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Whether you’re searching to buy your first pair of wrist wraps or you’re looking to replace your current set, have no fear—the best wrist wraps for heavy weights or high-volume training are on this list.

Lifters of all disciplines reach for wrist wraps for the additional support they offer the wrist joint during heavy or high-volume exercise. Lifting straps help with gripping barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells repeatedly week after week can take a toll on the ol’ wrists. Wraps help prevent your grip from wavering during heavy lifts or after the fatigue sets in from high repetition.  

Wrist wraps are ideal for gym goers who are into bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, or CrossFit. All styles of lifting free weights will require a little extra wrist stability from time to time—it’s just a matter of which wraps work for you. 

Our team consists not just of writers and editors, but also of credentialed fitness professionals, exercise enthusiasts, and hands-on product testers. Not only have many members on our roster been using wrist wraps in our personal fitness endeavors over many collective decades, but we ordered and tested more than a dozen pairs of wrist wraps for this guide specifically. 

Here’s our expert breakdown so you can feel confident purchasing high-quality wrist wraps that support your strength training needs.

8 Best Wrist Wraps in 2024

Best Wrist Wraps for Lifting Overall: Bells of Steel Mighty Wrist Wraps

Good for: Lifters wanting a sturdy elastic wrist wrap with good value

Best Overall

Bells of Steel Mighty Wrist Wraps

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GGR Score: 4.29

Product Highlights

  • Wrist wrap with thumb loops 
  • Available in Training (thinner/more flexible) and Competition (thicker/more supportive) style 
  • Help maintain form during heavy lifts and minimize wrist pain

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Available in 2 lengths – 20 or 27.5 inches
  • Available in multiple thicknesses – 2.5 or 3.5 mm
  • Free shipping to continental United States

Cons

  • Not approved for IPF or IWF competitions
  • Training style only available in short length

Bottom Line

Bells of Steel’s new Mighty Wrist Wraps are available in multiple lengths and thicknesses so you pick your level of support. Despite having a wrap named “Competition” style none of these wrist wraps are not approved for IPF or IWF competitions.

Our pick for the best wrist wrap overall is the Bells of Steel Mighty Wrist Wraps, and it’s not just because “mighty” is in the name. We actually had 2020 Olympian and GGR senior staff writer Caine Wilkes try out these wrist wraps, and if they’re good enough for one of the strongest weightlifters in America, they’re going to be decent wraps.

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What was his verdict? After spending a few workouts with them, Caine gave them the stamp of approval. “I’ve never used an elastic wrap that’s been this supportive,” he says, rating the performance of the wrist wraps a 5 out of 5. “I’m going to keep using these in the future,” he adds.

The Bells of Steel wraps are available in two lengths—20 and 27.5 inches—and training or competition style. The training wraps are slightly thinner and more flexible, while the competition straps are thicker and a bit more rigid. Caine used the longer competition wraps and felt very sturdy with them, although they still had some give and flexibility to them.

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Man performing a snatch using the Bells of Steel Mighty Wrist Wraps and Knee Sleeves

While these are essentially elastic wraps with Velcro closures, like many wraps, Caine didn’t notice any wear over the few weeks he has had them. “I’ve had other wraps start to fray at this point, but these look as good as the first day I had them,” Caine says, rating the durability a 5 out of 5.

Although competitively priced between $25 and $35, there’s not a lot of variety in the colorways, as you can choose from the Bells of Steel or Hydra logo on a black wrap. We give it a 3 out of 5 on customization.

Bells of Steel also mentions on their product page that these wraps aren’t approved for IPF or IWF competition, although Caine—who has competed at IWF events for the past couple of decades—can’t see a reason why they wouldn’t be approved. IWF wrist wraps can’t have reinforced buckles (which it doesn’t), and IPF wraps have to be shorter than 1 meter and less than 3 inches wide (which it is).

Material65% polyester, 35% elastic
Length20” or 27.5”
ClosureVelcro

Best Wrist Wraps and Straps Combo: Gymreapers Straps and Wraps Bundle

Good for: Anyone who wants a high-quality package deal on wraps and straps

Best for Wraps and Straps

Gymreapers Lifting Strap and Wrap Bundle

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GGR Score: 4.5

Product Highlights

  • Lifting straps and wrist wraps bundle
  • 9 color options available for each item
  • 18″ x 3″ wraps
  • 18″ long lifting straps

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 9 colors available
  • Discounted price
  • Wraps are IPF- and USPA-approved

Cons

  • Exempt from additional coupon codes
  • Straps' cotton may tear on aggressive knurling

Bottom Line

If you're looking for both wrist wraps and lifting straps, Gymreapers provides this bundle to help you save. You can choose between nine different colorways for both the wraps and straps, and they're backed by a lifetime warranty.

