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You don’t have to be a runner or cyclist to reap the heart-healthy benefits of cardiovascular exercise. High-intensity interval workouts are all you need to get your heart rate soaring, which includes modes of exercise like boxing and mixed martial arts.
So if you’d rather forgo bulky cardio equipment all together, you could instead install one of the best punching bags, grab yourself a pair of boxing gloves, and protect your knuckles with one of the best boxing hand wraps. And just like that, you’ve got yourself a boxing gym at home.
To help you invest in the best possible equipment, we enlisted our expert product testers—who are also certified personal trainers, corrective exercise specialists, and Olympic-level athletes—to test, score, and review the best boxing hand wraps for ultimate joint protection. Let’s get cracking.
Best Boxing Hand Wraps
- Best Boxing Hand Wraps Overall: Everlast Core Hand Wraps
- Best Budget Boxing Hand Wraps Overall: Sanabul Hand Wraps
- Best Gel Boxing Hand Wraps: Hayabusa Quick Gel Hand Wraps
- Best Cotton Boxing Hand Wraps: BOXRAW Hand Wraps
- Best Boxing Hand Wraps for Beginners: Venum Gel Pro Wrap
Best Boxing Hand Wraps Overall: Everlast Core Hand Wraps
Good for: Both experienced or beginner boxers
Everlast
Everlast Professional Hand Wraps
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available in 2 lengths
- Antimicrobial treatment to prevent odors
- Machine washable
Cons
- Limited colors available and different for each size
- Too much velcro on closure according to reviews
- Some customers only received one wrap
- Mixed reviews on durability
- More expensive than competitors
Bottom Line
Everlast Professional Hand Wraps come in 2 lengths and feature a stretchy elastic fabric. Everlast treats the wraps with their EverFresh antimicrobial finish to prevent odors. Customers like the wraps, price and comfort of the straps. There were mixed reviews on the durability of the straps, especially the stitching around the velcro.
The Everlast Core Hand Wraps are ideal for anyone looking for the best wraps to wear under one of the best boxing gloves. I personally tested these Everlast hand wraps alone and with boxing gloves. I’m a personal trainer and have experience teaching clients how to get into a proper boxing stance, perform a boxing shuffle, and throw their first punch.
While I’m not a pro fighter by any means, I’m not a total newbie to hand wraps. I scored the Everlast wraps 4.5 out of 5 stars for workout performance because these wraps had a user-friendly thumb loop, the material was easy to wrap (even when threading through the fingers), and there was absolutely no slipping. Each layer laid nicely on top of each other and created a really supportive feeling without being too tight.
I will note that depending on your wrapping skills, the Everlast wrap could come loose. When I used to box with my clients, everyone was surprised how tight I wrapped their hands the first time. If you’re brand new you may not wrap your own hands tight enough, which could cause the wrap to loosen up over the course of a workout.
The Everlast wraps are made from a blend of cotton, nylon, and polyester, which makes them light and breathable. They have a stretchy, gauze-like texture but with way more durability than gauze alone, which is why I scored these wraps 4.5 out of 5 stars for materials and durability. They are machine washable and will hold up to years of boxing workouts.
These Everlast hand wraps are pretty much ideal for anyone, which is why it’s at the top of our list. Everlast is a well-known boxing brand that is easy to find on third-party retailers like Amazon and Dick’s. Everlast wraps are also affordable, with pricing on Amazon starting around $15 for one pair of 180-wraps. These earned a 4-star rating for price, with a point docked because the best value wraps are priced around $10 or less.
| Price | $15-$30 on Amazon |
| Type of hand wrap | Traditional wraps, thumb loops |
| Materials | Cotton blend |
| Length | 190” |
Best Budget Boxing Hand Wraps Overall: Sanabul Hand Wraps
Good for: Anyone looking for boxing wraps under $10
Sonabul
Sanabul Elastic Boxing Hand Wraps
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- More affordable than competitors
- 8 colors available
- Machine washable
- Stretchable fabric
- Available in 2 lengths
Cons
- Thin according to customer reviews
- According to reviews colors bleeds and stains clothes
- Mixed reviews on durability
- Some customers only received one wrap
Bottom Line
Sanabul Elastic Boxing Hand Wraps are 180 inches long and feature an elastic fabric. They are positively reviewed by customers who really enjoyed the affordable price point, stretchy fabric and that the wraps are machine washable. However, they did note that the colors bleed even after multiple washes. There were also mixed reviews on the durability, especially the stitching around the velcro.
Sanabul Hand Wraps are your go-to option if you want a secure fit at an affordable price point. These Sanabul wraps are available on Amazon for under $10 and have a ton of colors to choose from.
