With any martial art, it is important to take great care to use protection, so that there is no serious damage caused by the practice of combat.
When it comes to boxing, it’s important to take extra care with your hands, as they are the part of your body delivering the most impact and therefore having the most contact (unless you’re unable to deliver the punches, that is).
Apart from using boxing gloves, people can use hand wraps to further protect the hands against the impacts, cushioning the muscles and avoiding any damage to the wrists.
It has become quite usual to see hand wrapping in the media, so many people have become acquainted with the idea and importance of it. (Hand wrapping also looks super badass, so maybe that’s why it’s becoming so popular and well-known nowadays!)
There are many different types of hand wraps available in the market, and if you’re getting into boxing, you’ll be wanting to find the best possible ones to ensure your hands are well cushioned and protected.
It’s important that you find good quality hand wraps so that they actually serve their purpose properly.
You also have to make sure that they suit you and your needs, as well as your hand size! It can be a bit overwhelming to try and find a good pair of hand wraps with all the options available. That is why we’ve compiled a list with our top five picks for the overall best hand wraps!
In a hurry?
Hand wrapping can protect your hand tendons and muscles, as well as avoiding any strain or impact on your wrists, which can be a very fragile part of your body.
If you’re starting out in the world of boxing, you’ll be told to find a good pair of hand wraps for protection and safety. If you’re in a hurry to get the best possible option, we recommend you go and check out our number one top choice: the Sanabul Elastic Professional Handwraps for Boxing.
Tested and recommended by professional boxers, these hand wraps are 100% guaranteed to be high quality and the very best in the market for all levels! As they are semi-elastic, they’re a lot more durable and also retain their shape much better over time, so that their lifespan is increased.
They also don’t come loose when putting on the boxing gloves over them, which is super important! Made from high-quality polyester material, they allow your hands to remain pretty cool during training, avoiding any overheating.
They are also highly breathable and fast-drying so that no moisture or sweat is trapped in the material, preventing any damage done to your hands from the moisture.
As the sweat won’t get trapped in them, it also means that they won’t smell as bad as other hand wraps after a training session! At 180 inches long, they adapt to most hand wrapping styles so that you can wear them as you prefer. That way they’re 100% comfortable for you!
Here are the main features:
- Tested and recommended by professional boxers
- Semi-elastic for enhanced durability and shape retention
- Polyester material - they keep your hands cool during training
- Breathable and fast-drying
- 180 inches long
- Available in different colors
OUR TOP PICK
The Sanabul Elastic Professional Handwraps for Boxing is an excellent choice, highly reliable, and highly recommended for protecting your hands under the boxing gloves, as well as keeping the wrists in check to avoid any injuries.
These hand wraps are semi-elastic for a higher and enhanced durability that will give them a longer lifespan.
It also means that they will retain their shape a lot better over time, and they also won’t come loose when you put on your gloves on top of them.
They’re made from high-quality polyester material, which helps keep your hands a lot cooler during training. This is very important, as overheated hands are common during boxing, especially when wearing not only hand wraps but huge boxing gloves!
These hand wraps are also highly breathable and fast-drying, therefore preventing any moisture or sweat from getting trapped as you train.
Trapped moisture can ruin your hands, so this is a huge feature to have! As the moisture, including sweat, doesn’t get trapped, it also means that these hand wraps won’t start smelling bad during the session, and will keep a lot better until they can be washed.
They measure 180 inches, so that the length is suitable for multiple different wrapping styles, allowing you to use them as you prefer best.
The Sanabul Elastic has been tested by pro boxers that can attest to their quality, so you’re 100% guaranteed that they’re the very best!
Pros
- Tested and recommended by professional boxers
- Semi-elastic for enhanced durability and shape retention
- Polyester material - they keep your hands cool during training
- Breathable and fast-drying
- 180 inches long
- Available in different colors
Cons
- No downsides
EDITORS CHOICE
Venum is one of the world's leading brands when it comes to fighting sports such as boxing, as well as many other fitness sports.
It is no wonder, therefore, that their products are well-known for being very high-quality and reliable, with an increasing popularity year by year.
