Equipment
The 10 Best Lifting Straps
What are the best lifting straps on the market?
For successful lifters, longevity is the name of the game. You can only perform for as long as your body can hold things together.
While we might often think about protecting large biomechanical structures – the back, our shoulders, and the hips – a critical marker of overall physical wellness is hand health.
Lifting straps were developed to circumvent the wear and tear on our hands brought about by high volume, high-frequency training.
When our grip struggles – like during a deadlift – the weight pulls and pinches at the skin in our palms and fingers.
The resulting abrasions cause a build-up of calluses. With enough frequency or volume, these calluses can tear and cause long-lasting damage to the hands.
These tears can take days, weeks, or potentially longer to heal fully.
Deadlift straps help our hands avoid taking such a beating while enabling us to lift heavier weights with consistent, quality form.
To provide some additional guidance on the best straps for different types of lifters, we’ve carefully selected the 10 of the strongest options on the market today.
Here’s our list of the 10 best lifting straps:
Top 10 Lifting Straps Compared
Our equipment lists are created by researching the best-reviewed products from the most reputable companies and web sources.
In A Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick:
Our number one selection is the Gymreapers Lifting Straps.
Simple design, excellent construction – these straps offer everything you’d want in a sturdy lifting strap, with none of the gimmicks.
They come equipped with neoprene padding around the wrist to mitigate frictional irritation that can occur during heavy pulls.
Longer than the standard 21-inch length of its competitors, the Gymreapers lifting straps – on average – allow another full loop around the bar for added grip security.
10. Warm Body Cold Mind – Lifting Straps
Ever owned a piece of equipment designed by an Olympic gold medalist?
The Warm Body Cold Mind Lifting Straps were built by the mind of Oleksiy Torokhtiy – a Ukrainian weightlifter with accolades extending from the World Championships to the Olympics and back again.
The Warm Body Cold Minds are likely the most uniquely tailored straps on the list.
The strap is much wider than typical designs and blends elements of lighter weight weightlifting straps with heavy-duty figure 8 straps.
If you find that uniqueness doesn’t suit you, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Designed by a World’s and Olympian weightlifting competitor
- Tensile strength of over 300kg (660lbs) – that’s in addition to your grip strength
- Canvas webbed cotton for gentle contact with the skin, but rugged friction with the bar
Cons
- The strap style is somewhat thick and opens slightly at the wrist – users of traditional straps might find them awkward.
- Wider strap construction makes manipulating wrist position difficult – it can be hard to find the perfect placement
9. RitFit – Lifting Straps + Wrist Protector
Neoprene padded wrist protection, anti-slip strap design, and a secure wrist lock – the RitFit Lifting Straps are great for newer lifters or those without much experience using standard straps.
Simply throw on the wrist lock, throw a quick loop around the bar with the length of strap material, and you’re good to lift.
For added peace of mind, RitFit provides a money-back guarantee on their straps.
Pros
- Wrist protectors are heavily padded – minimizes the risk of scathing your wrists via fabric contact during heavy pulls
- Wrist protector offers an aligned, stable center of gravity to the length of strap – drops down directly over the bar
Cons
- Wrist protectors aren’t for everyone – they pull on the wrist differently than traditional straps and can be uncomfortable during lifts
- Durability of the neoprene padding is questionable after repeated use – may begin to fray or tear open
8. Hypeletics – Lifting Straps
Hypeletics’ lifting straps are coated with a silicone lining that provides an uncompromising and stable grip on the bar during heavy lifts or high rep sets.
Like the RitFit straps, they are designed with a wrist lock component that simplifies the strap-in process and reduces potential frictional damage to the skin.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can test them out at no risk to your wallet.
Pros
- Straps are coated with silicone to reduce slippage of the weight when strapped in
- Wrist supports are well padded and reduce frictional damage to the wrist during heavy lifts
- Straightforward strap – doesn’t require hooping the strap before use
Cons
- Padding durability can take a beating with regular use – material may hold onto sweat, or start to fray or tear
- Wrist supported straps can feel uncomfortable during heavy lifts – pulls on the wrist differently than other strap types
7. Hustle Athletics – Lifting Straps
Hustle Athletics’ lifting straps bring an extra 3 inches in length to the material length, in conjunction with a thin silicon layer along the entire effective portion of the strap.
