Don’t let a lack grip hold you back from lifting the weights you’re capable of. With the best lifting straps you’ll have all the support you need.
The best lifting straps can be a highly effective accessory for strength training. Lifting straps are wrapped around the wrist, with the other end wrapped around a barbell, handle of a dumbbell or a machine handle. They allow you to train larger muscle groups with heavier weights because you won’t be limited by a potential lack of grip strength. They won’t take up much space in your gym bag, either.
If you want to work on your grip strength and train muscles effectively, use your natural grip for warm-up sets. Save the straps for the heaviest weight that you feel may require straps for support. Straps should only be used when your grip is hampering your ability to progress in a certain lift – usually barbell exercises like deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts and bent-over rows.
A good lifting strap will be comfortable, durable and simple to use. The six straps on this list meet all those criteria. If you try any of these straps for yourself, you can be confident they’ll serve your training needs for a long time to come.
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These are the best lifting straps
The DMoose lifting straps emerged as our top choice, thanks to their plush padding and solid breathability. We also found their extra length to be particularly useful in the battle for more grip.
Other recommendations
Schiek 1000 LLS Leather Lifting Straps are, as you can guess, made of leather. That’s quite rare for a lifting strap, and means that they’ll be both durable and easier to clean over time. That longevity does come at a cost though.
Gymreaper lifting straps punch above their weight where price is concerned. Albeit not quite as good as the top purchases on this list, these will still do the job well if you’re working with a stricter budget.
JerkFit Death Grips are technically lifting gloves rather than lifting straps, so if you prefer the fit of a glove, these are a grip device that would be well worth considering.
1. DMoose Lifting Straps
Men’s Fitness verdict
DMoose gets all the basics right: its straps are nice and long, robust and excellent value. As long as you don’t have very small hands, these would make an ideal pair of straps for new lifters.- Good length at 2ft / 61cm
- Several colors to choose from
- Cross-stitched for reinforcement
- Excellent value
- May be too thick for lifter with small hands
- Extra care needed when cleaning
| Material: | 100% cotton |
| Length: | 24in / 61cm |
| Padding: | 4mm |
| Colors: | 9 colors available |
At 24in / 61cm, DMoose makes some of the longest straps around. They have a plush 4mm of padding too, for when you need that extra comfort on big lifts. Made from breathable cotton, they won’t get slick when you sweat, either. For those that like to make a statement, these straps come in nine color variations – including our favorite, the stars and stripes.
- Read our full DMoose Lifting Straps review
2. No Conformity Lifting Straps
Men’s Fitness verdict
If comfort and reliability are priorities when lifting heavy (and why wouldn’t they be?), these reinforced No Conformity straps should be on your wish list.- Nylon reinforced
- Unique look
- Strap goes through the loop easily
- Just two colors
- Uneven padding
| Materials: | Nylon / neoprene / synthetic suede |
| Length: | 20in / 50.8cm |
| Padding: | Yes |
| Colors: | Black, army green |
With extra nylon reinforcements around the stress points, you can be sure these straps from No Conformity – or NoCo – won’t give out on you. Reinforced edges mean they won’t fray any time soon either. If comfort is your priority, they have you covered there too, with suede wrist padding that feels soft against the skin.
- Read our full No Conformity Lifting Straps review
3. Schiek 1000 LLS Leather Lifting Straps
Men’s Fitness verdict
We like these premium leather lifting straps and anre big fans of Schiek’s no-quibble replacement policy. They can get a bit slippery though.- Leather construction
- Easy to clean
- Great customer service
- No wrist padding
- Can get slick when sweaty
| Material: | Leather |
| Dimensions: | 21 x 1.5in / 53.3 x 3.8cm |
| Padding: | None |
| Colors: | Black, tan |
Schiek’s 1000 LLS are one of just a few lifting straps made of real leather. It’s a touch of luxury that translates into dependable strength and comfort in the gym. It doesn’t make these straps particularly pricey, ether, but it does make them easy to clean. Dependable customer service means you’re guaranteed a replacement should a strap eventually break.
- Read our full Schiek 1000 LLS Leather Lifting Straps review
4. Gymreapers Lifting Straps
Men’s Fitness verdict
They may be on the short side but these Gymreapers straps are both inexpensive and affordable – and impressively are backed up by a lifetime guarantee.- Lifetime replacement guarantee
- Neoprene enhances comfort
- Several bold color schemes
- Minimal padding
- Quite short at 18in / 45.7cm
| Material: | Cotton, neoprene |
| Length: | 18in / 45.7cm |
| Padding: | Yes |
| Colors: | 9 colors available |
Gymreaper’s padded lifting straps feel much more premium than their low price suggests. Neoprene padding means they can be used for any handle, regardless of knurling. There are nine different color schemes available, and although they are shorter than most, they can still be secured to any handle with ease. A lifetime guarantee is an added bonus.
- Read our full Gymreapers Lifting Straps review
5. JerkFit Death Grips
Men’s Fitness verdict
The Death Grips are a different style of lifting strap – in fact they’re more like a glove. But they’re well suited to most types of lifting, particularly resistance machines.- Extra palm protection
- Comes in three sizes
- Easy to take off
- Could do with an XL size
- Fairly expensive
| Materials: | PVC, neoprene |
| Sizes: | S, M, L |
| Padding: | Yes |
| Color: | Black |
The JerkFit Death Grips are more of a lifting glove than a lifting strap, but they do the job just as well. They’re made from PVC with neoprene padding, giving you decent grip and comfort in equal measure. They come in three sizes, too, so are suitable for lifters with wrists as large as 8in / 20cm.
- Read our full JerkFit Death Grips review
6. Rogue Ohio Straps
Men’s Fitness verdict
These are another good choice for new lifters: they’re affordable yet robust and comfy despite the lack of padding. Nylon and cotton versions are a bonus too.- Affordable
- Reinforced cotton stitching
- Soft on wrists, no padding needed
- Nylon and cotton version
- Only one color
- Loop is small for the strap
| Material: | 100% cotton |
| Dimensions: | 20 x 1.5in / 50.8 x 3.8cm |
| Padding: | None |
| Color: | Black |
These straps are a redesign of Rogue Fitness’s Ohio straps and are an improvement on a classic. Made from 100% cotton, the straps are breathable enough to avoid getting slippery during sweaty sessions. Their webbed design is comfortable enough to negate the need for padding too. There’s also a nylon version if you prefer.
- Read our full Rogue Ohio Lifting Straps review
What are lifting straps made of?
Lifting straps are usually made of cotton, nylon or leather, and they’re applied on pulling movements such as the deadlift, bent-over rows, pull-ups and even shrugs.
Some lifters also used them for biceps curls – though we’d recommend saving them for your heaviest lifts. Most lifting straps are 12in-18in / 30.5cm-45.7cm long, and some have padding on the wrist portion for extra comfort.
Follow instructions on how to wash or care for the straps so they last you as long as possible. Many straps require hand washing, so you can clean them gently without damaging them.
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