The Best Lifting Straps: 7 Compared (and One to Skip)

RBE top pick

Versa Gripps PRO

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The Versa Gripps PRO wins because the quick-release pad removes the fiddling that makes people leave straps in the gym bag, and because it is the only option here sized against published wrist measurements. The Gymreapers pair is a straightforward padded lasso at a fraction of the price with a lifetime replacement guarantee, and for most lifters it is enough.

Lifting straps exist to stop your grip ending a set before your back does, and there are only three real designs doing it. A lasso wraps the bar and tightens as you pull. A figure eight loops through itself and locks you on. A grip pad sits in the palm and releases instantly. Each one trades away something different: speed, safety, versatility, or the ability to let go. The specs that decide between them are short, and a surprising number of brands do not publish them. We compared seven straps covering all three designs, plus one lasso built onto a Velcro wrist cuff.

RBE top pick

Versa Gripps

PRO

Buy it

A patented grip pad with built-in wrist support that you can release instantly, sized to your wrist rather than sold one-size-fits-all.

Best for: Anyone who trains high-volume pulling work and wants to release the bar instantly between sets.

$$$ · premium

Why we like it

• Four sizes fitted by wrist circumference, from XS at 5 to 6 in (13 to 15 cm) up to XL at 8 in (20 cm) and above.
• The patented quick-release design means no wrapping or unwrapping between sets, which is the reason most people stop using straps.
• Made in the USA, with a proprietary palm piece Versa Gripps describes as custom-engineered and exclusive to them.

Know before buying

• The palm piece material is never actually named on the product page, only described as custom-engineered.
• A Lifetime Warranty badge appears in the site header, while the warranty text asks you to return the item within one year of purchase for a courtesy inspection.
• The published dimensions are a 1.5 in wrist strap and a 6.25 in grip, which do not compare directly with the length of a wrap strap.
• It is by some distance the most expensive option here.

Check price on Amazon Read our detailed assessment ↓

Gymreapers

Lifting Straps

Buy it

An 18 inch padded cotton lasso with a lifetime replacement guarantee, which is the sensible first pair for almost everyone.

Best for: A first pair of straps, and anyone who wants padded lassos without paying for a system.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• Gymreapers publishes the length plainly at 18 inches, which is the number that decides how many wraps you get around the bar.
• Durable cotton with neoprene padding at the wrist, so the strap does not dig in under heavy shrugs or deadlifts.
• Backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee, which is unusually strong at this price.

Know before buying

• Lasso straps have to be wrapped and unwrapped for every set, which is slow compared with a grip pad.
• No width is published, only the length.
• One size only, so people with very small or very large wrists have no adjustment beyond the wrap.
• Cotton absorbs sweat and chalk and stiffens over time, which is normal for the material but worth knowing.

Check price on Amazon Read our detailed assessment ↓

Harbinger

Padded Cotton Lifting Straps

Buy it

A padded cotton lasso with both length and width published, at 21.5 by 1.5 inches, for a budget outlay.

Best for: A lifter who wants a cheap padded lasso with a little more length for thick bars.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• Harbinger publishes both dimensions, a 21.5 inch length and a 1.5 inch width, which most lassos in this group do not.
• The longer strap gives an extra wrap on thick handles and axle bars compared with the 18 inch Gymreapers.
• A NeoTek pad cushions the wrist, and merrowed end tabs and heavy duty stitching are there to stop fraying.

Know before buying

• No warranty or guarantee is stated on the product page, where the Gymreapers pair carries a lifetime replacement guarantee.
• One size only, listed as 21.5 inches, so fit comes entirely from the wrap.
• Like every lasso, it has to be wrapped and unwrapped for each set.
• No country of origin is stated.

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SBD Apparel

Figure 8 Lifting Straps

It depends

Aramid-reinforced figure eights that tighten as the bar loads, which is exactly right for maximal deadlifts and wrong for almost everything else.

Best for: Heavy deadlift and shrug work where being locked on is the whole point.

$$$ · premium

Why we like it

• The patented webbing weaves filament aramid fibre within spun fibres, so the strap has the strength of a synthetic wrap with the feel of a cotton one.
• The figure eight design sits flat against the base of the hand and tightens on the wrist as the weight loads, which means it will not slip.
• Manufactured in Great Britain, with the materials stated plainly as Kevlar fibre and polyester.

