Go straight to the selection? Here you'll find all hand wraps.
Hand wraps are part of your essential kit, whether you're just starting out or have been training for years. They protect your hands, knuckles and wrists, stabilise the many small bones in your hand and extend the life of your boxing gloves. In this article we'll explain which hand wraps are right for you, how long they should be and what to look out for when buying.
Why are hand wraps so important in boxing?
The hand consists of 27 bones, numerous joints, tendons and ligaments. With every punch, high forces act on these structures, even with good boxing gloves. Hand wraps stabilise the hand as a unit, distribute impact better and reduce the risk of injury to knuckles, wrists and metacarpal bones.
There's also a practical side benefit: hand wraps absorb sweat before it soaks into the inner material of your gloves. This keeps your boxing gloves more hygienic and longer-lasting. Anyone who wears wraps protects both their hands and their equipment.
What length should hand wraps be?
The right length depends on your hand size, your age and the purpose. As a guide:
|
Person |
Recommended length |
|
Children up to 10 years |
200 cm |
|
Children from 10 to 13 years |
250–255 cm |
|
From 13 years onwards |
350–460 cm |
For adults: 350 cm is enough for light training and smaller hands. 400 cm is the standard length for most martial artists, enough to wrap wrist, knuckles and fingers sufficiently. 450–460 cm is recommended if you often have problems with knuckles or wrists and need maximum stabilisation.
For MMA training with compact gloves, go shorter – under MMA gloves there's little space and 5 m hand wraps are difficult to fit in there.
Which material is right?
When browsing you'll come across different materials; the two most important are cotton and elastic material.
Cotton wraps
Classic hand wraps made from cotton don't give when you wrap and sit tight. Good hold, reliable protection and easy to wash. Ideal for anyone who prefers firm support.
Elastic wraps
Semi-elastic hand wraps, also called Mexican Style, have some stretch and adapt better to the hand when you put them on. They're more forgiving when wrapping and sit very snugly once on. Popular in boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai. Which version suits you better is ultimately a matter of feel; both protect reliably.
How do you put wraps on correctly?
Putting on hand wraps correctly is a technique you need to learn. The wrap is usually looped around the wrist, over the knuckles and between the fingers before being secured at the wrist again. Make sure you maintain even tension, not too loose, not too tight. Wraps that are too loose offer little protection; wrapping too tightly can restrict circulation.
It's best to have your trainer show you the first time. How to tie hand wraps correctly step by step is explained in this video.
Caring for wraps: how to make them last longer
Wraps absorb sweat and should be washed after intensive training sessions. Best in a laundry bag in the machine, so they don't get tangled. After washing, let them dry completely before using them again. Anyone who trains regularly should own several pairs and rotate them.
When opening the Velcro fastening, pull evenly – don't yank too quickly or the Velcro will tear off the material.
Common questions about hand wraps
What should you look out for with hand wraps?
Length, material and fastening are the three most important factors. Length depends on your hand size and training schedule. The material, cotton or elastic, is a matter of personal preference. And the Velcro fastening should be wide and sturdy so that the wrap stays secure even during intensive training.
What length should hand wraps be?
For most adults, 400 cm is the right starting point. Anyone with particularly large hands or who needs maximum stabilisation should go for 450–460 cm. For children up to 10 years, 200 cm is enough; up to 13 years, 250–255 cm.
What do wraps actually do?
Wraps stabilise the small bones and joints of the hand, distribute impact more evenly and protect against injury to knuckles, wrists and metacarpals. They also keep boxing gloves more hygienic and longer-lasting. In short: they're one of the most affordable and effective investments in your kit.
Do you need wraps with boxing gloves?
Yes, boxing gloves alone are not complete protection. The padding in the glove protects against external impacts, but not from the forces that act internally on bones and joints. Wraps fulfil exactly this function. For sparring they're compulsory in most gyms; in training where they're not compulsory, they're still part of your essential kit.
Can you wash hand wraps?
Yes, most wraps can be washed in the washing machine. Best in a laundry bag so they don't get tangled. Watch out for the colours with new wraps – they can bleed in the first few washes. After washing, dry them well; not in the tumble dryer.
Buy hand wraps at The Fight Company
The complete range of hand wraps and boxing tape can be found in our online shop, with fast delivery from our own warehouse in Groningen, in the Netherlands, directly to Germany. Unsure which length or which material is right? Our team will help you.