Genghis Fitness · Equipment and CrossFit Training

CrossFit Lifting Grips Reviews: How to Evaluate Quality, Carbon Fibre vs Leather vs Rubber, Palm Coverage, and Choosing the Right Grip for WODs

Updated 2026  |  By Team Genghis Fitness  |  22 min read

CrossFit lifting grips differ meaningfully from standard gym lifting grips in their design priorities. CrossFit workouts involve rapid transitions between bar gymnastics (pull-ups, toes-to-bar, muscle-ups) and barbell work (deadlifts, cleans, snatches), requiring grips that protect the palms from bar abrasion during sustained high-rep work while allowing sufficient bar feel for technique-sensitive barbell movements. The combination of these requirements produces a grip design that neither standard gloves nor lifting hooks address well, explaining why CrossFit-specific grip products have become a distinct equipment category. This guide covers how to evaluate CrossFit grip quality, the material comparison between carbon fibre, leather, and rubber grip options, and how to match grip selection to the specific demands of different WOD formats.

What CrossFit Grips Need to Do

CrossFit grips must simultaneously protect the palm against bar abrasion during high-rep pull-ups and bar work, allow sufficient tactile feedback for barbell Olympic lifting technique, fit securely without slipping during fast transitions between exercises, be thin enough to avoid significantly altering the gripping diameter of pull-up bars and barbell handles, and be durable enough to survive the chalk, sweat, and physical stress of regular CrossFit training. This combination of requirements creates a design challenge that single-purpose lifting gloves (too bulky, reduce bar feel) and standard lifting hooks (too rigid, prevent quick release) cannot meet. Research on grip assistance tools in functional fitness contexts published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research supports the functional advantage of purpose-designed grip tools over adapted general gym accessories for high-rep bar work.

Carbon Fibre Grips: The Performance Option

Carbon fibre CrossFit grips use a thin, rigid carbon fibre palm pad that hooks over the bar, providing palm protection and a secure bar connection without the bulk of traditional gloves. The carbon fibre material is extremely thin (1 to 2 mm typically), preserving bar feel better than thicker materials while providing superior abrasion resistance compared to leather or rubber. Carbon fibre grips are favoured by competitive CrossFit athletes who prioritise bar feel for Olympic lifting while wanting palm protection for gymnastics work. The primary limitations are higher cost compared to leather or rubber alternatives, and the slightly less comfortable wrist strap connection of some designs. The complete evaluation framework for CrossFit grips, including the carbon fibre options, is covered in our best CrossFit lifting grips guide.

Leather Grips: The Durable All-Round Option

Leather CrossFit grips use a thin leather palm pad that provides palm protection and some bar friction enhancement. Leather grips have been the standard in gymnastics and CrossFit for decades because leather is durable, provides predictable friction against bars regardless of chalk and sweat conditions, and breaks in to conform to the hand shape over time. Quality leather grips use 2 to 3 mm veg-tanned leather that maintains its shape under load without being so thick as to significantly alter bar diameter feel. The main drawback compared to carbon fibre is the break-in period required before the leather is fully comfortable and pliable. For athletes who prefer a traditional, proven grip material with the best long-term durability, leather remains the most reliable choice for regular CrossFit use.

Rubber and Silicone Grips: The Comfort Option

Rubber and silicone grip pads provide the most padding and comfort of the three material options but at the cost of bar feel sensitivity and, in some products, durability under sustained heavy use. They are the best choice for athletes whose primary concern is hand protection and comfort during high-rep gymnastics work, and who do not need the precision bar feel that carbon fibre or leather provide for Olympic lifting. Rubber grips typically feel softer from the first use without any break-in period. The limitation is that rubber degrades faster than leather or carbon fibre under the chalk and sweat conditions of CrossFit training, and some rubber grips become tacky or develop surface degradation that reduces their lifespan below what leather or carbon fibre achieve. The complete CrossFit grip comparison including specific product features is in our CrossFit grips comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Size CrossFit Lifting Grips?

CrossFit grip sizing is determined by hand length (the distance from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger) and the number of fingers the grip covers. Most CrossFit grips cover either 2 fingers (index and middle) or 3 fingers (index, middle, and ring), with the 3-finger design providing more coverage for athletes with larger hands or who prefer more palm coverage during gymnastics work. The grip hole size should allow the fingers to be inserted to the second knuckle without discomfort, which is where most grips sit during use. If in doubt about sizing, most grip manufacturers provide hand measurement guides; measuring hand length and selecting accordingly is more reliable than estimating from general size categories.

How Often Should CrossFit Grips Be Replaced?

Leather CrossFit grips used regularly (4 to 5 sessions per week of bar work) typically last 6 to 12 months before the leather thins at the bar contact area to the point of reduced palm protection. Carbon fibre grips last longer (12 to 24 months or more) because the carbon fibre material is more resistant to abrasion wear than leather. Rubber and silicone grips vary widely by specific product quality; inspect the bar contact area monthly for thinning or surface degradation. Replace grips when the palm protection function is noticeably reduced, not only when the grip completely fails.