Short answer: Most tapes are boring, and some of them gave me blisters. We want to design and make great, fun tapes that celebrate the joy of the sports we are dedicated to.

Long answer: We are two climbers who both experienced a full stop in climbing due to injuries. It was a slow, tedious and frustrating journey to climb back up to where we were. With EARTHTONE™, we aim to raise awareness of sports injuries and launch products to prevent injuries and promote recovery. Read our story to learn what we are up to.

Taping with kinesiology tape is a widely used technique to support and stabilize muscles and joints, reduce pain, and enhance performance.

Kinesiology tape is stretchy and designed to support muscles and joints without restricting movement. It mimics the elasticity of human skin, allowing for a full range of motion. It works by providing✳︎:

• Pain Relief: The tape lifts the skin slightly, creating a small space between the skin and the muscles. This helps to reduce pressure on pain receptors, alleviating pain.

• Improved Circulation: The lifting effect also promotes better blood and lymphatic flow, reducing inflammation and swelling.

• Enhanced Recovery: By improving circulation, kinesiology tape aids in the removal of metabolic waste products and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, promoting faster recovery.
  

Both athletic tape and kinesiology tape play crucial roles in injury prevention, management, and recovery. Understanding the specific needs of your body and the nature of your injury will help you choose the appropriate type of tape for optimal results.

✳︎Based on academic hypothesis, clinical proof to be further investigated.

Good question! We keep our tapes simple and logo-less, so they can look very similar despite using different formulas.

However, there is an easy way of distinguishing the two lines. COMFORT!™ tape is made of original cotton fabric which has a matte finish, while BOOST!™ tape is made of synthetic fabric which gives a glossy appearance.

Additionally, it's also a good idea to keep the tape in its original case.

Earthtone™ BOOST! ™ maximizes performance and boasts lasting effects through sweaty sessions. It's designed to last up to 5 days with excellent adhesion in both wet and dry conditions. If you are looking for a tape with lasting effect, choose BOOST! ™ for your next session.

Earthtone™ COMFORT! ™ uses best-in-class formulas to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction or skin irritation while offering great support. It's designed to last up to 3 days. If you have relatively sensitive skin, or simply prefer cotton over synthetic fabric, choose COMFORT! ™ for your next physical activities.

Have sensitive skin and you still want maximum effect of taping? Well, we suggest you take off your COMFORT! ™ tape every 2-3 days, give your skin a day of break before reapply the tape. You may apply some healing ointment on the taped area during the break - I use CeraVe's healing ointment for all types of skin repair needs (it's magical!). But before reapplying, please make sure your skin is clean and dry again.

If your skin is still irritated, don't hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. We love taping, but it may not be the best solution for everyone.

ps. Despite using synthetic fabric, BOOST! ™ is also highly breathable and latex-free!

While this is very uncommon with Earthtone™ tape, it is not uncommon for people to get blisters with kinesiology tape applications - this is why we started our own tape brand.

Blisters can be from an allergic reaction to the adhesive used in the tape, excessive tension from overstretched tape, prolonged wear, and more often, compromised breathability of the tape for enhanced stickiness.

At Earthtone™, we do our best to balance adhesion, hypoallergenicity, and breathability of the tape so that our tape is effective yet comfortable to wear for days. Read our blog for more tips on how to prevent skin irritation.