Lifting gear such as wrist wraps is a godsend for many lifters who want to maximize their performance and prevent discomfort, pain, and sometimes even injury.
Wrist wraps are used to keep the wrists, a common weak link for many, properly aligned with your forearms and rigid during multiple lifting activities such as the bench press, shoulder press, squats, and any movement that places pressure on the wrists.
But there are more benefits of using wrist wraps too.
Best Wrist Wraps Tested:
- Bear Grips Wrist Wraps – Buy here Editor’s Choice
- Inzer Iron Z Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- DMoose Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- WOD Nation Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- Rogue Fitness Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- Rip Toned Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- Stoic Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- Hustle Athletics Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- Manimal Wrist Wraps – Buy here
- Dark Iron Fitness Wrist Wraps – Buy here
Editor’s Choice – Bear Grips Wrist Wraps
Bear wrist wraps are designed to help lifters get the most out of their grip performance.
The wraps are heavy-duty with strong closures, 4 elastic protectors, and thumb loops, and you can adjust them for a perfect fit. You have two options: 12 and 18 inches.
This is a great choice for most lifters regardless of the activity of their choice.
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Product highlights
- 12 and 18-inch options
- Heavy-duty design with reinforced stitching
- 4 elastic protectors
- Thumb loops
- Adjustable design
- Multiple color options
Pros
- Offers a few different colors and designs
- Includes wrist protection
- Affordable
Cons
- Only comes in 12 and 18″
- May not be ideal for powerlifters with larger wrists
About the brand
Bear grips, located in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 2014 by Kunal Jhaveri, a personal trainer who came up with the idea for Bear Grips after drawing it out on a napkin at his workplace break room at the time.
After 27 samples and using clients for testing, he came up with the desired product.
Bear Grips uses minimalistic designs, high-quality materials, and feedback from users to design its products.
Inzer Iron Z Wrist Wraps
Inzer 36″ wrist wraps are ideal for powerlifters and those with very large wrists who lift very heavyweights.
They have thumb loops and are made from the best quality and construction that Inzer is known for.
Product highlights
- 36″ long wrist wraps
- Thumb loops
Pros
- Interchangeable wraps
- Perfect for powerlifting and competition
- Affordable
Cons
- May be too long for most lifters
About the brand
Inzer is known for making some of the best powerlifting gear. It’s a leading supporter of powerlifting events around the world.
DMoose Wrist Wraps
DMoose is another big name in lifting equipment.
They offer two sizes: 12 and 18″ wrist wraps although both are a standard 3″ wide.
These wraps are made from cotton polyester which is very durable and has a reinforced fastening system and cross-stitching with durable thumb loops.
Sure there are great features and what most people need to get an effective workout. But we really like that you have several designs to choose from like American flag designs, black, military green, and stripe variations.
Product highlights
- 12 and 18-inch length options
- Thumb loops
- Adjustable straps
- Reinforced stitching
- Stretch hook and loop design
- Multiple color options
Pros
- Awesome design and color options
- Affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t come bigger than 12 and 18″
- May not offer best support for heavy lifts
About the brand
DMoose was built in 2017 from pure grit and dedication and their battle cry is “No More Bull”. Their products are made for the everyday athlete who desires to be better and push past boundaries which is something the founder understands.
WOD Nation Wrist Wraps
WOD is a CrossFit term that means workout of the day. CrossFit is a tough activity or sport that combines lifting with calisthenics, gymnastics, and other aspects of performance.
WOD Nation wrist wraps are made for CrossFit performance but can do just fine for any activity that requires wrist support.
These wrist wraps come in 12 and 18 inches and have thumb loops, reinforced stitching, and commercial grade velcro.
They’re great for both men and women.
Product highlights
- 12 and 18-inch options
- Reinforced stitching
- Thumb loops
- Commercial grade velcro
- Multiple color options
Pros
- Different color options
- Very affordable
Cons
- Only comes in 12 and 18 inches
- May not be ideal for experienced powerlifters with large wrists
About the brand
WOD Nation was started in 2013 by a man who had a passion for cross-training. He realized how important it is to use high-quality, durable equipment, and hence the brand was born.
They stand behind their products with an iron-clad guarantee and will refund or replace any product that doesn’t meet expectations.
Rogue Fitness Wrist Wraps
You can’t go wrong with much of anything from Rogue Fitness.
Their straps come in three sizes: 12, 18, and 24 inches and are made from 40% elastic, 10% polyester, and 50% cotton.
They include thumb loops, high-quality stitching and offer very firm support and long-lasting performance.
