The 7 Best Wrist Wraps for Heavy Lifting, According to Certified Trainers

If you’re looking to buy a single pair of wrist wraps for all of your workouts, Iron Bull’s Classic pair is the Goldilocks of our list: They’re fairly priced, the “standard” length, and durable enough that you probably won’t need to buy another pair (assuming you take care of them reasonably well).

The mostly cotton construction and 18-inch length provide lifters with enough strap real estate for heavy lifting support without feeling unbearable during rest periods. Aesthetically, Iron Bull delivers a wrap that looks of high quality and offers enough colorways to suit your personal style. And, like most of the picks on the list, they utilize a hook-and-loop anchor system, which we believe is the simplest way to apply a wrap.

One minor thing worth flagging is that some lifters find the thumb loop runs tight. If you’re sensitive there (or you’re between sizes in general), you may want a different strap style—or a longer wrap—before committing.

These wraps are the ultimate combo of support and mobility. When we hit the bench or busted out Olympic lifts, they had our wrists covered without limiting our range of motion.

One feature we loved was the thumb loop. It not only gave us a snug fit but also kept the wraps from slipping mid-lift. No distractions, just pure focus on smashing those weights.

The 18-inch strap provides solid security, giving you peace of mind, especially if you’re dealing with an injury. The blend of polyester and elastic gives you a comfy yet supportive fit. No overly tight feeling here, just the perfect balance for crushing your workouts.

These wraps might set you back around 30 bucks per pair, a bit pricier than other options. But trust us, the durability and quality are worth every penny.

The Gangsta Wraps are one of the many wrap iterations—and strength training products—from the mind of former elite powerlifter Mark Bell. The Gangstas are one of three categories of wraps under his company, and they’re our option as a splurge pick because they offer the most versatility and best quality of any wrap on this list.

With two strap lengths (20-in. and 36-in.) and at moderate stiffness, these wraps are a solid pick for bodybuilders, strongmen, CrossFitters, and powerlifters. The build quality makes these a verified buy-once, cry-once purchase. They also boast 4.9 stars out of 1,110-plus reviews on the Mark Bell Sling Shot website. As a long-time user of these wraps, my favorite detail is that the thumb loop is sewn flat on the inside, so it doesn’t get in the way if you decide to slip it off once the wrap is on.

Now, you might wonder why this earns our “splurge” designation even though the SBD wraps (see “best powerlifting wrist wraps” below) carry a higher price tag. The difference comes down to usability across lifters: Gangsta Wraps are versatile enough for most strength-training contexts, while SBD wraps are more tailored to powerlifting-specific needs (non-competitors do use them, though). For the broader training population, the Gangstas are as high-quality and capable a pair of wraps as you’ll ever need.

Thumb loops can be annoying—a lot of lifters think so, including a few of our staffers—and for a long time, they were essentially the only anchoring option available. TuffWraps is innovating within the category, having replaced the traditional loop with a belt-loop-style anchor that makes getting wrapped up fast without the extra fabric rubbing against your thumb.

Using them is straightforward: slip your wrist through the sewn-in loop on the inside of the wrap, start wrapping, pull the tab to set your tension, then lock everything down with the Velcro. The strap measures 16 inches, with an additional four-inch pull tab, providing ample material to build support without overdoing it. For most lifters—even those training with heavier loads—that’s more than enough stiffness and coverage. Competitive powerlifters chasing maximum rigidity may still want a longer, more specialized wrap.

Despite being made primarily from cotton, the Villain wraps lived up to TuffWraps’ claims around moisture management. They absorbed sweat well, stayed comfortable even during longer workouts, and we found that they didn’t bunch up or dig into the wrist crease much during presses and dumbbell work. They’re a strong choice for lifters who hate thumb loops, train mixed sessions, and want reliable support without constantly unwrapping between sets.

SBD is the gold standard when it comes to powerlifting accessories—belts, knee sleeves, and, yes, wrist wraps—and their reputation is evident everywhere, from meet platforms to Reddit threads. These wraps are widely praised for their consistency and support, and they’re approved for use in the IPF, USAPL, and USPA, making them a safe bet for anyone who plans to compete. While they’re clearly designed with powerlifters in mind, the range of options makes them usable well beyond meet day.

SBD offers three lengths—15.7-in., 23.6-in., and 39.4-in.—along with two stiffness profiles, flexible and stiff. The flexible option provides strong support while still allowing some wrist movement, which is why SBD recommends it as a first purchase for most lifters. The stiffer wraps deliver a rigid feel and are typically the second pair of lifters that are added once they know they want maximum reinforcement for heavy benching and maximum attempts.

There’s no getting around the downsides: these wraps are pricey, and the care instructions are more demanding than most—hand wash in warm water, then air dry. But if you’re serious about pressing heavy for the long haul, that’s part of the trade-off. These are purpose-built, competition-grade wraps, and they’re worth the investment if powerlifting is your primary focus.

