Buying Guide: Best Leather Grips for CrossFit

In light of the CrossFit Games 2025 rulebook update, which prohibits the use of rubber-based grips during competitions, athletes should have the best alternative options in leather to maintain optimal performance and safety. While this ban directly affects elite competitors, it makes sense for everyday CrossFitters to transition to leather grips to align with the evolving standards and to become accustomed to the feel and performance of leather during workouts.

CrossFit athletes now have more hand grip options than ever before. Some prefer two-finger designs, while others swear by three-finger versions. This article gets into five of the best leather grips for CrossFit. We’ll look at what makes them tough, how well they protect your hands, and whether they’re worth your money. This will help you pick the perfect grips for your training style.

Bear KompleX Leather Hand Grips

Bear KompleX leather hand grips stand out as the best grips for CrossFit with their premium construction and attention to detail. These grips are made from genuine leather and feature a patented design that balances durability and comfort.

The unique design has durable triple stitching that delivers stability and longevity. The custom wrist strap setup prevents digging into the wrist, which solves a common issue with many CrossFit hand grips. You can choose between two-hole and three-hole variations, designed to fit different grip priorities and hand sizes.

The leather material molds to the bar over time, which improves grip security and reduces slippage during intense workouts. The quality leather construction works well with different bar types, including the challenging Speal bar.

The grips have reinforced design under the buckle to increase comfort during long training sessions. Especially good for athletes who do high-volume gymnastics movements in their CrossFit routines.

Victory Grips Premium Leather

Victory Grips has been an innovator in CrossFit hand protection since 2015. Former gymnast Victor Pellegrino designed these premium leather grips.

The leather is 2.2mm thick on average, which gives you maximum grip and lets you feel the bar. The design features a curvilinear palm shape that allows natural hand movement and protects you during false grip movements.

The three-finger design keeps your index finger free, which helps with Olympic lifting movements. These grips prevent your hands from moving during high-rep gymnastics work and reduce tears and blisters.

These leather grips sit in the premium segment of CrossFit hand protection. Their durability and performance make them worth the investment. You should clean the leather with mild soap and water after use. Don’t machine wash them – this helps maintain their quality.

RooGrips Kangaroo Leather

Australian innovation meets CrossFit performance in RooGrips’ unique approach to hand protection. These grips employ premium kangaroo leather that sets them apart in the competitive CrossFit gear market.

RooGrips stand out with their specialized kangaroo leather construction, which is ten times stronger than traditional bovine leather. The leather goes through treatment with a proprietary oil blend that creates a waterproof and resilient surface.

Athletes maintain superior control during movements thanks to the slim profile design. The grips work like a flexible second skin that prevents cuts and abrasions during high-intensity training.

Moisture-resistant properties give these grips exceptional durability. They perform well even in challenging conditions like high-humidity environments or intense training sessions.

An adjustable hook-and-loop wrist closure system gives you a secure fit. The leather might feel snug at first but adapts to your hand’s shape over time, creating a tailored fit.

The oil-treated leather needs minimal maintenance and keeps its properties through regular use.

JerkFit Raw Leather CrossFit Grips

JerkFit Raw Grips 3.0 combines precision engineering with minimalist design to give athletes the best hand protection without extra bulk.

The Raw Grips 3.0 shows expert craftsmanship with its genuine leather build. Two well-placed finger holes leave your index finger free to control the bar better. The textured leather surface molds to your hand’s shape over time and creates a custom fit.

These grips prevent hand bunching effectively during tough workouts. Your index finger stays free, which gives you better movement range in different exercises. Unlike traditional designs, Raw Grips 3.0 won’t dig into your fingers or wrist, so you can train longer without any discomfort.

These grips work well for CrossFit movements of all types and are perfect for athletes who want a natural feel with solid protection. The full palm coverage combines with the minimalist design to protect your hands exactly where needed, without any extra bulk that might affect your performance.

Element 26 Leather CrossFit Grips

Element 26 brings state-of-the-art CrossFit hand protection through their IsoComp grips. These grips feature a unique combination of Kevlar reinforcement and neoprene padding.

