Gear Q&A: Get a Grip

My regular overgrip doesn’t work well when my hands gets really sweaty. I know a lot of players like Tourna Grip, but I find it much more difficult to put on and it doesn’t last long. Any suggestions? —Mark S.

Mark,

There are few things better than grinding on a hot summer day. But a sweat-soaked grip can be a major disrupter. It’s frustrating, even unnerving, to take a rip at the ball and have the handle slide at contact. The racquet face becomes difficult to control, shots are more unpredictable, and thoughts go to simply hanging on to the frame rather than nailing a forehand. And the truth is, the grip is your primary connection to the racquet and should always feel comfortable and secure.

I’m a big fan of overgrips like Wilson Pro, Yonex Supergrap and Head Prime Tour—soft, stretchy with just enough tackiness and feel of the bevels. I’m a sucker for a fresh one, but these also have enough durability to generally last several sessions. During the moderate outdoor months and the indoor season, these are my go-to models.

However, when conditions are sticky and sweat starts pouring down, it may only take a couple of games before these grips become too slick. Unless you’ve got a stash of frames that allow you to shuffle to a different one while letting the others dry, it’s a sub-optimal situation. That’s when more absorbent options are required.

As you mentioned, the gold standard in this category is arguably Tourna Grip. The ubiquitous light blue grip has been a staple in the game for decades, and remains a favorite of countless tour players. The grip has the unique property of feeling tackier as it gets wet. In fact, the feel can be a little too papery until it moistens. Yet once the sweat starts to flow, there are few grips that are as reliable.

But, as you mentioned, Tourna is a little high maintenance. For one thing, it is one of the trickier grips to put on. Unlike practically every other option available, it does not have a tapered end. Nor does it have any adhesion to help attach an end to the grip to help begin the application with security.

Add the two together and it makes the start of the overgrip process somewhat problematic. Unless pulled tight enough to cover the extra flap properly—watch how tightly Richard Gasquet stretches the grip in the short below—there can be an annoying bulge on the base of the grip that can be felt in the palm of the hand and potentially cause a blister. It takes practice and patience to get consistently good results starting in this fashion. (Also, best to opt for the XL version; the standard can run a little short, especially if you have a two-handed backhand).

However, don't let this deter you from at least trying it. There’s a simple two-step hack that makes putting on a Tourna Grip nearly as easy as any other overgrip. That’s because you basically follow their lead. Take a decent pair of scissors and taper an end yourself using another pre-cut overgrip as a guide. As you get familiar with the procedure, you probably won’t even need the assistance; just cut off about five inches.

This allows you to overlap the grip more efficiently and eliminate the excess material that can cause bunching at the bottom of the handle. That may be enough help, but if you want to take the next step, affix the grip to the handle with a small piece of clear double-sided tape. This provides an anchor so you don’t need to pin the grip with a thumb or finger and the wrapping will go more smoothly. It makes a huge difference if you use a leather grip. Keep in mind double-sided tape can be a little abrasive to the base grip during removal.

"Grips are personal and it may take some trial and error until you find the right one for you."

The other issue players have with Tourna is it doesn’t last long. It’s like the Juicy Fruit gum of grips. I can maybe get a couple of sets out of it in toasty conditions before it starts peeling. Sometimes, that’s even pushing it. Loyalists clearly don’t care about this shortcoming, but some get frustrated with its frailty. There is a Tourna Tuff version that’s more durable, but it’s debatable whether it matches the original’s feel. I’m not sure I’ve found an alternative that matched Tourna’s performance, but I’ve had good results with several competitors such as Volkl V-Dry and Dunlop U-Sweat.

Hope that helps. Grips are personal and it may take some trial and error until you find the right one for you.

Got a gear question? Send Jon Levey an email here.