This Gymreapers Straps and Wraps Bundle is made to outlast other support gear. The wraps are made of a heavy-duty elastic and polyester blend, rather than cotton like many others. The wraps are available in 18 inches, which makes it possible to adjust and tighten them as needed for your desired personal fit. Their length is a happy medium, long enough to adjust them like you want, but short enough to avoid annoying remaining material. 

The closures on these are Velcro that is top grade and will hold them securely in place so that they don’t move around and cause discomfort when you are trying to set your next personal record. These wraps are also approved for powerlifting competitions.

This set is sold as a bundle deal, getting the wrist wraps and receiving their high-quality lifting straps for a discount. While the wrist wraps allow for overhead support, the lifting straps help improve your grip to the barbell making for a nice combination of support gear. 

The neoprene padding of the Gymreapers lifting straps helps pad the wrist while pulling on heavy weights, adding a bit of comfort during heavy deadlifts.  

This straps and wraps package deal is a great addition to your home gym essentials. The low price and use of high-quality materials make them worth the purchase easily. Do I even need to mention that you can choose from nine different colorways?

Material30% elastic and 70% polyester (wraps), cotton with neoprene padding (straps)
Length18″
ClosureVelcro

Best Lightweight Wrist Wraps: Rogue Fitness Lightweight Strength Wrist Wraps

Good for: Athletes who need moderate wrist support without bulky and oversized fabric

Best Lightweight

Rogue Fitness Lightweight Strength Wrist Wraps

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GGR Score: 4.74

Product Highlights

  • Friction-style closer makes micro-adjustments easy and quick
  • Soft nylon blend doesn’t irritate skin
  • No elastic 
  • No Velcro closure
  • Thumb loop 
  • Sold in pairs

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Cost less than $30
  • Available in many colors
  • Easy to adjust during high-volume workouts
  • Promotes wrist mobility while still providing support
  • Less bulky than elastic wraps

Cons

  • Probably not adequate for very heavy lifting
  • Friction closure takes some getting used to
  • Not as durable as heftier wraps

Bottom Line

The Rogue Lightweight Wrist Wraps are an inexpensive and effective option for people who want wrist support without the bulk of thicker elastic wraps.

The Rogue Fitness Lightweight Strength Wrist Wraps feature a lightweight nylon strap and a friction string closure. 

You may be wondering: What the heck is friction closure? Well, these wraps fasten with a string and stay put with its own friction via the looping mechanism of a string. 

This style of wrist wraps differs from the traditional hook-and-loop system—meaning these wraps do not have Velcro tab closures or thumb loops. This style requires an adjustment period if you’re used to Velcro closures. 

Rogue Fitness Lightweight Strength Wrist Wraps

These Rogue Fitness wrist wraps give you 35 inches of nylon to work with and wrap to your preferred tightness. Once you tie off the string closure, the material can be twisted to tighten or loosen without rewrapping the whole thing. This is particularly useful for CrossFit-style workouts wherein you may need to quickly adjust your wraps without taking them off.

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For people with smaller wrists, the 35 inches might prove much too long, and they may end up feeling bulky due to the layering. But, the long one-size-fits-all length means these are suitable for a wider range of wrist sizes than most wraps. 

MaterialNylon
Length35”
Closure Friction closure with string

Best Minimalist Wrist Wraps: Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

Good for: Trainees who want to wear wrist wraps without feeling like they’re wearing wrist wraps

Best Minimal

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

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Product Highlights

  • 1-inch diameter
  • Supports the scaphoid bone in the wrist 
  • Designed for pain relief during workouts 
  • Thumb loop 
  • Velcro closure

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Specifically designed to reduce wrist pain during workouts
  • Offers support and mobility at the same time
  • Thinner diameter allows for more wrist flexion than traditional wraps
  • Competition-approved

Cons

  • May not provide enough support for some athletes
  • Probably requires an adjustment period for most people
  • For smaller wrists, might feel too bulky

Bottom Line

The Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps are perfect for people who struggle with pain in the scaphoid region or who want thinner wraps to reduce bulk.

The Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps are a unique option for cutting down on wrist pain and bulky materials simultaneously. These minimalist-style wrist wraps feature a traditional thumb loop, the unique part being the wraps are only 1 inch in diameter. 

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

The IsoWrap is designed to decrease wrist pain without limiting mobility (check out the Element 26 YouTube video for two different ways to wrap your wrists depending on your goals). The 1-inch diameter uses minimal material to support the scaphoid bone in the wrist, located right below the thumb. According to Element 26, the scaphoid bone is the most common site for wrist irritation and pain. 

With a Velcro closure mechanism, the IsoWraps are quick and easy to use during any type of workout, even CrossFit WODs during which you may need to adjust your wraps multiple times. While these are a great choice for the minimalist lifter, they probably aren’t the best wrist wraps for powerlifting training. Those sticking to heavier lifts may want something a bit more supportive. 

These wraps are available in cotton or suede, both backed by a lifetime warranty—but you must fill out an online form to activate it. 

MaterialCotton or suede 
Length 33”
Closure Velcro

Best Heavy-Duty Wrist Wraps: Gymreapers Classic Wrist Wraps

Good for: Serious athletes who desire extra reinforcement for setting PRs

Best for Heavy Duty

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

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GGR Score: 4.5

Product Highlights

  • 18″ wrist wraps with 3″ width
  • Double stitching to reinforce the wraps
  • 9 available colors
  • Lifetime warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Double stitching for retained longevity
  • 9 color options
  • 100 % satisfaction guarantee and lifetime warranty
  • Heavy-duty thumb loop ensures a secure fit for easy adjustment and quick removal
  • Proprietary elastic will provide incredible support to immobilize your wrist
  • Easy put on and take off
  • Easily adjusted to make tighter or looser based comfort and need
  • USPA approved

Cons

  • Reviews report stitching by velcro is not sturdy
  • No palm covering so not ideal for those looking for hand protection

Bottom Line

The Gymreaper Wrist Wraps are a fantastic option for any gym junkie providing maximum support and comfort during their lifting conquests.

The Gymreapers Stiff Wrist Wraps offer the ultimate heavy-duty wrist support without a heavy-duty price tag. For under $30, you’ll be wearing one of the more rigid options on the market made from reinforced elastic and cotton, featuring double stitching along the edges that should remain stiff long after the first wear. 

These are some of the best wrist wraps for recreational powerlifters, and since they are IPF-approved, competitors can enjoy the heavy-duty support in training and in competition. These are just as great for the recreational athlete, too! 

Thes Gymreapers Classic Wrist Wraps feature reinforced, thick elastic, a double-stitched thumb loop, and a sticky velcro closure. The classic wraps come in just one length (18 inches) but this is a standard size that should be fine for the majority of lifters. Those with really small wrists might find the length and thick fabric to be too much.

These wraps are also guaranteed by a lifetime warranty that covers defect issues with a replacement pair at no cost. Woo! 

MaterialReinforced elastic and cotton
Length18″
Closure Velcro

Best Wrist Wraps on a Budget: Warm Body Cold Mind Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps

Good for: Anyone who wants a straightforward design on a budget

Best Budget

Warm Body Cold Mind Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps

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Product Highlights

  • Great for added wrist protection
  • Design makes these wraps easy to get on and off
  • Flexible construction
  • Affordable and durable
 

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Help protect your wrists and prevent injury
  • Risk-free purchase
  • Easy to put on and off
  • Flexibility allows you to perform a wide range of movements

Cons

  • Some users experienced uncomfortable rubbing

Bottom Line

These elastic wrist wraps are designed to last and their adjustability makes them great for wrists of all sizes. With the added support of these you can expect less wrist pain without the worry of less mobility.

These Warm Body Cold Mind Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps are constructed of heavy-duty cotton and canvas webbing. They are available in either 12 or 18 inches and have a thumb loop that gives you the ability to secure the wrap with the traditional hook-and-loop method. It’s a classic-looking wrap that won’t cost you an arm or a leg. 

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The design of these velcro wrist wraps offers you ample support yet still gives you enough flexibility at the same time. While I have not specifically tried these ones, I have used both styles of wrist wraps and I’m a fan of elastic wraps like these. They are easier to adjust to your desired level of tightness. Plus they’re just easier to use and adjust in general. No one wants to have to mess around with adjusting their wrist wraps during a tough powerlifting workout, I know I don’t. 