The increased length ensures extra loops while strapping in and a superior overall grip experience.
Silicone grip eliminates almost any chance of slippage, even in humid lifting conditions.
If you’re still unsatisfied or manage to tear a pair or two, Hustle Athletics is ready with a lifetime warranty on their strap products.
Pros
- Extra length (24in vs 21in standard) for higher number of loops while strapping in – improves grip security
- Neoprene padding built into the wrist hoops to protect wrists from frictional damage
- Silicone surface along the length of the strap to further bolster grip
Cons
- The added length can be burdensome for lifters who want a smoother strap-in experience – might need to be pushed out of the way on occasion
- Neoprene padding designs generally experience some durability issues and can pool sweat during intense sessions
6. Gymreapers – Olympic Lifting Straps
Gymreapers appear on our list twice – that’s no small feat.
They take 6th for one of the best weight lifting straps options on the market.
These straps represent the pinnacle of classic weightlifting equipment design – simple, intuitive, and non-restrictive.
Weightlifting leans into softer materials so that they have greater freedom of movement – helping them better emulate the unequipped, dynamic positions and explosive movements of their sport.
Like all their straps, Gymreapers is prepared to offer a lifetime guarantee on their use.
Pros
- Extremely simple and short design to maximize speed and efficiency of set-up – important for Olympic lifting
- Triple stitched cotton for superior durability in the face of highly dynamic pulling movements
- Soft fabric construction that doesn’t irritate the wrists during pulls
Cons
- Short strap length reduces the overall grip support offered by the strap relative to other options – barebones by design
5. Grip Power – Figure 8 Lifting Straps
The Grip Power Figure 8 Lifting Straps are one of the few options on our list that provide multiple length sizings.
They come in 60 cm, 70 cm, and 80 cm builds. Like all figure 8s, the Grip Powers are easy to strap in and conserve critical energy and power during long training sessions.
Grip Power also offers a 1-year warranty on the straps – valid for any reason.
Pros
- Various size options to meet your needs in terms of length – 60 cm, 70 cm, and 80 cm
- Fast strap-in process – just loop once or twice and pull
- Extra stitching in the seams for the highest level of security and durability
Cons
- Strap thickness can be somewhat cumbersome for lifters hoping for a little more leeway in the position of their strap on the bar
- Figure 8 straps have a different, looser feel than traditional straps – prioritizing set-up efficiency to tightness
4. Ihuan – Weight Lifting Straps
The Ihuan Weight Lifting Straps are one of the more basic options on our list.
However, when it comes to strap effectiveness, complexity of design isn’t always a chief concern.
These are some of the best deadlift straps, and best Olympic lifting straps money can buy – and you don’t need very much money, either.
The Ihuans offer value, unlike most of its competitors.
You’re in for increased length, poly-stitching, and 8.2 inches of padding around the wrist at less than half the cost of most other options.
Pros
- 26.6 inches in length for more loops around the bar and increased grip security relative to most competitors (at a 21 in standard)
- Double-stitched polypropylene for a high degree of durability and strap security
- Neoprene padded wrist hoops for comfort and reduced frictional irritation
Cons
- Neoprene padding comes with a number of durability and moisture-related issues with high-frequency use
- Thicker strap width can be undesirable for lifters looking for a bit more space in the hand when gripped
3. Serious Steel Fitness – Figure 8 Lifting Straps
The Serious Steel Fitness Figure 8 Lifting Straps are the definitive heavy-duty straps on our top 10 list.
Thick, rigid, and thoroughly reinforced, these straps are intended for gritty, sharp knurling and dauntingly heavyweights down in the dungeon.
For those who need a strap with a quick setup (and have a tendency to beat their equipment up), Serious Steel is for you.
To top it off, the company offers a 1-year warranty on the straps – as if you’ll be able to break them.
Pros
- Seam-reinforced, multi-stitched, heavy-duty material designed for extremely heavy lifts
- Figure 8 design allows for rapid set-up at the bar to get into lifting without wasting energy needlessly
Cons
- Designed with a 6” circumference – smaller wrists might experience looseness when using these straps
- Figure 8 design prioritizes energy efficiency and speed over multiple loops and grip security
2. Harbinger – Padded Cotton Lifting Straps
Second to one, the Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps are a mainstay in the modern lifting community.
