In many sports that rely on the hands and arm joints, having a decent pair of wrist brace is the key to preventing injury. Notable sports that use wrist braces (or some form of wrist support) are bowling, badminton, tennis, Crossfit, and weightlifting. Did you know, however, that in the sport of bowling, wrist support accessories are just as important as the aforementioned sports? Although awkward at first, finding yourself the best bowling wrist supports may determine how long and durable your swinging arm, and particularly, your wrist joint, will be in bowling.
We have prepared this comprehensive guide for you to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of bowling wrist support gear. First, we discuss the basics of bowling wrist support brace and why it is very valuable. Next, we look at sizing and fit for the bowling wrist support. Finally, we wrap up with our favorite bowling wrist support products in the market today and share with you our personal favorite from the list.
If you would like to learn more about bowling wrist support gear, then help yourself and keep reading to learn more!
What Are Bowling Wrist Supports? How Do They Work and Why Do They Matter?
Just like a knee brace, a bowling wrist support is one of the most underrated pieces of equipment you can have in your bowling arsenal. This may be because of the lack of general awareness and knowledge regarding the bowling wrist support product.
When looking for a bowling wrist support, you should search for wrist positioner, wrist brace, and support brace as these are also known terms. The primary function of the bowling wrist support is to provide you with the needed stability, compression, and protection from any wrist-related injuries by simply supporting the wrist.
A bowling wrist support is an essential piece of gear in bowling since the sport attracts so many different types of individuals of different kinds of backgrounds, levels of athleticism, and history of injury.
The wrist is what connects the hand to the forearm and is a very small and delicate part of our anatomy. In a sport such as bowling, where bowlers grip balls that are relatively heavy and swing with tremendous force and form to generate the needed spin or hook shot, wrist-related injuries are very common.
The wrist provides the bowling ball with much-needed power, accuracy, and rotation (for hook shots). It is vital to care for your wrist as much as possible, most especially when you have experienced any wrist pain or discomfort.
Although wrist pain or discomfort is something you might get used to, it is not right to just let it keep happening. Doing this will not help you.
Wearing wrist braces or wrist support gear is definitely ideal, whether your muscles are used to the bowling movements or not.
The repetitive motions of bowling, over time, will lead to the overuse of your wrist muscles, and once you get to the point of wrist fatigue, the likelihood of incurring an injury, at times a chronic injury, is significantly greater.
To recap this section, a wrist support brace is a piece of equipment that goes by many names and is primarily used to support the risk to minimize the risk of injury. They work by serving as a stabilizer, wrist positioner, and support mechanism to align the wrist joint that connects the hand and forearm. The bowling wrist brace is very important because bowling relies on the use of wrist action to swing and deliver the ball with enough momentum, spin, and accuracy to land a perfect shot.
Sizing and Fit Guide for Bowling Wrist Supports or Braces
Although most modern-day wrist brace products are flexible enough to accommodate wrists of all shapes and sizes, it would still serve you well to be able to determine the measurements required in order to get the best bowling wrist support for your swinging arm.
There are various ways of measuring bowling wrist support products. This is because there are several different kinds of wrist brace products in the market. There are some that cover both the hand and wrist, some that are lightweight and only wrap around the wrist and forearm, some that loop around the index finger, and some that are equipped with velcro straps to allow for a range of different wrist sizes.
To find the best bowling wrist brace for your specific wrist size, we recommend checking the hand and wrist sizing guide or chart that should be provided by the manufacturer of the wrist brace.
If no hand and wrist sizing guide or chart for the wrist brace is specified, then we recommend visiting a physical store to try out the product and check the fit yourself.
If neither of the above is a valid option, then we suggest having a tape measure at home and reading up on user reviews to check the feedback on the different sizes of the bowling wrist brace.
Remember, even if you have the best bowling wrist support product, an ill-fitted bowling wrist brace would still not serve its intended purpose, which is to help keep you away from injury.
How to Choose the Right Bowling Wrist Support (What to Consider and Look For)
Comfort
When looking for gear or accessories that serve an important purpose, it is still very important to consider comfort.
Having a wrist brace that makes you itchy or uncomfortable, even if others consider it to be the best bowling wrist support available, is not right and not worth it. Even if you get used to it, it will not be as beneficial as a comfortable wrist brace in the long run.
Consider the feel of every individual material and part of the wrist support. Does it affect the performance of your hand and wrist? Do the velcro straps annoy your wrist? Is the loop around your index finger properly fitted and comfy?
If any of these are of concern to you, then you should consider replacing your current wrist support gear.
Materials
The type of materials used to construct the wrist support determines the overall weight, breathability, odor-protection qualities, flexibility (or rigidity), and shape of the wrist support.
