There is a lot of confusion among the CrossFit community about this issue, and choosing a pair of grips –especially if it is the first time– is a defining moment in the life of every athlete.
The best grip to choose depends largely on the person who is going to use it. The different factors to bear in mind in order to make the right choice are:
- Body weight
- Training level
The combination of both factors will result in a grip that adapts to your needs, lasts over time, and is comfortable for training.
What are grips and what are they for?
Grips are an accessory for protecting the hands in Cross Training. They are mainly used to prevent the appearance of calluses and injuries in gymnastic exercises where friction is intense.
Grips cover the palm of the hand and are attached to the wrist, adapting to each person and providing support and protection. They are usually attached to the hand by placing two or three fingers through the holes, although some grips have no holes. The aim of both models is the same: to protect the athlete's hands. We will look at the differences later.
If you want to learn more about the types of hand grips, how to wash them, and how to use them, you can read our post Cross Training Grips: what are they, what are they for, how to choose them and how to use them.
Type of Grips
Raven Grips
These are the thinnest grips, with a thickness of only 1 mm. As they are so thin, they are not recommended for people with a high body weight and training level, as they would undergo a lot of stress and wear out quickly, eventually breaking.
They are made of synthetic leather, like all of our grips. With these, grips you will feel full contact with the bar and you won’t lose your hold. They are perfect for pull-ups and calisthenics.
Rx grips are one of our users' favorite options. They are 1.8 mm thick, which makes them strong and durable. They are made of carbon fiber and have a spectacular hold.
Thanks to their material and medium thickness, they are very versatile grips and are recommended for the vast majority of people. These are the perfect grips for the long-time cross trainer looking for an affordable yet durable option.
Falcon Grips
Falcon grips are from the same family as the previous grips. The difference is that their 2 mm thickness makes them the strongest grips on the market. They are recommended for people with a very high training volume and body weight. Thanks to their thickness, they are preferred by many athletes.
Super tough, maximum durability, and now with a 0.08 mm inner layer to give you a softer feel and less palm friction.
Azor Grips
Azor grips are Picsil's grips par excellence. They are the favorites for athletes such as Fabi Beneito. These grips are 1.8 mm thick and have a soft interior to protect your hands. Their level of protection and durability is high, making them the best value for money of our entire range.
They are aimed at the most demanding users with a very high degree of training, one might even say professional.
Eagle Grips
Eagle grips are thin, soft, resistant, and have a spectacular grip thanks to Micro Diamond technology. They have a thickness of 1.1 mm, so they are not suitable for users with a very high body weight.
They also have the added bonus that the fabric helps the magnesium to hold better for a stronger grip.
Golden Eagle Grips
Golden Eagle grips are the improved version of the grips mentioned above. They are the only grips with no holes to date. They are 1.8 mm thick and feature an improved 'Micro Diamond' fabric that will give you a better hold. The wrist has also been improved: it is now thicker for increased protection and comfort.
They are the perfect grips for a competition thanks to their lightness, hold, and speed in transitions.
They are not suitable for people with a high body weight, as the fabric is more fragile than other grips and the 'Micro Diamond' technology could deteriorate quickly, exposing the protective layer.
Grips with holes or no holes?
Grips with holes
Grips with holes usually have 2 or 3 holes through which the fingers are inserted. As a general rule, people with larger hands will prefer a 3-hole grip and those with smaller hands will be more comfortable with a 2-hole grip. But, like everything else, everybody’s preference will be different and that is also true when it comes to grips.
Advantages of grips with holes:
- You can choose whether to use the finger holes or not. This way, it’s like a 2in1. Some exercises require more contact, such as ring exercises, and so it is more advisable to use grips with holes – especially if you are a beginner.
- You can make a fold. By inserting your fingers, you can make a fold right where calluses usually form.
Grips without holes
In grips with no holes, the fingers are free and there is no contact between the bar and the palm of the hand. Our version of the no-holes grip is the Golden Eagle Grip. This is a grip designed for the most demanding athletes. The surface of the palm is larger to offer greater protection, as is the wristband, which is thicker for greater support and comfort.
Advantages of grips with no holes:
- Faster transitions. By not having your fingers in the holes, the transitions between exercises are quicker.
- The palm and wrist surfaces are wider, and the latter in particular is more reinforced for better support, protection, and comfort.
Of course, there is no single, all-purpose grip, but we hope that this guide will help you make the best decision for you. If you have any questions, you can take a look at the following comparison table of the different models available.
