Zero Buildup
Swap it. Your handle is factory-clean. Always.
No adhesive means no residue buildup. Swap Guard-Tex overgrips as often as you want — the paddle handle underneath never accumulates gummy layers.
Grip — Pickleball
Guard-Tex wraps your pickleball paddle handle as a cotton overgrip — absorbing sweat, providing consistent grip, and building custom handle diameter. Self-adhering with zero adhesive residue when you swap it out.
Tourna, Gamma, and other synthetic overgrips start tacky and degrade from there. Sweat breaks down the polymer surface. The tack becomes slime. You replace it — and the adhesive backing leaves gummy residue on the handle that builds up grip after grip. After a season of overgrip changes, your paddle handle is a sticky mess that attracts dirt and changes diameter unevenly.
Cleaning adhesive residue off a paddle handle means rubbing alcohol and 20 minutes of scrubbing. Some paddles with textured handles never fully clean. And every layer of residue under the new overgrip changes the feel — lumps, sticky spots, uneven diameter.
I was spending $40 a month on Tourna overgrips in Florida summers. Guard-Tex costs pennies per wrap and handles sweat better than any synthetic I've tried. And my handle is finally clean.— Tournament Player, 4.5 DUPR
Guard-Tex is a cotton overgrip with zero adhesive. It bonds to itself — never to the handle. Swap it every session, every week, or every month. The handle underneath is always factory-clean. Cotton absorbs sweat naturally without breaking down into slime. The grip feel stays consistent from first point to match point.
Zero Buildup
No adhesive means no residue buildup. Swap Guard-Tex overgrips as often as you want — the paddle handle underneath never accumulates gummy layers.
Overgrip replacement. Wrap Guard-Tex as your primary overgrip. Cotton absorbs sweat naturally without degrading into a slippery film. Replace as often as you want with zero cleanup — the handle stays clean.
Handle build-up. Stock paddle handles are one-size-fits-all. Layer Guard-Tex under your overgrip for custom diameter. Build the handle that fits your hand — not the factory average.
Sweat management. Cotton absorbs and wicks moisture continuously. Unlike synthetic overgrips that saturate and become slippery, cotton maintains a consistent grip surface through full sessions in hot conditions.
Under-grip base layer. Wrap a base layer of Guard-Tex under your preferred synthetic overgrip. The cotton absorbs sweat that penetrates the overgrip, extending its life and maintaining consistent grip feel.
| Feature | Guard-Tex Wrap | Synthetic Overgrip | Bare Handle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle residue | ✓ Zero — ever | ✗ Adhesive builds up over time | N/A |
| Sweat management | ✓ Cotton absorbs, wicks naturally | Absorbs then saturates/slimes | ✗ Slippery when sweaty |
| Grip consistency | ✓ Same feel first point to last | Degrades during play | Varies with moisture |
| Custom diameter | ✓ Layer for any thickness | Adds minimal thickness | N/A |
| Cost per change | ✓ Pennies of tape | $3-5 per overgrip | N/A |
Strip any existing overgrip and clean the handle of adhesive residue. This is the last time you'll need to do this — Guard-Tex leaves nothing behind.
Pro tip: Rubbing alcohol removes old adhesive residue. Once clean, Guard-Tex keeps the handle clean permanently.Spiral-wrap Guard-Tex from the butt cap upward. Overlap each pass slightly for full coverage. Keep tension moderate for a smooth, even wrap.
Pro tip: Start with the tape end anchored at the butt cap, angling upward at about 30 degrees for a consistent spiral.If the handle is too thin, add a base layer of Guard-Tex first, then wrap the overgrip layer on top. Each base layer adds approximately 1mm to grip circumference.
Pro tip: Many players prefer the feel of two layers — the base absorbs sweat and adds cushion, the top provides grip texture.Cotton overgrip is ready immediately. Play your session. Replace weekly, monthly, or when the cotton shows wear — the handle is always clean underneath.
Pro tip: Keep a roll in your paddle bag. Rewrapping takes 90 seconds courtside.
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"I was spending $40 a month on Tourna overgrips in Florida summers. Guard-Tex costs pennies per wrap and handles sweat better than any synthetic I've tried. And my handle is finally clean."— Tournament Player, 4.5 DUPR
"The adhesive buildup on my paddle handle was disgusting — lumpy, sticky, attracting dirt. Switched to Guard-Tex and my handle is factory-clean under every wrap. Should have done this years ago."— Club Player, 3x Weekly
"I built up my handle diameter with two layers of Guard-Tex under the overgrip. Custom fit for my hands and it cost almost nothing. Tried to achieve this with overwrapping synthetic grips and it was a mess."— Recreational Player
"Cotton overgrip in 95°F humidity. It absorbs the sweat instead of getting slimy. My grip is actually more consistent in heat than the synthetic overgrips I used to use."— Florida Tournament Circuit
Yes. Guard-Tex wraps paddle handles as a self-adhering cotton overgrip. It provides sweat absorption, consistent grip, and custom diameter — with zero adhesive residue when replaced.
Cotton absorbs and wicks moisture naturally without degrading into a slippery film. Synthetic overgrips absorb initially but saturate and become slick during extended play in hot conditions.
Never. Zero adhesive contacts the handle. Swap overgrips as often as you want — the handle underneath is always factory-clean.
Layer Guard-Tex as a base wrap under your overgrip. Each layer adds approximately 1mm to grip circumference. Build to your ideal diameter.
Replace when the cotton shows wear or loses its grip texture — typically every 1-4 weeks depending on play frequency and conditions.
Yes. A single roll of Guard-Tex provides enough material for 15-20+ overgrip applications at a fraction of the cost of synthetic overgrip packs.
Self-adhering cotton overwrap. Zero adhesive. Zero residue. Made in Elk Grove Village, IL since 1935.
Shop Guard-Tex