Matt Dustin, NASM-CES, PN1-NC, and GGR expert product tester, used these hand wraps for several boxing training sessions before giving his full review. Matt immediately noticed the cotton and nylon blend was thin and had a ton of elasticity, which is what makes them a Mexican-style hand wrap.
Not all folks like the thin, stretchy Mexican-style wraps, so it’s up to your personal preference on what you’ll go with. Matt scored the materials and durability of the Sanabul wraps 3 out of 5 stars. “They feel decent, but I question the durability of such thin material. I also think the thumb loop would be the first feature to wear out since you’ll probably put a lot of torque on the stitching of that loop,” says Matt.
While Matt may have concerns on longevity, he thought these wraps provided ample wrist support. He gave the Sanabul wraps 4 out of 5 stars for support and performance.
“The wraps didn’t loosen at all,” says Matt. “On their own, I didn’t feel like I had a ton of knuckle protection, but once I put on boxing gloves my hands felt super stable.”
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| Price | $9.99 on Amazon |
| Type of hand wrap | Traditional hand wraps, thumb loops |
| Materials | Cotton and nylon |
| Length | 180” |
Best Gel Boxing Hand Wraps: Hayabusa Quick Gel Hand Wraps
Good for: Folks who want wraps that go on and off like a glove
Hayabusa
Hayabusa Quick Gel Hand Wraps
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Machine wash and dry
- Glove style quick wrap
- Available in 6 colors and 4 sizes
- Free shipping
Cons
- Less customizable fit than traditional hand wraps
- Some reviewers found finger holes too tight
Bottom Line
The Hayabusa Quick Gel Boxing Hand Wraps feature a non-traditional glove style with a 36 inch wrist wrap. Due to the glove style the fit is not as customizable as traditional hand wraps, however, they are much easier and quicker to get on and off. Customer reviews liked the ease of use and knuckle padding. Some customers found the finger holes to be too tight to comfortably use.
If you’re looking for gel hand wraps versus traditional wraps, the Hayabusa Quick Gel Hand Wraps are our No. 1 recommendation for speed bag work or under boxing gloves on a heavy bag. These slip on and off like a glove and offer a super quick wrap alternative to traditional hand wraps.
Once the glove goes on, you’ll feel the gel padding framing your knuckles and you’ll use the 36-inch wrist strap for additional support around your wrist. Matt Dustin, NASM-CES, PN1-NC, and GGR product tester, appreciated the breathable polyester glove material and the gel padding.
“These gel wraps felt so good to wear and use for the speed bag and shadow boxing. They also feel pretty durable, and the only feature I could see getting worn out over time is the Velcro closure,” says Matt, who scored these gloves 4 out of 5 stars for materials and durability.
That said, he thought the glove material felt a little rough on his palms saying, “The padding is great, but the glove material feels a little rough on the inside. It’s not bad, but it could be better.”
During his boxing session with the Hayabusa gel wraps, Matt noticed there wasn’t nearly as much protection and stiffness from the gloves compared to traditional wrist wraps. “There isn’t as much support, but these are more about padding and knuckle protection with the huge gel cushion over the knuckles,” says Matt.
Additionally, Matt appreciates the modern look, multiple colorways to choose from, sizes ranging from small to extra large, and a size guide to help you pick. For aesthetics, he rates these glove wraps 5 stars.
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| Price | $19.99 |
| Type of hand wrap | Gloves with wrist wraps |
| Materials | Polyester (glove); cotton, nylon (wrap); PU foam, PVS gel (padding) |
| Length | 36” wrist strap |
Best Cotton Boxing Hand Wraps: BOXRAW Hand Wraps
Good for: Anyone looking for a stretchy (mostly) cotton boxing wrap
BoxRaw
BoxRaw Hand Wraps
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available in 2 lengths
- 9 colors available
- Wash and carrying bag included
Cons
- Multiple colors out of stock
- Care instructions not listed
- Thin fabric according to reviews
Bottom Line
BoxRaw Hand Wraps are available in two lengths and use a stretch cotton blend. They are positively reviewed by customers who found them to be high quality and comfortable. Some customers did find the fabric too thin. Care instructions are not listed however, a mesh wash and carry bag is included with purchase, so we assume they are machine washable in the mesh bag.
The best cotton hand wraps go to BOXRAW. While these are not 100% cotton (because it’s a cotton and polyester blend and the wrist strap closure is rubber), they offer a high-quality and super soft option for hand wrapping.
I tested the BOXRAW wraps and immediately noticed the thin stretchy material. I scored the material and durability 4 out of 5 stars, because the material is on the thinner side, which I like (and it’s more gauze-like) but the thin material and open weave may lack durability.
