Author: Ihor Shymechko (26 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience)
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
When buying the best wrist wraps for functional fitness, you want to make sure you are looking at comfort and breathability as two of the main aspects. Since the sport can put plenty of strain on your wrists, you want additional protection wherever possible. After years of training in functional fitness, we could readily determine some of the best functional fitness wrist straps you could use!
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the WBCM Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps.
Starting our list of the best functional fitness wrist wraps is WBCM Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps. They are a unique stretchable and durable wrist wrap designed to accommodate the casual functional fitness enthusiast. They offer a unique blend of durability and stretchability.
Top 7 Best Functional Fitness Wrist Wraps Reviewed
- WBCM Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps – Top Pick
- Titan Signature Series Gold Wrist Wraps – Runner-Up
- Rogue Wrist Wraps
- Inzer Iron Z Wrist Wraps
- Nordic Lifting Wrist Wraps – Best Combo Wrist Wraps
- Bear Grips Wrist Wraps
- Stoic Wrist Wraps
1. WBCM Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps – Top Pick
The WBCM Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps are a unique stretchable and durable wrist wrap designed to accommodate the casual functional fitness enthusiast. Designed by Oleksiy Torokhtiy, who competed in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic weightlifting competitions, they offer a unique blend of durability and stretchability.
- Length: 12/18-inches
- Width: 3.15-inches
- Material: 40% Elastic, 10% Polyester, 50% Cotton
- Color Palette: Black & Red
- Closure Type: Velcro
Quality/Price
Made from a variety of stretchy and durable materials, these wraps will inevitably offer you a combination of comfort and support. The idea is that you have a free range of motion when performing strenuous activities, while your wrist remains secure. They are reasonably priced and you can easily replace them should they wear out.
Design
The design is specifically dedicated to weight lifters and with the addition of the thumb loop, it will securely hold your wrist in a secure position. You can find them in either the 12 or 18-inch length sizes, allowing you to choose the size most comfortable for your wrist
Comfort
If quality is what you are looking for these functional fitness wrist bands will ensure that you have the utmost comfort for the time being. The quality of the materials enables them to stretch way farther than you think to create a tight fit around your hand. Adding the thumb loops gives more rigidity when you put them on and ensures stability.
Stitching
The only stitching you would encounter is where the outer and inner sections meet. However, this is done on the outside of the wrap, preventing any abrasions.
Reliability
The reliability of this functional fitness wrist support is certainly on par with what you would expect from a top weightlifter. However, Velcro can often fray the materials when it accidentally gets caught up on them. This is the only factor that could affect long-term reliability.
Support
Overall, the support factor is what you would expect. The varying sizes means you can choose the ideal size that would be comfortable around your wrist for optimal support
Positives:
Flexible and rigid design
No abrasions from stitching
Reasonable price
Thumb-loop is a nice addition
Could be better:
The fabric tends to fray when the Velcro snags it
2. Titan Signature Series Gold Wrist Wraps – Runner-Up
The Titan Signature Series Gold Wrist Wraps are designed specifically for those that need a stiff wrist wrap. The idea is to provide wrist stability and help with heavy lifts.
- Length: 12/18/24/30/36-inches
- Width: 3-inches
- Material: Cotton
- Color Palette: Black/Red/Yellow
- Closure Type: Velcro
Quality/Price
Certainly designed for powerlifting, these slightly more expensive wrist wraps come in a variety of sizes. They are made from durable materials, which enable the wrap to sustain stiffness and provide you with numerous years of use.
Design
The design covers all the basics you would expect from a good wrist wrap. A solid thumb loop will ensure your thumb is kept secure with the rest of your wrist. Fortunately, it does not provide any hindrance for users.
Comfort
The comfort aspect of this wrist wrap is often debated. If you want something that feels looser, it might not be useful, but there are numerous sizes to choose from ranging up to 36-inches. However, they require a slight break-in period to loosen the materials.
Stitching
Stitching is focused predominantly on the outside with no internal interference. Very rarely would you need to worry about dealing with any abrasions while you are lifting. However, you should not wrap them too tight either.
Reliability
Being one of the elite brands, we found that these wrist wraps offer a secure design and while they might be stiff, the stiffness will ensure that your wrist remains in a secure position when you are lifting. These wraps would last you many years.
