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 – and can even fit inside your gym shoes.
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
- DMoose Lifting Straps ($17 / £9.99)
- No Conformity Lifting Straps ($44 – not yet available in the UK)
- Schiek 1000 LLS Leather Lifting Straps ($21.95 / £26)
- Gymreapers Lifting Straps ($16.99 / £14)
- JerkFit Death Grips ($39.95 / £44.95)
- Rogue Ohio Lifting Straps ($15 / £23.04)
1. DMoose Lifting Straps
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| Material: | 100% cotton |
| Length: | 24in / 61cm |
| Padding: | 4mm |
| Colours: | 9 colours available |
Grip: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
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 colour variations – including our favourite, the stars and stripes.
Read our full DMoose Lifting Straps review
2. No Conformity Lifting Straps
| Materials: | Nylon / neoprene / synthetic suede |
| Length: | 20in / 50.8cm |
| Padding: | Yes |
| Colours: | Black, army green |
Grip: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
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
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| Material: | Leather |
| Dimensions: | 21 x 1.5in / 53.3 x 3.8cm |
| Padding: | None |
| Colours: | Black, tan |
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
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
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| Material: | Cotton, neoprene |
| Length: | 18in / 45.7cm |
| Padding: | Yes |
| Colours: | 9 colours available |
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
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
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| Materials: | PVC, neoprene |
| Sizes: | S, M, L |
| Padding: | Yes |
| Colour: | Black |
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
The JerkFit Death Grips are more of a lifting glove than a lifting strap, but they do the job just as well. They are 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
| Material: | 100% cotton |
| Dimensions: | 20 x 1.5in / 50.8 x 3.8cm |
| Padding: | None |
| Colour: | Black |
Grip: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
These straps are a redesign of Rogue Fitnesss Ohio straps and are an improvement on a classic. Made from 100% cotton, the 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 are 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 12-18 inches long, and some may 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.