Know before buying

• A figure eight locks you to the bar, so you cannot release quickly if a rep goes wrong.
• It is a deadlift and shrug tool, not a general-purpose strap, and it is poor for rows and pull-ups.
• No length or width is published for any of the three sizes.
• No warranty is stated on the product page.

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Schiek

Model 1000PLS Power Lifting Straps

It depends

A short nylon and acrylic strap loop sewn onto a 1/4 inch neoprene Velcro wrist cuff, made in the USA.

Best for: A lifter who wants wrist support and a strap in one piece and does not need long wraps.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• The strap rides on a 1/4 inch neoprene wrist support that closes with Velcro, so wrist padding and strap go on as one piece.
• Schiek states it is made in the USA, one of only three straps here with a stated origin.
• The 11 inch nylon and acrylic strap is short, so there is less loose material to wrap than on an 18 to 24 inch lasso.

Know before buying

• At 11 inches it is less than half the length of the cotton lassos here, so you get fewer wraps on thick bars.
• No width and no warranty are published on the product page.
• One size only; the listing offers colours but no wrist sizes.
• It costs more than the budget lassos without a guarantee to match the Gymreapers pair.

Find it on Amazon Read our detailed assessment ↓

DMoose

24 Inch Lifting Straps

It depends

The longest strap here at 24 inches, with 5 mm neoprene padding and a 1 year equipment warranty badge on the page.

Best for: A lifter working with thick bars or large hands who wants the most wraps from a budget lasso.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• At 24 inches it is the longest published strap in this comparison, so it wraps a thick bar more times than any other.
• DMoose states heavy duty cotton with double stitched seams and 5 mm neoprene wrist padding.
• The product page carries a 1 year equipment warranty badge and a 90 day money back guarantee.

Know before buying

• Six inches longer than the Gymreapers pair, which is more strap to manage on a standard bar between sets.
• No width is published.
• One size, adjustable loop only, with no wrist sizes.
• The spec table lists a silicone grip lining while the colour menu sells separate silicone versions, so check which one you are ordering.

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We'd skip it

Iron Bull Strength

Lifting Straps

Skip it

A perfectly ordinary padded cotton lasso that the maker's own spec table grades at the bottom of its strength scale.

Best for: Someone who wants a long cotton lasso in a specific colour and is not comparing.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• Fully dimensioned at 20 in long and 1.5 in wide, which is more than most brands in this group publish.
• 5 mm neoprene wrist support, and the material is stated plainly as cotton.
• Sold in a wide range of colourways if that matters to you.

Know before buying

• Iron Bull's own specification table rates these Strength Level 1, while rating its own Figure 8 straps Level 4 on the same scale.
• No warranty or guarantee is stated on the product page, where the comparable Gymreapers pair carries a lifetime replacement guarantee.
• At 20 in they are longer than the Gymreapers, which helps on thick bars and is otherwise just more strap to manage.
• Nothing here is done better than the cheaper Gymreapers lasso in this comparison, which is the problem.

See our pick instead See it at Amazon anyway Read our detailed assessment ↓

How we judged the field

Five things decide whether a pair of straps gets used. The first is the design, because lasso, figure eight and grip pad are genuinely different tools and the wrong one sits in the bag. The second is how fast you can get on and off the bar, since the real reason people abandon straps is the wrapping between sets rather than any failure of the strap. The third is fit: wrist circumference varies enormously and most straps are sold one-size, so a brand that offers real sizes is offering something. The fourth is what the strap is made of and how long it is, which decides how many wraps you get and how the material ages. The fifth is what the brand will commit to in writing, because straps are cheap and warranties are where the difference shows.

The field splits cleanly by design. Lassos dominate because they are cheap, versatile and quick enough, and the differences between them come down to length, padding and whether anyone stands behind them. Figure eights are a specialist tool for maximal pulls, built around locking on rather than letting go, and the good ones distinguish themselves by webbing construction. Grip pads are the newest approach and the most expensive, trading a higher price for instant release and wrist support built into the same piece. We took one strap from each design plus four more lassos, one of them built onto a wrist cuff, because the lasso-versus-lasso decision is the one most people actually face.

