Guide · Hand Wraps
Hand Wraps for Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA: What Changes From Boxing
For kickboxing and Muay Thai, almost nothing changes — the same 180-inch wrap, the same pattern, under the same kind of glove. For MMA gloves the wrap has to leave the palm and fingers free, so the pattern shortens. Here is the difference, and the wraps that suit each.
Written by Mike M. · Owner, Iron Mako Media
Published
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Part of the Hand Wraps hub.
Kickboxing and Muay Thai: nothing changes
You punch with the same fist, in a glove of the same weight, so the wrap does the same job. Use the standard eight-step pattern with 180-inch elastic wraps. The one practical difference: Thai-style gloves have a more open palm and a shorter cuff (see kickboxing gloves), so a bulky wrap at the wrist can push past the cuff. If that happens, do one fewer wrist turn at the end, not one fewer at the start — the starting turns are the anchor. Clinch work loads the wrist in ways bag work does not; keep every wrist turn.
MMA gloves: the pattern shortens
MMA gloves are 4 to 7 oz with open fingers and an open palm, because you grapple in them. A full boxing wrap fills the palm, makes a fist hard to close, and stops you gripping. The MMA wrap keeps the wrist support and the knuckle padding and drops the rest:
| Step | Boxing wrap | MMA wrap |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist turns to start | 3–4 | 2–3 |
| Knuckle passes | 2–3 (plus 1–2 at the end) | 2, kept below the knuckle line |
| Finger passes | One per gap | None — or one, loosely |
| Thumb | One turn | One turn |
| Palm | Crossed by every pass | Kept as clear as possible; keep passes to the back of the hand |
| Wrist turns to finish | 2–3 | 2 |
| Length | 180 in | 120 in, or a 180 with the slack used at the wrist |
Many MMA gyms skip cloth wraps for pad and bag work in MMA gloves and use a thin gel inner glove instead — the knuckle pad and wrist strap without any fabric in the palm. That is the honest use case for quick wraps; the quick-wrap roundup ranks them.
Which length
180 inches for anything done in a boxing or Thai glove. 120 inches for the MMA pattern, or for a small hand — see 180 vs 120. Cotton versus elastic is preference; elastic is easier for a beginner in every discipline.
Kicking does not change the hands — but it changes the session
Kickboxing and Muay Thai sessions mix punches with kicks, knees and clinch. Your hands spend time wrapped and gloved while your shins do the work, which means sweat sits in the wrap longer. Own two pairs and dry them. And the wrap does nothing for your shins: for bag kicks and any sparring you need shin guards, covered on kickboxing equipment for home.
Picks
Wraps for each case
Two 180-inch elastic wraps that cover boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai, and a quick gel wrap that works as a thin under-wrap for MMA gloves.
Key specs
- Length
- 4.5 m (180 in)
- Fabric
- Cotton blend + nylon, elastic
- Closure
- Thumb loop, Quick-EZ hook-and-loop
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Support & elasticity
- 8
- Length options
- 6
- Thumb loop & closure
- 8
- Wash durability
- 8
- Value
- 9
Pick 01 · Hand wraps
RDX RB 4.5 m Elasticated Hand Wraps
RDX Sports
Cotton-nylon 4.5 m (180 in) wraps with flat-locked seams and a Quick-EZ closure — the stretchiest budget wrap.
Best for
Anyone who wants maximum stretch and a secure thumb loop
Pros
- Cotton-nylon stretch conforms to the hand; RDX calls out a non-slip weave
- Flat-locked seams
- Machine washable
Cons
- RDX's copy is heavy on marketing words; the product is a standard elastic wrap
- 180 in only
Specs from RDX Sports — RB Elasticated Hand Wraps (specs).
Key specs
- Length
- 180 in (4.5 m)
- Fabric
- Stretch cotton-polyester blend
- Closure
- Hook-and-loop, wide-mouth thumb loop
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Support & elasticity
- 9
- Length options
- 7
- Thumb loop & closure
- 9
- Wash durability
- 8
- Value
- 9
Pick 02 · Hand wraps
Everlast Elite Hand Wraps (180 in)
Everlast
The default adult wrap: 180 inches of stretchy cotton-poly, a wide-mouth thumb loop, hook-and-loop, machine washable.
Best for
Every adult's first wraps
Pros
- 180 in covers Mexican-style wrapping with knuckle padding for adult hands
- Wide-mouth thumb loop is easier to start than a narrow one
- Machine washable — you will wash these every week
Cons
- Only 180 in; buy the Core 120 in for small hands or kids
- Stretch wraps loosen slightly as they age
Specs from Everlast — Elite Hand Wraps 180 in (specs).
Key specs
- Sizes
- S · M · L · XL
- Knuckle
- PU foam + PVC gel
- Wrist wrap
- 36 in, 50/50 cotton-nylon
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Support & elasticity
- 8
- Length options
- 7
- Thumb loop & closure
- 9
- Wash durability
- 7
- Value
- 5
Pick 03 · Hand wraps
Hayabusa Quick Gel Hand Wraps
Hayabusa
A slip-on glove with hybrid gel/foam knuckles and a 36 in Mexican-style wrist wrap.
Best for
The most secure wrist among the slip-on quick wraps
Pros
- A real 36 in stretch wrist wrap, not a short strap
- Over-lock stitching
- Machine wash cold, dryer safe
Cons
- Costs more than two pairs of cloth wraps
- Bulkier under a glove than cloth
Specs from Hayabusa — Quick Gel Hand Wraps (specs).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you wrap hands the same for kickboxing as boxing?
Yes — same 180-inch wrap, same pattern, under the same kind of glove. Do one fewer finishing wrist turn if the wrap pushes past a short Thai cuff.
Do you wrap hands for Muay Thai?
Yes. Thai gyms wrap the same way as boxing gyms. Keep every wrist turn for clinch work.
How do you wrap hands for MMA gloves?
Keep the wrist turns and two knuckle passes, skip the finger passes, and keep the palm clear so you can grip. 120 inches is enough. A thin gel inner glove is the common alternative.
Can you use boxing hand wraps for MMA?
The same wraps, yes — a shorter pattern. A full boxing wrap fills the palm and stops you gripping in an MMA glove.
Next in your kit
Best hand wraps for boxing →Keep reading
Related guides
- How to wrap your hands →
The base pattern.
- Best kickboxing gloves →
What the wrap goes under.
- Kickboxing equipment for home →
Shin guards and the rest.
- Best quick wraps and gel wraps →
The MMA-glove alternative.
- Boxing vs kickboxing at home →
Which to pick for a home setup.
Sources
- —RDX Sports — RB Elasticated Hand Wraps (specs) · rdxsports.com
- —Everlast — Elite Hand Wraps 180 in (specs) · everlast.com
- —Hayabusa — Quick Gel Hand Wraps (specs) · hayabusafight.com