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KT Tape Pro – Product Review (and discount offer)

I’ll preface this post by saying that I am a believer in kinesio tape.  I’m not sure how it works (click here and scroll down about half-way if you want information about that) but I am convinced that it does. I’ve had success using kinesio tape for relief from pain and swelling due to various soft tissue issues, primarily in my IT bands, knees and achilles.  I regularly used kinesio tape on those areas whenever I get that twinge that means some soft tissue is getting a little pissy.  I’ve also put it on pro-actively before most of my bigger races, just in case.

I have a little history with the brand KT Tape and I’ve been using their tape for the last couple of years (you can read about that in several blog posts from 2010).  I got an email from them a few weeks ago with an offer to send me a roll of a new version of their tape, called “KT Tape Pro“.  They describe KT Tape Pro as the world’s first 100% synthetic version of kinesio tape (instead of cotton tape with acrylic adhesive) and say that it is a “high performance tape designed specifically to stick better, provide better support for a longer period of time and it stays on much better in water.”  In addition to my thoughts about the new KT Tape Pro, there’s a 20% off discount code for your purchase of the tape below.

My roll of KT Tape Pro came at a great time – right as I was ramping up my weekly running mileage in training for the Catalina Eco Marathon and The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 mile.  I’ve been using it for about six weeks now and I can happily say that it does what they claim.  It gives me relief from those bothersome little twinges just like the original version of KT Tape, but the KT Tape Pro goes on and stays on!  For example, I put a strip on my IT band the morning of the Catalina Eco Marathon. I never thought about it during the race and it stayed on perfectly for over a week after the race, including multiple more runs, a swim and at least one shower each day.^[*]  It started to come a little loose around the edges the following weekend but it stayed on well for a couple more days of big running and I didn’t actually tear it off until Monday evening. I’m sure it could have lasted a few more days if I’d wanted.  Each other time I’ve applied the KT Tape Pro – and I’ve also tried in on my achilles, my lateral knee and the top of my foot – I’ve had similar results.  If you look closely, you can see it on my left IT band in this photo of me crossing the finish at The North Face 50 a couple weekends ago.

The other really impressive thing about KT Tape Pro is how well it actually does stay on in the water.  The original tape usually comes off the first time I swim.  KT Tape Pro doesn’t seem to be affected by the water and remained on during a swim and was still sticking just as well for a few days after.  This would be a huge advantage for triathletes.  (Disclaimer: I’ve only swam with it on my IT band and not with it on my knee or foot so I’m not sure if it would stay on as well in the water when it’s applied around a joint.)

The last point I’ll make about KT Tape Pro is that it looks pretty cool – there are eight color choices and they all have reflective silvery stripes.

The nice people at KT Tape have given me a promo code to pass along to all of you.  If you’re interested in getting a roll, go to the KT Tape Pro store, choose your color and use this code – KTPRO11 – for 20% off.  Hurry up and get on it, the promo code expires on January 31, 2012.

One important thing that I’ve learned about applying KT Tape is that no matter how good the tape is, if you don’t apply it right, it’s not going to stick.  Here are my tips (adapted from their website):

1. Clean the skin to completely remove lotion, dirt, and oils. I always wipe it off with rubbing alcohol. When I didn’t have rubbing alcohol in Catalina, I used a little hand sanitizer. Also clip hair down (1/8″) if it’s excessive.
2. For any application where you need to cut the tape, make sure you round the corners; the tap will stay on longer that way.
3. Stretch/extend the area where the tape will be applied (i.e. bend the knee for IT band application, flex the foot for achilles application, bend the elbow, etc.).
4. Do not stretch the last 1.5-2 inches of the tape on either end; tension on the ends will cause the end to come up and then the whole thing will fall off quickly.
5. Before un-stretching the skin, give the application a good friction rub with the waxy side of the backing paper to generate some heat and activate the adhesive.
6. Apply the tape at least 30 minutes before exercising (they say an hour before is optimal).
7. The first skin the tape touches should be its ultimate location. Skin cells come off with the tape, making the 2nd application less effective.

There are tons of great instructional videos at KTTape.com. I usually watch the video a couple times just to make sure I’m doing it right.

If you have any questions about the tape, let me know!