One of the most frequently asked questions from kickboxers and boxers concerns putting on boxing handwraps. Many people who start boxing or kickboxing have no idea how to put on handwraps (also called bandages or wraps).
They often do not dare to ask. As a result, they either train without handwraps or foolishly wrap the hand and wrist around as many times as possible.
Why do you wear handwraps?
The main reason to wear handwraps (or an alternative to handwraps, such as inner gloves) is to reinforce your metacarpal bones, support your wrists, and protect your knuckles.
In addition, handwraps (or inner gloves) have the added benefit of absorbing most of your sweat. So if you do not wear handwraps or inner gloves, the sweat from your hands will soak into your gloves. Over time, your gloves will start to smell terrible.
Moreover, the padding does not benefit from this either, so the quality of the boxing glove quickly deteriorates. Perhaps you remember the boxing gloves you wore during your trial lesson!
Five reasons to wear handwraps (or inner gloves):
- absorbs sweat
- provides extra support
- provides extra protection for the knuckles
- your boxing gloves last longer
- your boxing gloves stay fresh-smelling
Why do we recommend that adults choose handwraps?
When you put on handwraps correctly, you create a compact fist. As soon as you have put on a handwrap, you immediately feel that you can punch harder because of that compact feeling. You stabilize all the bones in your hand and wrist, which increases your punching power.
The benefits of handwraps:
- Better protection for the hand and fingers
- Compact fist for greater punching power
- They are usually cheaper
- Absorb sweat from your hands
- Slightly elastic so your hands do not become constricted
Choosing the right handwrap length
Handwraps are available in all kinds of different lengths, colors, and materials. We sell them in almost every color of the rainbow: green, orange, pink, red, blue, and black from various brands.
We offer the most common lengths of 250 cm (100") and 450 cm (180"), as well as intermediate sizes and extra-long handwraps of 530 cm (210"). The short version is most suitable for smaller women's hands and children.
Choose the wrong length, and the end of the handwrap will either appear too soon or not at all! And above all, do not wrap them too tightly. If you do, your hand will barely be able to move and blood flow will be reduced to a minimum.
Standard handwrap lengths (recommended):
- 250 cm (100") for children and small women's hands
- 450 cm / 460 cm (180") standard length for adults
Non-standard handwrap lengths (specific requirements):
- 300 cm
- 380 cm (120")
- 400 cm
- 500 cm (200")
- 530 cm (210") extra long
Choosing handwrap material: cotton, polyester, or polycotton
Almost all handwraps sold by all brands are a blend of polyester and cotton. This blend is needed to give the material a little stretch so it can be wrapped properly.
They are also sturdier and easier to wash. True old-school boxers swear by 100% non-stretch cotton handwraps. However, these have no stretch and should really be applied by an experienced professional. Of course, we also carry these types of handwraps in our range.
We have a huge collection of handwraps, wraps, and winders for boxing and kickboxing from various brands specializing in martial arts, such as boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, in our webshop.
Material options for boxing handwraps:
- Polyester-cotton blend: most common
- Nylon-cotton blend: a slightly more luxurious option, very strong
- 100% cotton: softer and more luxurious handwraps, usually with less stretch
- Rayon (viscose): the most exclusive material used in Winning handwraps
- Polyviscose-cotton blend: luxury handwraps from Rival Guerrero
How do you put on handwraps?
As with many things, the question is easier than the answer. Not because putting on handwraps is particularly difficult, but rather because there are countless ways to do it. Below, we have created a step-by-step guide with a good balance between knuckle protection and wrist support.
Wrapping handwraps – Step by step
1. Wrapping the wrist
Hook the handwrap loop around your thumb and let the handwrap run over the back of your hand, not across your palm. Then wrap the handwrap around your wrist 2 or 3 times; for extra wrist stability, you can add 1 or 2 wraps. Pull the handwrap snugly without cutting off circulation to your wrist.
2. Over the hand and knuckles
Let the handwrap run diagonally upward toward the side of your hand, making sure it passes over the back of your hand. Wrap the handwrap twice around your knuckles. For extra knuckle protection, you can add another wrap around your knuckles.
3. Between the fingers
After wrapping the knuckles, return to the wrist and then go between the little and ring fingers: push the handwrap from the back of the hand through the opening between those two fingers to the palm, along the inside of your little finger, and then back up over the back of the hand to the wrist.
Then make the same movement between the ring and middle fingers, and then between the middle and index fingers. After this, you can make one or two more wraps around the knuckles.
