Adhesive tapes have become an indispensable tool for makers, crafters, and DIYers. With so many types of tape on the market, choosing the right one for your project can be tricky. Two of the most heavy-duty options out there are Alien Tape and Gorilla Tape. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive guide compares the key features of these industrial-strength tapes to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Head-to-Head Comparison Chart
Here is a helpful chart comparing the key factors between the tapes:
| Factor | Gorilla Tape | Alien Tape |
| Cost Per Roll | $8-20 | $3-15 |
| Tensile Strength | 35+ PSI | 700+ PSI (claimed) |
| Temperature Resistance | -20°F to 200°F | -76°F to 300°F |
| UV Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Moisture Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Ideal Surfaces | Rough, textured | Smooth, non-porous |
| Residue Upon Removal | Heavy | Minimal to none |
| Reusability | Low | High |
| Ease of Tearing | Excellent | Moderate |
| Conformability | Excellent | Moderate |
| Available Colors | Black | Neon fluorescent colors |
An Overview of Alien Tape
Alien Tape burst onto the scene in 2019 as a new super-strong alternative to traditional duct and gaffer tapes. It’s marketed as the “world’s strongest temporary adhesive nano tape” that can bond to virtually any surface.
This proprietary tape uses an ultra-thin nano-adhesive layer that the company claims is 700% stronger than traditional mounting tapes. It’s designed to grip smooth, rough, uneven, and porous surfaces with tenacity.
Alien Tape measures 2 inches wide and is available in a variety of fluorescent colors like yellow, green, orange, blue, and red. It comes in standard 30 foot rolls.
Key features and benefits of Alien Tape:
- Made with a nano-adhesive that creates an incredibly strong bond while remaining temporary
- Bonds instantly with no drying time required
- Can be reused multiple times if the adhesive is not contaminated
- Leaves behind no sticky residue when removed
- Can withstand over 700 PSI of shear strength when properly applied
- Works on the roughest and smoothest surfaces
- Can be applied in extreme temperatures from -76°F to 300°F
- Resists UV rays, moisture, and solvents
Alien Tape has become popular for situations where you need a super strong temporary bond both indoors and outdoors. It’s commonly used for:
- Mounting heavy objects like pictures, signs, mirrors, or shelving
- Making quick repairs on furniture, sporting goods, tools, and appliances
- Holding wiring and cables in place temporarily
- Securing items to vehicles like bikes, boats, and cars
- Creating temporary clamps
- Holding props for photo shoots and events
- And much more!
An Overview of Gorilla Tape
Gorilla Tape is another heavy duty option that hit the market in 2002. It was one of the first duct tapes engineered to compete with gaffer’s tape in terms of strength.
This tape features a thick woven fabric backing layered with an extra strong rubber-based adhesive. Gorilla Tape is instantly recognizable thanks to its black color and prominent branding.
It’s available in 1.88 inch, 2 inch, and wider 4 inch rolls ranging from 15 feet up to about 55 feet.
Key features and benefits of Gorilla Tape include:
- A tensile strength of over 35 PSI
- The ability to hold over 24 pounds when properly applied
- An adhesive strong enough to bond to rough and uneven surfaces
- Moisture resistant backing and adhesive
- UV and extreme temperature resistance
- Ability to be torn by hand and conform around objects
- Strong initial tack that forms an instant bond
Gorilla Tape is often used for:
- Patching holes and leaks
- Making emergency repairs
- Securing wiring, hoses, and pipes
- Mounting objects without nails or tools
- Creating hinges
- Fixing outdoor gear like tarps, tents, and sporting equipment
- Building DIY projects
- And any other task that requires a water-resistant heavy-duty tape
Now that we’ve covered the key attributes of each tape, let’s compare them head to head.
Adhesive Strength Comparison
The main reason to choose a tape like Alien or Gorilla is their incredible adhesive strength. But which one has the edge when it comes to pure sticking power?
According to Alien Tape, their nano-adhesive offers a shear strength of over 700 PSI compared to Gorilla Tape’s tensile strength of 35 PSI. Keep in mind that PSI measurements can vary greatly depending on the testing methodology.
