When looking for a durable tape that stands up to water, two names come to mind: Gorilla Tape and Flex Tape. But do they live up to the fanfare?
Here we will make a side-by-side comparison and see who comes out the winner – Flex tape or Gorilla tape?
What You Need to Know About Flex Tape
Airtight and watertight seals
If you need a watertight or Airtight seal, Flex tape will do the trick. It has been used on boats to keep them from water and pipes to stop leaks.
Works on nearly every material
There are some plastics that Flex tape does not work well on, but overall, it works on most materials.
Holds underwater
A unique feature of Flex tape is the underwater seal. Even after being placed under the water for a long time, it remains waterproof.
Rubberized forming fit
Flex tape’s secret is that it is rubberized, so it takes on the shape of whatever you are taping. As a result, it sticks to most surfaces, even a moist one.
Its been tested to stop leaks and has always done the job well!
Lacks strength and efficiency
Flex tape takes too long to set up completely (24 hours). The ability to pull on it and have the tape break leaves its strength in question.
Gorilla glue held up much better when pulled on.
What You Need to Know About Gorilla Tape
Extremely strong
The incredible strength that Gorilla glue provides comes from the tight weave that it’s known for.
You can rip it with your fingers if you’re in a hurry and it still holds up to 85 pounds of pull before breaking.
Water-and UV-resistant
UV and water resistance is what makes Gorilla glue popular. The weave remains tight in all types of weather. It stands up to high heat and cold temperatures.
In tests, it was placed in water for a week and continued to stick to the item.
Leaves residues
Unfortunately, Gorilla glue is too sticky and sometimes leaves a residue if you can get the tape off because it sticks so well.
Be sure you need the item together forever!
Sticks to most surfaces
While Gorilla glue does not stick well to wet surfaces, it sticks very well once the surface is dried.
Also, gorilla glue comes with a guarantee that it will stick to materials like plastic, metal, wood, stone, and most other materials you can come up with.
Adhesive offers triple strength
Gorilla glue has the sticking strength of three adhesives, making it much stronger than most tapes. That’s why items you can use duct tape on (and many you can’t) are perfect for Gorilla tape. However, gorilla glue will not come off without a fight.
Flex Tape Gorilla Tape
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| Underwater Seal | Can’t tear it, must cut it | Sticks to most surfaces | May leave residue |
| Sticks to wet surface | Won’t stick to some materials | Sticks in very cold and hot temps | Won’t stick to a wet surface |
| Molds to any shape | Needs 24 hours to cure | Water and UV resistant | |
| Watertight and Airtight | Not very strong | Don’t need scissors to tear | |
| Triple-strength adhesive |
Flex Tape vs Gorilla Tape: Differences
1. Design
Flex tape
It maintains its stickiness due to the backing on the tape that you remove as you use it. Leaving its stickiness for the object you use it in. It is made to stay on forever and only comes off when you use the Flex tape remover.
While most of us love that it sticks forever, it’s a pain to remove if you stick it on the wrong area.
Gorilla tape
Water-and UV-resistant, this is perfect for extremely warm and cold temperatures, but it is not as resistant to water as Flex tape.
Unlike Flex tape, there is no peelable backing to be torn off. In addition, the tape has a tight weave that offers extended durability.
Winner
Gorilla tape with its Water and UV resistance and how easy and conveniently you can tear off a piece of tape.
2. Versatility
Flex tape
Great at sealing out moisture and water, flex tape is versatile in its uses. The rubberized formula used in the tape makes it impossible to tear, so a boxcutter or scissors are needed.
While not tight weaved like Gorilla glue, it is still very strong. Unfortunately, it needs 24 hours to cure before use. Most people do not wait 24 hours as recommended.
Gorilla tape
It doesn’t stick well to wet and moist surfaces but is perfect for waterproofing a dry surface.
It is stronger than duct tape and has multiple uses where its stronghold works well. It has many uses work well on car housings and outdoor furniture.
Winner
Flex tape for its uses on both wet and dry surfaces, but it does have to cure for 24 hours before it reaches its maximum usability.
3. Price
Flex tape
It comes in a 5-foot roll. Compared to other tape is more expensive. However, if you consider the things you can do with it, the $12 price online doesn’t seem so expensive.
Gorilla tape
It comes in a 35-yard roll and offers more tape for your money at $10 when purchased online. Though it isn’t for waterproofing, it is perfect for day-to-day repairs that require a strong, durable tape application.
Winner
Gorilla tape because you get seven times more for about 2 dollars less.
When to use flex tape
Flex tape is perfect for underwater use on a boat or pool items. Its durability comes from the rubberized design. It can stretch in size to 200% to create a waterproof patch for tents, pool toys, and tarps.
It works well on the go, and you can measure it to the size of the job since it has a peel-off backing that is easy to remove. Pack scissors so you can cut the tape to fit! You can also apply it to a wet or dry surface.
When not to use flex tape
Flex tape doesn’t do well in extreme hot or cold, so fixing things that stay outside year-round isn’t a good idea.
It’s also not made for quick repairs since you’ll need a 24-hour cure period.
When to use gorilla tape
Gorilla tape offers several sizes to use on any size repair. Its durability comes from its tight-weave design, making it ideal for heavy-duty repairs.
Also, it keeps moisture out of the items it tapes, so you could use it on things you want to remain free of moisture.
The ability to resist extreme temperatures lets you use it for all outdoor projects.
When not to use gorilla tape
This doesn’t do well on wet or moist surfaces, it leaves a residue, so you may not want to use it on something you may need to repair more than once.
Also, while it does waterproof dry items, you can not seal a water-submergible item with it.
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