Product highlights
- 12, 18, and 24-inch options
- Superb quality construction
- Thumb loops
- Simple black and white stripe design
Pros
- Not expensive
- Comfortable and look good
Cons
- 12″ may be too short for serious lifters and those with larger wrists
About the brand
Rogue is a name synonymous with top-notch equipment, gear, and accessories. They’re used by the world’s best athletes and you know you’re getting quality.
The brand was started in 2006 by Bill Henniger in his garage and just a year later leased the first warehouse.
In 2019, they achieved having over 600 team members and 43 acres of land in Columbus, Ohio.
Rogue believes that “a healthy American ecosystem is dependent on the strength of U.S. manufacturing”.
12-inch version 18-inch version 24-inch version
Rip Toned Wrist Wraps
Apparently, Rip Toned Wrist wraps are the only wraps endorsed by 2014 world champion powerlifter Kevin Weiss and they’ve also been advertised on many media outlets.
The wraps are 18 inches in length and made with long-lasting stitching and extra-wide velcro for optimal secureness. It also has a reinforced thumb loop. Plus, they’re fully adjustable and machine washable.
Product features
- 18″ long wraps
- 3″ Wide
- Elastic material
- Reinforced thumb loops
- Multiple color options
Pros
- Lots of color and design options
- Features on news outlets
- Endorsed product
- Two different stiffness options
- Affordable
Cons
- Few complaints of being overly stiff
- Few concerns about long term quality
Note: You can choose from two stiffness levels. The stiff version is very stiff and doesn’t allow for much flexibility which makes it ideal for very heavy lifts.
The less stiff version allows for a little more flexibility and movement which may be more ideal for
About the brand
Rip Toned was started by Mark Pasay, a father of two sons and once successful real estate investor who found himself in a financial hole in his 40s with a broken neck from a trampoline accident.
He decided to share his values and passion by offering fitness accessories.
Rip Toned has been seen on various news outlets such as ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and more.
The products are accessible for everyone, environmentally friendly, and backed with a warranty.
Their motto is “look good, feel great“.
Stoic Wrist Wraps
Stoic wrist wraps are another solid option measuring 18 inches in length which should be sufficient for most.
The material combines very durable and long-lasting proprietary elastics and the wraps have thumb loops.
These wrist wraps are approved by several federations such as the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), USAPowerlifting (USAPL), USPA, and others.
Product highlights
- Thumb loops
- Made from proprietary elastics
- Strong velcro
Pros
- Affordable
- Competition approved (make sure to double check)
Cons
- May not last as long or hold up as long as higher quality/priced options
- May not be ideal for maximal lifts
About the brand
“Stoic wrist wraps combine superior performance and precision quality control”.
“With the Stoic brand, your progress comes first”.
Stoic is defined as “a person who can endure pain and hardship without showing their feelings or complaining“.
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The brand believes that competition is an important driver in personal development and progression gives life meaning.
Hustle Athletics Wrist Wraps
Hustle wrist wraps are a great reminder to hustle at everything you do including your training.
The brand offers 12 and 18-inch options and they have several cool colors to choose from so you can work out in style.
The wrist wraps are made from high-quality cotton and elastic and have thumb loops.
Product highlights
- 12 and 18-inch wrap options
- Cotton and elastic material
- Thumb loops
- Different color options
Pros
- Solid option for most lifters
- Not expensive
- Different color options
Cons
- Only comes in 12 and 18 inches
- Maybe choose something else if you lift very heavy and have large wrists
About the brand
Hustle Athletics was started for those with a passion for life beyond the daily grind. They understand how liberating fitness is and make their products with unique features and materials to stand apart and help maximize performance.
Manimal Wrist Wraps
Manimal wrist wraps are for the toughest of individuals and we know that because they’re built to be able to withstand three years of daily use.
The wrist wraps were designed by strength and conditioning coaches in the USA and used by top athletes so you can be confident that they will stand up to anything.
The brand does not include the sizing (length and width) of the wraps because they believe there’s a misconception that these details have to do with comfort and performance.
They’ve tested them extensively and made them from scratch and are confident in their product.
Because of the extra attention to quality and design, these wrist wraps do run a little higher in price than the others on our list of best wrist wraps.
Product highlights
- Made with high-grade Japanese velcro
- Reinforced stitching
- Includes thumb loops
- Adjustable for different wrist sizes
- Different color/design options
Pros
- Very supportive
- Three color options
- Designed by strength coaches
Cons
- May be too short for those with larger wrists
- A little pricier than other options
- Few complaints about material and construction
About the brand
Manimal was started in 2010 by CrossFit coach George Corbo, who broke both wrists playing football in high school and several years later struggled with wrist pain during training. He wasn’t happy with the options on the market and took it upon himself to develop Manimal wrist wraps to provide optimal support and stabilization.
