Choose the right badminton grip layer to replace
Compare handle coverings by their job, surface and thickness, then keep a useful record of your setup.
Look at what is already on the handle
Before opening a new packet, identify the layer you want to change. A replacement grip renews the main covering of the handle. An overgrip is an additional wrap over that covering. A towel grip offers a fabric surface; follow its own fitting instructions.
Ask the shop to show you which layer is worn if you are unsure. Changing the outer wrap does not automatically require removing everything underneath. Babolat's grip guide explains the protective role of an overgrip over the main grip.
Separate surface from handle thickness
First describe the feeling you want: a tacky surface, a drier touch or a fabric covering. Then check how thick the finished handle will feel. Adding layers changes the handle you hold.
For two documented examples, Yonex lists Super Grap AC102-60 as polyurethane, 0.6 mm thick, and Towel Grip AC402-2 as cotton, 1.35 mm thick. These are specifications for two products, not thickness standards for every overgrip or towel grip.
A strip's listed thickness is not the increase in the finished handle's circumference. The covering already underneath and the overlap also matter.
Compare one change at a time
Keep the same racket and strings while trying a new covering. Before playing, check that the wrap stays in place. During a familiar session, note whether the surface becomes slippery, whether the thickness suits you and whether any part of the wrap moves.
Change one feature for the next comparison: the surface or the wrapping setup. Record the product, the layers kept underneath and what you noticed. Choosing by packet colour alone leaves you with little to compare later.
Replace the worn layer
Inspect the handle before each session. A surface that slips, breaks down or no longer feels stable calls for attention before you continue. Babolat's overgrip advice lists slipperiness, dampness and texture changes among replacement signs.
Check the base layer too. If it is damaged, have that layer assessed rather than simply hiding it under another wrap. Follow the new product's fitting instructions, then check that the covering and finishing tape hold securely before play.
Make the next session easier
Keep an unused spare in its packaging, away from excess heat and moisture, as Babolat advises. Add its name to your setup note so you can find the same covering again. Decide when to replace it from its condition and your use, rather than promising that every grip lasts a fixed number of sessions.