With the wraps priced at under $20, it’s worth noting that Warm Body Cold Mind only offers a 14-day manufacturer’s warranty. However, they do offer a satisfaction guarantee. They state on their product page that they stand behind their products and provide their customers with quality customer care. This includes a risk-free purchase.

These straightforward and budget-friendly wraps had 140 Amazon reviews at the time of this, and the average rating as of this writing is 4.5 out of 5. Several of the reviews mention these being used for weak wrists and feeling like the wraps are successful in protecting wrists during lifts. 

MaterialHeavy-duty cotton and canvas webbing with reinforced stitching 
Length12” & 18”
Closure Velcro

Best Wrist Wraps and Grips Combo: JerkFit WODies

Good for: Gymnastics fiends who need both wrist support and palm protection at the same time. 

Best Wrap Grip Combo

JerkFit WODies

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Product Highlights

  • Thick and supportive
  • Affordable
  • Three-finger hole design
  • Can be put in washing machine and dryer

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Thick, supportive wrist wrap
  • Affordably priced
  • Three finger holes
  • Washer/dryer safe

Cons

  • You have to have the wrist wraps on to use
  • Padded grip may be great for some but too much for others
  • Tight fit means getting the right size is paramount

Bottom Line

Created for athletes, by athletes, WODies are specifically designed to reduce hand tearing while adding crucial wrist support during those killer workouts. 

The JerkFit WODies are a unique mix of light wrist support and palm protection. Perfect for CrossFit enthusiasts, this is the two-in-one product you need to get through a grueling WOD with pull-ups and push press

Because your palms (and fingers) are unique, WODies come in different sizes to choose from to cover the palm in addition to customizable holes where your fingers lace through the grip. The finger holes will require slight modification with scissors to get the perfect fit—watch the WODies unboxing video to see how it’s done. 

When worn correctly, the WODies should slip over your three middle fingers, cover the near entirety of your palm, and wrap around your wrist for joint support. 

You can safely machine-wash and dry your WODies. The palm portion is made from a hypoallergenic, latex-free, woven elastic material (similar to neoprene), while the wrist wrap is made from synthetic elastic polyester cotton blend with a thin rubber core. 

JerkFit does not offer a warranty on this product and reports the lifetime of WODies varies between six months to one year based on training frequency. Notably, JerkFit will offer free exchanges if you make a mistake while cutting and customizing your finger holes (and return within the first 30 days of your purchase). 

MaterialWoven elastic, polyester cotton blend 
Length7”
Closure Velcro

Best Wrist Wraps for CrossFit: WOD Nation Wrist Wraps

Good for: CrossFit enthusiasts who want to crush their workouts left and right

Best for Crossfit

WOD Nation Wrist Wraps

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Product Highlights

  • Very durable
  • Budget-friendly
  • Great for CrossFit
  • Thumb loop 
  • Velcro closure

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Traditional Velcro hook-and-loop design
  • Durable with reinforced stitching
  • Adjustable
  • Good mix of support and flexibility

Cons

  • Thumb loops aren’t reinforced
  • Length may not be long enough for some athletes

Bottom Line

Low in price and high in durability, the WOD Nation Wrist Wraps are perfect for CrossFit enthusiasts, although they may not be long enough for all athletes.

In the sport of CrossFit, durability is king. The importance of this one factor can’t be overstated: Stuff gets messed up during CrossFit WODs. Shoes get scuffed and ripped; clothes tear and suffer through chalk hands; gear is subject to the friction of bodies moving around pull-up rigs and quite literally slamming into the floor. 

That is to say, if you want wrist wraps for CrossFit, you need WOD Nation Wrist Wraps. As a CrossFitter myself, I’m naturally inclined to trust a brand with “WOD” in the name. But after using these wrist wraps for a few workouts, I’m even more convinced that they are the best choice, and a great gift for CrossFitters

Made from a durable polyester blend, these feature a commercial-grade Velcro closure you can  drag through all of your daily CrossFit sessions. Additionally, these wraps are flexible enough to handle the variety of movements you’ll endure in CrossFit. 

These wraps offer stability for your wrist without fully immobilizing the joint. If you’re looking for maximum stiffness, these won’t be the wraps for you. These wraps are designed to help you get through repetitive high-volume lifting, as seen commonly in CrossFit. 