The Versa Gripps PRO is the only strap here that does not wrap. The palm piece folds over the bar and your hand closes on it, and the patented quick-release means opening your hand is all it takes to get off. That sounds like a small thing until you count how many times you wrap and unwrap in a back session. It is also the only product in this comparison sized against published wrist measurements: four sizes by wrist circumference, from XS at 5 to 6 in (13 to 15 cm) through Small at 6 to 7 in, Regular or Large at 7 to 8 in, and XL at 8 in and above. Versa Gripps states the product is made in the USA and describes the palm piece as custom-engineered and exclusive, which is also the limitation: the material is never named. The published dimensions are a 1.5 in wrist strap and a 6.25 in grip length, which tell you about the pad rather than giving a wrap length to compare. And a Lifetime Warranty badge sits in the site header while the warranty text asks you to send the item back within one year of purchase for a courtesy inspection.

The Gymreapers Lifting Straps are the pair to buy if you have never owned straps. They are 18 inches of durable cotton with neoprene padding at the wrist, which is exactly the specification most lifters need and rarely see printed. The padding is the part that matters on heavy shrugs and rack pulls, where an unpadded strap cuts into the back of the wrist. Gymreapers also backs them with a lifetime replacement guarantee, which at this price is a genuine outlier and worth more than most feature lists. The limitations are the limitations of lassos in general. You wrap for every set and unwrap after it, which is slower than a grip pad. There is one size, so the fit comes entirely from how you wrap. Width is not published, only length. And cotton absorbs sweat and chalk and stiffens over months, which is normal and not a fault. For most people this is the straightforward right answer.

The Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps are the budget lasso that publishes the numbers. Harbinger gives a 21.5 inch length and a 1.5 inch width, describes the extra length as a stronger wrap on the bar and the width as more contact on the grip surface, and adds a NeoTek pad at the wrist with merrowed end tabs and heavy duty stitching against fraying. Against the Gymreapers pair, that is three and a half more inches of strap, which earns its keep on thick handles, axle work and lifters with larger hands, and is simply more strap to manage on a standard bar. The trade is on the paperwork. The product page states no warranty and no country of origin, where Gymreapers backs its pair with a lifetime replacement guarantee. Sizing is one listed length, so fit comes from how you wrap. For a lifter who wants a padded cotton lasso with a known width and a bit more reach, at a budget outlay, it is a sound buy.

The SBD Figure 8 Lifting Straps are a specialist tool executed carefully. The figure eight design sits flat against the base of the hand and tightens on the wrist as the bar loads, so the heavier it gets the more securely it holds, and SBD states this explicitly as the design intent. The webbing is patented and unusual: filament aramid fibre woven within spun fibres, which SBD says delivers more strength than a nylon wrap while keeping the comfort of a cotton one. Materials are given as Kevlar fibre and polyester, manufacture is in Great Britain, and there are three sizes. What you are buying is the inability to let go. On a maximal deadlift or a heavy shrug that is precisely what you want. On a row, a pull-up or anything you might need to bail out of, it is a liability. SBD publishes no length or width for any size and states no warranty on the product page.

The Schiek Model 1000PLS is a different build from the other lassos here. Instead of a strap with a sewn loop and a pad, the strap is attached to a 1/4 inch neoprene wrist support that closes with Velcro, so the cuff goes on first and the strap hangs ready to wrap. Schiek lists the strap as 11 inches of nylon and acrylic and states it is made in the USA. The short length is the trade-off to understand. It means less loose material to wind on and off a standard barbell, and it also means fewer wraps than the 18 inch Gymreapers or the 24 inch DMoose, which matters on thick handles. The cuff adds wrist support the bare loops lack, but it is one size and there are no wrist sizes in the listing. Width and warranty are not published, and it sits a tier above the budget lassos. For a lifter who likes a padded cuff and mostly pulls from a standard bar, it is worth a look.

The DMoose Lifting Straps are a budget cotton lasso whose defining number is length. DMoose publishes a 24 inch strap, the longest in this comparison, alongside heavy duty cotton with double stitched seams, 5 mm neoprene wrist padding and a textured, non slip webbing. More length means more wraps around a thick bar, which helps with axle work and larger hands. It also means six more inches than the Gymreapers to wind on and off every set, which is a real cost if you mostly pull from a standard barbell. The support story is middling: the page carries a 1 year equipment warranty badge and a 90 day money back guarantee, better than the straps that state nothing and well short of a lifetime replacement. The spec table mentions a silicone grip lining while the colour menu sells separate silicone versions, so read the option you pick. It is one size with an adjustable loop and no published width. Buy it if you need the extra length.

