What's The Best Wrist Wrap For Powerlifting & Weightlifting? Top Rated Wrist Support For Lifting Reviewed

Wrist wraps are designed to support your wrist joint, especially during high intensity weight training. They can be used to aid you with a range of exercises including press movements, such as bench press and chest press, squats, powerlifting, and deadlifts.

Here’s why you need them:

When moving up a weight in my resistance training, I noticed the added strain on my wrists which happens because my joint is not accustomed to the extra weight.

After my workout, my wrists remained sore and this pain can get in the way of continuing my training.

Don’t try to “tough it out.”

If you are increasing your resistance training or regularly weightlifting, a wrist wrap can help protect your wrists from injury and prevent that sore feeling after workouts.

Top 5 Best Wrist Wraps For Lifting Review

1. Rip Toned Wrist Wrap

Rip Toned Wrist Wrap pair

Our Verdict: Best Overall For Heavy Weights

The Rip Toned Wrist Wrap is a top-rated option, endorsed by world champion powerlifter Kevin Weiss, so you know it has to be the best wrist wrap for heavy duty weightlifting. 

The wrap comes in a range of different colours and a stiff or medium stiff option. Having two different stiffness options means these wrist wraps are suited to a wider range of exercises.

If you are looking for something to help you take on heavy weights, for example in powerlifting, the stiff option provides extra support to help avoid injury and allow you to lift heavier weights for longer.

It is also great for exercises like push ups, planks and burpees if you are a heavy weight athlete and need that extra support during body weight exercises. However, the stiff option can be restrictive as it provides little flexibility.

For a more flexible and comfortable fit, the medium stiff option can still provide support for less intense weightlifting. It is also great for a variety of body weight exercises and yoga.

In addition, you can wear it comfortably during your day to day activities or manual labour if you often experience wrist pain or have an active job which requires wrist support.

The wrap itself is adjustable and can be adapted to fit both men and women with the extra wide Velcro strap. It features a thumb hook which works to keep the wrap secure and in position, as well as making it easy to put on, but some customers have found the thumb hook to be an annoyance whilst weightlifting.

The material is durable, featuring premium stitching, and is also machine washable.

The different options make these wrist wraps suitable for both beginner and advanced weight lifting and the best wrist wraps overall.

Pros:

  • Range of colours
  • Two levels of stiffness to suit different needs
  • Unisex
  • Adjustable
  • Durable stitching
  • Machine washable
  • Suitable for beginners and advanced

Cons:

  • Some customers find the thumb hook to be irritating
  • Stiff version offers little flexibility and can get hot

2. Stoic Wrist Wrap

Stoic Wrist Wraps top view

Our Verdict: Best for Women

This is a recognized brand which promises to provide highly durable wrist wraps for a number of uses. This wrist wrap is made of high-grade nylon material instead of cotton, so it is more durable and more adjustable.

The adjustability makes it great for both men and women and the best option for a tight, secure fit no matter what your wrist size.

It is easy to put on and adjust using an optional thumb hook to hold the strap in place and wrap around to your desired tightness. This means that, despite coming in medium stiff, the stiffness of this wrap can be adjusted for different exercises by wrapping it more tightly.

The design of the wrap also makes it quick and easy to put on as it is secured with Velcro. Some customers have reported that the Velcro can wear out over time though.

The thumb hook is thick and doesn’t fray or snap. It is also attached to the fabric with a double zig-zag stitching to ensure it doesn’t come away from the wrap. For ease of use, each wrap is designed for right- and left-hand symmetrical wrapping. The elastic material means that you can get the tightness you need without cutting off blood flow.

Stoic has designed this wrist wrap for heavy duty weightlifting using thick material which can lead to overheating if you are using it throughout your workout.

It also comes in three different sizes, 18 inches, 24 inches and 32 inches for the perfect fit.

Pros:

  • Adjustable
  • Unisex
  • Easy to put on
  • Different sizes
  • Optional thumb strap
  • Recognized brand
  • Thick material designed to aid weightlifting

Cons:

  • Some customers have found the Velcro wears out
  • Can get hot because of thick material

3. Nordic Wrist Wraps

Nordic Lifting Wrist Wrap

Our Verdict: Best for Powerlifting

Nordic is an up and coming brand and they specialise in heavy duty weightlifting equipment. 

This wrist wrap is specifically designed to provide support and prevent injury when lifting heavy weights, making it the best wrist wrap for powerlifting.

The firm support is enhanced by a thumb loop which makes the wrap east to put on and keeps it in place while weightlifting.

