Heat Shrink Sleeve (build one grip size)
4.7
Overview
This Heat Shrink Sleeve will increase the grip by 1/8 inch (i.e., one grip size for tennis, 1/2 grip size for racquetball). These sleeves are easy to use and retain the handle's bevels. You will need a heat gun or very hot hair dryer and a few tools for this procedure.
- Tools Needed for Installation (not included):
- Needle-nose pliers and/or a narrow screwdriver - to remove staple that secures the wrap grip onto the handle (if applicable)
- Razor Knife - to trim heat-shrink sleeve
- Installation Steps:
- Remove grip and staple, being careful not to tear the grip if reusing. Clean any tape debris from the handle.
- Slide the heat shrink sleeve over the butt cap and up the handle, overlapping the handle end by about 3/8 inch.
- Hold the sleeve firmly in place at top and begin heating from the bottom, keeping the heat gun 3-4 inches away. Rotate the racquet while slowly moving the heat gun up the handle. Don't keep the heat gun aimed at one spot too long or get too close to the heat-shrink sleeve or you will melt the sleeve. Continue heating until the sleeve has shrunken completely around the handle. Allow to cool before trimming the excess at bottom.
- To trim the overlapped sleeve, place the racquet on a stable surface. Gently apply pressure to the razor knife within 1/8 inch of the butt end. Turn the racquet as you hold the razor knife steady until the sleeve is completely trimmed.
Customer Reviews
Works as intendedStays on for me just fine and tight after using a heat gun. I cut it down some because I have a one-handed backhand and could do so due to the weight it adds. So, with that don't forget it adds weight. I just put a thinned over grip on it also just to cut down the weight.
Increase gripVery easy way to build up your grip size.
Heat shrink sleeveI’ve been using these for over fifteen years for repairing/resizing grips. Recently I used two to size up a grip from 4 1/8 to 4 3/8 and they worked perfectly. They fit so nice that the octagonal shape was maintained well enough to get the same feel as the original grip.
Easy to use, works greatI've used two of these heat shrink sleeves to build up a couple of racquets that were only available in too-small grip sizes for me. I used a heat gun, but a hair dryer should work. Takes less than a minute, and the sleeve tightly conforms to the underlying handle shape. It does affect weight & balance, of course, but I offset that with some lead tape. Luckily, I wanted to weight up the particular racquets I was modifying anyway. Simple, cheap, quick.
Does what it's supposed to but....It actually works very well and was very simple to use. It definitely increased the grip by one size but it added a considerable amount of weight to the bottom. I've now struggled to find a good balance for the racquet. It's a good product but just be aware that it will definitely add weight to your racquet.
These worked greatWe used these to make our son's grip bigger. We were able to use a hair dryer.
Increase grip sizeTook about 15 minutes to add the sleeve. Held the gun in one spot a little too long and made a hole about the size of two dimes. Didn’t notice the hole once the grip was added, nor with an overgrip on top of that. Haven’t had any of the issues people mentioned in the comments on the instructional video on YouTube. Bevels are still noticeable and handle weight is not an issue. Was able to purchase a highly discounted racquet and and increase the handle size to my liking.
Build up grip on your tennis racquetThis heat shrink sleeve is ideal & so easy for building up your grip on your tennis racquet. I usually use a grip size 4 5/8, but my racquet was 4 1/2. I used only one heat shrink sleeve and it felt more comfortable and allowed for more control. Also replaced the original factory grip and I always use an overgrip.
Worked as advertisedI already had a heat gun. This makes the job super easy. The sleeve is a nice stiff material. Shrinks without stretching like electric heat shrink. Shrinks smoothly, if you place enough heat there's no kinks or wrinkling.
Grip expanderDoes exactly what it is meant to do. Adds about 5 grams to the handle with approximately a one size up bump. Easy to install.
Doesn't stay in placeI used one these to build up a racquetball grip. The application process is straightforward, but after a few matches the sleeve starts to slide up and down. This caused the rubber grip to slide off the end of the handle.
Great product to go up a grip sizeGreat product to go up a grip size. Very easy to install.
Solid additionI was given a racquet with way too small of a grip as a gift. Luckily I found these sleeves to bump up the size. Easy to put on and feels great.
Works as intended, but sell in bulk TW!Works as intended - let's you step up a grip size or more if you have a racquet that needs it. Hair dryer doesn't get hot enough for me, but I used a gas range to shrink the sleeve.
I did notice that if I layer up more than one sleeve, I do lose more than a bit of the bevel definition compared to a factory right-sized handle - the edges are softened enough to take away the feel a bit.
I wish TW sold these in a 5- or 10-pack, as I've found that it often takes some playing around with these to get the grip exactly where you want it. More than once, I've applied 2 sleeves, then wrapped grip and overgrip, only to find that I need to cut one sleeve layer of and redo the grip build-up.
Previous Feedback
Comments: This is a great invention -- I used to play with grip size 3, and racquet that weighs 300-320 grams unstrung. Then I got the RF97 with grip 4, and liked that. By chance I got a Yonex AI 98 with the grip 2, which did not feel good and decided to increase the grip size with this sleeve and then add a leather grip over it, plus an overgrip. It gave me balance, comfort, and stability that I never found before and became my favorite racquet to date. It happened again with the Wilson Six.One 95S. Now I have a new problem, for my future racquet, should I buy 2 sizes smaller and add the sleeve with a leather grip to get the weight and balance that I need?
From: Tim, 5/16
Comments: Very easy to apply -- I used a hair dryer. The bevel feel is still very good (I put a TW leather grip on top). It does add some weight though, so be prepared for a more headlight balance and increased static weight. Excellent, easy to use product!