Dark Iron Fitness Wrist Wraps
Last but certainly not least, we also had to include the Dark iron Fitness wrist wraps because they’re a good company overall, and we’ve included their products in some of our reviews.
But unlike the other wrist wraps on this list, these are made with real leather suede material that provides stiff support but enough flexibility to aid in comfort and movement.
The wraps are 22″ long and 3″ wide.
Product highlights
- 22″ long wrist wraps
- Reinforced suede leather
- Thumb loops
- Hook and loop wrap closure
Pros
- Leather suede material provides support and enhances flexibility
- 22″ wraps are good for versatility
- Not expensive
Cons
- Few complaints about velcro coming loose after a while
About the brand
The Dark Iron Fitness vision is “Dependable weightlifting accessories built for self reliant athletes”.
The brand places a focus on making weightlifting aids that are more comfortable, supportive, and durable.
Benefits of Using Wrist Wraps
Here are the main reasons for using wrist wraps.
Reduce or prevent wrist pain
For many, the wrists are a limiting component during resistance training. This could be due to overuse, lifting heavy often, or the fact that some people have really small and frail wrists while others have very strong wrists. Therefore, wrist wraps can be more useful for some than others.
But oftentimes during a set of an exercise like the bench press, for example, the wrists give out or bend back upon unracking the bar and before the set even starts.
This is where a good pair of wrist wraps can help keep your wrists strong and rigid.
Psychological boost
Lifting weights, especially heavy weights, involves a lot of mental preparation and psychological techniques.
Using a pair of wrist wraps or adding any lifting gear to the equation for that matter (e.g., lifting shoes, belt, etc), adds a psychological element.
It’s a great reminder to keep things tight and rigid and in the case of wrist wraps, strong wrist positioning, and grip.
This is also referred to as proprioception or the awareness of the body relative to the environment. This could help to make the weight feel better and lighter in your hands.
Better gains!
“How so?” you may be wondering. Well, like a painful knee, bad back, or any other limiting factor when it comes to training, weak or painful wrists will interfere with your training and consequently, your progress.
That’s why we use knee sleeves, lifting belts, and other gear.
If your wrists are or have been a limiting factor when it comes to your lifting performance then wraps can help to push beyond what you could do without them.
What To Look For When Choosing Wrist Wraps
There are a few things to look out for when choosing wrist wraps. Although, we are confident any of the choices on this list will serve their purpose.
Material
There are different materials/blends that make up a wrist wrap such as cotton, elastic, and polyester, although most have a mix of material which makes for both a stiff but flexible material.
You should do well with any of the choices on this list.
Length
Wrist wraps come in multiple lengths such as 12, 18, 20, 22, 24, 30, and 36 inches.
What’s the difference?
While the quality of the wrist wraps is very important, size matters too!
But you also have to consider if you’ll be competing as federations have their own rules as to the wrist wrap length.
Generally, though, shorter wraps are good for smaller wrists and longer is better for bigger wrists.
12″ wraps can work for those with smaller wrists and forearms and who don’t lift maximal weights a lot.
18-20″ wraps should provide enough support for most people and athletes except for large powerlifters with many years of training experience.
24-36″ wraps may be better for those with larger wrists and forearms and who do maximal lifts frequently and compete in powerlifting.
If we had to choose a size for most people it’d be the 20-24 inch wrist wraps.
Thumb loops
Thumb loops are an important component of wrist wraps because they help to secure the wraps to the wrists. However, thumb loops need to be of high quality seeing as they have to withstand a decent amount of wear and tear.
A quality made wrist wrap should make this a non-issue.
Fastening mechanism
There are different types of fastening systems although velcro seems to be the most common. It may also be the most preferred as it’s easiest to secure and take off, compared to like buckles for example. The options on this list use velcro.
Who Needs Wrist Wraps?
For the most part, most exercisers don’t need wrists wraps for lighter to moderate lifting or every exercise for that matter. However, it depends on each individual’s situation.
Some people may have past injuries or pain and wraps are a huge help. Then, of course, when you get into heavy poundages, wrist wraps can make or break your ability to perform a set because weak wrists will affect your training.
How To Use Wrist Wraps
We’ll leave this to powerlifting phenom Larry Wheels. Check out the provided video on how to use wrist wraps to protect your wrists and lift effectively.
Wrapping Up
If you’ve had issues with your wrists during lifting or want to ensure you maximize your performance, we recommend a good pair of wrist wraps. Well, you’re in luck because we found some of the best wrist wraps for you that won’t break the bank either.
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