From professional boxers on fight night to your gym partner, everyone can find value in hand wraps for boxing. The handy pieces of fabric or tape will play a big part in securing fighters’ hands inside their gloves. This will reduce the risk of injury, as well as boost impact protection. Simply put, your hand wraps work to provide an additional shield against impact. They might even be better suited for certain types of boxing training than some gloves, provided they are applied well. But what types of hand wraps are available? How do you apply them onto your hands? Will hand wraps work well as standalone gloves? Here is everything you need to know about boxing wraps!
The different types of hand wraps for boxing
Are you looking for an ideal pair of hand wraps to go with you boxing gloves? There are a few types available on the market, with each one offering unique value. Here is a detailed explanation of what each type of hand wrap has to offer.
- Under gloves- The fingerless under gloves are quick and easy to use. They offer great protection, but very limited padding. They are generally compact and will fit your gloves with minimal fuss.
- Fast wraps-A relatively new style of hand wraps, fast wraps offer great support and protection, combining well with your boxing gloves. Fast wraps may stretch out your gloves more than other options featured, which means you should consider a dedicated pair of gloves for these wraps or make sure to use them with all your gloves.
- Cloth wraps-Traditional cloth wraps, which are made predominantly out of cotton, are lengthy straps of fabric that are wrapped around the hands before using boxing gloves. They are available in a number of sizes, and are very fairly priced.
- Elastic wraps-Also called Mexican style wraps, these options are almost similar to cloth wraps. The key difference is that elastic wraps are blended for slightly more elasticity, allowing for a more compact wrap with minimal fuss.
- Tape and gauze-Preferred by professionals, tape and gauze wraps are virtually impossible to apply without help. They offer superior levels of comfort and support, which could explain why they are the top choice for pro fighters.
How to choose the right hand wrap length
If you are interested in boxing, hand wraps will offer great protection and support in addition to that offered by your gloves. From fingerless under gloves to tape and gauze options, there may be just too many choices to make a choice. If you are looking to hand wraps, it is important that you look into the sizing. Wraps are usually available in 108”. 120” and 180” measurements. Longer wraps will be good for extensive coverage around your hands.
Hand wrapping tips to help you get it right every time
If you are thinking about wearing boxing hand wraps under your gloves, you may have to learn how to tie them well. A poorly bound wrap will offer little value, and could cause your hand to shift more inside your glove. Wrapping your hands in the wrong way could also increase the risk of injury, since it affects the natural fist shape. Here are a few tips to help you get wrapping your hands well every time.
- You should always wrap down the back of your hand as opposed to around the front. When you ball your hands up in a fist with your wrap running over it, the increased tension will tighten the wrap and cause the shape to be more rigid. If wrapped over the palm, your hand wrap will loosen as you tuck in your hand.
- When wrapping around the thumb, you should always anchor your hand wrap at the wrist instead of around the fist. This will be more comfortable and will provide a better thumb lock.
- While you might be tempted to use gel hand wraps as boxing gloves, you need to understand the level of protection offered by these special types of wraps before working out in them. They will sacrifice wrist support for a more comfortable and hassle free fit.
- Hand wraps are available in 3 predominant lengths, which is 108”, 120” and 180”. Longer wraps are better, as a rule of thumb, but smaller wraps may work well for people with smaller hands. 180” wraps seem bulky, but you will be shocked to find out how quickly wraps run out of length on your hands.
- Storing your wraps in a designated carrier will prevent any risk of frayed edges and could increase their lifespan. If you notice your hand wraps coming undone, you need to seek a replacement pair immediately.
- If you do not feel confident wrapping your hands with the methods we’ve explored, you can find a few other alternatives that may work for you. You could also ask a third party to help tie your wraps well. You need to go with what feels right on your hands, and any technique that secures your fist could be just right for your needs.
- You can go for a loose or tight wrist setup with your technique, depending on your style. If you are looking to land hooks and uppercuts, a loose fit around the wrists will be better. A stiff bind will be better suited for harder straight punches.
Final word
What types of hand wraps are available for you? Will this gear be any good? How do you maintain your wraps for full value? The right boxing hand wraps will offer great impact protection on top of your gloves, while being very comfortable and easy to use. Hand wraps are generally overlooked, but they are a very important part of your gear. They will help your gloves fit better, and could reduce the need for maintenance as they are less sensitive than the former. Hand wraps are versatile, and are available in a range of options to suit your needs. When tied well, they will offer additional support to your wrist and fist by making them very compact. If you are looking for as much cushioning as you can get for boxing training, the boxing bandages will be a value addition for your needs.
Arlo Mcmurran
Arlo Mcmurran, a previous boxing trainer reviews sports gear; he has worked with various sporting companies and carries out intensive product analysis. Having trained with and used various boxing equipment Arlo is able to recommend quality training gear for your boxing needs. Many companies nowadays manufacture boxing gear that cannot stand serious training. He, therefore, samples the best boxing gear from different countries that engage in the sport and can thus distinguish original from imitation. Arlo runs a sports shop that sells genuine sporting gear, but since many industries focus on maximizing profits, instead of quality, Arlo decided to dedicate his life to ensuring that beginners and professional boxers can access quality gear.
