Gear

This article compares two popular wrist wraps for CrossFIt: Harbinger Wrist Wraps and Strength Wraps.  Be sure to also check out our article about Wrist wraps and wrist straps for CrossFit, which details the function of these two important pieces of gear for CrossFIt and how to pick out an optimal pair.

Why wrist wraps?

I am a long time lifter-both conventional lifting and Crossfit and over my years I have tried a lot of different gear.  I always try to find what not only works well but will last with repeated use and abuse.  I injured my wrist last summer when I was playing golf and now need wrist support for lifts that require  full wrist extension.

Harbinger Wrist Wraps

Harbinger wrist wraps are available from Amazon for only $7.91!

Click here or on the picture to purchase.

I was initially introduced to the Harbinger elastic wraps.  These wraps are great as they are long enough to wrap around your wrist multiple times to provide support and they have easy to use Velcro to hold them in place.  There is a thumb loop to help get the wraps started but it is recommended that you release the loop after they are on so they do not cause any interference.  These wraps are easy enough to adjust the tension on your wrist if you are going between multiple exercises where you may need support for one lift/movement, and then not need it for the next.  There is elastic in the wraps so you can actually make them pretty tight around your wrists if necessary.

Side view of the Harbinger Wrist Wrap.  Notice the thumb loop.

The down side to these wraps is that they will break down over time.  The elastic in the wrap will stretch out and some of the strands will break which decreases their ability to maintain their support.  Also the Velcro that holds the wrap closed in place will separate which eventually renders the wrap useless. They are washable for when the inevitable smell sets in, however this will also speed up their breakdown.

Pros:

• Excellent wrist support for exercises requiring wrist extension
• Relatively easily adjustable mid workout using Velcro closure
• Washable-however washing may affect the durability
• Inexpensive, at less than $8 from Amazon

Cons:

• Low durability of elastic inside the length of the wrap
• Low durability of the Velcro closure

Strength Wraps

Rogue sells their own branded Strength Wraps for 24.95

Click here or on the picture to purchase

My other wrist wrap options are strength wraps which can be found from many vendors.  Mine happen to be branded by Rogue Fitness.  These wraps are also quite long and can be wrapped around your wrist multiple times to provide support as necessary.  They are a bit more complicated to get on initially as you wrap them on and they are pretty loose at first. Also, instead of having a Velcro closure there is a string with a knot on the end that you wrap around it to hold in place.  I was a bit skeptical when I saw this at first but after using them for 6 months I’ve found it to be very reliable.  Once wrapped loosely and the string with the knot wrapped and twisted, these wraps can be tightened down by simply twisting the wrap around your wrist as if tightening a pipe with a wrench.  The tension around your wrist can easily be adjusted on the fly by a quick twist to loosen them and immediately twisted in the opposite direction to tighten back down again.  I rarely have to adjust the string with the knot after I initially put them on so they are a bit faster and easier to get the fit that I desire compared to the Harbinger elastic wraps. As far as durability, these wraps have nothing to break down.  The string with the knot in it has no elastic properties to break down over time and the wrap, itself, is non-stretch fabric.  These are also washable for when the smells gets bad and since there are no materials in the wrap to breakdown, washing them has no effect on their durability. I have been using these wraps almost every day for 6 months and they function as well as day 1!

Check out this video to get a better idea of how to use Strength Wraps

Pros:

• Excellent wrist support for exercises requiring wrist extension
• Very easy to adjust tension around the wrist without needing to unfasten first
• Washable without affecting durability
• No materials to breakdown which yields excellent durability of the wrap

Cons:

• Occasionally need to re-twist the string and knot closure if a very dynamic movement is performed after loosened-i.e. running or burpees
• More expensive than the Harbinger wrist wraps, at $24.95, but they last for longer!

Conclusion

Both Harbinger and Strength wraps provide the same support to an injured wrist, so it’s a difficult call about which is better.  On the whole, I personally lean towards the strength wraps. Both wraps are excellent for use by any athlete that has suffered a ligamentous wrist injury or even an athlete on his road to recovery status post wrist fracture.  I wear my wraps for workouts that include thrusters, overhead quads, snatches, or cleans as my injury bothers me primarily with these movements. Given that both provide great support, it probably comes down to how often you use them, and therefore the value for money in terms of durability.  If you want something inexpensive that will last for a short period of time, then go for Harbinger.  If you are an avid CrossFitter, WODing several times a week, then it may be better to go for the more expensive (but still very affordable) strength wraps. Either way, both are great wrist wraps for CrossFit!

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Front squats, thrusters, cleans – they can all take a heavy toll on our wrists. To make things worse, many CrossFitters may have prior wrist injuries or simply lack flexibility, and this can lead to a lot of pain. For those of you who are experiencing wrist pain, or even just want something preventative, then wrist-wraps are a great option.

What to look for

Wrist wraps aren’t complicated, so just keep in mind a few key qualities when considering what to buy.

1. Durability. Look for ones that are made of highly durable material so they’ll stand up over time.
2. Fit.  Look for something tight fitting without cutting off circulation
3. Versatility. In a given WOD you might go from thrusts and deadlifts to pushups or hand stand pushups and you want something that’s going to be comfortable for all of them.

Strength wraps

First up, we have strength wraps. These are the most popular at my box, for the key reason that they’re versatile. As mentioned above, this is one of the main features you want to look for and they’re great because you can keep them on during pushups and your wrists won’t get uncomfortable. Plus they come in a lot of cool colors! Check Rogue’s Strength Wraps here!

Check out this video which will explain how to put them on and use them.

Rogue wrist wraps

Next up we have the rogue wrist wraps, which are another very popular option. You’ve probably seen a few of these around your box, too. I know I have!

The Velcro are a great feature, which allow you to make them as tight as needed. They come in plenty of sizes to meet the needs of everyone from petite crossfit girls all the way to the most beastly of manimals. They receive consistently top marks by reviewers.

Wrist straps for crossfit

Another option are wrist straps (rather than wraps). Wrist straps are for when you want to lift heavy weight but your grip is fatiguing. These are particularly useful for deadlifts, but can be good for bent over rows and weighted pull-ups as well.

Here are a couple of options over at rogue.

Ohio lifting straps

Spud’s unbreakable wrist straps (these come with a no-break guarantee!)

Have you tried any wrist wraps or wrist straps for CrossFit? Let us know by posting a comment!

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