There are many different materials used across all wrist support products. Some have metal support bars, others are completely made with fabric or cotton. Others are made with polyurethane (a mixture of plastic and rubber) or nylon.
Regardless of the materials used, it is very important to verify the quality of the product. Construction and build quality are very important, especially when it comes to the more rigid materials used.
To ensure that you have a good quality product made of high-quality materials, make sure to look up user reviews and feedback to have an idea.
You could also cross-reference the pricing of the product to others, but this may not be as informative as before since most manufacturers have found ways to lower the cost of manufacturing a good bowling wrist support product.
Breathability
Breathability determines the amount of sweat, perspiration, and even long-term wear and tear of your bowling wrist support.
Not only that, but breathability also determines your overall comfort during long or extended bowling sessions.
If possible, choose a bowling wrist suppor product that has breathability properties. Most modern-day bowling wrist support products offer this, so it should not be difficult to find the best bowling wrist support product for your needs.
Features
Features such as wrist positioner technology, velcro straps, form-fitting design, index finger loop, and padding are but a few of the add-ons or features you should look out for in finding the best wrist support product.
Make sure to read the product description very well and look up online reviews (articles or videos) to get a more in-depth understanding of what a particular wrist support acessory can offer.
If, however, you consider the best wrist support product to be a very simple and minimal item, then this may not be a strong factor to consider in your case.
Durability
Durability (or longevity) is one of our most significant factors when buying any piece of bowling gear or equipment.
Most wrist support products can last up to several months or a few years, but this may also depend on how often or frequently you use the wrist support.
Even the best wrist positioner can show signs of degradation after the first six months.
If you are looking for a long-term piece of equipment, try checking out Mongoose Optimum or Storm Xtra Hook, both of which are part of our best wrist support list in the next section.
Adjustability
Each bowler has a unique proportion of hand size and wrist size. It is very difficult to create a wrist brace that covers all proportions, which is why velcro straps and other adjustment mechanisms greatly help in achieving the perfect form and fit.
If you are planning to buy wrist support gear that covers the top of your hand, make sure to purchase the right size, as wrist braces that sport a large top are usually partnered with a large wrist cuff, which may not be the best for everybody.
Right-Handed vs Left-Handed
Unfortunately for left-handed bowlers (but luckily for right-handed bowlers), the most readily available wrist support gear and accessories are for right-handed individuals.
There is simply a greater demand for right-handed wrist support devices, which is why there are more varied sizes, designs, and products tailored specifically for right-handed bowlers.
This is not to say that wrist brace products can only be used by right-handed bowlers though. There are still several products available for left-handed bowlers (see the best bowling balls for left handers for example) but do not expect the stock or quantity to be as plenty as the quantity for right-handed bowlers.
Whether you use your right hand or left hand for bowling, the protection you can get out of a wrist brace is very valuable.
If you are a left-handed bowler and plan to visit your physical pro shop or bowling specialty store, then we advise calling ahead before visiting to ensure that they have the best wrist support devices for left-handed bowlers available.
Brand
In the sport of bowling, there are brands that have truly become household names. The likes of Ebonite, Storm, and Brunswick come to mind.
However, the lesser known brands have developed some great products in the past decade, and as you will see in our top 6 list for hand and wrist accessories, there are a lot of good products and manufacturers to choose from.
However, if you are unsure as to how the product would perform on your hand and wrist, or if you are comparing between two products, one from a well-known brand and another from a lesser known brand, then it may be better to go with the wrist and hand product from the well-known brand.
Design
Although arguably not as important as the factors mentioned earlier, the design is an important aspect of the sport of bowling that should be considered when choosing the best wrist support for your needs.
Most wrist support products have generic designs, patterns, and colors (usually black), but there are a few wrist products offered in the market that look very sleek and stylish.
Check out the proceeding section to see some of the best-looking (and primarily best-performing) wrist brace products in the market today.
User Reviews
The good thing about online shopping and the internet, in general, is you get to see what consumers actually have to say about the product and not just listen (or fall prey) to the advertising and marketing of the wrist positioner manufacturer.
For example, a lot of positive feedback has been given to products such as the Storm Xtra Hook, Brunswick Bionic, and Mongoose Optimum wrist products.
This means that the products, beyond all the advertising and marketing, are really effective tools to help keep your swinging arm and wrist safe from any injury, pain, or discomfort.
Be wary, however, as some reviews may not be as accurate as desired. Make sure to check several reviews before coming up with a final verdict of your own.
The Top 6 Best Bowling Wrist Supports in the Market Today
There are several good brands and products to choose from in the market today.
To skip the confusion and difficulty in making a choice, we have curated a top 6 list of the best wrist supports in the market today.
