Wristbands, wrist wraps and bands have been around for a while and it seems like they are only becoming more popular. They can be used to promote or encourage causes that you are passionate about, as well as give you the support you need when you need it. There is no one size fits all when it comes to wrist bands. Different colors, shapes and sizes can make wearing them more fun, or less fun, depending on your preferences. Here are some things to consider when choosing wrist bands or wrist wraps.
The first thing to think about is whether to use a silicone rubber band, a stretchy fabric, or a solid color. Silicone rubber wrist wraps are inexpensive and easy to replace, but they do not stay in place very well. They also wear out after some time, leaving your wrist exposed and exposing you to infections and rubbing against keys and other sharp items. Fabric wrist wraps are comfortable to wear, but they can be difficult to keep in place due to rubbing. They are usually quite affordable, however. And if you really want to keep your thumb loop tucked safely away, you can use safety pins to keep it in place.
Next, think about what you are going to do with your wrist wraps. Will you just be wearing them around your wrist, or will you be wanting to wear them around your thumb, middle and index fingers? If you plan on wearing them around your wrist, you need to make sure that you choose a band with a long enough thumb loop that will allow you to comfortably pull the band through your thumb, without it being too tight. Thumb rings should be three widths wide, or wider if you are a sports fan and want to show off your digits. If you plan on using them around your thumb, you will probably need to get larger thumb rings. Band width will also vary based on what you are planning on doing with the band – wearing it around your thumb will not require the same band width as if you were going to use it as a stud earring, for example.
The proper wrist wrap length depends on what you plan to be using your bands for. If you plan on strapping up your thumbs, you will need to make sure that your band is at least three inches longer than your wrist. To provide support, you will want your band to be at least four inches wide. To ensure the smallest amount of discomfort when wearing your bands, you will want them to be between one and two inches wide. Wearing a wrist wrap on your non-dominant hand is a good way to ensure that you do not inadvertently leave your dominant hand out of a band. It is important to keep your thumb and middle fingers inside of the band.
If you intend on strapping up your thumb, there are a few more important features that you should look for in the best wrist wraps. Most wrist wraps will have padding in key areas, like the shaft of the band, to prevent the band from slipping around your thumb when you are wearing it. Some wraps will also have additional padding over the tips of the fingers so that they will provide a little bit more grip.
One last thing to look for is if the wrap closes with a click or if you have to turn it over to close. I find that the newer ones that close with a click often don’t close all the way. In order to keep your thumbs in the band and provide proper support, the click-closing system works very well. There is one thing to note about this system though: you must turn the wrist wrap over to close it, or your thumbs will slip out of the wrap. If you cannot find one that close with a click, you might consider buying one with a thumb loop instead, and then just turn the wrap over to close it.