In real world use, Gorilla Tape can securely hold around 24 pounds per square inch when properly applied to clean surfaces. Alien Tape claims to have between 10 to 14 times the gripping strength of conventional duct tape.
While their adhesive technologies differ, both tapes perform far beyond normal duct or packing tapes. Gorilla Tape relies on a heavy-duty rubber resin while Alien Tape uses a patented nano-adhesive layer.
For the most permanent bonds, Gorilla Tape is the winner. But Alien Tape appears to have an advantage for removable applications where residue-free removal is desired.
Strength Comparison
These tapes get their incredible strength from the combination of the adhesive and backing material. This gives them resistance against ripping and punctures.
Gorilla Tape has a tensile strength over 35 PSI thanks to its thick woven fabric backing. It feels slightly more puncture resistant compared to Alien Tape.
Alien Tape feels a bit more delicate and is easier to tear by hand. But it makes up for this with its incredible shear strength when bonded thanks to the nano-adhesive.
For taping small repairs that need to withstand stress, Gorilla Tape seems to have a slight edge in overall strength. The thick woven material gives it impressive staying power for long-term use.
Surface Adhesion Comparison
One key difference between the two tapes is their ability to bond to different surface types.
Gorilla Tape is specially engineered to stick to rough, uneven, and porous surfaces. The thick adhesive conforms and grabs texture. This makes it ideal for materials like wood, brick, stucco, cement, and outdoor materials exposed to the elements.
In contrast, Alien Tape performs best on smoother, non-porous surfaces like metal, glass, plastic, acrylic, painted walls, tile, and finished wood. The nano-adhesive seems to prefer a flatter surface to activate the strong bonding effect.
For outdoor use on rougher surfaces where conformability and weather resistance are needed, Gorilla Tape is the winner. For smooth indoor surfaces, Alien Tape has the gripping advantage.
Temperature Resistance
Both of these heavy duty tapes can withstand temperature extremes that would render normal tapes useless. This makes them suitable for outdoor and industrial uses.
Gorilla Tape remains usable in temperatures from -20°F to 200°F. The backing won’t crack in freezing temperatures or get too soft in heat.
Alien Tape has an even wider working temperature range of -76°F up to 300°F. The nano-adhesive stays shockingly sticky at both temperature extremes.
For the most extreme hot and cold environments, Alien Tape seems to have the upper hand.
UV and Moisture Resistance
When tapes are exposed to sunlight, moisture, and humidity, their adhesives can break down over time. This causes a loss in bonding strength.
Gorilla Tape’s thick backing and rubber adhesive give it excellent UV resistance and water resistance. It can withstand sun, rain, and moisture exposure better than standard duct tapes.
The creators of Alien Tape claim it is resistant to UV rays and moisture. Yet some users have noticed the adhesive does not hold up quite as long outdoors when exposed to the elements.
For permanent outdoor bonding, especially in damp climates, Gorilla Tape is the safer bet. Alien Tape works better for temporary outdoor use with UV/moisture exposure limited to a few days or weeks.
Ease of Application
Both tapes are known for offering convenience thanks to their easy tear and quick stick properties. However, there are some differences in how easily they go on.
Gorilla Tape can be quickly ripped by hand. No scissors required. It also conforms easily around bends and corners. The thick adhesive globs on and immediately creates a strong bond.
Alien Tape has a thinner profile that makes it a bit harder to tear by hand. It’s not quite as conformable around tight bends. But the nano-adhesive activates right away to form an instant grip. No waiting around for it to “set”.
For quickest repairs and patches, Gorilla Tape seems simpler to apply. Alien Tape works better for flatter applications on smooth surfaces.
Appearance Comparison
Sometimes aesthetics matter when choosing a tape. Duct tapes like Gorilla have an industrial look, while Alien Tape offers more color options.
Gorilla Tape only comes in basic black. This limits its visual appeal for decorative projects.