However, these BOXRAW wraps are everything you need from a traditional hand wrap. The cotton blend gives you enough stretch to wrap to your personal preference, with pliability to wrap between fingers your and around your knuckles.
I also generally like the way they look and gave these a 5-star rating for aesthetics. There were tons of colors to choose from on the BOXRAW website and the Velcro closure has a solid aesthetic with a raised rubber logo and clean lines.
Although I really liked using these hand wraps under a pair of boxing gloves and for boxing workouts, I have a few callouts. First, these are a bit pricey at $19 per pair and they frequently go out of stock. Second, I didn’t appreciate that the BOXRAW website doesn’t have a direct way of reaching customer service other than a general inquiry form. But there is a 30-day return policy if you were not satisfied with your purchase.
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| Price | $19 |
| Type of hand wrap | Traditional hand wraps, thumb loops |
| Materials | Cotton and polyester |
| Length | 180” |
Best Boxing Hand Wraps for Beginners: Venum Gel Pro Wrap
Good for: Beginners looking for quick wrap options
Venum
Venum Kontact Gel Gloves Wraps
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Glove style quick wraps
- Gel padding for hand protection
- Easy to use according to reviews
Cons
- Fit not as customizable as traditional hand wraps
- Care information not listed
- Mixed reviews on comfort and durability
- Only available in 1 size
Bottom Line
Venum Kontact Gel Glove Wraps are a glove and wrist wrap style hand wrap. They are easier to get on and off than traditional wraps. They are only available in 1 size, which may have led to the very mixed reviews on the comfort of these hand wraps. The durability of these wraps also had mixed reviews with some customers noting the stitching tends to come undone after repeated use.
The Venum Gel Pro Wraps are great for beginners and experienced boxers alike. Our testers highly recommend these glove-style wraps for beginners because they are easy to put on, offer a gel knuckle guard, and can go under boxing gloves.
Caine Wilkes, USAW-L1 and GGR expert tester, used the Venum gel wraps alone on the speed band and under a pair of gloves for heavy bag work. He says the neoprene material is comfortable on the skin and the gel padding will absolutely reduce impact to the knuckles.
However, Caine is a large guy with pretty big mitts. He had to squeeze his hands into the one-size-fits-all glove. “The fact that these gel wraps are one size is disappointing. They are pretty solid wraps, but people with big hands will have to look elsewhere,” says Caine.
Caine also notes that while these wraps are supportive, they don’t offer support around the thumb. For that reason, he scored the Venum wraps 4 out of 5 stars for support and performance. But, if you want more support around the thumb, you’ll have to use part of the 90-inch wrist strap around your joint (in addition to your wrist, of course).
Lastly, Caine says the Venum Gel Glove Wraps just look cool. The snake head logo is eye-catching and there are a few colorways to choose from, including a camo print.
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| Price | $19.50 on Amazon |
| Type of hand wrap | Gloves with wrist wraps |
| Materials | Neoprene, polyester, gel rubber, synthetic leather |
| Length | 90” wrist strap |
How We Picked and Tested the Best Boxing Hand Wraps
To test the best boxing hand wraps on the market, our team first started with internet research to find the most popular and most recommended wraps. From there, we made a short list of hand wraps we actually ordered. When our testers actually unboxed, wrapped their hands, and went through boxing workout this is what they had to consider:
- Materials and durability: Our testers scored hand wraps based on the type of cloth, stitch quality, and overall durability. Low scores went to wraps that showed wear and tear after a few boxing sessions; high scores were reserved for quality construction.
- Aesthetics: Although boxing hand wraps will likely be worn under a pair of boxing gloves, our testers scored the overall look based on color options, designs, and extra features.
- Support and performance: Low scores were given to wraps that were flimsy and offered little to no support. High marks were given to hand wraps that completely stabilized the wrist on our testers.
- Comfort: Most of the hand wraps we tested score high for comfort because hand wraps aren’t really meant for comfort. Testers docked scores if there were unusual and uncomfortable features, itchy materials, or didn’t provide enough flexibility to re-wrap your hands (like a gel wrap).
- Price: Most hand wraps we researched and purchased for this roundup were priced under $20. We gave the best scores to hand wraps priced under $10.
- Customer experience: Testers have to score each company based on shipping fees, return policies, and ability to get in touch with customer support if needed.
- Customer reviews: Our experts use customer reviews to evaluate their own experience and gauge whether it is similar or highly contrasted.
Benefits of Boxing Workouts
If you’re not quite ready to select “add to cart” on a pair of boxing hand wraps, let’s cover the benefits of wearing wraps and boxing training sessions in general.
