If you’ve are interested in boxing and have been wondering “What length hand wraps should I get?”, then this in depth assessment of boxing hand wraps is just what you need. Hand wraps can be challenging for people who have yet to try them. From finding the best option available for your needs down to tying them, they can be difficult to choose and use. With our help, boxing hand wraps will be a breeze. Here’s everything you need to know about boxing hand wraps.
What do hand wraps offer?
- Will support your wrists.
- Help to keep your fist compact.
- Provides a better fit for your gloves.
- Offer additional impact protection.
How to choose the best hand wrap for your needs
Are you looking for an ideal hand wrap for boxing? The best options available will help boost your protection when boxing, and could keep you safe even with intensive application. The first thing you need to consider is the type of hand wraps that will be well suited for you. Professional fighters will prefer tape and gauze wraps, which are harder to put on and may require some help. They are usually much lighter than other options, but they are not reusable. Traditional wraps are washable cotton cloth wraps that are the go to choice for most boxers. Mexican style alternatives feature some elasticity, and provide a better fit than the traditional cloth options. Under-gloves may either be elastic or filled with gel, and they are ideally suited for specialized uses, such as for MMA or with speed bags.
Aside from the type of hand wraps, you will need to consider the value of their use and the quality of the fit. If you are looking for very heavy duty protection, heavier cloth wraps and gel padded under gloves could be the best pick for you. If you are interested in somewhat reduced protection but seek a compact and effortless fit, elastic Mexican style wraps and elastic under gloves might be more of your style.
How to wear and take care of your hand wraps
- Don’t rush to tie your hand wraps. You should be patient and careful, and may be better off letting someone else help you out.
- Focus on different points for a comprehensive wrap. Both your fists and wrists will need to be wrapped, so it is important to look at the whole picture when wrapping.
- You should always check for the secureness of a wrap before moving onto the next segment. After moving from your wrists to your palm, you should check on the previous stage to make sure your wrap is still secure. This will help you minimize tightening and reduce the need for do overs.
- If your hand is growing cold and numb, you may have over tightened your wraps. You will need to loosen it up, preferably taking it over from the top.
If you are using hand wraps correctly, they will be a regular part of your gear. You will be better able to take them off and wrap them on, even without assistance. But you will need to take up a few maintenance measures to ensure your wraps are healthy enough for your hands. These protective pieces of gear will collect a heavy amount of sweat, dirt and grime buildup, and should be maintained well for best value. So, how do you take care of your hand wraps? These simple guide should help out.
- Always remove your wraps from the bag after use. You should aerate or wash them immediately.
- Wash and dry your hand wraps as recommended.
- Roll up your hand wraps at all times to reduce the risk of dirt buildup when not in use
- Buy more than one option for easier management and maintenance
What length should the right size hand wrap be?
The right length of boxing hand wraps will depend on the type of wrap and the size of your hands. You need to get a ballpark measurement to estimate just how much cloth you will need to wrap your hands with. It is almost impossible to dictate a standard size for tape and gauze wraps. These are not available in a coordinated size choice, and will generally be applied by boxers as per their needs. If you are interested in this type of wraps, you should consult with your instructor and other people who may have used them.
Elasticated under-gloves and cloth wraps are more straightforward than tape and gauze options because they are available in fixed sizes. Still, it is not possible to pick any one-size-fits-all option due to the subjective nature of hand circumference. This comparison table will help you find an ideal hand wrap for you.
Ideal cloth and elastic wrap sizes
Hand circumference (cm) |
Cloth hand wrap length (M) |
Under-glove size |
14-16 |
2.75 |
4-8 years |
16-17 |
3 |
8-12 years |
17-18 |
3.5 |
12-14 years |
18-19 |
3.5 |
XS |
19-20 |
3.5 |
S |
20-21 |
4 |
M |
21-22 |
4 |
L |
22-23 |
4.5 |
XL |
23-24 |
5 |
2XL |
24-25 |
5 |
3XL |
Final word
Hand wraps will support your wrists, keep your fingers tight for an ideal punch and help you fill your gloves. They will be crucial to helping you keep up with your punching technique, and can provide additional impact protection. They are a handy part of your gear, and could provide great additional value for fighters. If you are interested in hand wraps, finding an ideal length option will be crucial to helping you stay safer and punch better. So, what length hand wraps should I get? An ideal option should securely fit all of your hand with the right wrapping technique. You should make sure to learn how to wrap your hands as well, since it will only offer full benefit when tied properly.
