Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Hook and loop tape is produced in standard widths from 5 mm to 100 mm. Clothing and footwear most often use 16–25 mm, bags and gear 30–50 mm, and 5–10 mm is for small items and cable ties. Widths from 50 to 100 mm are for panels, medical products and technical applications. The choice depends on how much force the closure must take and how much space there is.
Standard hook and loop tape widths
In the metric system the most common widths are 10, 16, 20, 25, 30, 38, 50 and 100 mm. Some of them come from the imperial system – 16 mm corresponds roughly to 5/8 inch, 20 mm to 3/4, 25 mm to 1 inch, 38 mm to 1.5, 50 mm to 2 inches and 100 mm to 4 inches. That is why some widths look "non-standard" but are exactly the ones most manufacturers stock.
| Width | Typical applications |
|---|---|
| 5–10 mm | Cable ties, packaging, dolls and small accessories, glove cuffs |
| 16 mm | Cuffs, pocket flaps, childrenswear |
| 20 mm | Children's shoes, bibs, covers |
| 25 mm | Standard for clothing and footwear, straps, safety vests |
| 30–38 mm | Bags, backpacks, belts, orthoses |
| 50 mm | Patch panels, bandages, outdoor gear, upholstery |
| 100 mm | Large panels, medical belts, technical and promotional applications |
How width affects strength
Holding strength depends on the contact area – the more hooks engage with loops, the stronger the bond. So a tape twice as wide at the same length doubles the area. But area is not the only factor. What matters is how the force acts:
- Shear – when the two parts are pulled parallel to each other, for example a strap under tension. This is where hook and loop is strongest.
- Peel – when one part is lifted from a corner, as when opening by hand. This is where hook and loop is weakest – which is why it opens easily.
- Tension – when the two parts are pulled straight apart. The strength lies between the two above.
Good design positions the tape so that it works in shear when worn and in peel when opened. An example is a jacket cuff: the tab is pulled parallel to the sleeve but opens by lifting from its end.
How to choose a hook and loop tape width
By product
- Clothing – 16–25 mm. A narrower tape is softer and less noticeable.
- Footwear – 20–25 mm for children's shoes, 25–38 mm for adult and orthopaedic models.
- Bags and backpacks – 25–50 mm depending on the weight.
- Medical products – 25–100 mm, often with a soft or elastic backing.
- Patches and panels – 50–100 mm or die-cut shapes.
By overlap length
Besides width, the length over which the two parts overlap is important. A 25 mm wide strap with a 40 mm overlap holds considerably less than the same tape with an 80 mm overlap. If the closure needs to be adjustable, make the loop part longer and the hook part shorter.
Width and wearing comfort
In clothing, a wider tape is not always better. The hook part is stiffer than the fabric, and above 25 mm wide it starts to be felt, especially on cuffs, collars and childrenswear. There it is often more comfortable to use a narrower tape with a longer overlap, or two parallel narrow tapes instead of one wide one. The closure then stays flexible and follows the body's movement.
Die-cut shapes
Besides straight tape, dots, squares and shapes cut from wide tape are used. They are handy for packaging, toys, organisers and small flaps where a straight tape doesn't fit. In series production the shapes are die-cut, which gives uniform, rounded edges.
Hook and loop tape by the metre, on rolls or cut to size
Hook and loop tape is supplied mainly on rolls and, where needed, cut by the metre or into pieces. For series production it is convenient for both parts to be the same length on the roll so they are used up evenly. For small items you can order pre-cut pieces or dots to save an operation in the factory.
Colour and backing type
Width is only one parameter. Besides it, specify:
- colour – black, white or to Pantone;
- backing type – standard, softer for clothing, elastic, flame-retardant or stiffer for technical products;
- attachment – sew-on or self-adhesive;
- which part – hook, loop or both.
Common mistakes when choosing the width
- Too wide a tape on a children's garment – stiff and uncomfortable.
- A narrow tape on a heavy bag – it opens under the weight.
- Hook and loop parts in different widths – only the shared area engages.
- Too little overlap on an adjustable strap.
You will find all widths from 5 to 100 mm in the hook and loop category, and other tapes for clothing in the ribbons and tapes category.
Hook and loop tape from Polkom
Polkom is a Sofia-based manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, with over 30 years of experience. We supply hook and loop tape in widths from 5 to 100 mm, the two parts separately or as a set, in standard colours and to Pantone. Send the width, colour, product and approximate quantity via the inquiry form – we will suggest the right option and samples.
