I have been lurking and reading over most the tribe for about a month or so off and on. I personally started hooping recently - I like as a warm up for other things.

When I realized I wanted to hoop - I just went straight to the hardware store to buy the materials to make hoops. I figured I didn't want to wait for shipping or spend a lot of money on something I wasn't sure I would be able to practice in the winter. Turns out, I love making hoops and it helps me smoke less (yay!)

I have recently been asked to make a hoop for someone. I would like to make her the best quality hoop I can. So what are the best materials as far as tapes to use so the hoop lasts a good long while?

So far I've used chrome tape from an ebay store - this worked well but my taping technique wasn't quite there yet so I've got ridges on that hoop. I've used vinyl (I love home depot purple!) but I did find hooping in my yard ate through the vinyl pretty fast.

My latest two hoops are made from 1 - athletic tape, spike tape and ribbon - haven't hooped outside with it yet and 2- hockey tape vinyl tape and a spiral of spike tape going the opposite direction over the vinyl tape.

All of my vinyl tapes are store bought electrical - does identi-tape offer a higher quality of this sort of tape? Or is electrical and vinyl tape the same beast?

Additionally, I making hoops for my dance studio for students to use to warm up with so I'd like to use the best products so we are not constantly replacing them or rather me retaping them.

Thanks in advanced for the advice!

Cheers!
Charley