Support
For weightlifting, the support from this wrap set would be ideal. However, it might be a bit too stiff for functional fitness athlets, who might need some flexibility. After a few weeks of use, the stiffness tends to subside to make them more comfortable.
Positives:
Made in the USA
- Available in numerous sizes
Provides extra stiffness to prevent injuries
Vibrant design
Could be better:
Might require a break in period
Expensive
The Rogue Wrist Wraps are specifically made for the experienced functional fitness athlets, aiming to lift heavier weights, and they won’t break the bank either. They offer ideal stability for your wrist to support you in weightlifting, powerlifting, and functional fitness WOD’s while being available in numerous sizes.
- Length: 12/18/24-inches
- Width: 3-inches
- Material: Cotton/Elastic/Polyester Blend
- Color Palette: Varies
- Closure Type: Hook & Loop
Quality/Price
The Rogue wrist wraps are predominantly made from cotton (50%), allowing them to absorb some of the moisture and wick away as much as possible. They can be found in three different sizes, but the most impressive feature is the inexpensive price tag.
Design
At about 3-inches in width, these wraps are ideal to cover the biggest part of your wrist and they are available in a variety of colors that would meet your style. The traditional thumb loop will also provide more stability.
Comfort
With the use of cotton, you can be sure that these wraps are comfortable. They are ideal for the casual lifter, but some of the longer options like the 24-inch wrap provide up to 30% more stiffness than wraps of similar length.
Stitching
The stitching is predominantly focused on the outside of the wrap, which means that it could prevent abrasions from occurring.
Reliability
It might take a small break in period to be comfortable, but due to the combination of materials, it holds up well. The only downside is that moisture wicking is not as effective and you might need to take them off occasionally.
Support
As a lifter, you might need to determine how much support you will need. These wraps are available in numerous sizes, with the longer versions offering significant stiffness. If you have weak wrists, the Rogue Wrist Wrap would certainly help.
Positives:
Inexpensive
30% more stiffness than standard wraps
Includes a secure thumb loop
Available in 5 color combinations
Could be better:
The smaller version (12-inches) lacks stiffness
Lacks efficient moisture wicking
Being slightly more expensive than some of the budget options, the Inzer Iron Z Wrist Wraps are some of the most useful for functional fitness enthusiasts.
- Length: 12/20/30-inches
- Width: 3.23-inches
- Material: Elastic/Polyester Blend
- Color Palette: Black & Red
- Closure Type: Velcro
Quality/Price
For the price of these wrist wraps, one can easily argue that they give you some of the best value for your money. They are relatively cheap and made from durable materials.
Design
These wraps feature a traditional design with a standard three-inch width. However, the introduction of a 20-inch size is something one might get used to. However, it provides the perfect balance of the traditional 24-inch wraps that offer too much stiffness.
Comfort
While providing overall comfort, the only downside to these wraps would be the addition of the thumb loop. Yes, it does have a thumb loop, but we have found that it tends to be slightly smaller than other competitors.
Stitching
These wraps have a one-piece design, which limits the stitching you will encounter. Even though you have some stitching to deal with, it is mostly focused on the outer edges.
Reliability
With so many people choosing to use these wrist wraps in the professional world of powerlifting, it is one of the most popular. This would be a great indication of the reliability on offer from these wraps.
Support
In terms of support, you should not worry about your wrist flexing. However, the 12-inch might not offer the ideal stiffness for lifters. We would recommend that you stick to the 20-inch wrap at the bare minimum for functional fitness.
Positives:
Reasonably priced
Solid wrist support
Identical design with no right or left hand
Slightly wider than average
Could be better:
The 12-inch version lacks stiffness
The Thumb loop is narrow
5. Nordic Lifting Wrist Wraps – Best Combo Wrist Wrap
The Nordic Lifting Wrist Wraps + Gym Straps are considered to be heavy-duty wrist wraps designed for strenuous lifting activities. The manufacturer has a prime focus on preventing injuries and creating adequate stiffness for those dealing with injuries.
- Length: 14/24-inches
- Width: 4.45-inches
- Material: Cotton/Elastic
- Color Palette: Varies
- Closure Type: Velcro
Quality/Price
Made from cotton with an elastic overlay, these wrist wraps are available in 2 sizes that we could find. They are inexpensive and offer ideal support for all kinds of lifting.
Design
One of the most notable differences between the Nordic Lifting Wrist Wraps and many competitors is the fact that these wraps are slightly wider. At 4.45-inches in width, they provide additional comfort and support.
