D-Cuff vs Lifting Straps vs Figure 8 vs Lifting Hooks: Which Should You Buy?

When your grip gives out before your back does, you have four main options: D-cuff straps, standard loop straps, figure 8 straps and lifting hooks. They all help you hold heavier weights for longer, but they work differently and suit different lifters. This guide compares them so you can pick the right one.

The four types at a glance

At the time of writing (October 2026), all of these were on sale at 25% off. Check each product page for the current price.

D-cuff lifting straps

A D-cuff combines a wrist cuff, a lifting strap and a D-shaped metal ring. The strap works like a normal lifting strap on bars and handles. The D-ring clips onto a cable machine, so you can do exercises like cable lateral raises and straight-arm pulldowns from your wrist, without holding a handle.

Pros

• Two tools in one: a strap for heavy pulls and a cuff for cable work
• Built-in wrist support
• Takes your grip out of cable isolation exercises

Cons

• Costs a little more than a basic strap
• If you never use cable machines, you won't use the D-ring

Our D-Cuff Lifting Straps have a 10-inch strap with a honeycomb-patterned grip, and they're our best-selling lifting strap. New to them? Read how to use D-cuff lifting straps.

Loop lifting straps

The classic lifting strap. You pass the strap through its own loop to make a ring around your wrist, then wrap the free end around the bar and roll it tight.

Pros

• Simple, light and the most affordable option
• Work on barbells, dumbbells, pulldown bars and cable handles
• Easier to let go of than figure 8 straps

Cons

• The wrap takes a little practice
• No cable attachment

Our OG Lifting Straps are 24 inches long, with 4mm neoprene padding, heavy-duty cotton webbing and a silicone gel print for extra grip. They come in colours including white camo, navy, olive and pink. If you want thicker material, the 2-Ply Lifting Straps come as a pair.

Figure 8 lifting straps

A figure 8 strap is a single loop of webbing stitched into an "8". One end goes over your hand, the other goes under the bar and back over your hand, so you're effectively tied to the bar.

Pros

• The most secure hold of the four, which is why they're popular in strongman
• No wrapping, so they're consistent from set to set
• Great for very heavy deadlifts, rack pulls and shrugs

Cons

• You can't let go of the bar quickly, so don't use them for any lift you might need to drop, such as cleans or snatches
• Less handy for exercises where you change grip often

Our Figure 8 Lifting Straps are made from heavy-duty basket-weave cotton webbing with extra stitching at the seams, in red and blue.

Lifting hooks

Lifting hooks have a coated steel hook attached to a wrist wrap. You hook the bar instead of wrapping a strap around it, so the weight transfers from your fingers to the hook.

Pros

• Fastest set-up, with nothing to wrap
• Good for high-rep back work like rows, pulldowns and shrugs
• Padded wrist wrap for comfort

Cons

• The most expensive option
• Bulkier to carry than straps
• Not suited to lifts you might need to drop, such as cleans or snatches

Our Hook Grips have heavy-duty cold-rolled steel hooks with a non-slip rubber coating, a fully adjustable wrist wrap with 7mm neoprene padding, and a listed capacity of up to 600 pounds. Among our straps and hooks, only the D-cuff straps sold more over the last 90 days.

Which should you choose?

Lifting straps are not allowed in IPF powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting competitions, but they're common in training for both sports.

Frequently asked questions

Which type of lifting strap is best?

It depends on how you train. Loop straps are the best all-rounder, figure 8 straps are the most secure for maximum pulls, D-cuffs are best if you also use cable machines, and hooks are quickest to set up.

Are lifting hooks better than straps?

Not better, just different. Hooks are faster to use because there's nothing to wrap. Straps are lighter, cheaper and easier to carry in your gym bag.

Are figure 8 straps safe?

Yes, when used for the right lifts. Because they tie you to the bar, use them for deadlifts, rack pulls and shrugs, not for lifts you might need to drop.

Can I use D-cuff straps for deadlifts?

Yes. The strap wraps around the bar like a normal lifting strap. The D-ring is an extra for cable work.

What is the price of lifting straps in Pakistan?

At Hustlers Only, regular prices are Rs. 2,700 for loop and figure 8 straps, Rs. 3,200 for D-cuff straps and Rs. 4,000 for lifting hooks. Check the product pages for current prices.

Final thoughts

There's no single best grip aid, only the best one for how you train. Pick loop straps for simplicity, figure 8 straps for maximum security, hooks for speed, or D-cuffs if cable work is part of your routine. Compare every style in our lifting straps collection, and see our D-cuff cable exercise guide for ideas on using the D-ring.