provide enough relief and support until the pain goes away or a better method of treatment is available.
