Thunder Tactical Tape Review
Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links, meaning we receive commissions for any purchases made through the links on this page.
Sometimes the simplest pieces of gear end up being the most useful. Thunder Tape Tactical Grip Tape is a good example. There are no complicated parts, batteries, adjustments, or instructions to worry about. It is essentially a rugged cloth tape designed to give handles, tools, outdoor equipment, and other gear a more secure, comfortable gripping surface.
The version reviewed here is the two-roll camouflage pack, which includes Olive Drab Green and Flat Dark Earth Brown. Those colors, combined with the tape’s low-sheen cloth finish, give it a decidedly outdoors-oriented appearance. More importantly, Thunder Tape is designed to improve grip while standing up to sweat, moisture, dirt, and regular handling.
So, is this specialized grip tape actually worth buying, or would an ordinary roll of tape accomplish the same thing? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Thunder Tape?
Thunder Tape is a cloth-based adhesive grip tape made from a polyester-cotton material. This two-pack includes both green and brown rolls, giving you enough material to wrap multiple pieces of equipment while also providing two useful earth-tone color choices.
The tape is designed to tear by hand, but does not do so easily. It takes a fair amount of pressure to rip it horizontally. This can be annoying as you don’t necessarily want to hunt down scissors every time you need to wrap a handle or make a quick adjustment. Being able to quickly tear off the required length, apply it, and get back to what you were doing would make the product considerably more convenient.
The adhesive is another important part of the design. Thunder Tape is intended to hold securely during use while still being removable without leaving the sticky mess associated with many heavy-duty tapes.
That combination, good adhesion without permanent residue, is one of the product’s strongest selling points.
Grip & Feel
The primary reason to buy a product like Thunder Tape is obviously grip, and this is where the cloth construction makes sense. However, there are two fields of thought on how grip tape should activate.
Traditional grip tape, like hockey tape, has a sticky outer surface. Thunder Tape, on the other hand, has an almost smooth cloth surface that only becomes sticky once your hands are damp or wet.
Smooth plastic, painted metal, and other hard surfaces can become surprisingly difficult to hold when your hands are wet or sweaty. Wrapping a gripping surface in textured cloth gives your hand considerably more purchase without requiring a permanent modification to the equipment.
This also makes Thunder Tape useful beyond the obvious gun range applications.
For example, I’ve used the tape on kettlebells and pull-up equipment to create a more comfortable gripping surface. It also works well applied to yard tool handles, sledge hammers, and even a worn steering wheel. That versatility is arguably one of the best reasons to keep a couple of rolls around.
Instead of being a highly specialized product with only one purpose, it becomes something you can use whenever you encounter a handle that is too slick, uncomfortable, or worn.
Easy To Apply?
Thankfully, yes. Despite its difficulty to tear, another advantage is that little skill is required to get a functional wrap.
Start with a clean, dry surface, anchor the tape, and wrap it with consistent overlap and tension. Because the tape can be torn by hand, finishing the job doesn’t require additional tools.
Getting a perfectly uniform, professional-looking wrap may take a little practice, particularly around curves, contours, or transitions. Functionally, however, the process is straightforward.
The ability to reposition or replace the tape is particularly useful. If the first attempt doesn’t look right, or the wrap eventually becomes dirty or worn, you can remove it and start again rather than treating it as a permanent alteration.
That makes Thunder Tape particularly attractive for equipment you want to customize without permanently changing the original surface.
Tactical Tape: Best Uses
Thunder Tape is marketed as sweat- and water-resistant, which is important because ordinary cloth tape can quickly become unpleasant once exposed to moisture. To test this, I wrapped a Magpul rifle grip with the material and left it out in a rainstorm for about an hour. It stayed in place as advertised, with no unraveling or fraying to report.
The material is also designed around a low-glare appearance. The Olive Drab Green and Flat Dark Earth Brown colors fit naturally with hiking, camping, hunting, range, and general outdoor equipment without the shiny surface found on some conventional tapes.
The two-color package is useful as well. You can match the wrap to different equipment, mix the colors, or simply use whichever roll works better for the job.