From: JH, 5/15
Comments: Broiler method all the way! Takes 20 seconds tops. No longer than that or it will melt rather than shrink.
From: Anon, 2/15
Comments: Super easy. Stacked two on a PS85 and covered with Fairway grip. I used an electric stove, not oven or broiler, at medium high to better control heat distribution from buttcap to throat. Took a minute. Just make sure to allow plenty of excess on the throat and buttcap before you start heating. It does shrink. The hardest part is cutting the excess after shrinking but the buttcap has a ridge you can see and feel, and the throat doesn't have to be perfect if you're scared to nick the racquet. Get a good Exacto knife. Great product, hard to screw up the install, solid in play. Will use again.
From: Justin, 12/14
Comments: This product works fantastic like everyone has said, if you do it properly. Since I didn't have access to a heat gun at the time, I was using the hair dryer for the first 10 minutes and got impatient, so I tried the oven method. It looked finished (I didn't know how to tell if it was done) but I wanted to be sure, so I just kept heating. It "overshrunk" and ripped over the handle; I didn't know it could shrink to that extreme. I understand that it's no one's fault but my own. I'm just writing this review so that some poor sap won't make the same mistake I did.
From: Chris, 8/14
Comments: It took a little work to get the sleeve onto the handle because the sleeve was too small to go over the end cap. I'm not sure if it's because it was sent to Phoenix during summer, which might of caused a slight shrinkage. So I ended up removing the end cap first, then putting the sleeve over the handle and reinstalling the end cap. Then I forced the sleeve over the cap and went at it with a heat gun. Came out perfect.
From: Son, 9/13
Comments: Broiler method worked great.
From: Tim, 7/13
Comments: This product worked like a champ. First, I tried using the hair dryer but that took forever, so I used the oven method on both of my racquets.
From: Jason, 1/13
Comments: On the advice from TW I used a shrink wrap on my Babolat PD to increase the grip from 4 3/8 to 4 1/2. I used a heat gun/paint stripper to heat the wrap and it worked perfectly! It just took a couple of minutes and it tightened right up. I put the grip and new overgrip on and feels great! Very easy...thanks TW!
From: L.B., 10/12
Comments: Amazing product, this is exactly what I've been needed for a long time. I've been putting 3 piece of overgrips on the handle of my racket since 1.5 year ago. It's a nice goodbye to my weird circled handle (due to 3 piece of overgrips). While putting on this wrap thing, I also put on the TWH leather replacement grip at the same time. Both a very nice products. Now, I can change grip way more accurately, which improved my backhand a lot.
From: Jack H, Denver, CO, USA, 08/10
Comments: Warm up the broiler (top) element in your oven. Put the sleeve over the grip so that it goes past the buttcap by about 1/4 inch. Slowly start feeding your handle into the oven, about 3 inches from the heating element, rotating it as you go. You'll see the sleeve start shrinking down. Once you've reached the top of the sleeve, remove your racquet and let it cool. The entire shrinking process should take about 30 seconds. Trim the excess carefully and you're finished. These sleeves weight about 16-17 grams after trimming. Thanks for the great tip! While this technique will work, we strongly recommend using a hair dryer when applying a heat shrink sleeve.
From: Stephen, Omaha, NE 02/10
Comments: Easy to install, basic hair dryer will work. It will raise the size (obviously) but NOT the whole 1 step increase. Don't use two to try to increase 2 steps, otherwise the edges will round off. Be very careful cutting off the excess, or you will scratch your racquet.
From: Yoshi, Torrance, CA, USA 10/09
Comments: Worked fantastically, bought a KPS88 on sale with a 4 1/4 handle and built it up to 4 3/8 using the broiler method with no issues whatsoever. Thanks for the advice everyone!
From: Gene, Irvine, CA, USA 10/09
Comments: Works great just got mine. Took about less then a minute. Kept same shape as handle. BTW I also used the broiler on the oven.
From: Dave, Los Angeles, CA. 3/09
Comments: These things are just plain great! I used three of them on one racket to bring a 4 1/2 to 4 7/8 and it did keep the handle's proper shape pretty well. I just held the handle over the heating element on my oven while turning the racket and it took less than a minute.
From: Scott, KS, USA, 05/08
Comments: Works perfectly. But you must have a very hot heat gun. I used a hair dryer and it took an hour for the sleeve to shrink. So if you have a hot heat gun this is the prefect way to build up a grip size.
From: Clinton, Marion, USA. 5/08
Comments: Works great! I used the broiler method as well. Make sure to eave a little room at the top of the grip as the tube shrinks in length as well.
From: Ross, Indianapolis, IN. 4/08
Comments: I have used these for years. Simply slip it over the handle and heat -- I use a heat gun on the low setting. Just rotate the racquet in one hand and wave the gun slowly around the handle from butt upward about 2-3 inches away. It takes no more than two minutes. Let it cool for another couple of minutes and put on the grip.
From: Steve, Tucson, AZ. 2/08
Comments: Excellent. Make sure your grip is legit and use these. I used a hair dryer, and it took for ever, but if you do it right and regrip over it right, it's perfect.
From: Colin, Seattle, WA. 12/07
Comments: I was skeptical at first, but once I tried it this is amazing. It feels just like a grip size bigger. I even did a blind fold test and I couldn't tell the difference between my naturally bigger grip and the one I built up with a sleeve. The oven broiler works perfect for heating it up. It takes about 15 seconds to shrink it if you rotate it around under the broiler. I recommend it to anyone needing a grip size larger.
From: Frank City, State, Country: Grapevine, TX