This support is great for deadlifts, chest and bench press, and is ideal for when you are pushing your maximum tolerance and need a lot of support in case of injury. However, some customers have found that the loop can affect their grip when lifting weights.

To provide that firm support for heavy duty lifting, the material is very thick. It is made of cotton which is comfortable but can be less durable that the elastic options. It will also absorb a lot of sweat, aiding your grip, and is machine washable.

What’s more, it comes with a one-year warranty so you don’t have to worry about breakages.

It features an elastic support and an extra-large Velcro strap which allow for slight adjustment but coming in just one size, it might not be adjustable enough to be the perfect fit for every size.

It is claimed to be unisex but the lack of adjustability might not allow for the tightness that you want on smaller wrists.

Pros:

  • Warranty
  • Machine washable
  • Colour options
  • Unisex
  • Optional thumb grip
  • Super heavy duty
  • Comfortable cotton material

Cons:

  • One size
  • Not very adjustable
  • Can cause overheating

4. BraceUP Adjustable Wrist Support

BraceUP Adjustable Wrist Support

Our Verdict: Most Comfortable

Another top-rated wrist wrap, this product is designed to help with previous injuries by providing extra support to the wrist.

The durable, neoprene-blend material supports the wrist through bodyweight exercises and weightlifting, and the double cross stitching ensures that the fabric can take on heavy use.

What’s more, the fabric is designed to relieve soreness by putting pressure on the wrist. It is highly comfortable as it allows heat to escape, preventing excess sweating.

In addition, the antimicrobial material prevents moisture build up and reduces odour. These features make the BraceUP the best wrist wrap for comfort and support.

There is a thumb loop which makes it easy to put on, but some customers have found that the loop can rub and irritate the area around the thumb due to lack of padding. The wrist wrap comes in one size and a single unit so you will have to order two if you want one for each wrist.

The good thing about this is that if you are using it for a specific injury you will only need one.

The design allows for tightness and freedom of movement so it doesn’t feel too stiff, making it great for weightlifting as well as bodyweight exercises that require a lot of movement, like burpees, push ups and plank.

Pros:

  • Great for supporting injuries
  • Durable material
  • Comfortable
  • Relieves soreness
  • Antimicrobial fabric reduces odour
  • Breathable
  • Option to buy only one for specific injuries

Cons:

  • Not as stiff as other wraps so not the best for heavy weights
  • Thumb loop can be uncomfortable and rub
  • One size
  • Does not come in a pair

5. IPOW Wrist Wraps

IPOW Wrist Wraps

Our Verdict: Best for Beginners

Another top-rated option, IPOW Wrist Wraps are made from highly elasticated polyester and are made to fit tightly without cutting off your circulation. The tight fit makes the universal size adjustable to all wrists so you won’t feel that it is slipping or too tight during your workout.

This is also the best wrist wrap for beginners and those looking for a lighter option, to get used to the feeling of a wrist wrap, before moving on to a stronger support.

The material is thinner and more breathable than other products in this review so you won’t find them overheating during strenuous workouts. Although they are used for heavy weight training, these wraps are thinner than other products here so won’t provide as much support as those made specifically for weightlifting or powerlifting.

However, the breathable and flexible material makes them great for body weighted exercises, such as push ups, plan and burpees, and beginner weight lifting. They are the best for entry level exercises meaning they might not provide the support you need for raising the resistance.

In addition, some customers have found that polyester is not as durable as other materials. They also claim that, over time, the Velcro starts to lose its grip so you need to be mindful when using these wraps with high intensity training in case of breakages.

Having said that, the fit has been found to suit most sizes and is tight and comfortable providing the extra support you need, especially if you have had previous injuries.

The same material is used for physical therapy equipment meaning you can combine the benefits of a medical support with a weightlifting aid.

Pros:

  • Elasticated material
  • Adjustable
  • Tight fit for comfortable support
  • Universal size
  • Breathable
  • Thinner and more flexible
  • Good for beginners
  • Warranty

Cons:

  • Not the best for heavy duty weightlifting
  • Material not as durable as other products
  • Velcro can lose grip

How Do I Use a Wrist Wrap?

Wrist wraps are simply fabric which you can wrap tightly around your wrist to provide support during weightlifting and intense workouts.

You can use them to prevent injury or help to relieve pain caused by a previous injury.

Wrist wraps like the BraceUP adjustable wrist support are specifically designed to help with these kinds of injuries and provide support.

