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One of the things I get all my clients to invest in before they do more extensive training on free weights is fitness wrist wraps.
They’re the easiest way to avoid injuries, and even if you’re not aiming for new world records in powerlifting, they might help you lift heavier loads.
But, I’ve seen too many wrist wraps that were so poor quality that they could do more harm than good.
So we put over 40 products to the test to come up with this list of the 10 best wrist wraps.
Our Top Wrist Wraps (September 2023)
1 - Contraband Black Label 1001 Wrist Wraps (Editor's Choice)
If you’re looking for weight lifting wrist wraps with a longer length for additional support and protection, then these Contraband ones with a 36-inch length might be just what you need.
You may also like that you can choose between 3 different stiffness designs to better suit your workouts.
Quick Facts:
- Synthetic nylon and cotton
- Available in 18, 24, 36 inches
- One of the longer wrist wraps for maximum support
- Available in different stiffness levels to suit your workouts
- Positive comments about the heavy-duty hook and thumb loop
- Some athletes have reported that the edge may rub a bit on the skin
Just be careful when wrapping them, as some people have mentioned that the edge can rub a little.
2 - DMoose Fitness Wrist Wraps
These fitness wrist wraps have a wide design and a bit more flexibility that some athletes prefer for squats and cleans [1].
They also seem to be very durable, with some online comments saying that users have had them for several years.
Oh, and if you’re a bit fashion conscious about your gym gear, then you may like the different color designs.
Quick Facts:
- Synthetic polyester and cotton
- Available in 12 and 18 inches
- Wide wraps may provide more protection from wrist injuries
- Many positive comments that they may last for years
- Available in really cool color designs
- Not available in options longer than 18 inches
Keep in mind that these wrist wraps are only available up to 18 inches.
3 - Stoic Weightlifting Wrist Wraps
These were possibly the stiffest wrist wraps we encountered, and that might be something you need if you’re lifting competitive weight ranges [2].
And we also heard from some athletes who have been powerlifting with them for over 18 months, and there seem to be limited signs of wear.
Quick Facts:
- Nylon fabric and cotton
- Available in 18, 24, 26 inches
- The wrist wraps seem to be very stiff for maximum support under pressure
- The width might be ideal for covering just the right amount of wrist
- The wrist wrap materials seem to be hard-wearing even under tough training conditions
- They might be a bit stiff for squats and cleans
If you prefer a bit of wrist flexibility, skip these wrist wraps as they are slightly on the stiff side.
4 - Grip Power Pads Heavy Duty Lifting Straps
These weightlifting wrist straps may provide a thicker than average neoprene padding, which might help to reduce pressure on your joints [3].
You also may be able to tighten them enough to make the wrist wraps stiff without reducing blood circulation to your hands.
Quick Facts:
- Cotton and neoprene
- Available in 10.5 inches
- Positive comments about the grips providing a more secure traction
- Padded with neoprene to reduce pressure points
- Tight enough straps without cutting off the blood supply
- The straps might be too short for some athletes
The only downside is that the wrist wrap straps might not be long enough for athletes with thick wrists.
5 - WOD Wear Elastic Wrist Wraps
The reason we added these ones to the list is that there are a lot of comments online that they may reduce pressure and rubbing on your thumb joints.
This seems to be down to the thumb loop reinforced stitching being on the outside, which otherwise could cause blisters.
We also like the wrist wrap elasticity, which might help to adjust them between different sets [4].
Quick Facts:
- Cotton and polyester
- Available in 18 inches
- Positive wrist wrap comments about no rubbing from the thumb loop
- Loosening the wrist wrap straps seems to be easy in between sets
- Stretchy material may help to give you just the right tightness
- Only available in one length
We just wish that these wrist wraps were available in a wider range of lengths for more flexible workout use.
6 - Rip Toned Wrist Wraps
The Rip Toned wrist wraps might be a bit stretchier than others, which should help you adjust them easily to the amount of weight you’re lifting.
We also liked that you have the option to choose from quite a few different wrist wrap designs and colors.
Quick Facts:
- Cotton and polyester
- Available in 18 inches
- Stretchy design should allow you to find the right fit for your training levels
- Endorsed by Kevin Weiss, world powerlifter champion
- You get a choice of cool designs and colors
- Some reports of the velcro strap stitching coming loose
We noted a few comments about the Rip Toned wrist wraps that mentioned some issues with the velcro stitching.
7 - Dark Iron Fitness Leather Wrist Wraps
These fitness wrist wraps use a suede material that the company claims helps to increase the amount of grip with a lower chance of slipping.
Users also seem to like the wrist wraps padding that it provides to help reduce pressure points.