Comfort
We could not find anything to complain about in terms of comfort. However, the 24-inch option will offer you far more stability. The cotton tends to feel soft on your skin, while the wraps will keep your wrist secure.
Stitching
We should mention the reinforced stitching, which might stick out for a few users. Fortunately, this is mostly targeted to the outside of the wrap and does not provide any hindrance, leading to chaffing.
Reliability
Like many of the other wraps, the same materials are used and due to the reinforced stitching, you don’t have to deal with the cotton unraveling. The manufacturer includes a 1-year free replacement warranty.
Support
Overall, these wraps do what they should and will provide adequate support for all lifters. The additional width tends to work in your favor, but they lack some ventilation and moisture-wicking capabilities.
Positives:
Extra-wide design
Heavy-duty construction
1-year hassle-free replacement warranty
Reinforced stitching
Could be better:
Lacks ventilation
The Bear Grips Wrist Wraps are some of the best-tested wrist wraps on the market in the modern era. The brand originally started back in 2014 intending to create a minimalistic design for the entry-level lifter. However, the reputation and quality have seen the wraps become popular around the world.
- Length: 12/18-inches
- Width: 6.3-inches
- Material: Cotton/Elastic/Polyester
- Color Palette: Varies
- Closure Type: Velcro
Quality/Price
As one of the more tested brands on the list, we can easily go on the words of many top lifters. These wraps have a secure design that comfortably wraps around your wrist around 2.5 times for the 18-inch version. These are affordable and offer great value.
Design
The primary design of these wraps is made for heavier lifters and you will notice that the width of 6.3-inches will ensure adequate stability. However, this influences the moisture-wicking and ventilation aspects.
Comfort
With the extra wide design, they feel comfortable to all users, but they could be a bit warm and sweaty if you don’t take them off for a break.
Stitching
Durability is one of the most important factors to consider and you will find that the durability of these wraps has double stitching which often prevents them from coming loose.
Reliability
Even after numerous months of use, these wraps rarely fray and they ensure a reliable design that should last you through your functional fitness journey.
Support
By talking about the extra width again, you might have noticed that it goes both ways. Yes, you might lack some ventilation, but you will also have additional support for more stability.
Positives:
Extra-wide design
Reasonably priced
Variable colors
Could be better:
Lacks ventilation and moisture wicking
Last but certainly not least, we have some of the top functional fitnesswrists wraps available for you to use. The Stoic Wrist Wraps are highly recommended. However, they offer optimal support for functional fitness.
- Length: 18/24/36-inches
- Width: 3.58-inches
- Material: Cotton/Elastic
- Color Palette: Black
- Closure Type: Velcro
Quality/Price
The striking appearance of the Stoic Wrist Wraps makes them feel professional and they are made from a combination of cotton with elastic infused to make them stretchable. Priced at the average going rate, you will get value for your money.
Design
The width and length of this wrap are standard when considering some of the other options we have tested. A Velcro enclosure will secure the wraps after they have wrapped around 2.5-times around your wrist depending on the size.
Comfort
One of our favorite features is the extra-wide thumb loop, which makes the wraps perfect for those that are dealing with wrist issues. It will allow your thumb to slide through without extra compression.
Stitching
The reinforced stitching is found on the outer layers, with the logo being stitched to the top of the wraps. Internally, you don’t need to worry about dealing with any additional stitching issues.
Reliability
Having been accepted for competition by numerous sporting bodies, you can be sure that these wraps meet all the legal and safety requirements. This should make them reliable for competition purposes.
Support
Finally, the wraps are about average when we talk about the width, which means they won’t be oversized and compress your wrists too much. According to the manufacturer, these wraps have an unbreakable construction.
Positives:
Incredible durability
Ideal for various forms of lifting
Reasonable price
Could be better:
Lacks some rigidity for fast lifting movements
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What Are The Benefits Of Using Wrist Wraps For Functional Fitness?
With so many injuries happening from incorrect form, it is easy for a functional fitness session to turn into a playground for injuries. Using wrist wraps could provide you with a couple of great benefits to improve your experience.
✅ Injury Prevention
According to the ClinMed Library, about 20.4 % of all functional fitness injuries are due to wrist injuries. The wrist wrap aims to reduce this significantly, with the use of wrist wraps, reducing this number to as low as 1.3%.
