Hand wraps are long strips of cotton or a cotton and elastic blend, wound around the palm, knuckles, thumb and wrist before putting on boxing gloves or MMA gloves. Their main purpose is to stabilise the many small bones of the hand and support the wrist joint against the repeated impact of punching.
A wrap is not simply padding, its main value comes from compression and joint support, keeping the wrist aligned so force travels safely through the arm rather than bending the wrist on contact. Wraps typically come in lengths around 2.5 to 5.5 metres, with longer wraps giving more coverage and support for harder training, and shorter ones suiting lighter sessions or smaller hands.
Wrapping technique affects how well a wrap works, since gaps or uneven tension reduce the support it gives, and a poorly wrapped hand can move inside the glove during a session. Many gyms teach a standard wrapping method to beginners for this reason, and washing wraps regularly keeps them from losing their stretch. See our boxing gloves sizing guide for how wraps and glove fit work together.