The Venum Store Boxing Hand Wraps are ideal for protecting your hand tendons and muscles from any strain or impact, as well as for suitably cushioning your knuckles and protecting your wrists.
They are made from an elastic cotton, which makes them highly durable and comfortable to wear. They also retain their shape over time, so that they don’t become worn or unusable too soon.
The cotton material does a great job at absorbing all of the moisture so that your hands remain dry and sweat-free during your training.
These hand wraps feature a thumb strap, allowing them to be a lot easier to use and wear.
The straps also have a hook-and-loop closure, ensuring a better and more durable fit so that your hands remain well-wrapped throughout the entire boxing session.
They’re available in different colors, so you can match with the rest of your boxing equipment.
They’re also available in two different sizes so that you can choose the length that suits your wrapping style best.
Pros
- World-leading brand - highly reliable and popular
- Elastic cotton - durable and breathable
- Thumb strap with hook-and-loop closure - better fit and easier to use
- Available in 2 different sizes
- Available in different colors
Cons
- Thinner than most boxing hand wraps
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking for a pair of hand wraps that are a lot more technical and advanced to offer superior protection for your hands, then you might want to take a look at the RDX Store Boxing Hand Wraps Inner Gloves for Punching.
They’re also a great option for those that struggle with how to wrap the hand wraps, as they are essentially an inner glove secured by some excess wrap length.
They are extremely compact, highly compressed with Shell-Shock absorbent padding. They also greatly support your hands, by evenly distributing the volume of force upon impact.
They are designed to offer a flawless fit that is extremely comfortable, with four different sizes available for you to choose from.
They also feature a thumb hole, for added security and a better fit. Made with lightweight woven carbon fiber fabric, they are solid and highly durable, able to last for a long time even with the most rigorous of training routines.
They are also highly resistant to damage such as tearing or splitting.
The long cotton bandage helps keep them in place, and wraps around your wrists for added protection, with an EZ closure design for wrist alignment.
The RDX hand wrap inner gloves also feature Thermal Regulation Technology, to keep your hands cool and dry during training, as well as completely odor-free.
Pros
- Great for those that struggle with wrapping styles - they are inner gloves
- Shell-Shock absorbent padding with even distribution of impact force
- Flawless and comfortable fit - 4 sizes available
- Lightweight woven carbon fiber fabric - highly durable and resistant
- EZ closure design on the cotton bandage around the wrists
- Thermal Regulation Technology
Cons
- Inner gloves rather than proper hand wraps
RUNNER UP
If you’re a woman with smaller hands, or you’re purchasing hand wraps for a child, you might struggle to find smaller sizes for hand wraps, as boxing is a very male-dominated sport.
However, the Meister MMA Junior Elastic Cotton Hand Wraps are a great option ideal for your smaller handed needs! The 108 inches of length make them 40% smaller than the average hand wraps, which is why they’re dubbed as a junior.
This makes wrapping a lot more manageable and it makes them suitable for smaller hands such as for children or women.
They’re made from semi-elastic cotton, which makes them very durable and resistant to wear and tear, as they will easily retain their shape even after multiple uses.
The cotton material will absorb all of the sweat and moisture, allowing your hands to remain dry and comfortable, which is super important during boxing.
These hand wraps are also machine washable, making them highly convenient to clean after each training session, so they always smell like new!
They have an oversized velcro strap and a comfortable thumb loop that allows for a more comfortable and secure fit, that way the hand wraps don’t come undone or lose when you put the boxing gloves over them.
Pros
- Ideal for smaller hands, with a length of 108 inches
- Semi-elastic for a high durability
- Cotton material - keeps hands cool and dry
- Oversized velcro and thumb loop for a more secure fit
- Machine washable - highly convenient
Cons
- Thin and too short for the average boxer
RUNNER UP
The Elite Sports Store Boxing Hand Wraps are another great choice, highly versatile and convenient and suitable for any boxer from any level.
They’re completely unisex, suitable for both men and women, and are very comfortable and soft to wear, making them quite a popular choice.
They measure 180 inches long, which is the professional standard and the best length to allow for all the different wrapping styles.
These hand wraps are highly durable and resistant, with a very long lifespan that can withstand regular boxing sessions. They are also machine washable, which is extremely convenient to get them cleaned after every training session!