✅ Increased Performance
One of the main benefits of using wrist wraps is that you ought to pick up heavier weights. Without the additional flexing of the wrist, you have more stability, moving the resistance point higher up in the arm to stronger joints and muscle groups.
✅ Form Support
Many people try to lift weights heavier than they are capable of. The functional fitness hand wraps aim to help you maintain your form instead of dipping and injuring yourself.
✅ Psychological Boost
While this might be pure speculation and mostly from personal experience, the use of functional fitness wrist guards can slightly increase lifting confidence. Since they keep the wrist stable, lifters are more inclined to push their boundaries and lift heavier weights.
When Do You Need Wrist Wraps For Functional Fitness?
Many people believe that you only need wrist wraps when you feel pain in your wrist or when your wrist becomes too weak to supplement the rest of the muscles in your body. However, wrist wraps can be used from the start and they would protect the joints instead of allowing them to get injured first. We believe that wrist wraps are a fundamental starting accessory for functional fitness.
What To Look For In Functional Fitness Wrist Wraps
1. Length
By now, you must have noticed the varying sizes of wrist wraps on the market today. You must choose wraps that offer enough stiffness. This is often achieved by the length of the wrap, meaning it can wrap around your arm more times. Wrist wraps are available in variable sizes ranging from 12 to 30-inches.
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Materials
Most wrist wraps are made from cotton, polyester, or nylon, with elastane or some form of elastic material interwoven to allow them to wrap tighter. Nylon wrist wraps often have cross stitching and feel stiffer. However, cotton wrist wraps would be thinner and more flexible making them the ideal option for functional fitness.
3. Feel
The final aspect a functional fitness enthusiast needs to consider is how the wrist wraps feel. If they are uncomfortable, you might not get the best use out of them. Alternatively, you want something that offers the best combination of comfort and stiffness. In the beginning, you might have some roughness, but this will subside as you break them in.
How To Use Wrist Wraps For Functional Fitness?
Now that you have your favorite wrist wraps, you must understand how to use them. For many beginners, it might seem like you just wrap it around your wrist and continue. However, here is how we have been taught to set up a wrist wrap for functional fitness:
- Place your hand through the thumb loop if it is available
- Slowly wrap the strap around your wrist (Make sure the edge do not overlap and cause friction or chafing)
- Ensure that it is fully enclosed with the Velcro
- Remove after each set to allow blood flow
FAQ
Do Functional Fitness Athlets Use Wrist Wraps?
Cross-fitters often choose wraps to assist them with their goals. They might prefer wrist wraps to ensure more rigidity in the movement of the wrist. While it can help when dealing with significant wrist pain, it is often used by athletes and especially cross-fitters to help prevent possible injuries.
What Size Wrist Wraps Should I Get For Functional Fitness?
Any size wrist wrap could help and things like the size of your wrist and level of desired flexibility will play a large role. However, wraps ranging from 18 to 24-inches are the most common among cross-fitters. The larger 30 and 36-inch wraps are best reserved for intense weight lifting and powerlifting.
How Tight Should Wrist Wraps Be?
According to Kathryn Milbert, a registered and licensed occupational therapist, the words to keep in mind is "comfortable snug" This means that you want it to slightly hinder wrist movement and provide stability, but you need some flexibility to allow you to perform the exercises.
Conclusion
In the world of functional fitness, a wrist wrap is not used in the same manner as other weight-intensive sports. You want to have a snug wrist wrap, which still offers you flexibility and helps to prevent possible injuries from occurring. We would love to read some of your comments and suggestions on which wrist wraps you think are the best. We would recommend the WBCM Elastic Velcro Wrist Wraps for the versatility, functionality, and price!
Also read:
Why Trust Us?
- Author
- Reviewer
Experience: 26 years
Best Results: Snatch - 208 kg,
C&J - 240 kg
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
Experience: 21 years
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J - 240 kg
My name is Oleksiy Torokhtiy. I am a professional athlete with 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. I have won multiple European, and World titles and have taken part in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012).
After finishing my career, I have committed myself to coach, and as of 2022, I’ve hosted 200+ weightlifting seminars all over the globe. I’m the founder of an international sportswear and accessories brand, Warm Body Cold Mind (my motto), author, and creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
Our team of authors and experts includes professional athletes (Olympians, winners of European and World titles), PhDs in Sports Science, certified coaches, sports nutritionists, CSCSs, physiotherapists, and others. Read more about the team here, and more about how we test here.