Quick Facts:
- Cotton, suede, and nylon
- Available in 12 inches
- The suede material claims to provide more grip
- Positive comments about the padding that may avoid pressure points
- May be suitable for power-lifters on weights over 400 lbs
- Some power-lifters may prefer a longer strap
Unfortunately, these wrist wraps are only available as a 12-inch option, and some athletes might feel more comfortable with longer ones.
8 - CAP Barbell Wrist Wrap
The CAP Barbell weight training wrist wraps may be wider than normal, which would suit people trying to maximize support.
And because they have a slightly elastic material, you should be able to achieve different levels of flexibility.
This would also explain why quite a few online comments highlight the wrist pain relief achieved during workouts.
Quick Facts:
- Polyester and nylon
- Available in 12 inches
- Wide straps should provide support for most wrist sizes
- Slightly elastic design to help you get the fit right
- Positive comments about the wraps reducing wrist pain
- Some athletes think the materials might not be long enough lasting
Our only concern is that this might not be the best wrist wraps from a durability point of view.
9 - Bracoo Reversible Wrist Wraps
These wrist wraps are made using a spandex material that you’d often find in compression sleeves.
That compression may help reduce joint pain and support your wrists during exercise routines.
The simple design may also make it easier for you to adjust the tightness quickly to the specific workout set you’re doing.
Quick Facts:
- Neoprene, nylon, spandex
- Available 12 inches
- Offers a compression effect to help with injuries
- Soft feeling on the skin may reduce friction
- May be easier to adjust the tightness as needed during workouts
- Might not be suitable for heavy powerlifting
Just be aware that these wrist wraps are not designed for heavy powerlifting.
Wrist Wraps Buyer’s Guide
Here are the 4 main things to focus on in your wrist wraps buying decision.
1. Check The Material
Here’s a simple rule.
If you’re going to do heavy lifting, then you need more wrist support, and that requires stiffer materials for the lifting straps.
If the loads are lighter and you do lots of different exercises, then something flexible would be more suitable.
Also, it might be a good idea to find wrist wraps where the fabric does not retain sweat and smells.
2. Get The Size Right
To get the maximum support for your wrists [5], the wrist wraps may need to go around your wrist more than once.
Again, my general rule is for heavier loads, you want longer straps, even up to 36 inches long.
For lighter loads, a 12 or 18-inch strap might do perfectly fine.
“Not having strong wrist and forearm muscles increases your risk of wrist injury and pain, but creating strength in this area will allow you to lift heavier weights and create a thicker and well-defined forearm area.”
- Sportsrec.com.
3. Decide On Stiffness
To better protect your wrists while you work on heavy equipment, the wrist wraps need to be stiffer.
Some companies offer their product range with softer and stiffer materials that should allow you to choose the right wrist support for the loads you plan to use.
4. Find The Thumb Loop Specification
We always recommend wrist wraps with a thumb loop as they play a critical role in keeping the wraps in place.
What you want to check for is the design and the reinforced stitching on the thumb loops, as we did find a few product designs where the stitches could end up rubbing into your thumb joint [6].
FAQs
Should You Use the Best Grips Wrist Wraps for Bench Presses?
Yes, you should use wrist wraps for bench presses once you hit weight loads that cause significant strain. However, this might not be necessary for cardio or warm-up routines at lower loads, even with good thumb loops.
Do the Best Wrist Wraps Help Deadlifts?
No, wrist wraps don’t help deadlifts. Their design aims to support the wrist joint with pressure pushing down on the joint rather than pulling on the joint during a deadlift.
Do You Need the Best Wrist Wraps for Calisthenics?
Yes, you may need wrist wraps for calisthenics. These types of exercise often put a lot of pressure on your elbow and wrist joints, which could become prone to injury. With wrist wraps, you reduce the likelihood of these mishaps while maintaining comfort.
What are the Best Wrist Wraps Do We Recommend?
The one product that our clients had the best response to was Contraband. Available in the right sizes for different lifting categories, you shouldn’t have a problem getting the perfect fit.
We also found that they were harder wearing than most other wrist wraps, which was backed up by many customer reviews.
Order yours today, and then let us know how well they worked for you.
Our #1 Recommendation
Contraband Black Label 1001 Wrist Wraps
- One of the longer wrist wraps for maximum support
- Available in different stiffness levels to suit your workouts
- Positive comments about the heavy-duty hook and thumb loop
- Some athletes have reported that the edge may rub a bit on the skin
About The Author
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Definitely need to upgrade my wraps, the velcro on mine keeps getting weaker. Thanks for the recommendations!