You’re more likely to see Hafthor “The Mountain” Björnsson running a marathon than a Rogue product advertised as a “budget pick”, but these wrist wraps break the mold. They deliver a rare combination of affordability, quality, and real-world performance without cutting obvious corners. The wraps come in three lengths (12-in., 18-in., and 24-in.), a dozen colorways, and use a straightforward hook-and-loop closure that’s easy to adjust between sets.

Rogue’s reputation for durability carries over to these wraps. They use a 50/40/10 blend of cotton, elastic, and polyester, which provides a supportive, slightly performance-oriented feel without being overly stiff. They’re positioned as an all-strength-sports option, with the 12-in. and 18-in. lengths better suited for Olympic lifting, CrossFit, and general gym training, while heavier benchers and competitive powerlifters will get more out of the 24″ version.

The baseline price is impressively low given the build quality, though Rogue does scale the cost up slightly—about $4 more for the 18-inch wraps and $6 more for the 24-inch. Even then, the longest option still undercuts most competitors. One thing to note: if you’ve never trained with 12-inch wraps, they may feel too minimal for heavier pressing. Some lifters love the freedom; others want more fabric. As always, it comes down to how much support you prefer.

Gymreapers created its Strength Wrist Wraps with versatility and performance in mind. The wraps are made from a thinner material and, according to Gymreapers, are “designed for fast, easy adjustments … and the perfect level of compression”. The 36-inch worth of fabric makes these supportive enough for CrossFit workouts, Olympic lifts, and general bodybuilding-style training. You can press heavy weights with them, but if that’s your primary focus, you should consider a more sturdy pair.

To get these wraps on and adjust them, you lay them across your wrists, pull the attached string, and wrap them up. It sounds easy enough, but the lack of a thumb loop can make this tricky at first. Our team had a small learning curve. However, once you get the hang of the system, it does make adjusting the wraps quick.

Just adjust your expectations: this style isn’t trying to feel like a stiff powerlifting cast. A handful of negative feedback notes are essentially “I expected a different closure/loop setup,” which is more mismatch than flaw, so it pays to know what you’re buying before you hit checkout.

The Difference Between Wrist Wraps and Wrist Straps

Despite sharing the word wrist, these two lifting tools serve completely different purposes. Wrist wraps are designed to support the wrist joint itself, helping prevent excessive bending, particularly backward, during presses and overhead lifts. Their job is to provide stability and joint protection, not assist with moving the weight.

Wrist straps, on the other hand, are a grip aid. They loop around your wrist and then wrap around a barbell, bar, or dumbbell handle, effectively anchoring the weight to your arm. By taking grip strength out of the equation, straps allow you to better load pulling exercises like barbell and dumbbell rows, where your back muscles are typically capable of handling more weight than your hands can hold onto.

Who Should Use Wrist Wraps?

The answer is anyone who is pressing heavy weights in the strength-building rep range of one to five reps. There’s a difference between what feels heavy for a given rep range and what is too heavy for your skeleton to handle structurally. Chances are, if you’re pressing weights for more than eight reps, then you can probably support the weight safely on your own. Once you move into near-max or absolute max effort territory, there’s a good chance your muscles can handle more than your joints can, and wraps are an appropriate safety measure.

“To get the intensity some athletes want from their lifts, intermediate and advanced lifters need to use heavier weights,” Filly says. “Wrist wraps can help keep them safe, avoid injuries or nagging pains, and stay consistent in their fitness program.”

Conversely, wrist wraps can actually hinder beginners. Lifting weights strengthens your bones in addition to your muscles, and wearing wraps from the get will rob you of the opportunity to develop wrist strength and stability.

Benefits of Wrist Wraps

No, most people don’t need wrist wraps, but they’re not just a frivolous product meant to suck your wallet dry. Wraps can be legitimately supportive for the people who use them.

When you’re cranking out those heavy reps, your wrists can sometimes take a beating. Wraps help to keep your wrists locked and loaded with support and stability, preventing any unwanted hyperextension or wobbly movements. When lifting near-max and max. loads, they can help things feel a little more solid.

However, with the added support of wrist wraps, you can maintain a neutral wrist position, thereby reducing the risk of injury and allowing you to focus on the targeted muscles instead of worrying about your joints.

Best Exercises to Use Wrist Wraps for

The main functions of wrist wraps are to prevent your wrists from hyperextending, or to put it simply, bending backward. You’re really only at risk for hyperextension during exercises that bear down on your wrists with heavy weights. That includes most pushing movements, such as bench presses and overhead presses, as well as Olympic lifts, which typically involve a lot of heavy overhead pressing and stability.

“The front rack position is a difficult place to hold a barbell for many people. It demands great mobility in the thoracic spine and shoulders,” explains Filly. “If you lack a good range of motion here, then the wrists will often take a lot of the pressure of the bar.” When wrist flexibility is limited, wraps serve as a valuable aid by minimizing wrist strain and allowing individuals to focus on improving their technique and overall performance.”