Let me start by saying these grips are a game-changer for anyone serious about CrossFit or gymnastics. The first thing you'll notice is how sticky they are—no chalk needed! I've tried countless grips that slip on powder-coated bars, but these actually hold their ground. That said, on super smooth bars, a little chalk still helps (old habits die hard).

The 1.2mm thickness is the Goldilocks zone—thick enough to prevent blisters during high-rep pull-ups, but thin enough that I can still 'feel' the bar during muscle-ups. After a dozen sessions, they've molded to my hands like a second skin. The kevlar reinforcement isn't just marketing fluff—I’ve put them through brutal kipping pull-up sessions with zero fraying.

Now for the real talk: sizing is tricky. Like other reviewers, I initially ordered too small (measure twice, folks!). The wrist straps run long—great for those with thick wrists but awkward for petite users. The metal buckle did dig in at first, but after adjusting the velcro just right (protip: don't overtighten), it became a non-issue.

Compared to my old Bear Complex grips? Night and day difference in durability. Three months in, no signs of the finger loops unraveling like cheaper alternatives. That said, if you're coming from ultra-thin grips like Victory, the extra padding takes getting used to—your first few bar muscle-ups might feel like you're wearing oven mitts.

The real test came during 'Fran'—21-15-9 thrusters and pull-ups. Not only did my hands survive unscathed, but the hypalon/kevlar combo provided insane grip security during butterfly pull-ups when fatigue set in. Just watch for wear on the bar-facing side; one user reported a scary slip after prolonged use.

At this price point? Absolute steal compared to constantly replacing flimsier grips. My box has slowly converted to Element 26 en masse—when you see five people PR their chest-to-bar workouts without hand tears, you pay attention.