They’re stretchy and soft, making them very comfortable to wear, and they’re also one of the easiest to put on and wear.
The lightweight and breathable material allow for your hands to remain dry while wearing them, free from sweat and moisture, which is super important during boxing and other similar sports.
They also feature a thumb loop and a velcro closure for a more secure fit and an easier adjustment.
It also helps keep them in place when you’re putting your boxing gloves on over them! Overall, they’re a great practical choice that covers all the basics to a great standard of quality!
Pros
- Unisex and versatile
- Machine washable and highly durable
- 180 inches long
- Lightweight and breathable material - to keep hands dry
- Thumb loop and velcro closure for a more secure fit
Cons
- Not as high quality as the other hand wraps on our list
Best Boxing Hand Wraps Buying Guide
When boxing, whether you’re experienced or just starting out, it is highly important to pay attention to your equipment and to ensure you’re protecting your hands from any possible injuries.
Underneath the boxing gloves, you should wear the appropriate hand wraps, to protect your hand tendons and muscles from injury, as well as your wrists and knuckles from any impact.
There are plenty of different hand wraps available in the market, so you’re guaranteed to find a pair that suits your needs and matches the rest of your kit in style. There are a few important and basic factors that you should take into consideration when purchasing hand wraps, to make sure that they’re the best possible quality and therefore effective at protecting your hands.
There are also different features that you can look out for. It can be a bit overwhelming if you’re just starting out, as there’s a lot to learn and discover, but here are the basics nicely summarized for you:
Materials
It is important to look for high-quality materials when it comes to boxing hand wraps. You need to ensure that they are as breathable as possible, to avoid your hands from overheating and to keep them dry. They should also be stretchy so that they wrap around your hands and wrists comfortably.
Cotton is one of the biggest materials used for hand wraps, as it is highly breathable and allows your hands to remain cool during training. However, some hand wraps will include a semi-elastic or elastic blend, to make them stretchier than average cotton, and to enhance their resistance.
Style and Length
The standard length for hand wraps is 180 inches long. However, if you have small hands, you might want to look for shorter lengths so that wrapping is more manageable.
As for the style, hand wraps can include a thumb hole as well as velcro straps to help them be a better and more secure fit on your hands. We highly recommend you look out for these features, as they will help the hand wraps remain in place as you slip on the boxing gloves over the top.
Durability and care
With regular and intense training sessions, it is important to find a pair of hand wraps able to withstand the pressure and impacts so that they last as long as possible without losing their shape, tearing, or splitting.
As hand wraps need to be washed regularly, especially if the training session has been a sweaty one, it is super convenient if the hand wraps you purchase are machine washable. A feature you should definitely look out for!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need hand wraps for boxing?
The answer to this is an absolute yes. Hand wraps are very important, as they help protect your hand tendons and muscles, and they can also protect your wrists from the impacts your hands receive during boxing.
It’s important to put safety first and to get suitable hand wraps to go under your boxing gloves. They can be the difference between getting hand or wrist injuries or not, so make sure you wrap up!
How do I wrap my hand wraps?
There are many different ways and styles for wrapping your hand wraps. It can vary according to the sport, and it can also vary from trainer to trainer, as well as depending on personal preference.
At the end of the day, you need to find a wrapping style that works for you, ensuring that your hands and wrists are well protected and comfortable.
Do hand wraps make you punch harder?
Hand wraps do not make you punch harder. The force with which you are able to punch depends on your own capabilities, and the hand wraps have no effect on it whatsoever.
However, the hand wraps will ensure that your hands are well-protected while punching. We also recognize that, as hand wraps look cool and make you feel badass, you might find that you punch harder when wearing them, but this is only because you feel good.
Can I use boxing gloves without hand wraps?
Technically, you can use boxing gloves without the hand wraps.
However, it is absolutely not recommended, and professional boxers must always wear hand wraps under their boxing gloves for safety and protection from injuries.
He is currently the owner of his own MMA dojo "in paradise" where he teaches combat training and meditation. He is also the author of a book soon to be published on the merits of martial arts training on the body and mind.
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