Best Wrist Wraps For Powerlifting, Weightlifting, and More

Wrist wraps are useful pieces of supportive strength gear for lifters that want additional wrist support when training. Traditionally, lifters wear wrist wraps to alleviate pressure on the wrists during longer workouts or when performing heavy lifts. On the bench press, wrist wraps support barbell security. When using a mixed grip for a deadlift, wrist wraps help prevent losing the barbell due to it spinning out. 

All wrist wraps aren’t made the same though. Some have a wider width to support the full wrist, while others are thinner to support a specific section of the wrist, and allow for greater mobility of the joint. Other wrist wraps are made with thicker or stiffer material to give maximum support when handling heavy weights. They also have different fastening mechanisms (with the most common being velcro), but some use buckles like a belt, or tie like shoelaces. We’ve tested and reviewed many different wrist wraps, and found the best options for various activities. If you’re a fitness enthusiast trying to improve your performance, but your wrist support is lacking, then it might be time to invest in a new pair of wrist wraps.

Best Wrist Wraps

• Best Wrist Wraps: Gymreapers Wrist Wraps
• Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting: Gymreapers Wrist Wraps (Stiff Heavy Duty)
• Best Wrist Wraps for Small Wrists: Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps
• Best Wrist Wraps for Weightlifting: Gymreapers Wrist Wraps
• Best Wrist Wraps for CrossFit: Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps
• Most Durable Wrist Wraps: Manimal Wrist Wraps
• Best Leather Wrist Wraps: Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps (Suede)
• Best Neoprene/Foam Wrist Wraps: Rehband RX Wrist Wrap Support
• Best Wrist Wraps for Beginners: Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended to diagnose, prevent, and/or treat health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

Best Wrist Wraps

When searching for the best wrist wraps, they should check all the right boxes — durable, secure, easy to use, and comfortable. We think Gymreapers Wrist Wraps easily take the top slot here.

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

Wrist wraps in particular serve a lot of different purposes depending on your sport. For regular gymgoers, they add a bit of comfort to the wrists, and can help prevent injury. For powerlifters or strongman competitors, they serve as a vital piece of gear to help protect and reinforce the wrists during heavy pressing. We’ve even seen them used to help improve grip on things like deadlifts, and carrying events in strongman. 

Strength athletes and enthusiasts who want a flexible, well-built wrist wrap across various workouts are likely to find Gymreapers to be an ideal fit. They are three inches wide and made of high-grade nylon (30 percent elastic and 70 percent polyester). At 18 inches long, these wraps are long enough to offer sufficient wrist support. Most wrist wraps should limit movement enough to ensure that wrists aren’t exposed to injury — Gymreapers’ fall into that camp, but they don’t limit the wrist so much that there isn’t any flexibility.

The reinforced stitching and elastic in these wrist wraps provide an excellent combination of durability and flexibility. No matter your strength sport, these wrist wraps can help protect your wrists without hindering your movement patterns. Even if squats are part of a training session, they can offer enough comfort in the movement to hold the barbell without limiting support.

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

These wraps are three inches wide and made of high-grade nylon (30 percent elastic and 70 percent polyester). At 18 inches long, these wraps are long enough to offer solid wrist support.

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Who Should Buy Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

• Lifters who want a durable wrist wrap with reinforced stitching.
• Athletes who want wrist support without hindering their flexibility — these offer pretty heavy support which is great for stability but hinders wrist flexibility. 
• Those who value a heavy-duty thumb loop that will last instead of ripping off with just a few uses.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

• Folks with sensitive skin who prefer their gear be made with a softer material, such as cotton instead of nylon and elastic.
• Those who want wrist wraps that are machine washable.

Although these wraps might feel a bit tougher on the skin than comparable options on the market, they will still allow for sufficient mobility in training. Again, beginners who are on the lookout for a pair of wrist wraps with a thumb loop may need to search elsewhere, but any serious strength athlete could benefit from placing Gymreapers Wrist Wraps at the top of their buy list.

[Related: 5 Best Prehab Exercises For Strength Athletes (With Joe Yoon)]

Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting

Many powerlifters rely heavily on wrist wraps, and put them through some of the most punishment of any athlete. That’s why powerlifters need the most support possible when it comes to their gear. When you’ve got a heavy bench press sitting over your chest, the last thing you want is your gear failing. That’s why our top pick for best wrist wraps for powerlifters is Gymreapers Wrist Wraps (Stiff Heavy Duty).