Meanwhile, Alien Tape is available in a rainbow of bright fluorescent colors like yellow, green, orange, blue, and red. This makes it easier to match to a color scheme. Or intentionally make it pop against the background.
If visibility and looks matter, Alien Tape has the advantage. Gorilla Tape blends in for subtle holding power.
Price Comparison
You’ll pay a bit more for these premium strength tapes versus basic duct or packing tapes. But Gorilla Tape and Alien Tape offer more bang for your buck.
On a per foot basis, Gorilla Tape ranges from $.08 to $.12 per foot. Alien Tape falls in the $.15 to $.20
Residue Comparison
One key difference between the tapes is the amount of adhesive residue left behind after removal.
Gorilla Tape has a very aggressive rubber-based adhesive that tends to leave a sticky, gummy residue on surfaces when peeled away. This can require some elbow grease to clean.
The nano-adhesive used in Alien Tape is engineered to release cleanly from most materials. Many users report no gunk or goo left on the surface after removing the tape. This makes cleanup fast and easy.
For delicate surfaces where residue needs to be avoided, Alien Tape is the cleaner removal option. Gorilla Tape leaves a mess in its wake.
Removability Comparison
Duct tapes are designed to form semi-permanent bonds, while Alien Tape aims for temporary fastening. This affects removability.
Once applied, Gorilla Tape adheres so tenaciously that it can damage delicate surfaces when removed. It also loses stickiness when removed and reapplied multiple times.
Alien Tape can be removed and re-stuck several times if the adhesive side does not get contaminated with dirt or oils. This makes it ideal for situations where you want to temporarily hold items and remove the tape later for reuse.
For damage-free removal, Alien Tape is the clear winner. Gorilla Tape works better for one-time permanent applications.
Special Characteristics
Beyond the typical tape features, both Alien Tape and Gorilla Tape offer a few unique advantages.
One special perk of Gorilla Tape is that it can be written on with pencil or pen. This allows you to label the tape while in use.
Alien Tape’s proprietary nano-adhesive gives it useful electromagnetic shielding properties. It can block electric, magnetic, and radio frequency fields. This allows it to be used for circuit and component shielding applications.
Major Differences Summarized
Here’s a quick overview of the major differences between the two tapes:
- Strength: Gorilla Tape has the edge for permanently holding heavy objects
- Surfaces: Gorilla bonds well to textured outdoor surfaces. Alien Tape excels on smooth indoor surfaces.
- Temperature Resistance: Alien Tape works in a wider range of extreme temps.
- UV Resistance: Gorilla Tape better withstands long-term sun and weather exposure.
- Appearance: Alien Tape offered in bright fluorescent colors. Gorilla only in basic black.
- Residue: Alien Tape leaves behind barely any sticky residue. Gorilla leaves a gummy mess.
- Removability: Alien Tape can be removed cleanly multiple times. Gorilla Tape is single-use.
Which Tape Should You Choose?
With all of their impressive attributes, is Alien Tape or Gorilla Tape the ideal choice? Here are some recommendations based on common use cases:
- For heavy duty bonding and permanent repairs, choose Gorilla Tape.
- For cleanly removable temporary mounting, choose Alien Tape.
- For outdoor repairs and use in extreme weather, go with Gorilla Tape.
- For smooth, delicate surfaces choose Alien Tape to avoid residue.
- For high visibility and colorful appeal, Alien Tape is the winner.
- For taping wires, hoses, and ductwork, Gorilla Tape works best.
- For electromagnetic and RF shielding, only Alien Tape will work.
- When working in very cold or hot temps, reach for Alien Tape.
Final Thoughts
Each tape has strengths and ideal applications. For serious sticking power indoors and out, Gorilla Tape lives up to the hype. Alien Tape excels when removable, residue-free performance is needed.
Hopefully this guide has helped break down the key differences between these two adhesive heavyweights. Understanding their unique properties allows you to choose the best tape for your next DIY, craft, or repair project.
So give them both a try and see which tape tackles your sticky situations with the perfect balance of strength, removability, and convenience. Once you go super-strong tape, you’ll never want to go back to ordinary duct or packing tapes!