Choosing the best Harris wrist wraps for you
Author: Harris Stability Systems
The Ultimate Wrist Wrap Buying Guide (Australia)
How to Choose the Best Wrist Wraps for Powerlifting, CrossFit, Strongman & Strength Training
If you've ever felt your wrists folding backwards during a heavy bench press, struggling to maintain your low bar squat position, or noticed your overhead press becoming unstable as the weight increases, it might be time to invest in a quality pair of wrist wraps.
Wrist wraps are one of the simplest and most effective pieces of strength equipment available. They provide additional support to the wrist joint, improve bar stability and help reduce unnecessary movement during heavy lifts.
At Harris Stability Systems, we've worked with Australian powerlifters, strongman athletes, CrossFit competitors and strength enthusiasts for decades. Whether you're buying your first pair or upgrading for competition, this guide will help you choose the right wrist wraps for your training.
Why Use Wrist Wraps?
Contrary to popular belief, wrist wraps don't make you stronger.
They help you transfer your strength more efficiently by keeping your wrists in a stronger, more stable position.
When your wrists remain straighter under load, your forearms, elbows and shoulders stay better aligned, allowing you to press more efficiently while reducing stress on the wrist joint.
Many lifters notice improved comfort during:
• Bench Press
• Overhead Press
• Low Bar Squats
• Dumbbell Presses
• Log Press
• Strongman Events
Wrist wraps can also help reduce irritation caused by repeated heavy pressing, making them valuable for both performance and longevity.
What Do Wrist Wraps Actually Do?
Quality wrist wraps provide two major benefits.
Increased Stability
Keeping your wrists straighter allows the force generated by your arms to travel more directly into the bar.
This creates a stronger pressing position and can reduce bar movement during heavy lifts.
Reduced Wrist Stress
Heavy pressing places significant force through the small bones, tendons and ligaments of the wrist.
Supporting these structures may reduce discomfort and improve confidence when training with heavier weights.
Which Wrist Wrap Is Right For You?
Not every athlete needs the same level of support.
The best wrist wrap depends on how you train.
Powerlifting Recommended Wraps
Powerlifters generally want the stiffest wrap possible.
A firmer wrap creates a cast-like feeling that helps maintain a straight wrist during heavy squats and bench press.
For equipped lifting, many of Australia's strongest athletes choose the True Supremacy Wrist Wrap (formally the Buster Bostock wrist wrap, one of the stiffest wrist wraps available.
Strongman Recommended Wraps
Strongman events demand both support and versatility.
Unlike powerlifting, events often require moving between different implements, making wraps that balance stiffness with comfort an excellent choice.
Bodybuilding Recommended Wraps
• True Raw
High-volume training creates significant fatigue through the wrists.
The True Raw range provides reliable support while remaining comfortable throughout long training sessions.
They're easy to tighten for heavy pressing and loosen between sets without removing them completely.
CrossFit & Functional Fitness Recommended Wraps
• True Raw
CrossFit athletes often wear wrist wraps throughout an entire workout.
A wrap that balances flexibility with support allows unrestricted movement while still protecting the wrist during presses, cleans and overhead work.
Which Wrist Wrap Length Should I Choose?
One of the most common questions we receive is:
Should I buy 31cm, 62cm or 90cm wrist wraps?
62cm
Best for:
• Most powerlifters
• Strongman
• Heavy bench press
• Heavy squats
This is the most popular choice for serious strength athletes.
90cm
Best for:
• Competition lifting
• Equipped Powerlifting
• Maximum wrist support
• Advanced athletes
Longer wraps provide the highest level of stiffness but require more experience to apply correctly.
How Tight Should Wrist Wraps Be?
Your wraps should feel supportive without cutting off circulation.
Many experienced lifters wear them relatively loose while warming up before tightening them for heavy working sets.
If your fingers become numb or change colour, they're too tight.
Common Mistakes When Buying Wrist Wraps
• Buying the stiffest wraps as a beginner.
• Wearing wraps during every exercise.
• Wrapping over the hand instead of the wrist.
• Buying based only on colour or design.
• Confusing wrist wraps with lifting straps.
Choosing the correct wrap for your training style will always provide better results than simply buying the stiffest model available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do wrist wraps make you stronger?
No.They improve wrist stability, allowing you to transfer force more efficiently during heavy lifts.
Should beginners use wrist wraps?
Yes, especially if you're starting to lift heavier weights or experience wrist discomfort during pressing movements.
What's the difference between wrist wraps and lifting straps?
Wrist wraps support the wrist joint. Lifting straps improve grip by attaching your hands to the bar. They serve completely different purposes.
Can I wear wrist wraps all workout?
Yes. Many CrossFit and bodybuilding athletes wear lighter wraps throughout an entire session. Powerlifters often tighten their wraps only for heavier working sets.
Which wrist wraps are best for bench press?
Generally, stiffer wraps such as the True Elite, True Hybrid and True Cast ranges provide the greatest support during heavy bench pressing.
Which wrist wraps are best for CrossFit?
CrossFit athletes generally prefer wraps that balance support with flexibility, such as the True Raw, MK2 and True Female ranges.
Are longer wrist wraps better?
Not always.Longer wraps provide more support but can restrict movement if they're too stiff for your training style.
Which Harris Wrist Wrap Should You Choose?
|
Training Style |
Recommended Wrap |
|---|---|
|
Beginner |
True Raw |
|
Powerlifting |
True Elite 62cm |
|
Competition Powerlifting |
True Cast 90cm |
|
Equipped Powerlifting |
Signature Buster Bostock 90cm |
|
Strongman |
True Hybrid 62cm |
|
CrossFit |
MK2 / True Raw |
|
Bodybuilding |
True Raw |
Final Thoughts
The best wrist wraps are the ones that match your training style, lifting experience and support requirements.
Whether you're chasing your first 100kg bench press or preparing for the Australian Powerlifting Championships, the right wrist wraps can improve stability, increase confidence and help protect one of the most heavily used joints in strength training.
With Australia's largest range of wrist wraps, Harris Stability Systems has a solution for every athlete—from beginners in the gym to elite competitors on the platform.