WOD Nation Wrist Wraps have a comparable price to other wrist wraps on the market, but without a warranty. WOD Nation offers a 30-day return policy on unused items.

Related: Best CrossFit Gymnastics Grips

MaterialPolyester blend
Length12” or 18”
Closure Velcro

Other Wrist Wraps We Tried 

Gymreapers Adjustable Support Wrist Wraps: This is the friction closure option from Gymreapers. We didn’t get our hands on these yet, but we assume they perform just fine based on our experience with other Gymreapers wraps. However, we’ll refrain from a full recommendation until we get to try them. 

Rogue Fitness Leather Wrist Wraps: If you’re a female with relatively small wrists, don’t even THINK about ordering these. They’re massive. They fit around my 60-pound dog’s neck, if that gives you any idea. Truthfully, I couldn’t even test these out because I couldn’t wear them correctly. 

Rogue Fitness Wrist Wraps: A basic pair of wraps from Rogue, these are nothing special compared to other elastic, Velcro wrist wraps. They’re just that: a pair of wraps that’ll get the job done for a low price. 

Bear Grips Wrist Wraps: I love that Bear Grips Wrist Wraps are available in two straightforward options—mobility-focused and strength-focused. The former is better for high-volume workouts while the latter is great for powerlifting and attempting a new one-rep max.

Stoic Wrist Wraps: These are okay, but I don’t love that the leather patch with the Stoic logo is so large. On my small wrists, this made for an awkward fit. 

Benefits of Wrist Wraps

Wrist wraps are used in many sports, from bowling to baseball to weightlifting, all with the intent to stabilize the wrist joint and allow the athlete maximum power. 

If you’ve ever noticed your own wrist hyperextending under a barbell, you know it’s not a good feeling during a bench press, squat, or snatch. 

Over time, a high degree of wrist flexion under a loaded barbell can lead to greater risk of injury.

Joint Support and Stability

Wrist wraps offer a generous amount of stability and prevent excessive extension of the wrist joint. Wraps give you the opportunity to put heavier weights in your hands without compromising the ideal wrist joint position (stacked straight over the forearm). 

Compression

Wraps not only offer support and stability so the wrist joint isn’t jostled around under the barbell or dumbbell, but they also allow you to choose the compression of your choice. They are adjustable to your liking. You’ll notice that more compression for a heavy one-rep max isn’t comfortable, but it helps you grip the bar more intensely. 

RELATED: Dumbbell To Barbell Converter

One study1 shows an increase in performance when shot put athletes wore wrist wraps during competition versus athletes who did not. For lighter-weight, higher-volume workouts, such as a CrossFit WOD with a lot of overhead pressing, you can reduce compression to maximize mobility while still supporting your wrist joint. 

Post-Injury Support

Lifting while recovering from an injury is tough to navigate. 

Whether the injury is directly related to your wrist or an issue with the elbow or shoulder, adding a wrist wrap can help stabilize the wrist joint and maintain a strong wrist position, enabling your muscles and joints to get back to barbell stimulation and adaptation to keep making strength gains. 

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Always consult with an appropriate healthcare professional to make decisions about exercising after an injury. 

How We Found the Best Wrist Wraps 

This guide began like all of our others: With in-depth internet research on dozens of brands and all of the products they have available. We narrowed down our search by using our own experience with various products as well as sifting through customer reviews. Finally, we ordered the products and sent them off to various writers and editors on our team to put them to work. 

During testing, we judged wrist wraps on: 

  • Fit and comfort
  • Materials
  • Stitching
  • Elasticity
  • Mobility vs stability 
  • Joint support 
  • Closure mechanism
  • Ease of use 
  • Size availability 
  • Pricing 
  • Shipping
  • Warranty and returns 

How to Choose the Best Wrist Wraps for You

The best wrist wraps for you depend on your style of training and the amount of support you’re looking for during your strength or CrossFit workouts at home. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for wrist wraps: 

Material

Most wraps for strength sports are made from cotton or blends of cotton, elastic, and polyester. Wraps that are made only from cotton will typically not give you enough support for heavy weights and will not allow you to stretch and tighten the material while wrapping around the wrist. 

Another thing to look for is reinforced stitching (often called double stitching) through the wrap—even better if it extends to the thumb loop! Extra stitching helps wraps last longer by making it harder for the fabric to unravel. 

