Restore + Protect
Worn cork underneath. Fresh grip on top.
Guard-Tex overwrap restores grip on deteriorated cork handles while protecting the remaining cork from further damage. Strips clean whenever you want.
Grip — Fishing
Guard-Tex wraps rod handles for restored grip on worn cork, added cushion on EVA, and custom build-up on any handle — then strips off with zero residue. Self-adhering cotton that grips better wet.
Cork handles deteriorate — they pit, crack, crumble, and lose their grip texture over seasons of use. Replacing a cork grip means stripping guides, cutting off the old grip, epoxying new cork, and re-wrapping the rod. That's a $50-100 rebuild on a rod you bought for the handle feel in the first place. EVA handles are more durable but get slick and compressed with use, losing the grip texture that made them functional.
Heat-shrink wraps like X-Wrap and Swifty modify the rod permanently and change the handle's feel and diameter. Adhesive overwraps leave gummy residue on cork that traps dirt and accelerates deterioration. Tennis overgrips work short-term but unravel when wet and leave adhesive on the finishing tape.
My favorite cork-handle fly rod was falling apart — pitted and cracking after 8 seasons. Guard-Tex overwrap saved it. Better grip than when the cork was new, and I didn't have to rebuild.— Fly Fisher, Trout
Guard-Tex overwraps the existing handle — restoring grip on worn cork, adding cushion on compressed EVA, building up diameter on thin handles. Cotton gauze grips better wet than any bare handle material. And it strips clean — zero adhesive ever contacts the handle. Your rod stays stock underneath.
Restore + Protect
Guard-Tex overwrap restores grip on deteriorated cork handles while protecting the remaining cork from further damage. Strips clean whenever you want.
Worn cork restoration. Wrap Guard-Tex over pitted, cracked, or crumbling cork to restore grip without rebuilding the rod. The cotton provides a fresh grip surface while protecting the remaining cork from further deterioration.
EVA handle improvement. Compressed or slick EVA handles regain grip texture with a Guard-Tex overwrap. The cotton surface provides better wet grip than worn EVA, especially in rain and salt spray.
Handle diameter build-up. Thin handles cause grip fatigue on long fishing days. Layer Guard-Tex for custom diameter increase — fill the hand, reduce grip pressure, fish longer without hand fatigue.
Wet-weather grip. Cotton gauze grips better wet than cork, EVA, or shrink-wrap. Guard-Tex on rod handles provides the most reliable grip in rain, spray, and fish-slime conditions where bare handles fail.
Rod protection. Overwrap protects handles from rod-holder burns, UV degradation, and impact damage during transport. Remove the wrap and the handle underneath is preserved.
| Feature | Guard-Tex Wrap | Heat-Shrink Wrap | Adhesive Overwrap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle residue | ✓ Zero — strips factory-clean | Permanent modification | ✗ Adhesive residue on cork |
| Wet grip | ✓ Cotton grips better wet | Moderate — varies | ✗ Many get slippery wet |
| Reversible | ✓ Strip any time | ✗ Permanent | ✗ Residue cleanup |
| Cork protection | ✓ Shields from UV and wear | ✓ Shields from UV | ✗ Adhesive traps dirt |
| Application | ✓ 60-second wrap, no tools | Requires heat gun | Requires finishing tape |
Wipe the handle with a dry cloth. For heavily deteriorated cork, optionally apply cork seal first and let dry before wrapping.
Pro tip: Guard-Tex protects deteriorated cork from further damage. Sealing first is ideal but the wrap works regardless.Spiral-wrap from the reel seat upward to the top of the grip. Overlap each pass by about 1/4 width for full coverage. Keep tension moderate — don't stretch.
Pro tip: For split-grip rods, wrap each grip section separately. Leave the exposed blank section bare.Add a second layer over the base wrap for increased diameter. Focus extra layers on the palm-contact zone where grip pressure is highest.
Pro tip: One layer for grip restoration. Two layers for diameter increase. Three layers for significant build-up on ultralight handles.The wrap is ready immediately. Fish a full day and evaluate. Add layers, remove layers, or strip completely based on how it feels.
Pro tip: Many anglers keep a Guard-Tex wrap for an entire season, then strip and rewrap at the start of the next season for a fresh grip surface.
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 favorite cork-handle fly rod was falling apart — pitted and cracking after 8 seasons. Guard-Tex overwrap saved it. Better grip than when the cork was new, and I didn't have to rebuild."— Fly Fisher, Trout
"I wrap all my surf rods with Guard-Tex. Saltwater destroys cork. The overwrap protects the handle and grips better wet than cork ever did."— Surf Angler, East Coast
"EVA handles on my bass rods get slick after two seasons. Guard-Tex overwrap restores the grip for pennies versus $15 replacement grips."— Bass Angler, Tournament
"Tried heat-shrink and it changed the feel of my rod completely. Guard-Tex adds grip without changing the handle shape I've spent years getting used to."— Inshore Angler, Light Tackle
Guard-Tex contains zero adhesive. It strips from cork, EVA, Hypalon, and shrink-wrap with zero residue. Your rod handle is factory-clean underneath.
Yes. Guard-Tex overwrap restores grip on deteriorated cork while protecting the remaining material from further damage. It's the fastest, cheapest way to extend the life of a cork-handle rod.
Guard-Tex cotton grips better wet than bare cork, EVA, or most synthetic handle materials. The cohesive bond strengthens in moisture.
Spiral-wrap from the reel seat upward with slight overlap. No tools, no heat gun, no finishing tape needed. Self-adhering cotton bonds to itself in seconds.
A Guard-Tex overwrap typically lasts a full season of regular use. Replace when the wrap shows wear or when you want a fresh grip surface.
Guard-Tex is fully reversible — strip it any time with zero trace. Heat-shrink is permanent and changes handle diameter and feel. Guard-Tex adds grip without permanent commitment.
Self-adhering cotton overwrap. Zero adhesive. Zero residue. Made in Elk Grove Village, IL since 1935.
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