1. Storm Xtra Hook Bowling Wrist Support
Right off the bat, we give you the Storm Xtra Hook, known for the extended index finger support that is reported to promote maximum axis rotation.
This is a product that is great for bowlers who are fond of utilizing hook shots, but has similar value when throwing straight or spare shots.
If you need a hand support device that can maximize your effectiveness in throwing hook shots through improvement of axis rotation, then this is the product for you.
2. Brunswick Bionic Wrist Positioner
The Brunswick Positioner is a cool and sturdy device that is meant to give support and stability to your fingers and wrist.
Whether you utilize a lighter bowling ball or a heavier bowling ball, this product will help keep your joints and bones aligned without having any negative effect on your swing performance.
The build quality and material used are also the best. If you want a long-term investment that helps prevent pain and discomfort, as well as minimizes the risk of injury, then this is your go-to device.
3. Storm Universal Wrist Brace
The sturdy, adjustable, and minimalist design of the Storm Universal Brace is something other product designers and manufacturers should take note of.
Created as a universal device for either the right or the left hand, this accessory will make spare or straight shots very easy and predictable, with minimal added effort.
The design of the product forces your wrist to position itself as far back as possible, allowing for much more accurate and straight shots down the lane.
4. Mongoose Optimum Bowling Wrist Band
As one of the best products sold online, the Mongoose Optimum Bowling Brace is definitely popular for a load of reasons.
The design and functionality are amazing, while the durable wrist and finger support portions of the product reduce any pain or discomfort that may be experienced during extended sessions of bowling.
In addition to the features and benefits offered, this product is lighter than it looks, so there will only be minimal strain or added effort when releasing bowling balls.
5. Storm C4 Bowling Wrist Brace
For those looking for the ultimate wrist device that has a unique feature that allows bowlers to toggle its form or design, depending on the type of shot that the bowler wants to throw, then the explosive Storm C4 Bowling Wrist Brace is a great pick.
The quality of materials used is high-end. The reported durability of this product can beat the majority of the wrist devices out in the market today.
If you are currently managing wrist or hand-related pain, but still want to ensure a fun and fruitful bowling performance, then consider equipping this product.
6. Robby's Coolmax Plus Wrist Support
For those looking for a basic yet highly functional wrist accessory, try on the Robby's Coolmax Plus Wrist Brace.
The simple design may deceive you, but when you look at the product description and test out the device yourself, you will immediately find out that this product is a lightweight powerhouse.
Designed in a way to promote breathability and blood circulation, this wrist guard will definitely help you score higher more consistently in every bowling session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are a few of the most commonly asked questions and our quick responses to each of them.
Do bowling wrist supports work?
Bowling wrist supports definitely work. They are meant to provide an added measure of safety and injury protection, but do not expect a bowling wrist brace to completely eliminate the likelihood of a hand or wrist injury. On top of using a bowling wrist brace, it would still serve you well to do warm-up and stretching exercises prior to and after any bowling session, casual or competitive.
Are bowling wrist supports painful or uncomfortable?
Bowling wrist supports are not painful or uncomfortable as long as you get the right size and fit. To have a better understanding of the size and fit of a particular wrist and hand support product, check out one of the sections above. However, wrist and hand support that are too small or narrow will definitely lead to pain and discomfort in the long run. Choose the right size to prevent any concern.
Is a bowling wrist brace necessary?
A bowling wrist brace for your wrist and hand are not necessary, but are definitely a helpful tool to prevent injury, pain, and discomfort. Not everyone has to wear a wrist brace, but we suggest using one. Majority of competitions consider the utilization of a hand or wrist support device as legal, so there should generally be no concern in the competitive scene.
Conclusion (Plus Our Personal Favorite)
It is not easy dealing with support devices such as this. We truly urge bowlers to be very careful and meticulous when it comes to bowling gear and equipment that are meant to handle pain, discomfort, and the risk of injury in the best way possible which is why this guide is as comprehensive as it is.
As for our personal favorite, we have to go with none other than the Brunswick Bionic Wrist Positioner as the best bowling wrist support device.
With support from the wrist all the way up to your hand and fingers, this support device is one of the absolute best accessories for bowling in the market.
To add to this, the Bionic Wrist Positioner not only sounds cool, but looks fantastic as well! If you are into style or fashion, without sacrificing functionality or performance, then this is definitely the wrist device for you.
Just remember, if you need to refresh on the best bowling wrist supports that are available in the market today, always circle back to this comprehensive guide to make sure that you have a well-researched shopping experience, whether online or at a physical store. If you would like to learn more about bowling gear and equipment, then bookmark our website and stay tuned for more content!