Mobility and Support

The more elasticity the wraps have, the more mobile your wrist will be when wrapped. More mobility is an attractive feature for CrossFit WODs and high-volume training. A stiffer, less elastic wrist wrap will be more conducive to heavy pressing and testing your one-rep max (especially on bench and overhead press). 

Closure Style

The most common closure style you’ll see in weightlifting wrist wraps is the velcro strap. It’s straightforward and easy to use, even after your first wrist is all wrapped up. Weightlifters often see that the Velcro shows the first signs of noticeable wear-and-tear, long before the wrap itself. 

Seen less commonly, although still popular, is the friction-style closure. Friction wrist wraps take some time to get used to if you’re accustomed to no-fuss velcro. 

Firstly, friction wraps do not have thumb loops and by fastening the wrap, you loop and secure the string at the opposite end of the wrap. The nice feature with this style is that micro adjustments can be made during your workouts without unfastening. For that reason, they’re popular in CrossFit. 

Durability

Strength in materials and stitching are the two major factors that influence how your wrist wraps will hold up (in addition to how often they get used). 

Blends of cotton and synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and rubber are common materials and create high-quality wraps with high-grade support. Washing your wrist wraps (and often air drying) is another way to ensure your wraps have a long lifespan on your wrist and in the gym bag. 

Comfort

Comfort will depend on your goals when wearing wrist wraps. For heavy weights and to test your one-rep max, comfort is generally out of the question. When you wrap for a tremendous load, it’s going to be tight and have maximum wrist compression. 

For injury prevention and high-volume weight training, your comfort will be a top concern. A wrist wrap that is worn over the course of a long workout will need to be more flexible and breathable than the stiff and cast-like wraps for setting a new PR. 

Type of Lifting

Depending on the style of strength training you get after, the amount of support you want for a wrist wrap will vary. Powerlifting wrist wraps are stiff and lock your wrist into place, so they won’t be ideal for high-repetition WODs. 

Wrist wraps with a friction closure mechanism allow you to more comfortably wear wraps during the workout, making them perfect for high volumes and less ideal for maximum support. 

Best Wrist Wraps: FAQs

How effective are wrist wraps?

Wrist wraps provide extra support for the wrist joint during heavy and high-volume lifts. The intent is to fend off fatigue and pain by preventing the wrist from hyperextending under heavy loads. Depending on both their flexibility and rigidity, they can be very effective in providing support to the wrist joint during Olympic lifts or powerlifting movements.

However, wrist wraps are not proven to prevent wrist injuries and evidence on the topic of wrist wraps and tendonitis is inconclusive. If you have a wrist injury of any sort, consult your healthcare professional before lifting weights with or without wraps.

What are the downsides of wrist wraps?

An over reliance of wrist wraps could lead to a dependency on the equipment, which could weaken your grip strength as well as the wrist joint.

If lifters started to wear wrist wraps for every set and every lift, the joint could start to weaken because the wrist is immobilized for the whole training session. Your wrist still needs the stimulation of what the weight feels like in your hands without the added support. 

It’s not a bad idea to save your wraps for after the warm ups, and reserve them for heavy loads, working sets, or your intense high-volume sets. 

Are stiff or flexible wrist wraps better?

It depends on the type of training you’re wanting to do. Stiff wraps provide more support, but not as much mobility as flexible wrist wraps. So, if you’re planning on high-volume reps in a CrossFit workout, or dynamic movements in Olympic weightlifting, you may want a more flexible wrap. However, for slower, heavier exercises like a bench press, you may want to choose a sturdier wrist wrap.

Should I get 12- or 18-inch wrist wraps?

With more material, longer wrist wraps will inevitably wrap around your wrist joint more, providing more support to the wrists. However, a smaller wrist may start to feel encumbered by a longer, bulkier wrap. A 12-inch wrap should be fine for a small wrist, and 18 inches will work for larger wrists. However, larger athletes and powerlifters may still want more support or length, opting for a 20-inch wrap or longer.

References

  1. Judge, W. L., Burke, M. J., Patrick, J. T., Guidry, D. T., Hoover, L. D., Wanless, A. E., & Bellar, M. D. (2015). Effects of wrist wraps on throwing distance in highly skilled shot put athletesInternational Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport15(1), 343–358. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2015.11868797

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