You can box with just hand wraps as well. Hand wraps are highly recommended for training purposes. The wraps act as a shock absorber and prevent your hand from being callused. They also help provide extra grip to your hand to fit perfectly inside a glove, ensuring precise and effective punching.
Boxing gloves and Hand Wraps are different things even though they complement each other in the sport. Gloves are primarily intended for the prevention of damage to hands while striking. Hand wraps, on the other hand, are meant to provide grip, reduce sweating and distribute the shock from a hit evenly on your hand.
It is important to remember that while it is totally okay to box wearing just hand wraps, in an official capacity, e.g., in official boxing matches conducted by International Boxing Authority, gloves are necessary, one cannot compete without wearing them.
However, in other formats, e.g., training and sparring, hand wraps are highly recommended by professionals. It is also essential to always wear hand wraps under gloves when using boxing gloves.
I used to skip wearing hand wraps under boxing gloves sometimes, but then I realized the importance of using both.
This article compares boxing gloves and hand wraps in the following order:
- Functionality difference
- Protection
- Material difference
- Cost
- Durability
- Usage
Moreover, the article will answer a few common questions such as:
- Can gloves be used without hand wraps?
- Can hand wraps be used instead of gloves?
- Do wraps make you punch harder?
- What can be used instead of hand wraps?
Table of Contents
Boxing Gloves Vs. Handwraps: Detailed Comparison
| Boxing Gloves | Hand Wraps | |
| Functionality | Cushioning for finger joints | Wrist support |
| Protection | Thick padded layer | Thin cloth layer |
| Material | cowhide/synthetic leather | cotton/nylon-polyester |
| Cost | $25-35 | $6.99-9.99 |
| Durability | 2-3 years | 4-5 months |
| Usage | Professional matches | Training, sparring |
Boxing Gloves Vs. Handwraps: Functionality Difference
Boxing gloves are made of padded fabric and have a closure at the wrist. They are designed to protect the hands from injuries, especially when punching or hitting something.
Meanwhile, wraps are designed to give you more grip while punching to land better and more precise blows.
Wraps are not typically designed to protect the hands, but they can help provide wrist support which prevents injuries and keeps your hands aligned. Their primary function is to provide extra grip to the user. Wraps are less protective than boxing gloves and you shouldn’t use wraps to replace boxing gloves.
Handwraps are designed to protect your wrist and gives you more grip when punching.
Boxing Gloves Vs. Handwraps: Protection
Boxing gloves protect the whole hand from injuries that may be inflicted during a match or practice.
Meanwhile, hand wraps stabilize joints and movable bones in the hand. They help distribute shock caused by frequent punching, which may result in dislocation or fractures.
Boxing gloves are a type of protective gear worn in boxing matches. They are made of leather or synthetic materials and cover the hands and fists. When punching or blocking, they help to protect the hands from injuries.
Wraps are a type of protective gear that is worn by boxers, wrestlers, and others who may be in contact with their fists. They are made of cloth, paper, or plastic and typically have Velcro closures to keep them in place. Wraps offer less protection than boxing gloves do but can still help to protect the hands from injuries.
Boxers usually prefer gloves because they provide more protection for the hands, but wraps can also be helpful for certain types of fighters who don’t need as much protection for their hands.
Boxing Gloves Vs. Handwraps: Material Difference
Boxing gloves are made of heavy material (cowhide or synthetic leather with padding) for protection.
Wraps are made of much thinner material (cotton or polyesters), so they do not offer as much protection.
Boxing gloves are typically worn when boxing, while wraps are used more for other types of martial arts. Wraps tend to be less bulky and can be worn under other clothing or even in cold weather without being too warm.
Boxing gloves are the most common type of gloves used in professional boxing. They are made from leather and are usually fitted to the hand.
Boxing wraps are a type of protective wrap that is worn around the hands before a boxing match. They are made from a variety of materials, including cotton, polyester, and vinyl. They come in various sizes and can be fitted to each individual’s hand.
Boxing gloves are made from heavier material and offer more protection. It should not be replaced with handwraps only.
Boxing Gloves Vs. Handwraps: Cost
Boxing gloves usually cost higher than wraps, but they are more durable and offer protection too.
Wraps will usually cost less, but they eventually wear out if they are not replaced. Boxing gloves will only wear out if they get damaged or ripped.
Like all sporting goods, there are different qualities for items available in the market. A beginner would not be expected to purchase specialized professional equipment. A good quality pair of gloves for a beginner-level boxer will cost around $25-35.
On the other hand, Wraps are cheaper, costing approximately $6-10 only. But this low price comes with the catch of having to replace these wraps every five months or so.
Higher costing items from both categories will last you longer as they are usually made from higher quality materials.
