EAB TAPE

The difference is far greater than the names would suggest. Both are elasticated adhesive bandages that adhere to the skin and stretch 170% but that’s where the similarity ends.

EAB

• Is more robust. It uses a thicker cotton and has a far higher tensile strength, meaning it can only be cut with a scissors
• It has a feathered edge (for added comfort) and a central line to help reduce overlapping

TEAR EAB

• As the name would suggest it is hand tearable
• It is lighter weight and has a “crinkled” texture which helps aid multiple layers
• Is more versatile and the most popular tape for rugby

Discover how to use the tapes on our SPORTTAPE Youtube Channel.

Our EAB and TEAR EAB come in 3 sizes; 2.5CM / 5CM / 7.5CM

2.5CM – Use to protect ears, fingers and smaller joints.
5CM – Ideal for ankle, wrist and knee taping. Also used for thumb taping and the hook-grip in weightlifting.
7.5CM – Knees and shoulder taping. Securing lifting blocks for rugby.

Neither EAB or TEARABLE EAB is waterproof. However they are both breathable and water resistant, meaning that it will survive a heavy down pour during a match but they can not be used for water sports.

The No 1 choice for thumb taping is TEAR EAB 5CM. Just wrap it quickly around your thumbs and tear. Discover how to tape your thumbs here.

Shaving before applying is not necessary. The level of adhesion combined with adequate pressure will hold the EAB in place.

Due to the compressive nature of the tape, if applied incorrectly you can inhibit blood flow. Therefore we would always recommend that you check circulation post application and during activity.

Our EAB glues don’t contain any colophony or rosin, which are the normal irritants for anyone with an Elastoplast allergy.

However, we would recommend that anyone with an Elastoplast allergy trials a small test patch before using EAB TAPE as the skin sensitivity may disagree with any kind of adhesive against it.

If you have a known allergy to ZINC OXIDE, then you should opt for a different tape as EAB uses a ZINC OXIDE glue.

The most common tape used to secure lifting blocks in rugby is TEAR EAB. The jumpers use this tape to hold the foam block in place and to provide the lifter with a grippy area to hold on their leg. Discover more on our blog post.

Using EAB around the head and ears helps to prevent ‘Cauliflower Ears’; a deformity to the ears caused by repeated blunt force. Forwards are particularly susceptible to this because of their head position when scrummaging.

Using EAB around the ears also helps to reduce the chances of sustaining a cut or tear on the ear by securing the ear to the side of the head.

It can be removed really easily by simply peeling away the tape. The adhesive on EAB is not as a strong as ZINC OXIDE TAPE or K TAPE, so although it sticks to the skin, it is much easier to remove.