Durability will naturally depend on the application. A lightly used tool handle is going to be much easier on the material than equipment exposed constantly to friction, moisture, dirt, and rough surfaces. The important point is that replacing the tape is inexpensive and relatively easy when it eventually becomes worn.
Tactical Tape: Versatility
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Thunder Tape is the number of potential applications.
Obvious candidates include hand tools, axes, flashlights, bows, camping equipment, sporting equipment, and other frequently handled gear. It can also provide a quick solution for workout equipment with uncomfortable or overly aggressive surfaces.
It can even be useful for identifying equipment. Using green tape on one piece of gear and brown on another creates an easy visual distinction while improving the gripping surface at the same time.
For campers and outdoors enthusiasts, carrying a small amount of durable cloth tape can also be useful for temporary field fixes. Thunder Tape’s primary purpose is grip rather than repair, so it shouldn’t be treated as a substitute for proper repair materials, but versatile tape rarely goes unused for long.
What Could Be Improved?
Thunder Tape isn’t going to be the right solution for every situation. As mentioned, it only improves your grip if your hands are wet or have moisture on them.
First, wrapping something adds thickness. On a large tool handle, this may actually improve comfort, but on a smaller handle the additional material could make it feel bulkier than you prefer.
Second, appearance depends heavily on application. A carefully overlapped wrap can look clean and intentional. A rushed wrap can look exactly like what it is: tape wrapped around something.
Finally, no grip tape should be considered permanent. High-contact areas eventually experience wear, particularly when exposed to repeated friction, moisture, dirt, and outdoor conditions. Buyers should think of the tape as a replaceable gripping surface rather than a once-and-done modification.
Fortunately, replaceability is also part of its appeal.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Textured cloth improves grip when hands are wet
- Sweat- and water-resistant construction
- Designed to remove without sticky residue
- Olive Drab and Flat Dark Earth colors suit outdoor equipment
- Low-sheen finish avoids a glossy appearance
- Useful on tools, fitness equipment, camping gear, and numerous other handles
- Easy and inexpensive way to refresh worn gripping surfaces
Cons
- Cloth material feels slick when your hands are dry
- The material is not easy to tear by hand
- Adds some thickness to whatever you wrap
- Clean-looking application requires a little care
- High-friction applications will eventually require replacement
- Earth-tone tactical styling won’t appeal to everyone
Thunder Tactical Tape: Grip & Rip
Thunder Tape Tactical Grip Tape succeeds because it keeps things simple. Its textured, cloth-based surface improves your grip, while the durable material handles moisture and sweat. You can apply it quickly and remove or replace it just as easily without leaving a sticky mess behind.
Versatility stands out as one of Thunder Tape’s biggest advantages. You might buy it for one specific piece of equipment, then use the leftover tape to improve the grip on tools, workout equipment, camping gear, or worn handles around the house.
The two-roll pack includes Olive Drab Green and Flat Dark Earth Brown, giving outdoor enthusiasts two understated color options. The low-sheen finish also helps reduce glare and gives wrapped gear a clean, rugged appearance.
Is it revolutionary? No, and budget grip tape doesn’t need to be. A product like this has one job: make equipment easier and more comfortable to hold without creating unnecessary hassle.
For outdoors enthusiasts, DIYers, athletes, and anyone with frequently used equipment that could benefit from a more secure gripping surface, Thunder Tape is an inexpensive and practical upgrade worth considering.
My overall rating of the Thunder Tape Tactical Grip Tape: 4/5 
- 2-Roll Combo in Tactical Colors: Olive Drab Green and Flat Dark Earth Brown offers better choices for tactical use, suitable for gun grips, knives, tools, bows, and camping gear
- Extended Length for Multiple Applications: Each roll measures 1 inch x 22 yards, providing 44 total yards of durable, high-tension tactical tape for firearms, tools, handles, and more
- Easy to Apply with Strong Adhesive: Cloth tape applies smoothly with strong adhesive, sweat and water-resistant
Looking for more tactical gear reviews? Check out our review of the Cypher 3L EDC Waist Pack.
Magazine Compatibility Finder
Select your firearm to explore cataloged magazines. Compatibility data is informational; confirm fit with the manufacturer before use.
.