Hand Wraps

Hand wraps go on under your gloves, in training and in bouts, to support your hands and wrists. They come in three broad formats. Traditional wraps are long strips wound around the hand and wrist. Mexican-style wraps have some stretch, so they contour to the hand. One maker says its Mexican-style wrap is thinner and takes up less room inside the glove.

Quick wraps are slip-on, glove-style wraps with built-in padding, such as gel, over the knuckles. They are a quicker alternative to traditional wraps for training, not their equivalent. In one independent review, the tester found a gel wrap gave less support and stiffness than traditional wraps.

Traditional and Mexican-style wraps are sold by length, and quick wraps in letter sizes such as S to XL.

If you compete, check your event's rules. England Boxing's rules, for example, require stretchy cotton wraps 2.5m to 4.5m long, about 98in to 177in (Rule 8.6). That makes a 180in or 210in wrap too long for its competitions. The rules also allow only certain brands at championships.