You can find people equipped with these exact pairs of straps in gyms across the world, and for good reason.
Harbinger is an established and trusted name in the strength sports game.
The design of these lifting straps is basic but masterful in their construction.
Padded at the wrist and given a little something extra in the length department, you cannot go wrong with a pair of Harbingers.
Pros
- One of the most widely used lifting straps – tried and true design that is well-received internationally
- Slightly extended length at 21.5 inches with a moderate 1.5-inch width for more loops and easy positional adjustment
- NeoTek cushion wrist pads that remove pressures around the wrist
Cons
- As with most padded wrist straps, durability of the cushion material can become a concern with heavy use
- Some larger lifters might prefer a thicker strap to the more standard measurements that Harbinger offers
1. Gymreapers – Lifting Straps
Our top pick: the Gymreapers Lifting Straps. These straps come with wrist padding, added strap length, and reinforced stitching for a premium level of durability and security.
Gymreapers has been repeatedly endorsed by top-level strength athletes and can be seen in the training bags of several world record-holding powerlifters.
Gymreapers offers an any-reason lifetime guarantee on their straps – you’ve got nothing to lose here.
Pros
- Neoprene padding around the wrist to reduce frictional pressures and irritation during heavy lifts
- Heavy-duty construction endorsed by pro-athletes, strongmen, IFBB bodybuilders, and world record powerlifters
- Balanced length and width for ease of manipulation and looping around the bar
Cons
- Most neoprene padded straps face the same issues of fraying and sweat accumulation with regular use
FAQs About Lifting Straps
Q: What Are Lifting Straps For?
Lifting straps lock our hands to whatever lifting implement we’re grasping.
Typically, the straps are made of canvas material, nylon, leather, or some rubber-coated fabric.
Straps hoop around the wrists and tie a length of material around the bar.
The strap is tightened in the hands and stabilized by downward pressure exerted by the bar – further clamping the material against our fingers and palms.
Q: What Are The Benefits Of Lifting Straps?
The enhanced security in our grip provided by lifting straps means we can hold onto weights well beyond our natural capacity.
Straps are useful for types of overload training, such as block pulls or heavy shrugs.
Weights used for these exercises typically exceed a lifter’s max deadlift and often by hundreds of pounds.
Further, they reduce the shearing forces on the hand brought about through raw grip training.
The bar is gripped more firmly, slides less, and causes less friction – even at maximal weights.
Q: When Should I Use Lifting Straps?
Lifting straps are best used during cycles of training wherein grip-intensive movements are being performed with high volume and high frequency.
Several elite-level lifters actually recommend using powerlifting straps for all accessory and volume sets after your main top working set.
This approach ensures that you are still exposing your grip to an appropriate amount of naturalized stimuli but minimizing the risk of damage from high-volume training.
Intelligently balancing proper training stimulus with efforts to cut recovery time allows us to put our highest possible level of performance into the next training session and progress more smoothly.
Q: Are Lifting Straps Worth It?
If you do not find that you include many pulling movements, do not typically deadlift or use barbells, or simply do not experience hand health or grip-related issues, lifting straps might not be necessary.
However, the versatility and impactfulness of lifting straps are worth considering for just about anyone looking to get serious about their lifting.
Recovery and longevity are the kings of strong, consistent performance.
If you can’t keep your hands from falling apart, or you can’t perform the prescribed weight, reps, and sets due to a gap in grip strength, you’re leaving potential progress on the table.
Straps can level the playing field and get you back on the right path to linear progression.
Q: Are Figure 8 Straps Better Than Other Straps?
Straps don’t necessarily come in “better” variations. Each type serves its own function.
Figure 8 straps offer a rapid strap-in procedure that tends to benefit lifters who don’t like spending much time strapping up at the bar.
Staying bent over to apply traditional straps can waste a little excess energy and mess with a lifter’s mental preparedness.
But, that’s not the case for everyone – and some people don’t like the looser fit that is usually inherent to figure 8 straps.
Q: Is It Bad To Use Lifting Straps?
There are definite taboos in the lifting world against lifting straps.
The ordinary line of reasoning is that they remove the grip from the equation of a lift and are therefore cheating.