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps (Stiff Heavy Duty)

Gymreapers designed these wrist wraps with the competitive powerlifter in mind. Every detail is meant to improve stability, provide confidence, and help you blast through even the heaviest bench sessions. The thumb loops are reinforced, so they won’t fall apart after one use, and this product has a lifetime replacement guarantee. These 18 inch wraps are competition grade, and made from upgraded and reinforced elastic to be stiffer than other wraps on the market. If you’re serious about lifting some heavy weights and want maximum support for your wrists, then these are the wrist wraps for you.

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps (Stiff Heavy Duty)

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps (Stiff Heavy Duty)

The thumb loops on these straps are reinforced, and they are 18 inches in length. They$0027re also competition grade, and made from upgraded and reinforced elastic to be stiffer than other wraps on the market.

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Who Should Buy Gymreapers Wrist Wraps (Stiff Heavy Duty)

• Lifters who want maximum support and compression during their lifts, regardless of comfort will enjoy the stiffness of these wraps. They can be pulled very tight thanks to their elasticity.
• Athletes who are serious about competing in powerlifting — these are made for just that.
• Anyone who needs some extra support and compression around the wrist, and finds that regular wraps just aren’t cutting it. These wraps offer much stiffer material with reinforced stitching, which is much stronger than what you’ll find with regular wraps. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Gymreapers Wrist Wraps (Stiff Heavy Duty)

• Athletes who perform lifts that require wrist flexibility like the Olympic lifts. These wraps’ stiffer and thicker material make it so that they aren’t as flexible. 
• Gymgoers looking for a lighter level of wrist support. These wraps offer very high levels of compression and support due to the increased elasticity of the material.
• Anyone that’s interested in a wrist wrap that they can use throughout their workout without discomfort — these can get uncomfortable with prolonged wear due to the stiffness of the material.

The only real knock against these wrist wraps is that they might support the wrists too well for some athletes. If you’re looking for wrist support to train the big three lifts specifically, we think these wraps check all of the boxes. However, if you need wrist wraps with less rigidity, another option on this list may be better for you.

[Related: The Lifter’s Guide To Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does For Strength]

Best Wrist Wraps for Small Wrists

Having small wrists can pose some problems for those looking to lift, especially if you like to lift heavy weights. There’s less area for the force to transfer through, and that can cause some stress on the joints (at least more than it would for those gifted with larger wrists). That’s why Element 26 made their IsoWrap Wrist Wraps that measure just one inch in width to help support the exact spot on the wrist that they say needs the most support — the scaphoid bone.

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

These wrist wraps are naturally better suited to athletes with smaller wrists because they have a width of just one inch. This is more narrow than many of the comparable options on the market. The thinner design isn’t without benefits beyond potentially being a better fit. It also targets the scaphoid bone (a bone in the wrist on the side closer to the body) with more support and allows for enhanced flexibility. This flexibility can be valuable during a wide-grip snatch to ensure there isn’t too much pressure on the thumb. Additionally, it can also allow for better comfort when performing hang snatches.

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

These wrist wraps are made with cotton or suede leather and are designed to support the scaphoid bone. They have a width of one inch and a length of 33 inches.

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Who Should Buy Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

• Lifters who prefer a less bulky wrist wrap — these are more of a minimalist wrist wrap that are one inch in width.
• Anyone who needs more support on their scaphoid bone (inner wrist) will appreciate that these wrist wraps target that exact spot.
• People who appreciate having options between cotton or suede leather — you can choose between one or the other if either material causes irritation.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

• Anyone aiming to lift very heavy, there are heavy-duty options that provide more compression and support.
• Those who need a wider wrist wrap — these are only one inch in width and most wrist wraps are around three inches wide.

.Anyone looking for some targeted wrist support aimed at the scaphoid bone will enjoy these wrist wraps. Their narrow width doesn’t impede wrist mobility so you can use these wraps for Olympic lifts with confidence, but they may not be the best choice for lifts where you want a lot of support (like you would with bench press or heavy squats).

[Related: Strength Athletes: Don’t Overlook Your Wrists]

Best Wrist Wraps for Weightlifting

Weightlifters have very unique needs when it comes to wrist support. They need wrist wraps that are able to stand up to heavy weights (like those in the clean & jerk), but still have the flexibility to achieve the positions they need for a successful lift. They need a Goldilocks-esque blend of support and mobility, which is just what the wrist wraps from Gymreapers provide, making it our top pick for weightlifting.

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

Training the snatch and clean & jerk often? These flexible wraps are long enough — 18 inches — to offer strong wrist support to better ensure that they aren’t exposed to injury. The combination of durability and flexibility won’t hinder movement patterns during either Olympic weightlifting movement.