The Iron Bull Strength Lifting Straps are a reasonable cotton lasso undermined by the brand’s own spec sheet. They are 20 in long and 1.5 in wide with 5 mm neoprene wrist support, all of which is printed clearly, and that level of dimensioning is better than most of this category manages. The problem is a single line in the same table: Strength, Level 1. Iron Bull grades its own products on this scale, and its Figure 8 straps, listed with the same cotton material on the same style of table, are graded Level 4. Buying the item the maker itself places at the bottom of its own scale is a difficult decision to defend, particularly when the comparable Gymreapers lasso is padded, 18 in, and carries a lifetime replacement guarantee while Iron Bull states no warranty on the page. Nothing here is bad. It is simply beaten at its own price by the Gymreapers lasso in this comparison.

Who should buy which

• High-volume pulling sessions: the Versa Gripps PRO. Instant release and four wrist sizes remove the wrapping that makes people stop using straps.
• First pair of straps: the Gymreapers Lifting Straps. Padded cotton, 18 inches long and backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee, which is unusually strong at a budget price.
• Budget lasso with known dimensions: the Harbinger Padded Cotton Lifting Straps. A published 21.5 by 1.5 inch padded cotton strap at a budget outlay, though no warranty is stated.
• Thick bars and larger hands: the DMoose 24 Inch Lifting Straps. The longest strap here wraps a thick handle more times than any other, with a 1 year warranty badge.
• Wrist support built in: the Schiek Model 1000PLS Power Lifting Straps. A neoprene Velcro cuff with a short 11 inch loop, made in the USA, for lifters who want less strap to wrap.
• Maximal deadlifts and shrugs: the SBD Apparel Figure 8 Lifting Straps. The figure eight tightens as the bar loads, which is right when locking on is the point.

Versa Gripps PRO vs Gymreapers Lifting Straps: which should you buy?

The Versa Gripps PRO and the Gymreapers lassos are the two most people will choose between, and the decision is about friction rather than strength. Both will hold a bar you cannot hold yourself. The difference is that the Versa Gripps comes on and off in a second, is sized to your wrist, and puts wrist support and grip in the same piece. The Gymreapers pair asks you to wrap the bar twice, does the job, and costs a fraction as much with a lifetime replacement guarantee behind it.

The honest test is how many working sets you do. If you strap up for two heavy deadlift sets a week, the wrapping is trivial and the lasso is the obvious buy. If you are doing five sets of rows, four of pulldowns and three of shrugs, the wrap-and-unwrap tax adds up to real time and real irritation, and that is what the Versa Gripps is actually selling. Wrist size is the tiebreaker: if yours falls at either end of the range, being able to buy an XS or an XL is worth paying for, because a one-size lasso on a small wrist never sits quite right.

What to look for

• Pick the design before the brand: lasso for versatility, figure eight for maximal pulls where locking on is the point, grip pad for speed between sets.
• Check whether a length is published: it decides how many wraps you get around the bar, and one of the seven straps here does not state one.
• Look for padding at the wrist: an unpadded strap is fine for deadlifts and unpleasant for high-rep shrugs and rack pulls.
• Prefer a brand that offers real sizes: wrist circumference varies a lot, and almost all straps are sold one-size, so sizing is a genuine differentiator.
• Never use figure eights for anything you might bail out of: they are designed to tighten under load and do not release quickly.
• Read the warranty text, not the badge: one brand here shows a lifetime badge while its written policy asks for returns within a year of purchase.

Our final take

Straps are a cheap fix for a common problem, and the main mistake is buying the wrong design rather than the wrong brand. The Versa Gripps PRO is the pick if you do a lot of pulling volume, because the instant release and the four wrist sizes solve the two things that make people stop using straps. The Gymreapers lassos are the sensible default and the best value in the group, padded, 18 inches, with a lifetime replacement guarantee. SBD’s figure eights are excellent at one job and dangerous outside it. The Iron Bull pair is the skip, not because it is bad, but because the maker’s own table grades it Level 1 and the cheaper alternative here is better supported.

Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Versa Gripps PRO vs Gymreapers Lifting Straps.

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