However, there is little evidence that intelligent, well-programmed use of lifting straps has a detrimental effect on recreational or competitive lifters.
High-level powerlifters and strongmen swear by lifting straps to maintain a high level of intensity and consistency in their pull-intensive training cycles.
The benefits of maintaining hand health and predictable training stimuli (without grip as a nagging, limiting factor) far outweigh the drawbacks of missing out on some extraneous grip work.
That said, straps should not be abused or employed for every single set. Don’t neglect your grip training entirely.
Q: Are Lifting Straps Cheating?
Officially, lifting straps are not allowed in standard powerlifting competitions. However, they are permitted in a number of strongman events.
Regardless, there is a notable population of people in the lifting community at large who consider strapped lifts to be illegitimate.
If you’re using lifting straps in a popular globo-fitness gym, chances are there will be at least one person in the weight room shaking their head privately at your “cheater” behavior.
That’s okay. Remember that the best lifters and athletes in the world implement lifting straps into their training, and get back to work.
Q: Do Straps Help Grip Strength?
It might seem counterintuitive or even impossible, but there are some arguments for lifting straps benefiting grip strength.
This apparent contradiction can be seen in a few different ways.
First, straps reduce the fatigue burden and damage inflicted on your hands over time.
The heightened average level of hand wellness means that when you do train grip, it will be more reflective of your peak ability and, therefore, more effective.
Over time, your grip can end up stronger simply through more efficient management of stress by using straps intermittently.
Second, straps force the bar to stay closer to the hand even when our grip would otherwise begin to slip.
Your fingers are forced to remain curled – pulled into place by the strap taut against the bar.
The forced placement of your fingers means the stabilizing muscles that contribute to your grip remain engaged in that specific position (though to a lesser extent than if you were holding the bar unassisted).
Repeated exposure to these contractions can theoretically strengthen the grip position.
Third, your grip is not entirely excluded from work during a strapped lift.
If the weight is not outside the range of what you are normally capable of holding on to, you will still be performing most of the work despite a strap being applied.
A strap shines most when the weight begins to slide or roll in the hand.
With enough volume, your forearms and fingers will still accumulate a large amount of grip fatigue even with the best straps available.
Q: Which Lifting Straps Are Best?
The best straps for you will be whichever pair you’re most comfortable with and which provides the most stable grip.
Generally, the best strap designs offer a high friction material that is softer around the wrist.
This improves grip with the bar while reducing the impact of material digging into the skin around the wrists during heavy pulls.
Q: What Type Of Lifting Straps Should I get?
Do you prefer a very quick setup and getting right into your lift with minimal preparation? Figure 8 straps are probably what you’re looking for.
Don’t mind a little extra time in the bottom position setting up, but prefer a closer strap with extra security and material to grip on to? Traditional lifting straps will serve you best.
There aren’t many differences between deadlift straps, powerlifting straps, and Olympic lifting straps.
Mostly, there are small sports culture-related characteristics. Weightlifting straps tend to be shorter, softer, less rigid, and more simple in design overall.
Powerlifting straps are mid-length and focus on a balance between padding and stickiness along the strap.
Deadlift-specific straps tend to be longer in length for a more secure wrap around the bar.
Summary
Saving our hands from unneeded abuse is key to sustaining steady progress toward your lifting goals.
Deadlift straps have garnered some ire and taboo among the less-than-initiated for effectively removing grip strength from the equation of a successful lift.
However, when we look at straps from the perspective of longevity, physical wellness, and intelligent tooling, their validity becomes much more evident.
Many world-class, top-tier strength athletes swear by the regular use of straps in their programming to conserve their hands’ tissue health.
Find the right pair for yourself and begin digging into the research behind their effective use in your training. Your hands – and strength levels – will thank you.
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best lifting straps:
- Gymreapers – Lifting Straps
- Harbinger – Padded Cotton Lifting Straps
- Serious Steel Fitness – Figure 8 Lifting Straps
- Ihuan – Weight Lifting Straps
- Grip Power – Figure 8 Lifting Straps
- Gymreapers – Olympic Lifting Straps
- Hustle Athletics – Lifting Straps
- Hypeletics – Lifting Straps
- RitFit – Lifting Straps + Wrist Protector
- Warm Body Cold Mind – Lifting Straps