These earn their spot among the best leather grips for CrossFit thanks to their neoprene wrist padding for comfort, rounded edges for muscle-up protection, and a fingerless design for natural movement. Built with triple-layer construction, they’re made to endure intense workouts.

These grips were originally designed for elite athletes and have become popular among everyday CrossFit enthusiasts. They work well in various movements because of their versatile design that performs well with or without chalk.

Athletes can maintain a secure grip during high-intensity workouts without losing hand mobility. The grips show exceptional performance in pull-ups, muscle-ups, and toes-to-bar movements.

The IsoComp grips come in three size options to ensure proper fit for different hand sizes. They maintain uniform pricing for all sizes, making them available to athletes whatever their size requirements.

Comparison Table of Best Leather Grips

Grip Brand	Material	Design Type	Key Features	Performance Areas	Price
Bear KompleX	Genuine leather	2-hole or 3-hole options	Triple stitching, Custom wrist strap	Pull-ups, Muscle-ups, Chest-to-bar, Toes-to-bar	$40-55
Victory Grips	Premium leather (2.2mm thickness)	3-finger design	Curvilinear palm shape, Rectangular finger holes	Gymnastics, Olympic lifting, Pull-ups	$50-55
RooGrips	Kangaroo leather	2-hole or 3-hole options	Waterproof, Oil-treated surface, Hook-and-loop closure	Pull-ups, Deadlifts, Gymnastics, Barbell cycling	Premium segment
JerkFit Raw	Genuine leather	2-finger design	Full palm coverage, Textured surface	Pull-ups, Muscle-ups, Toes-to-bar	$30-35
Element 26	Kevlar reinforced leather	Fingerless and 3-finger options	Triple-layer construction, Neoprene padding	Pull-ups, Muscle-ups, Toes-to-bar	$30-35

Conclusion

Serious CrossFit athletes need reliable leather grips. The market offers everything from high-end Bear KompleX designs to budget-friendly Element 26. A good pair will set you back $30-55, but the hand protection they provide during intense workouts makes them worth every penny.

The right CrossFit grips depend on several key factors. Quality materials make a big difference, and premium leather, especially kangaroo leather, lasts longer. Victory Grips and Bear KompleX show this through smart design features. RooGrips takes a different approach with their unique material choices.

Your grip choice should match your specific training needs. Think over your workout volume, movement types, and how often you’ll need replacements. The right size and regular care will help these essential training tools last longer and perform better.

Best Leather Grips for CrossFit: FAQs

Q1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing leather grips for CrossFit? When selecting leather grips for CrossFit, consider the material quality, design (2-finger vs 3-finger), durability, comfort, and how well they protect your hands during various movements. Also factor in your specific training needs, workout volume, and budget.

Q2. Are rubber-based grips banned in the CrossFit Games 2025? The 2025 Rulebook explicitly bans the use of rubber-based grips in all competitive events. Grips must be made of materials that provide hand protection without offering additional grip advantage. Grips made of leather or synthetic leather remain permissible for use in competitions.

Q3. How often should CrossFit hand grips be replaced? The replacement frequency for CrossFit hand grips typically depends on usage, but most high-quality grips need to be replaced every six months with regular use. However, some may last longer or shorter depending on the intensity and frequency of your workouts.

Q4. Are leather grips better than fabric grips for CrossFit? Leather grips are often preferred for CrossFit due to their durability, ability to mold to your hands over time, and superior protection against tears and blisters. However, the choice between leather and fabric ultimately depends on personal preference and specific workout needs.

Q5. How do I properly size and fit CrossFit hand grips? To properly size CrossFit hand grips, measure from the base of your palm to the base of your middle finger. Most brands provide specific sizing charts. It’s important to choose a size that covers your palm adequately without excess material that could bunch up during movements.

Q6. Can CrossFit hand grips help prevent calluses and tears? Yes, properly fitted and high-quality CrossFit hand grips can significantly reduce the formation of calluses and prevent hand tears. They provide a protective barrier between your skin and the bar, distributing pressure more evenly across your palm during high-rep exercises.