Underwrap & Prewrap – the foundation for safe, comfortable, and durable taping

January 19, 2026

Underwrap & Prewrap – grunden för säker, bekväm och hållbar tejpning

Underwrap, often called prewrap, is one of the most underrated yet crucial materials for taping in sports. Whether you're using athletic tape or kinesiology tape, underwrap provides better comfort, skin protection, and a smoother application.

For coaches, physiotherapists, and active athletes, underwrap is an essential part of professional taping.

What is underwrap / prewrap?

Underwrap is a thin, foam-like material applied directly to the skin before athletic tape or coach tape. It is used to:

Protect the skin
Reduce irritation and chafing
Improve comfort during taping
Make tape removal easier

Underwrap is particularly common for taping:

Ankle
Knee
Wrist
Lower leg
Thigh

Why should you use underwrap for taping?

Taping directly on the skin sometimes works – but over time, the risk of skin problems increases. With underwrap, you get:

✅ Skin Protection

Perfect for athletes who are taped often or have sensitive skin.

✅ Better Comfort

Reduces pressure and discomfort, especially with rigid athletic taping.

✅ Even Pressure

Underwrap creates a smooth surface that allows the tape to adhere more controllably.

✅ Faster Tape Removal

Less pain and fewer skin irritations after training or a match.

Underwrap + athletic tape = optimal stability

For stabilizing taping, such as of the ankle or knee, the following are often used:

Underwrap (prewrap)
Athletic tape / coach tape
Possibly an elastic bandage as a finish

👉 Underwrap does not affect stability, but significantly improves the experience and durability.

When to use underwrap – and when not to?

Situation	Recommendation
Frequent taping	Underwrap
Sensitive skin	Underwrap
Match taping with athletic tape	Underwrap
Maximum tape adhesion required	Directly on skin
Kinesiology tape	Usually without underwrap