Introduction
Table of Contents
Interested in the hockey Wrap Around stick blade protector but not sure if it’s worth the money? In our hockey Wrap Around review, we’ll give you the answers that you are looking for!
Below, we’ll have a look at the features, pros, and cons of the Wrap Around stick blade protector. Aside from that, we’ll talk about its differences from traditional hockey tape to help you choose.
Go grab a drink and make yourself comfortable – we are getting started without further ado!
Hockey Wrap Around Review
The Hockey Wrap Around protector is primarily intended to allow you to practice off the ice. You could also use it to protect your stick’s blade in storage, but that’s not what this product is designed for. You can find much cheaper protectors if that’s what you want.
Anyway, the Wrap Around has a sectioned design intended to make wrapping the thing around the hockey blade easy. Thanks to its flexibility, the Wrap Around sits on the blade fairly tightly too. Not only that, but it should fit any stick out there, including left- and right-handed, senior, junior, or whatnot.
Note that because the Wrap Around sits very tight around the blade, it can sometimes be difficult to put on. And when on, Wraparound recommends using tape to secure the protector so that it doesn’t fall off during play.
What’s nice about the Wrap Around too is that it’s made of a lightweight plastic that only weighs about 1.4 ounces. There is also the Weighted Wrap Around protector made of stainless steel – this one weighs 2.82 ounces. The stainless steel version is more durable as well and is a better suit if you want to increase strength.
In terms of durability, the Wrap Around seems to be decent. It starts cracking and chipping after several hard sessions, but it’s difficult to tell how long it will serve for your use case. Wraparound does include 3 protectors in a single pack though, so you should be good for a couple of months.
Aside from the 3-pack, you may also get a one- and 5-pack. The Wrap Around is available in white and black as well.
We recommend that your first try the one-pack. It’s cheaper upfront, and it will allow you to give the protector a try. If the Wrap Around seems perfect for your needs, then you may purchase the larger packs to save money.
Speaking of money, the Wrap Around is quite a pricey piece of hockey equipment. That’s why we think that you should first try out the single-pack. Some people may think that the Wrap Around is not worth the money, but you won’t know until you give this thing a shot.
Pros:
- Lets you practice off the ice.
- Fits most stick sizes.
- Very lightweight.
Cons:
- Pricey.
- Takes a lot of time to put on.
Wrap Around VS Tape – What’s The Difference?
The Wrap Around and standard hockey tape have a similar purpose – they protect the blade during play. However, there are some subtle differences that set the two protectors far apart:
- Tape is used to protect the blade on the ice, while the Wrap Around is designed for practice off the ice.
- You could use the Wrap Around to protect the blade in storage, while using tape for the same purpose is unreasonable since applying it takes a long time.
With that, tape and the Wrap Around are quite different despite similar purposes. One cannot replace the other, so if you are serious about hockey, you will want to have both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I protect my hockey stick blade?
The simplest way of doing so would be putting a protector – like the Wrap Around – on the blade. Protectors like these protect the blade from impact during practice off the ice, and they may also be used to protect the blade in storage.
Can you use ice hockey sticks for street hockey?
Yes, but you must first either tape the stick blade or wrap it. This is to protect the blade from impact with the ground. Off the ice, the playing surface is very rough, and an unprotected blade will very quickly get dull and wear out from contact.
Why do hockey players tape their stick blades?
The purpose of taping the blade is to protect it from wear, as well as to improve grip on the puck. Tape improves grip by preventing moisture and ice from building up, as well as by making the surface of the blade more textured.
Should you tape street hockey sticks?
You could do that. Just like with ice hockey sticks, tape would protect the stick blade and provide better grip. The blade will wear out from contact with the ground anyway, but protecting it with tape might still be a very good idea. Besides, if your opponents are using tape and you are not, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage.
Street hockey stick vs Wrap Around – which one to buy?
This mainly depends on your options. If you can find a street hockey stick that’s cheaper than the Wrap Around, then perhaps it’s a better choice.
However, also keep in mind that switching blades, you may not be able to build skill specifically with your ice hockey stick. If that’s important for you, then you should probably stick (pun intended) to the Wrap Around.
With that said, you should probably try both options to see which one suits your needs better.
Final Thoughts
So in the end, the Wrap Around seems like a great protector for ice hockey sticks. It provides adequate protection to the blade when practicing off the ice, and it could also be used to protect the blade in storage. Though we wouldn’t recommend the Wrap Around exclusively for storage since you can find much cheaper options for that.
As mentioned earlier, buy the one-pack first to give the Wrap Around a shot. After that, if you like it, you may buy a 3- or 5-pack to save money.