4. Cross
First wrap the handwrap once around your wrist. Then make 2 diagonal crosses from the wrist to the top of the hand and back between the index finger and thumb, creating an X shape that stabilizes the wrist. Wrap once more around the wrist to secure the X shape.
5. Thumb and wrist
If you still have enough length left, you can make a short wrap around the thumb; make sure you do not pull it too tight. Finish with 2–3 firm wraps around the wrist so that the hook-and-loop closure can fasten securely there.
Fasten the hook-and-loop closure so that it lies flat and does not come loose.
Wrapping handwraps with the help of a video
There are various videos on the Internet showing how to wrap your hands. In our opinion, the links below are highly recommended.
More information about handwraps:
- Top 9 handwraps for boxing and kickboxing (2025) - Best Buy Guide Fight2Win.nl
- Youtube: Rival: Russ Anber teaches you how to do your handwrap
- https://www.wikihow.com/Wrap-Your-Hands-for-Boxing
Alternative to handwraps 1: inner gloves
Who are inner gloves suitable for?
Children up to and including 9–10 years old are best off using inner gloves. This is simply more convenient. Older children and adults punch harder and therefore benefit more from handwraps.
Anyone can of course wear inner gloves. However, the largest target group is therefore younger children. A child can easily put on and take off an inner glove by themselves. A child aged 6 or older can of course learn how to wrap their hands, but it is not very practical.
Inner gloves are ideal for:
- children up to and including 10 years old
- men and women who do cardio boxing, kickfun, boksfit, and group classes
- men and women who train recreationally at a relaxed pace
- men and women who do not want or need extra support
- men and women who find handwraps complicated
When should you choose an inner glove?
There are various types of inner gloves. The simple inner gloves that you can put on quickly, and the type of inner gloves (often called gelwraps) that have an attached piece of handwrap. This length is shorter than that of a regular handwrap and is mainly intended to provide extra support to the wrist.
The inner gloves from XPRT, Hayabusa, Fumetsu, and Booster, among others, feature these extra handwraps. These inner gloves also have gel padding, providing even better protection for the knuckles.
We have various simple inner gloves in stock. They are ideal for children and people who do not have the patience for handwraps.
The following inner gloves with gel padding are ideal for adult men and women looking for extra protection for their knuckles. Some models are available in various sizes, while others are one-size-fits-all.
View all simple inner gloves for boxing gloves in our webshop.
Alternative to handwraps 2: Gel wraps
Gel wraps are a more modern form of hand protection for martial artists. They consist of a combination of gel pads and elastic fabric and are wrapped directly around your hands under your boxing gloves. Here are some benefits of gel wraps:
- Shock absorption: Gel wraps offer excellent shock absorption, reducing the impact of punches on your hands. This helps prevent injuries.
- Comfort: The gel pads provide extra comfort and cushioning while punching, reducing fatigue.
- Convenience: Gel wraps are easy to put on and adapt well to the shape of your hands, making them convenient for quick training sessions.
The difference between inner gloves and gel wraps
The most important difference between inner gloves and gel wraps lies in the level of protection and comfort they provide.
Inner gloves are more focused on basic protection and moisture wicking, while gel wraps offer better shock absorption and cushioning.
The gelwraps have an extra layer of protection around the knuckles and the back of the hand. This provides extra protection for the fist and knuckles when punching. The impact of a hard punch is absorbed more effectively, significantly reducing the risk of unpleasant knuckle injuries. Due to the additional gel padding, gelwraps are considerably thicker.
The choice between these two depends on your personal preference and the intensity of your training.
It is important to note that, regardless of which option you choose, hand protection is essential to prevent injuries. Both inner gloves and gel wraps are valuable accessories for combat sports practitioners, and you can adjust them to your specific needs and comfort level.
Benefits of gel wraps
In our store, we often hear that people do not feel like putting on handwraps. Fair enough! Sport is fun and should stay fun. So there is nothing wrong with training with gel wraps. They offer the following benefits:
- Protection: extra protection for the knuckles
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Comfort: easy and quick to put on
- Convenience: usually simply washable
We have an extensive collection of gelwraps and inner gloves with padding from various brands specializing in combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing and MMA, in our webshop.
Personal choice: inner gloves, gel-wraps or handwraps after all?
It is now up to you to make the right choice: whether to put on inner gloves, gel-wraps or regular handwraps for boxing, kickboxing or cardio boxing.
Would you like more buying advice on boxing wraps? Then be sure to read our comprehensive Best Buy Guide special: Top 9 best handwraps for boxing, kickboxing and cardio boxing