Wearing boxing gloves or wraps may affect your ability to punch correctly, so it is essential to choose the right type of glove for your specific activity. It is also recommended to wear wraps under gloves as the extra grip provided aids in better execution of techniques.
Boxing Gloves Vs. Handwraps: Durability
When it comes to boxing gloves, there are a few things that you should take into consideration. The first is durability. An average pair of boxing gloves will last you up to 3 years, while Handwraps will typically last for 4-5 months if taken care of properly.
It goes without saying that higher quality, professional-grade equipment will last you longer. The time durations I have mentioned are for standard grade equipment intended for beginner or intermediate level athletes.
Since gloves are more durable, it is advised to invest in good-quality gloves as a one-time investment.
While hand wraps may not be as durable as boxing gloves, they will still last a while.
Another thing to consider is the fact that hand wraps provide more protection for your hands. They also help to distribute the impact evenly throughout your hands, which can reduce the risk of injuries.
Boxing Gloves Vs. Handwraps: When To Use
Typically, Boxing gloves are used in professional boxing matches. Hand wraps are usually used in other martial arts forms and training and sparring sessions.
Boxing gloves are the most common type of gloves used in boxing. They are made of a heavy, durable fabric and come in various sizes to fit most hand sizes. While they offer protection for the hands, they do not provide much cushioning or support. As a result, they can be quite uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
Hand wraps are a different type of glove that offers more support and cushioning than boxing gloves. They are made from a soft material and come in various sizes to fit most hand sizes.
They provide a layer of padding which provides some level of protection to your hand while ensuring support and mobility. They may get a bit bulky and take some time to get used to.
Can You Use Gloves Without Hand Wraps?
In theory, boxing gloves can be used without hand wraps, but it is recommended and advised by professionals and experts alike to always use hand wraps with gloves.
There are many people who believe that you can use boxing gloves without wraps. However, this is not always the case. You should always use wraps when using boxing gloves. Wraps help protect your hands and wrists, and they can also help prevent injuries.
The gloves are designed to protect the hands from injuries. The wraps help keep the gloves in place by providing extra grip to the user and help distribute the impact of punches. Gloves without wraps can offer less protection for the hands and may increase the risk of injury.
Can You Just Use Wraps Instead Of Boxing Gloves?
You cannot replace boxing gloves with wraps alone, especially bag work and sparring. You risk injury. Wraps are too thin and do not have enough padding to protect your hands from punching force.
There are many people who believe that boxing gloves are unnecessary when using hand wraps. Boxing gloves protect the hands from injuries, and they also provide a sense of stability when punching.
However, some people feel that wraps offer the same protection as boxing gloves with the added benefit of being more comfortable. It is important to decide what type of boxing glove is best for you and then choose a pair of hand wraps that will complement your gloves.
Do Hand Wraps Make You Punch Harder?
Hand wraps can make you punch harder because they provide a much more stable grip. Also, handwraps give you an extra layer of padding – reducing the impact that your fist receives when punching.
Hand wraps are designed to protect the hands from cuts and other injuries while providing extra thick cloth to provide support to your fingers and wrists.
That said, some people argue that hand wraps actually reduce your punching power because they restrict your movement and increase the amount of sweat on your hands. Ultimately, it is up to each boxer to decide whether or not to wear hand wraps.
What Can You Use Instead Of Handwraps?
Several alternatives to conventional handwraps exist like QuickWraps, Inner Gloves, Tape and Gauze, etc. These are better choices than traditional hand wraps if you feel they are too bulky and time-consuming.
Quick wraps or Fast wraps are essentially the same thing as hand wraps, minus the ‘wrapping’ part. They easily slip on the hand, adjust according to size and save you more time to put in your training session. These are recommended for beginners who do not have enough experience working with full-fledged wraps.
Quickwrap
Inner gloves usually have a fingerless design and have just one layer of thick cloth to provide wrist support and protection. Although they provide minimal protection to the hands, they are still considered an alternative to hand wraps as they still do the job.
Inner Gloves
Tape and gauze are very time-consuming, not to be done alone, but an effective method of adding hand protection. Gauze with white tape is wrapped around the hand to give extra padding, enhanced grip, and wrist support. Professionals usually use this method as it is the most effective one.
Tape and gauze
Conclusion
It’s entirely possible for you to box with just hand wraps as they provide grip, hand alignment, wrist support, and protection to some extent. However, it is recommended and advised to use boxing gloves along with Hand wraps as both products complement each other.
In some cases, the items may be used together as a rule e.g., in Official boxing matches, or separately, e.g., in MMA sparring. In the end, the use, whether together or alone depends upon the format of martial arts that you choose to pursue.
