Description
3M Coban Self-Adherent Wrap — Beige
3M Coban is a cohesive elastic bandage that sticks only to itself — not to skin, hair or clothing. That makes it fast to apply, comfortable to wear and painless to remove, which is why it's a standard consumable in podiatry, physiotherapy and first aid settings across Australia. No clips, pins or adhesive against the skin.
Available in 24mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm widths, as single rolls or clinic bulk boxes. Also searched as coban bandage, cohesive bandage, self adherent wrap or self-adhesive bandage.
Which width do you need?
Width is the main decision, and it comes down to what part of the body you're wrapping.
- 24mm — the narrowest. For toes and digits, where a wider wrap won't conform. The usual choice for post-nail-surgery toe dressings and digital padding.
- 50mm — the general-purpose width and the most commonly stocked. Suits the forefoot, midfoot and most dressing retention on the foot.
- 75mm — for the ankle, heel and lower leg, where more coverage per turn saves time and gives smoother compression.
- 100mm — the widest. For the calf, larger limb segments and situations needing broad coverage in fewer turns.
If you're stocking a single width for general clinic use, 50mm covers the most ground. Podiatry practices doing regular nail surgery generally keep 24mm alongside it.
Single rolls or bulk boxes?
Single rolls suit home first aid kits and occasional use. Bulk boxes — 30 rolls at 24mm, 36 at 50mm, 24 at 75mm and 18 at 100mm — work out considerably cheaper per roll and are the sensible option for clinics going through Coban regularly.
Key features
- Self-adherent — bonds to itself, requiring no clips, pins or tape
- Will not stick to skin or hair, so removal is painless
- Lightweight, breathable nonwoven laminate
- Lengthwise elastic fibres give consistent, even stretch
- Beige colour sits discreetly under socks and clothing
- Tears by hand — no scissors needed
How to apply
Unroll and wrap around the area, overlapping each turn by roughly half the width and pressing the wrap onto itself to bond. Apply firmly but without stretching hard — Coban has significant elastic recoil, and over-tensioning is the most common cause of constriction. Wrap from distal to proximal, and check colour, warmth and sensation beyond the wrap after application.
Frequently asked questions
How tight should Coban be applied?
Firm enough to stay in place, loose enough that circulation isn't affected. Because Coban stretches as it unrolls, it's easy to apply far more tension than intended — a common technique is to unroll a length first and lay it on rather than pulling directly from the roll. Always check the toes or fingertips beyond the wrap for colour, warmth and sensation, and loosen immediately if there's numbness, tingling, throbbing or discolouration.
Can Coban be reused?
It can be unwrapped and reapplied a limited number of times, though it loses cohesion and elasticity with each use. For dressing retention over a wound it should be treated as single-use.
Does Coban stick to skin or hair?
No — the cohesive bond is between layers of the wrap itself. This is its main advantage over adhesive tapes, particularly on hairy limbs, fragile skin, and in patients who find tape removal painful.
Is Coban a compression bandage?
It provides light compression and support, but it isn't a graduated medical compression bandage and shouldn't be used as a substitute for one. For genuine compression therapy, a purpose-designed system prescribed by a clinician is the appropriate choice.
How is Coban different from a crepe bandage?
A crepe bandage is woven, non-cohesive and needs clips or tape to secure. Coban bonds to itself and stays put without fasteners, and it's less likely to loosen with movement — useful on feet and ankles.
Can Coban get wet?
It tolerates incidental moisture better than paper tapes, but prolonged wetting will weaken the cohesive bond and it should be replaced once saturated.
Browse our full range of tapes and strapping. Fast delivery across Australia.