Wrist wraps are a practical addition to your CrossFit gear bag. While many people like the aesthetics and some love the pumped-up veins effect in the forearms and biceps, these useful accessories can improve your game and prevent injury. Wrist wraps help support your wrist while you perform heavy barbell exercises and lifts like the snatch, clean and jerk, or thrusters.
Wraps also prevent wrist injury during gymnastic movements like handstand walks and handstand push-ups, where the joint is extended under load. Both situations can lead to injury if the wrist is unable to safely support an external weight or your own bodyweight.
However, not everyone needs wrist wraps or wrist straps. It comes down to how heavy (relatively speaking) you lift, the flexibility of your joints, and the relative strength of your wrist, hands, and forearms. Some people have natural flexibility without and compromise in strength. They can snatch huge weights with a minimal warmup. Others can do handstand walks at will and never seem to get injured.
But for the rest of us mere mortals, taking advantage of tools that help us lift stronger and workout harder, while keeping us injury free, is the smart thing to do.
Before you order your next pair of wraps for CrossFit class, make sure you’re getting the right ones. Wraps for Olympic weightlifting fans might not be suitable for fans of CrossFit. Your friend, the gymnast, might recommend another product. But they’re likely not lifting weights in the gym. Nor are they doing kipping handstand push ups (much).
Make sure you’re using the right product for your workouts. You might even have two different types of wraps, one for heavy lifting and one for WODs (much like you have two pairs of CrossFit footwear).
Key points:
- Wraps allow you to work out the muscle to the maximum without your grip failing first.
- They enhance your grip so you can train more frequently.
- Wraps allow you to keep your wrists in a stabilized position. They protect your wrists from excessive strain so you can focus on the muscle.
- Help prevent harmful injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
How to Choose Wrist Wraps?
Here are a few things to take into consideration when shopping for new CrossFit gear.
Durability
Your wrist wrap should be durable enough to accommodate different movements while providing your wrists with the necessary protection. At the same time, it should be lightweight and non-restricting in terms of exercise mechanics.
The material should be soft and comfortable to wear, yet strong enough to prevent tearing. The material should not dig into your skin anywhere on the surface. Look for products with reliable stitching so the wrist wraps don’t get torn.
Nylon and polyester are popular because they’re durable. Cotton is a breathable option so you could consider this if your wrists usually get sweaty.
Fit
Wrist wraps come in various sizes so you can easily pick the one that suits you. However, it’s extremely useful to be able to adjust your wraps for the perfect fit. If your wraps slip or don’t fit well, they can subject you to serious injuries. they won’t provide the stability needed to protect your joints from excessive pressure.
Wraps come in various lengths; typically 12 inches, 18 inches, and 24 inches. The longer the wraps are, the more you can wrap them around your wrists. This will provide more support and cushioning. Picking the right length is a matter of personal preference as some users might find them too restricting.
Type
Wrist wraps come with or without a thumb loop. Thumb loop wrist wraps are usually shorter and thicker and the loop makes the strap tighter.
Most probably, they have Velcro for an adjustable fit and they’re designed to provide more support. They’re suitable for someone who is worried or prone to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other painful injuries.
Tie on wrist wraps are usually longer and less flexible. These wraps allow for more flexibility and can be adjusted for better mobility. Most CrossFit athletes find these wraps extremely useful because you can change the tightness from loose to tight by rolling the strap.
When To Use Wraps or Straps?
These wraps are extremely useful when you’re improving the strength and size of various muscle groups. They will protect your muscles while you’re doing reps for an effective workout session.
- If you’re doing front squats, these wraps will protect your wrists from bending back naturally.
- While doing shoulder or overhead presses, you will be better able to stabilize your joints allowing you to focus on working out your upper body muscles.
- Wraps will keep your wrists in a stable position when performing dumbbell rows.
- The extra support can help with deadlifts (and we all know how important they can be)
The Best Wrist Wraps For CrossFit
Protect your wrists and take your fitness game up a notch. Here are our top picks.
1. DMoose Fitness Wrist Wraps
Specifically designed to protect your wrists while you’re doing heavy lifting, the DMoose is designed to prevent sudden twisting that might harm your wrist muscles and tendons. These wraps win the award for funkiest prints. You should be able to find a fun print suit your personal preferences. Solid construction means they won't fray or wear out with repeated use. Available in 2 lengths: 12 inches and 18 inches – suitable for people who need stiff material that stabilize the joint.
Adjustable to suit men and women. The fastening strap is made of polyester so it feels comfortable without compromising support. Breathable cotton guarantees the best fit while keeping your skin well-ventilated. The fastening system is easy to use so you can easily adjust them in no time to begin your workout session. The secure hook and loop closure system provide flexibility for stability and flexibility. They’re rather wide compared to other wrist wraps on the market for even weight distribution.
With super stitching and heavy-duty materials, the manufacturers of these wrist wraps stand fully behind their product providing a lifetime guarantee against wear and tear.
These wraps are rather stiff. They might feel a bit too restricting for someone who has wide wrists or looks for something more flexible. And since they’re stiff, they might dig a little into your skin. So it's worth keeping this in mind before buying.
What We Like
➢ Prevent sudden twisting to protect your joints.