Hand Protection and Wrist Support
Whether you’re an at-home heavy bag hitter or a Muay Thai wannabe, hand wraps are an essential part of the boxing experience. Wraps, when used correctly, can offer support to your entire wrist, reduce impact to your joints, and provide knuckle protection from direct contact with punching bags (or a sparring partner).
Full-Body and High-Intensity
Speaking as a personal trainer, I’m a fan of any HIIT (high-intensity interval training) exercise that incorporates your entire body—and boxing is exactly that. But what is HIIT? Any form of exercise with short bouts of near-maximal effort is considered HIIT-style training, according to a 2021 review1 which looked at HIIT workouts as far back as the 1920s.
Plus, boxing is not just your arm throwing punches, you have to use your glutes and core muscles to drive power to every punch, you have to recoil every hit with your shoulders and back muscles, and you have to use your legs for bounding, jumping, and staying light on your feet.
Boxing Workouts Can Improve Cardiovascular Health
Because boxing is ultimately a mode of HIIT, it may not come as a surprise that habitual boxing workouts can improve your cardiovascular health and VO2 max. If you’re wondering what VO2 max is, it’s essentially a measurement of how much oxygen you can intake during exercise (along with blood flow), which is an indicator of heart health and tolerance to exercise.
In a recent review published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1, multiple studies reference the fact that HIIT-style training can increase VO2 max with sessions as short as 15 minutes, however these studies weren’t specifically based on boxing workouts.
That said, in a 2015 study2 researchers compared high-intensity boxing training to walking workouts in two groups of larger adults over the course of 12 weeks. The walking group didn’t have significant improvements, but the boxing group improved blood pressure, body fat percentage, and VO2 max.
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Boxing Can Boost Mood
Do you need a form of exercise with an extra side of stress relief? Martial arts and boxing classes with heavy bags, speed bags, or kickboxing provide cardiovascular benefits like elevating your heart rate with the added benefit of serving up a great punch. That’s what I call blowing off steam.
A 2023 review from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine3 looked at the benefits of boxing and found non-sparring, non-contact boxing classes positively influenced mental health, overall mood, self-esteem, symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even schizophrenia.
Experts Who Contributed To This Article
Hand Wraps for Boxing Buying Tips
In pro boxing and MMA, fighters typically use gauze and tape, but it’s not a practical (or reusable) option for the average home gym owner. If you’ve had some experience with boxing classes, using a punching bag, or wearing wraps and gloves, we suggest choosing a cotton blend wrap with Velcro closure that you can wrap yourself and customize the fit and whether you want the wraps between the fingers or just spun around the knuckles.
If you’re brand new to boxing, a gel wrap is going to be an easy and quick way to protect your knuckles without the confusion of wrapping your own hands. Even if you choose to graduate from a pair of gel wrap gloves, you can always utilize them for quick bare knuckle (no gloves) sessions.
Best Boxing Hand Wraps: FAQs
What is the best brand for boxing wraps?
From our testing experience, we liked Everlast, Sanabul, and BOXRAW for traditional wraps and Hayabusa and Venum for gel glove wraps.
What hand wraps do professional boxers use?
Many professional boxers and MMA fighters use tape and gauze versus hand wraps. This method is lightweight, adds less bulk to the hand, and can be personalized.
Should I get 120 or 180 hand wraps?
If you have average-size (or large) hands, 180-inch-long wraps are your best bet. However, if you have particularly small hands and wrists, you can choose 120-inch wraps.
Are boxing wraps worth it?
Yes, boxing hand wraps support your bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments from the impact of punching. Wraps also help protect your knuckles from repetitive punching.
References
- Atakan, M. M., Li, Y., Koşar, Ş. N., Turnagöl, H. H., & Yan, X. (2021). Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), 7201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137201
- Cheema, B. S., Davies, T. B., Stewart, M., Papalia, S., & Atlantis, E. (2015). The feasibility and effectiveness of high-intensity boxing training versus moderate-intensity brisk walking in adults with abdominal obesity: a pilot study. BMC Sports Science, Medicine & Rehabilitation, 7, 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-1847-7-3
- Bozdarov, J., Jones, B. D. M., Daskalakis, Z. J., & Husain, M. I. (2022). Boxing as an Intervention in Mental Health: A Scoping Review. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 17(4), 589–600. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276221124095
Further reading
You don’t have to be a runner or cyclist to reap the heart-healthy benefits of cardiovascular exercise. High-intensity interval workouts are all you need to get your heart rate soaring, which includes modes of exercise like boxing and mixed martial arts. So if you’d rather forgo bulky cardio equipment all together, you could instead install one of the best punching bags, grab yourself a pair of boxing gloves, and protect your knuckles with one of the best boxing hand wraps. » Read more about: Best Boxing Hand Wraps for Your Home Gym Punching Bag (2024) » Read more
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