Gymreapers’ use of high-grade nylon and wide design (three inches) of their wraps should do a fine job at lessening the stress the wrists take when the barbell is positioned overhead. If you are training to up your competitive total, adding these wrist wraps to your gym bag will likely be a step in the right direction.

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

These wraps are three inches wide and made of high-grade nylon (30 percent elastic and 70 percent polyester). At 18 inches long, these wraps are long enough to offer solid wrist support.

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Who Should Buy Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

• Athletes who seek extra wrist support with multiple length and color options.
• Those who want a secure fit. They have quality thumb loops with reinforced stitching to prevent ripping after only a few uses.
• Weightlifters who want security during heavy lifts. These have thick material and extra elasticity for additional support in heavy sessions.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Gymreapers Wrist Wraps

• Those who prefer softer material to wrap their wrists with, such as cotton or suede.
• Folks who need a thinner wrist wrap for more targeted support for a specific area of the wrist — these are three inches wide

The Gymreapers Wrist Wraps are a good overall product that offers support for heavy clean & jerks and snatches. If you’re looking for a wrist wrap to support you in your weightlifting journey, you could do worse than these wrist wraps. They’re available in multiple colors as well to match your preferences. 

[Related: The Real Pros And Cons Of The Bodybuilding Lifestyle]

Best Wrist Wraps for Crossfit

Crossfitters regularly make use of wrist wraps for a variety of exercises. They are commonly used on Olympic lifts, but can also be used for handstand push-ups, overhead press, and even squats. That’s why CrossFitters need a wrist wrap as versatile as their workouts, and able to stand up to repeated use. The Element 26 IsoWraps can do just that and more.

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

These unique wrist wraps are thinner than most other wrist wraps, measuring one inch instead of the typical three inches. That allows for a great deal of flexibility since the support is only applied at the wrist joint when worn properly. The smaller width of these wraps makes them ideal for CrossFit since they can be worn throughout a workout or WOD, and not get in the way of other exercises where you may not need wrist support (like kettlebell swings) — plus, you don’t have to waste time putting them on for exercises that you do want wrist support for. Element 26 even stands behind their product, and the quality of materials used with a lifetime warranty.

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

These wrist wraps are made with cotton or suede leather and are designed to support the scaphoid bone. They have a width of one inch and a length of 33 inches.

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Who Should Buy Element 26 IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

• Anyone who wants a low-key wrist wrap to provide support, but not inhibit mobility of the wrist will like the one-inch width on these.
• Those who like to perform a variety of different exercises that require varying degrees of wrist support will enjoy the adjustability of these wraps.
• Athletes who want additional support of the scaphoid bone; a potential weak point during wide-grip barbell movements — these are designed to support that exact spot on the wrist.

Who Shouldn’t Buy IsoWrap Wrist Wraps

• Advanced lifters who need more rigidity for extremely heavy lifts.
• Anyone who prefers a wider wrist wrap will want to look for one that is wider than one inch.
• Someone who is looking for maximum support and compression of the wrist can find a better option on this list. 

For CrossFit athletes who need wrist support, but don’t want to sacrifice mobility, the one inch design of these wraps can provide the happy medium you’re looking for. The heavy duty thumb loop also helps to ensure that once on, these wraps stay right where you need them.

Most Durable Wrist Wraps

Wrist wraps are pieces of gym equipment that may be used nearly every session in some capacity (and usually under a heavy load). With that type of frequency and harshness of use, it’s important to get a pair of wrist wraps that you know will stand up to the challenge. These wrist wraps have been around for years, and we are confident in their durability.

Manimal Wrist Wraps

No matter what you throw at them the quality and durability of Manimal Wrist Wraps seem to hold up lift after lift, PR after PR. The superior velcro and purposefully overbuilt materials allow normal wear and tear to take its toll without having an effect on the performance of the wrist wraps. Manimal took over a year to develop these wraps to their high standards of durability. These are a solid pick for those who train the big three — heavy deadlifts, high-rep bench presses, and squats — or frequently train accessory exercises (we also like them for kettlebell work). 

A nice feature of these is that they’re designed to fit on either wrist — left or right — so you can just pull them out, strap them on, and go without fumbling around trying to figure out which one goes on which wrist. Manimal also offers a lifetime warranty against defects and quality issues. These wraps may be priced higher than some others on this list, but Manimal states that their wraps last an average of two years or longer with proper maintenance, providing great value for your money.

Manimal Wrist Wraps

Manimal Wrist Wraps