How to Choose a Tennis Overgrip
Your overgrip is the only thing between your hand and your racket. It costs under $5, takes 60 seconds to wrap, and makes a bigger difference to your comfort on court than almost anything else. The trick is picking the right type for your hands, your climate, and how you play.
Why Overgrips Matter More Than You Think
A worn overgrip forces you to grip harder. Gripping harder creates tension through your forearm. Tension in your forearm is the number one contributor to tennis elbow. A fresh $4 overgrip prevents a $400 physio bill. It is the cheapest performance upgrade in tennis.
Beyond injury prevention, the right overgrip gives you confidence in your shot. When your hand feels locked on, you swing freely. When it feels slippery, you unconsciously tighten up and your strokes shorten. Most players do not realise how much their grip affects the rest of their game.
The 3 Types of Overgrip
Tacky (Sticky)
The most popular type worldwide. Has a slightly sticky surface feel when new that grabs your hand without squeezing. Think of the feel of fresh electrical tape.
How it works: Surface texture creates adhesion through contact — your hand sticks to the grip naturally
Grip strength needed: Low — the tackiness does the work
When it fails: Heavy sweat overwhelms the sticky surface. Once saturated, tacky grips lose their adhesion suddenly (not gradually)
Lifespan: 3–5 sessions before tackiness fades
Our pick: Tacky Overgrip 3-Pack ($12.95)
Dry-Feel
Feels like soft suede or fabric. Counter-intuitively, it gets grippier as your hands sweat. Preferred by many ATP and WTA professionals for this reason.
How it works: Absorbent material wicks moisture into the grip fibres, increasing friction the more you sweat
Grip strength needed: Medium — relies on friction rather than adhesion
When it fails: On dry hands it feels less secure. If your palms do not sweat much, this type can feel loose
Lifespan: 5–8 sessions (degrades more gradually than tacky)
Our pick: Dry-Feel Overgrip 3-Pack ($12.95)
Standard (All-Round)
A balanced overgrip that sits between tacky and dry. Moderate tack, moderate absorption. The safe choice if you are unsure what you prefer.
How it works: Combination of surface texture and moisture absorption — a jack of all trades
Grip strength needed: Low to medium
When it fails: Does not excel in any condition — acceptable in all, perfect in none
Lifespan: 4–6 sessions
Our pick: Pro Overgrip 3-Pack ($11.95)
Climate Guide: Match Your Grip to Your Weather
Australia has dramatically different playing conditions depending on where and when you play. Your overgrip should match your conditions, not just your preference.
| Climate | Conditions | Best Overgrip | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot and humid (QLD, NT, northern NSW) | 30C+, high humidity, constant sweating | Dry-feel | Gets grippier with sweat — works with humidity instead of against it |
| Hot and dry (SA, inland NSW, WA) | 35C+, low humidity, hands dry quickly | Tacky | Tackiness holds without relying on moisture. Sweat evaporates before dry-feel can work |
| Mild and variable (VIC, TAS, ACT) | 15–28C, mixed humidity, seasonal changes | Standard or variety pack | Conditions change too much for one type. Keep both in your bag |
| Evening or night tennis | Cooler temps, less sweating, often dew | Tacky or glow | Less sweat means dry-feel will not activate. Tacky works in cool conditions. Glow overgrips add visibility |
Not sure which conditions you play in most? Our overgrip variety pack includes tacky, dry-feel, and standard so you can test all three and find your preference.
How Often to Replace Your Overgrip
This depends on how much you play, how much you sweat, and how tightly you grip. Most players wait too long. Here are the signs it is time:
- Visual: The surface looks shiny or smooth (lost its texture)
- Colour: Noticeably darker than when new (absorbed dirt and sweat)
- Feel: You are gripping harder than usual to maintain control
- Edges: The wrap is peeling or fraying at the top
- Smell: If it smells, it is long overdue
| Play Frequency | Replace Every | Annual Grips | Best Value Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Once a week | Every 3–4 weeks | 12–15 | 12-pack ($29.95) |
| 2–3 times a week | Every 1–2 weeks | 25–50 | 12-packs x 3–4 ($89.85–$119.80) |
| Daily (competitive) | Every session or second session | 100–200+ | Buy in bulk — contact us for volume pricing |
How to Apply an Overgrip (Step by Step)
- Remove the old grip. Unwrap from the top, peel off any residue. The base grip underneath should still be intact.
- Find the tapered end. One end of the new overgrip is cut at an angle and has adhesive backing. This is your starting point.
- Start at the butt cap. Peel the backing, press the tapered end to the butt cap at a slight angle (about 10 degrees).
- Wrap upward with overlap. Each revolution should overlap the previous one by about 3–4mm (roughly 20%). Keep consistent tension — firm enough that it will not slip, not so tight that it bunches.
- Maintain the angle. The grip should spiral evenly. If you see lumps or thick spots, unwrap and redo that section. It gets easier with practice.
- Cut and finish. When you reach the top of the handle, cut the excess with scissors at an angle that follows the wrap direction. Secure with the included finishing tape.
Your first wrap might take 3 minutes. By the tenth, you will do it in under a minute. If the grip keeps slipping while you wrap, try a light spray of grip spray on the handle before starting.
Glow Overgrips for Night Tennis
If you play in the evening, our glow-in-the-dark overgrips combine a quality tacky feel with phosphorescent material that charges under any light source. They are a genuine overgrip first (0.6mm, standard tackiness) with the added benefit of making your racket visible in low light. Perfect for courts without full floodlighting.
Our Full Overgrip Range
| Product | Type | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Overgrip 3-Pack | Standard | All-round use, mild conditions | $11.95 |
| Tacky Overgrip 3-Pack | Tacky | Dry hands, hot and dry climate | $12.95 |
| Dry-Feel Overgrip 3-Pack | Dry-feel | Heavy sweaters, humid climate | $12.95 |
| Overgrip Variety Pack | Mixed | Trying different types | $14.95 |
| Pro Overgrip 12-Pack | Standard (bulk) | Regular players, best per-grip value | $29.95 |
| Glow Overgrip 3-Pack | Tacky + glow | Night tennis, evening sessions | $14.95 |
Fresh grip, better game
Not sure which type? Start with the variety pack. Or grab a 12-pack of your favourite for the best per-grip value. Free shipping over $75.