➢ Breathable cotton to protect your skin.
➢ Super stitching and heavy-duty materials.
➢ Shorter and wider wraps for more support.
What We Don’t Like
➢ Can feel restricting depending on bone structure and wrist size.
2. Stoic Wrist Wraps
Winning the award for the coolest name, the Stoics are notable for having excellent thumb loop wrist wraps, made of materials that can withstand plenty of punishment
Unlike other wrist wraps, the actual length is accounted for, without the loop. There are three length options available; 18 inches, 24 inches, and 36 inches. These options allow for better support as you can easily adjust the wraps to suit your needs, unlike shorter wraps.
The elastic can be either held tight to prevent movements when you’re protecting your wrists from injuries or you can set the wrist wraps to be more flexible when needed. They don’t turn loose or soft with repeated use.
Double zigzag stitching secures the hoop and loop in place so it doesn’t tear. The wraps are designed for right and left hands for symmetrical support. This will guarantee the most comfortable fit so you can have a better grip while working out.
You should know that these wraps are a bit bulky, especially if you have small wrists or go for the longer length. The edges of the strap might be stab into your skin if you’re not wrapping it properly.
What We Like
➢ Durable wrist wraps with thumb loops.
➢ Made of nylon and elastic.
➢ Come in three different lengths.
➢ Double zigzag stitching to keep the thumb loops in place.
What We Don’t Like
➢ They might feel a bit bulky.
3. Rogue Wrist Wraps
These CrossFit wrist wraps are a bit more expensive than other products on the market, but they should be on the top of your list if you’re looking for soft CrossFit wrist wraps that won’t restrict the blood flow. There are 7 color options available so you can choose the ones that perfectly match your CrossFitting gear.
There are 3 different lengths available; 12 inches, 18 inches, and 24 inches. These shorter wrist wraps are more suitable for an athlete worried about an injury or wants to ensure maximum stability while carrying heavier weights. You can still wrap them several times to prevent your joints from twisting but they’re not as restricting as other models on the market.
Made of elastic and polyester with 50% cotton, they’re more suitable for people who have sensitive skin.
Use if you suffer from occasional pain or discomfort, especially while doing a bench press, callisthenics-style exercises, or home workouts.
What We Like
➢ Soft wrist wraps that don’t restrict the blood flow.
➢ Support your wrists to prevent injuries.
➢ Come in a shorter length to suit people with smaller wrists.
➢ Allow for an adjustable fit to give more support or flexibility, depending on your needs.
What We Don’t Like
➢ Might be too thick.
➢ Are a bit warm.
4. Nordic Lifting Wrist Wraps
These wrist wraps from Nordic Lifting are designed for more serious CrossFitters as they offer added protection when working with very heavy weights.
They come in a single size of 3 inches X 24 inches so they’re suitable for all men and women CrossFitters because they can be easily adjusted for the perfect fit. They’re made of high-quality premium cotton with Velcro closure that keep them in place for more comfort and stability.
With a reinforced thumb loop, these wrist wraps are easy and comfortable to wear. The one size fits all is an excellent choice, especially if you’re not sure about the right size to pick because you can adjust them loose or tight depending on your needs. They even come with a book with instructions to help you learn how to use them properly.
If you have big hands, you might find that the thumb loops a bit small.
What We Like
➢ Universal size fits both men and women.
➢ Provide high support while carrying heavy weight.
➢ Reinforced thumb loops so you can wear them easily.
➢ Come with an instructional book.
What We Don’t Like
➢ They’re not suitable for people who have big hands.
5. WOD Wear Wrist Wraps
Tie-on wrist wraps like these ones are suitable for people who don’t like Velcro and need something that can be easily and perfectly adjusted. All you have to do is to pull on the string until you reach the desired tightness. Often used when lifting lighter weights and performing gymnastics thanks to the comfortable design.
These wraps are pre-shrunk so you can safely wash them in the washing machine to keep them clean. They’re made of double-layered cotton for more support and durability. At the same time, they provide better breathability to protect your skin when you wear your wrist wraps for long periods.
They come in one size that fits all but they’re rather long as they’re almost 33 inches. They’re more suitable for people who have wide wrists or need maximum support as they can be wrapped several times to stabilize your wrist while you’re working out.
What We Like
➢ Tie-on wraps that can be easily adjusted.
➢ Less bulky for more flexibility without sacrificing support.
➢ Pre-shrunk cotton so they’re comfortable to wear and easy to clean.
➢ Don’t restrict the movement.
What We Don’t Like
➢ A beginner might struggle to put them on.
Wrap Up
Taking your CrossFitting game up a notch is possible with the right gear. Adding wraps to your kit bag (and of course, actually putting them on your wrists) will support your wrists, eliminate the risk of painful injuries, and reduce discomfort while you’re working out.
We chose Rogue's heavy-duty wrist wraps as our top pick because they’re stiff enough to stabilize your joints without being too restricting. Basically, they offer a lot of support without being too stiff. They look cool and are good value for the price. They come in several colors so you can easily find the ones that suit your taste.
Wrist wraps shouldn’t be used to hide mobility issues. When you’re in pain, you should ask a professional to help you overcome the problem before it manifests. However, the right gear will help you work out better and faster.
