Alternative Uses for Cohesive Bandage

When you think of Cohesive Bandage, chances are you picture footballers using it to hold up their socks. And while that’s definitely one of its most popular uses, there’s way more to this self-sticking wonder than just sports.

At SPORTTAPE, we usually show Cohesive Bandage in action on the pitch, but the truth is, it’s got a whole range of uses beyond keeping shin pads in place. From first aid to tattoo aftercare (yes, really), this stuff is as versatile as it gets. 

So, whether you’re an athlete, a pet owner, or just someone who appreciates a good life hack, here are five unexpected ways to use Cohesive Bandage.

Cohesive Bandage or Sock Wrap? It's the same thing!

If you’ve ever wrapped something up with tape and ended up in a sticky mess, you’ll appreciate the magic of a Cohesive. Unlike regular tape, it doesn’t have any glue—it sticks to itself, not your skin, hair, or anything else. That means no painful peeling, no residue, and no ruined socks (we’re looking at you, PVC Sock Tape users).

It’s stretchy, breathable, and super easy to tear by hand, making it a go-to for athletes, physios, vets, and even tattoo artists. In sport, it’s best known for keeping socks up and shin pads in place without the need for annoying straps. But, it's definitely not the only use. 

Let's take a look at some of the alternative uses for it...

We’ve all been there—you step awkwardly, roll your ankle, and suddenly you’re limping like you’ve just gone 12 rounds in a cage fight. Or maybe you got a little too ambitious with the deadlifts and now your wrist is feeling like it belongs to someone twice your age. That's where the Cohesive Bandage comes into the conversation.

It’s perfect for giving light support and compression to sore joints and muscles, helping to reduce swelling without turning you into a stiff, over-wrapped mummy. And because it only sticks to itself, you won’t get that dreaded “why is my skin coming off with this?” moment when you take it off. No glue, no pain, just a simple wrap-and-go solution.

Basically, if you’re the kind of person who’s always picking up minor injuries (or just dramatically clutching your knee after a five-a-side game), Cohesive is ideal.

Ever tried to keep a regular plaster on an awkward spot, like your elbow or knee? It lasts about five minutes before it gives up and falls off, leaving you with a sad-looking, half-peeled mess. Again, that’s where Cohesive comes in clutch.

Since it sticks to itself and not your skin, it’s perfect for holding dressings in place without ripping off half your arm hair when you take it off. It’s breathable, comfy, and way less faff than dealing with medical tape that seems to have a personal vendetta against your patience.

Whether you’ve got a nasty scrape from a tackle, a blister from breaking in new boots, holding an ice pack in place, or just need a makeshift bandage after an unfortunate kitchen accident (we won’t ask), this stuff has you covered—literally.

If you’ve ever tried putting a plaster on a dog, you’ll know it’s about as effective as telling them not to roll in mud five minutes after a bath. Enter Cohesive Bandage, aka Vet Wrap, aka the only thing standing between your pet and total chaos.

Vets love this stuff because it’s lightweight, stretchy, and won’t stick to fur, making it perfect for wrapping up minor injuries, protecting paws, or even just stopping them from licking a sore spot. It’s comfy for them, hassle-free for you, and—bonus—it comes in all sorts of colours, so your dog, cat, or horse can recover in style.

Whether it’s a dog with a dodgy paw, a cat that picked a fight with the sofa, or even a chicken with a sprained leg (yes, really), Cohesive is the go-to. Just don’t be surprised if your pet still gives you that look while you’re wrapping them up.

Ever tried to hold onto a barbell, tennis racket, or even a pint glass with sweaty hands? Not ideal. Cohesive isn't just for injuries, but for giving you a better grip on pretty much anything.

Athletes use it to wrap around gym bars, tennis rackets, golf clubs, and even ice hockey sticks to stop them from slipping mid-game (because no one wants to launch their hockey stick across the rink). Weightlifters swear by it for an extra bit of grip on barbells and dumbbells, and cyclists even use it to wrap handlebars for a comfier, non-slip hold.

But it’s not just for sports—chefs use it on knife handles, musicians wrap it around drumsticks, and if you’ve ever lost control of a pint glass at the pub, well…maybe it’s time to start wrapping those too.

Getting a tattoo is all fun and games until you realise you now have to keep that fresh ink protected while it heals. Cohesive to the rescue again. 

Tattoo artists wrap their machine grips with Cohesive Bandage for extra comfort and control, because steady hands are kind of important when you’re permanently marking someone’s skin. And for those who’ve just been under the needle, it’s perfect for securing dressings over fresh tattoos—no glue, no sticky mess, and no painful peeling (because let’s be honest, getting the tattoo was painful enough).

Plus, it won’t cling to your skin like cling film, so you can heal without feeling like a wrapped-up leftover sandwich.

Alright, so we’ve covered the useful ways to use Cohesive Bandage—but what about the more…creative ones? Turns out, this stuff has a whole second life in the world of DIY fixes and questionable life hacks.

Need an emergency shoelace? Rip off a strip and tie it up—instant fix. Sick of your TV remote slipping into the sofa abyss? Wrap a little Cohesive around it for grip. Fingers freezing while typing but you still need to work? DIY fingerless gloves.

Got a weird or unexpected use for Cohesive Bandage? Drop us a message—we’d love to hear it! And if you need to stock up, you know where to find the best!