Clean Handle
Peel it off. Handle is factory-fresh.
Guard-Tex wraps cane handles and rubber grips without adhesive. When stripped, zero residue remains on any handle material.
Grip — Cricket
Guard-Tex builds custom thickness and taper under your cricket bat grip — absorbing handle vibration while adding the exact diameter your hands need. Strips clean from cane, twine, and rubber with zero residue.
Cricket bat handles come in standard diameters. If you've got large hands, the handle feels like a pencil. Small hands, it's a log. The wrong diameter changes your pickup, your balance, your shot control. Professional batsmen spend thousands on custom handle builds — amateur and club cricketers are stuck with stock shapes or expensive re-handles.
Traditional handle build-up uses rubber grips layered over twine binding. Adhesive overwraps leave residue that degrades the cane handle underneath. Heat-shrink wraps are permanent modifications that can't be reversed. Every option either commits you permanently or damages the handle.
My bat handle was too thin for my hands — shots were rotating in my grip. Two layers of Guard-Tex under the rubber and the handle finally fills my palm. Drives are going where I aim them.— Club Batsman, Premier League
Guard-Tex wraps under or over your existing grip to add custom thickness, vibration dampening, and taper profiles. Self-adhering cotton bonds to itself — never to the handle. Strip it off for a re-handle, selling the bat, or trying a different profile. The willow and cane underneath are untouched.
Clean Handle
Guard-Tex wraps cane handles and rubber grips without adhesive. When stripped, zero residue remains on any handle material.
Under-grip build-up. Wrap Guard-Tex over the bare handle before applying your rubber grip. Layer until the diameter fills your hand. The cotton provides vibration dampening between cane and grip.
Over-grip cushioning. Wrap over an existing rubber grip for added cushion and vibration absorption. Cotton gauze absorbs impact energy that rubber transmits, reducing the sting from edges and mistimed shots.
Taper and profile shaping. Build more layers at the bottom for a thicker butt end, or add thickness at the top for a trigger-grip feel. Custom profiles without a bat maker's workshop.
Vibration control. Cotton layers between handle and grip dampen vibration transfer from blade to hands. Particularly effective for English willow bats where handle vibration is pronounced on edges.
| Feature | Guard-Tex Wrap | Adhesive Overwrap | Extra Rubber Grip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle residue | ✓ Zero — no adhesive | ✗ Adhesive degrades cane | Minimal |
| Vibration dampening | ✓ Cotton absorbs energy | ✗ Minimal | Moderate — rubber |
| Custom thickness | ✓ Layer by layer, any profile | Limited by wrap thickness | Adds uniform bulk |
| Removable | ✓ Strip clean instantly | ✗ Residue cleanup needed | ✓ Peels off |
| Cost | ✓ Pennies per build | Moderate | $5-15 per grip |
Peel off the rubber grip and any old overwrap. Clean the cane handle of debris.
Pro tip: If keeping the existing grip, wrap Guard-Tex over it for added cushion and diameter.Spiral-wrap Guard-Tex from the bottom of the handle upward. Overlap slightly for consistent coverage. Add layers where you want more diameter.
Pro tip: Two layers provides noticeable vibration dampening. Three layers significantly changes handle diameter.Add extra passes at the butt end for a flared feel, or build up the top for trigger-grip style. Wrap the handle shape that matches your batting stance.
Pro tip: Have a teammate bowl to you during builds — you'll feel whether the profile is right immediately.Slide your rubber grip back over the Guard-Tex build. The cotton base provides cushion and vibration dampening under the grip surface.
Pro tip: The slight texture of Guard-Tex under the rubber grip prevents the grip from rotating on the handle during play.
Popular for Grip Builds
Self-adhering cotton overwrap. Build custom grip thickness, taper profiles, and comfort zones. Removes clean — zero adhesive residue on any surface. One roll builds multiple grips.
Shop Now"My bat handle was too thin for my hands — shots were rotating in my grip. Two layers of Guard-Tex under the rubber and the handle finally fills my palm. Drives are going where I aim them."— Club Batsman, Premier League
"Edges off quick bowling were stinging through to my top hand. Guard-Tex under the grip absorbs the vibration. I can bat longer sessions without hand fatigue."— Opening Batsman, County 2nd XI
"I sell bats to club cricketers. Guard-Tex for handle build-up means I can customize diameter for each buyer without permanent modification. They love it."— Cricket Bat Retailer
"Changed my grip profile three times this season experimenting with trigger grips. Guard-Tex lets me rebuild without damaging the handle each time."— Academy Player, U19
Guard-Tex contains zero adhesive. It bonds only to itself. The cane handle underneath remains factory-clean when the tape is stripped. No residue on cane, twine, or rubber.
Wrap Guard-Tex over the bare cane handle in a spiral pattern, layering additional passes where you want more diameter. Apply your rubber grip over the top. Adjust by adding or removing layers.
Yes. Cotton layers between the cane handle and rubber grip absorb vibration energy from edges and mistimed shots, reducing the sting transmitted to your hands.
Yes. Guard-Tex over a rubber grip adds cushion, vibration dampening, and slight diameter increase without replacing the grip itself.
Guard-Tex under a grip lasts a full season for most club cricketers. Replace when re-gripping or when you want to change the handle profile.
Guard-Tex is a handle wrap that doesn't modify the blade or its characteristics. It's comparable to standard handle build-up materials used in bat manufacturing.
Self-adhering cotton overwrap. Zero adhesive. Zero residue. Made in Elk Grove Village, IL since 1935.
Shop Guard-Tex
