Boxing hand wraps
Cotton, semi-elastic and gel hand wraps — singles, packs of 2, in 3 or 5 metres
The essentials: hand wraps are the cheapest item in your bag and one of the most important. They bind the metacarpals together, lock the wrist and absorb sweat before it attacks the foam of your gloves. The range covers all three formats: cotton wraps singly or in packs of 2, semi-elastic nylon and cotton wraps for constant support, and gel inner gloves you pull on in seconds. Lengths 3 m or 5 m (roughly 120 or 180 inches). Free standard shipping.
Punching without wraps, even in good gloves, means exposing the thinnest bones in the hand directly. The glove absorbs the shock; the wrap holds the structure — the two do different jobs and one does not replace the other. It is also why a pair of gloves used with wraps lasts far longer: sweat attacks the stitching and the foam from the inside.
Starting out? Our guide to wrapping your hands sets out the technique step by step, and our beginner equipment list tells you what to buy in what order.
🥊 Our hand wraps
Single cotton wrap. The cotton wrap sold singly is our entry point: 3 metres, 5 colours, gentle on the skin and machine washable. A useful reminder — you need one wrap per hand, so order two if you are starting from scratch.
Packs of 2 cotton wraps. The set of 2 with a storage pouch offers the widest choice: 7 colours, and a zipped pouch that keeps the wraps untangled and away from damp kit. For style, the skull wraps and the camouflage wraps carry their design along the full length — the camouflage being the only ones available in 5 metres.
Esprit Boxe semi-elastic wraps. Our black and gold wraps are woven in nylon and cotton. That blend stretches slightly then returns: the wrap follows the contours of the hand and keeps its tension through the whole session, even as the hand swells under effort. Set of 2, woven gold logo.
Gel inner gloves. The gel inner gloves slide on like a mitt: gel padding over the metacarpals, a 69 cm hook-and-loop strap to lock the wrist, one size for hand circumferences of 17 to 24 cm, 6 colours. Seconds instead of a minute per hand.
Accessory. The hook-and-loop converter for lace-up gloves lets you close and open laced gloves on your own, with nobody's help. Sold in pairs.
📊 Which wrap should you choose?
| Model | Material | Contents | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single wrap | Cotton | 1 wrap, 5 colours | 3 m |
| Set of 2 with pouch | Cotton | 2 wraps + pouch, 7 colours | 3 m |
| Esprit Boxe wraps | Nylon and cotton | 2 wraps, black and gold | 3 m |
| Skull | Cotton | 2 printed wraps | 3 m |
| Camouflage | Cotton | 2 wraps, pink or khaki | 3 or 5 m |
| Gel inner gloves | Polyester and gel | 1 pair, 6 colours | 69 cm strap |
📏 3 or 5 metres: which length?
This is the first technical criterion, ahead of colour and ahead of material.
3 metres — about 120 inches, the all-round length. Enough for a classic wrist and metacarpal wrap, suited to most hands. It is the format of most of our models.
5 metres — about 180 inches, room to pass between each finger, double the turns over the metacarpals and multiply the wrist locks. Go for it if you have large hands, if you hit heavy, or for hard sparring.
Our advice: if you hesitate, take the longer one. An over-long wrap is manageable — you spread the surplus over extra turns. A wrap that is too short forces you to sacrifice either the fingers or the wrist.
🧵 Cotton, semi-elastic or gel?
- Cotton: does not stretch. The wrap holds exactly as you laid it, no more and no less — the result depends entirely on your technique. The most economical option and perfectly adequate to start and for occasional practice.
- Semi-elastic (nylon and cotton): the weave stretches slightly under tension and returns to shape. The wrap spreads pressure evenly and keeps its support all session. It is the format that dominates changing rooms today, and the one our house range uses.
- Gel: no longer a wrap but an inner glove you pull on. You lose fine adjustment, you gain considerable time — seconds against a minute per hand. Ideal for bag work and boxing fitness.
The regulars' habit: keep both in the bag. Gel for the sessions you arrive late to and for bag work, classic wraps for sparring, where fine wrist adjustment matters more.
🧼 Care and lifespan
- Machine wash your wraps in a mesh bag, so they do not tangle with the rest of the laundry.
- Air dry only. A tumble dryer tires the elastic fibres and deforms the gel.
- Take them out of the bag after the session: a damp rolled wrap loses its support and starts to smell.
- Replace them once they stretch out, stop holding tension, or the hook-and-loop no longer grips. A wrap that has lost its support no longer protects the wrist, however intact it looks.
📦 The Esprit Boxe way
Ordering with us means dealing with a team that trains: real stock, free standard shipping, fast dispatch and expert advice to match the format to your practice. We supply individuals, clubs and gyms across Europe, the United Kingdom, North America and Australia. Need volume for a club? Write to info@esprit-boxe.com.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Why wear hand wraps under boxing gloves?
Because the glove and the wrap do different jobs. The glove absorbs the shock; the wrap holds the structure — it binds the metacarpals together and locks the wrist. It also absorbs sweat before it reaches the foam, which is why gloves used with wraps last far longer.
What length of hand wrap should I choose?
3 metres (about 120 inches) is the all-round length, enough for a classic wrist and metacarpal wrap. 5 metres (about 180 inches) gives room to pass between each finger, double the turns and multiply the wrist locks — for large hands, heavy hitters and hard sparring. If in doubt, take the longer one.
How many wraps do I need?
One per hand, so two in total. Wraps sold singly cover one hand only: order two if you are starting from scratch, or take a set of 2.
What is the difference between cotton and semi-elastic wraps?
Cotton does not stretch: the wrap holds exactly as laid, and the result depends on your technique. Semi-elastic wraps, woven in nylon and cotton, stretch slightly under tension and return to shape, spreading pressure evenly and keeping their support even as the hand swells.
Are gel inner gloves as good as wraps?
They are quicker and simpler — seconds instead of a minute per hand — and hold the wrist with a 69 cm strap. What you lose is fine adjustment: a wrap can be tightened turn by turn where a gel glove cannot. Many practitioners keep both, gel for bag work and wraps for sparring.
How do I wash boxing hand wraps?
Machine wash in a mesh bag so they do not tangle, then air dry only. A tumble dryer tires the elastic fibres and deforms gel padding. Never leave them rolled up damp in the bag.
When should hand wraps be replaced?
As soon as they stretch out, stop holding their tension, or the hook-and-loop stops gripping. A wrap that has lost its support no longer protects the wrist, even if it looks intact.
How do you wrap your hands for boxing?
Wrap with the thumb out and the hand open: if you tighten with a closed fist, everything constricts the moment you open the hand. Start at the wrist, work up over the knuckles, go between the fingers if the length allows, then come back down to lock the wrist. You should be able to close the fist freely and still feel your fingers — pins and needles mean it is too tight.
Can you put on lace-up gloves by yourself?
Yes, with a lace converter: the strap folds over the lacing, wraps the wrist and closes with hook-and-loop. You keep the support of laces and gain the independence of a strap — the accessory that finally makes laced gloves usable for solo training.
🛒 The Esprit Boxe world
Equipment: boxing gloves, MMA gloves, punching bags, focus mitts and Thai pads, boxing headgear, mouthguards, groin guards and body protection, shin guards, skipping ropes, speed bags, double end bags, reflex balls, boxing shoes and cutman equipment.
Facilities: boxing rings and MMA cages. Clothing: boxing shorts, boxing t-shirts and boxing hoodies. Need a broader view? See our boxing equipment guide.