Best CrossFit Grips for Bar Work

What Are CrossFit Grips?

CrossFit grips are hand guards that wrap around your fingers and wrist to protect your palms during high-rep bar work. They sit between your skin and the pull-up bar, reducing friction that causes blisters and tears. Most grips are made from leather, synthetic materials, or carbon fibre, and they come in two-hole or three-hole designs depending on how much coverage you want.

If you’ve ever ripped your hands during a set of 50 pull-ups, you know exactly why these exist. A torn callus doesn’t just hurt — it can put you out of training for a week.

Who Needs Them?

Any CrossFit athlete doing regular bar work should own a pair of grips. They become essential once you’re doing high-rep pull-ups, toes-to-bar, chest-to-bar, or muscle-ups. Competition athletes consider them mandatory kit.

Beginners can start without grips to build initial calluses, but once you’re consistently hitting 15+ reps on the bar, your hands will thank you for making the switch.

What to Look For

Material is the biggest decision. Leather grips are the traditional choice — they mould to your hand over time and feel natural on the bar. Carbon fibre grips are thinner, require no break-in period, and offer excellent grip when chalked. Most competitive athletes now prefer carbon fibre.

Hole count affects coverage. Two-hole grips cover less palm but allow more feel on the bar. Three-hole grips provide maximum protection and are better for high-volume work.

Wrist closure should be secure but quick to get on and off. Velcro is standard. Some brands use a dowel system that adds wrist support.

Thickness matters — thinner grips give you better bar feel, but thicker ones last longer and protect more.

Top Picks

Bear KompleX — A hugely popular choice with both carbon fibre and leather options. Their three-hole carbon grips are a go-to for competitive athletes. Good wrist strap and consistent quality.

Victory Grips — Known for their Stealth and Tactical lines. The Freedom three-finger grip is excellent for muscle-ups. Slightly pricier but the fit is outstanding.

Picsil — A European brand that’s become a favourite on the competition scene. Their Azor grips are ultra-thin carbon fibre that feel like a second skin. Excellent value for the quality.

Where to Buy

• Bear KompleX Grips
• Victory Grips
• Picsil Grips

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.