Most wrist wraps have a similar design. They are usually made from stretchy fabric and fixed in place with Velcro. They are easy to put on by inserting your thumb into the loop and wrapping the fabric around your wrist to your desired tightness.

You can see how it is done here:

For Injuries & Recovery

They are even useful for more than just workouts.

If you have regular wrist pain or are recovering from an injury, you can use one of the more comfortable options, such as the medium stiff Rip Toned Wrist Wrap, to help with day to day chores or your work.

For Weightlifting & Powerlifting

When in the gym, some people decide to put them on just for weightlifting.

This might be a good idea if you are using a wrist wrap designed for powerlifting, such as the Nordic Wrist Wrap

As this wrap is designed specifically for powerlifting, it is thick and stiff providing extra support when your wrists are under pressure. Using these throughout your workout, however, might cause overheating and a lot of sweat build up which can become uncomfortable.

If you are looking for something which you can keep on throughout your workout, eliminating the hassle of taking them on and off every time you change exercises, try a breathable option like the IPOW wrist wrap.

fit guy with wrist support wrapping a knee brace as well

What Should I Look for in a Weightlifting Wrist Wrap?

All of the wrist wraps in this review are great for weightlifting but depending on how high intensity your weight training is, you might want to prioritize certain qualities.

For Lifting Heavy

For powerlifting or weightlifting at your maximum load, you will need a stiff and sturdy support to avoid injury. 

It is easy to take it too far when you are regularly increasing your maximum weight capacity, so a wrist wrap can really help you to avoid injury.

The best wrist wraps for heavy duty weightlifting are the Nordic Wrist Wraps and the stiff option of the Rip Toned Wrist Wrap. Both options provide more support for heavy weights but little flexibility for body weight exercises such as push ups and burpees.

SUMMARY

Wrist wraps are recommended by bodybuilders, who are regularly increasing resistance, to avoid putting too much pressure on your joints before you have built up the strength to take on the weight.

For Lighter Workouts

The medium stiff option of Rip Toned Wrist Wraps or the IPOW wrist wraps are good choices for beginners as they are lighter and more flexible, allowing you to get used to the feeling of a wrist wrap.

SUMMARY

If you are new to weightlifting or prefer body weight exercises, there are lighter and more flexible options which will protect your wrists without reducing mobility.

What Are The Benefits?

There are several benefits to wearing wrist wraps – namely added wrist protection, support and more grip strength. 

Protection & Support

This support relieves wrist pain from training or previous injuries. Wrist wraps also prevent incurring injuries in the first place.

With reduced soreness and recovery time, you will be able to get back to your training more quickly and see results faster.

hands gripping bar

Improved Grip

They also help with grip if you are using them specifically for weight lifting.

Losing your grip on a weight can cause you to end your set prematurely...

And who wants that?

Wrist wraps absorb more sweat so that losing grip on your weight won’t get in the way of your training. 

Even with the help of this handy accessory, it is important to have a certain baseline of grip strength which can be developed by simply hanging from the pull-up bar for extended periods or daily use of a set of the best grip strengtheners

Which is Right For Me?

Each wrist wrap in this review can offer you something specific and they are all suited to weightlifting. The right one for you depends on how you workout and your situation. 

If you are recovering from an injury and need extra support, the best option is the BraceUP adjustable wrist support. For beginners, the IPOW wrist wraps are a great choice.

As mentioned, Nordic Wrist Wraps are the best for powerlifting and heavy duty weightlifting and the Rip Toned Wrist Wraps are also a great option for heavy weights if you opt for the stiff version.

Finally, if you are looking for something that is highly adjustable and suits all sizes while maintaining a tight fit, try the Stoic Wrist Wraps.

Oh, and if you are specifically on the hunt for WOD-friendly options, check out our list of the best lifting strap options to choose from.

In addition to this review, and specifically for women, here's pointing you to our best women's weightlifting gloves by popular choice. 

Conclusion

Clearly, each wrist wrap has something to offer, but the overall best choice in this review are the Rip Toned Wrist Wraps

Coming in two options, for stiff, strong support and another for flexibility and movement, these wrist wraps have something to suit everyone.

Remember that if you are using wrist wraps for a specific reason, such as support for a previous injury or heavy weight powerlifting, opt for a support which is designed specifically for your needs and always add resistance gradually to avoid injury.

Whether you are just starting out or a practiced weightlifter, wrist wraps are essential for not only relieving previous injuries but protecting your wrists from injuries occurring in the first place.

When you are pushing yourself in your weight training or starting to use weights for the first time, these products can really help you to excel in weightlifting.

Last Updated on July 14, 2020

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