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Quite a few brands of gymnastics grips exist, but how do they compare? Figuring out which brand is best can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for. Each brand has its pros and cons, and they each fit different needs.
Let’s compare a few of the brands that I think are think are a great value for price and would recommend when buying grips.
Reisport®
Arguably the most popular grip brand, Reisport grips are a high quality standard option for grips. The Swiss brand offers a few different lines of grips for Rings, High Bar, and Uneven Bars. These grips come with options for both double buckle and Velcro strap. Also, they offer a line of Protec grips which have more durable synthetic leather.
Offering a wide range of styles and sizes, every gymnast will find something that fits their needs with Reisport. However, Reisport grips are more expensive than other options and offer less customization than some other brands.
US Glove
US Glove offers quality grips at an affordable price. Like Reisport, they offer a variety of styles and sizes. However, US Glove really shines with their Hot Shot grips. Excellently priced, US Glove designed these grips specifically for beginner gymnasts. Rather than needing multiple pairs of grips, young athletes can use a single pair of Hot Shot grips on Rings, High Bar, and Uneven Bars. Although not recommended for athletes after they grow and advance, Hot Shots are a perfect option for a young gymnast’s first pair of grips.
ReichelSport
Very popular among elite male gymnasts, German company ReichelSport builds grips specifically for advanced athletes. You will commonly see these grips worn at international competitions. Famously, 2016 Olympic high bar champion Fabian Hambuechen sported this brand. ReichelSport focuses on quality, crafting their grips to a high standard. ReichelSport also offers a unique hybrid grips style, using one strap and one buckle, in addition to the standard double buckle and Velcro strap grips.
Although they do make high quality grips for every apparatus, ReichelSport is best known for its high bar grips. Furthermore, Reichels are not recommended for young athletes. Because Reichel’s are crafted very precisely, it may take a long time to receive the grips after ordering. In terms of customization, when ordering, ReichelSport lets you pick leather thickness in addition to grip size. These grips are also slightly cheaper than other grip options like Reisports.
Intent Gymnastics
A more recent entry to the world of grips, Intent is a leader in grip innovation. Intent offers a large amount of customization for its grips. When ordering, Intent asks for the length of each hand plus the diameter of each finger. Intent then tailors grips to the specifications of each hand. Contrast this with normal grip ordering, where you order a certain size based off the range your hand falls into. Intent will even send a free grip sizing tool to aid in the measuring process if asked. Like Reichelsports, Intent offers double buckle, strap, and hybrid grips. Intent also allows custom drawings and or nicknames inscribed on the grips.
One disadvantage of Intents is the price point. Because Intent grips offer many customizations and are crafted individually, they are the most expensive option. For the same reasons, Intent’s take a long time to ship. However, Intent’s are great for athletes struggling with comfort of other grip brands. Particularly, I have seen many athletes who love their intent ring grips. If you want a true bespoke grip experience, Intent is your only option.
For more information on gymnastics gear and equipment, check out our recommendations for gymnastics mushrooms here.