Looking for the best basketball wristbands and sweatbands? We’ve got you covered.
If you see a basketball player wearing a full set of gear, you may come to the conclusion that the equipment he is wearing is simply his sense of style. While there is a truth to that, whatever a basketball player is wearing actually serves a purpose. This includes the wristbands and sweatbands you see players wearing.
Basketball wristbands and sweatbands are not merely fashion statements or as a way for the players to stand out. They are actually very useful than what most people think. Instead of using his hands to wipe off sweat on his forehead, the player can just simply use his wristband or sweatband to prevent his hands from getting wet, which can affect his performance. That is why wristbands and sweatbands are actually pretty useful.
So if you want to up your game and do not want sweat to get in the way of your performance on the court, you should take a look at the top basketball wristbands and sweatbands.
If you want to get back to playing basketball, get our top pick for best basketball wristbands and sweatbands here.
Our Favorite for the Best Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands (the best out of the bunch)
Our Favorite for the Best Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands (the best out of the bunch)
Nike Dri-Fit Home & Away Doublewide Wristbands
The Nike Dri-Fit Home & Away Doublewide Wristbands are not just great for basketball players but are also very popular among other athletes as well because it allows their hands to stay dry by simply using the wristband to wipe away sweat. That is why you often see tennis players wearing Nike Dri-Fit Wristbands, which are some of the best when it comes to keeping hands dry and absorbing sweat.
As the name suggests, the Dri-Fit Wristbands are made with Nike’s patented Dri-Fit technology, which is excellent at absorbing and wicking away sweat while staying dry almost the entire time. In that regard, you will not have any issue regarding how effective these are at helping you keep your forehead dry during an intense game.
Meanwhile, these wristbands also are very comfortable to wear. You can clearly feel how soft the fabric is and how it does not seem to be irritating on your wrists. Moreover, they are just the right fit and will not disrupt your wrists’ movements so that you can stay at the top of your game the entire time.
The Nike Dri-Fit Home & Away Doublewide Wristbands come in pairs of different colors and have a total of five color combinations you can choose from. While the product comes in pairs, most players tend to only use one so that the other wristband can serve as an extra in the unlikely event that the other one gets damaged or too soaked. At any rate, these are our favorites and are also some of the highly-rated wristbands online.
What Makes the Nike Dri-Fit Elite Wristbands Unique:
- They come with the same Dri-Fit tech that Nike is popular for when it comes to keeping players dry, cool, and comfortable all at the same time.
- Each pair comes in home and away colors that are different from one another so that it will be easy for you to mix and match your style.
- Made not only for basketball players but for almost any other athlete in general because of how effective it is at keeping you dry and sweat-free.
Why Choose the Nike Dri-Fit Elite Wristbands:
- They are so effective at keeping you dry and are also some of the best when it comes to wicking and absorbing sweat from the athlete’s body.
- The fabric allows it to stay comfortable and soft without disrupting movements or making you feel uncomfortable the entire time.
- Versatile enough to be used for any other kind of sport such as tennis, gymnastics, or volleyball.
The Runners-Up for the Best Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands (still good but a bit lacking)
Nike NBA On-Court Wristband
The NBA On-Court Wristbands are made by Nike, which is the NBA’s official outfitter. This one is almost exactly the same as the Nike Dri-Fit Wristbands but also comes with minor differences you probably will not even notice. They are made by the same company and the same materials and are just as effective at offering you the kind of quality you should expect from the best basketball wristbands.
In terms of its ability to keep you dry and sweat-free, the Nike NBA On-Court Wristband are a joy to use because it absorbs sweat like a sponge but does not weigh you down. Its Dri-Fit technology sees to it that it gets to wick away sweat, which is quick to evaporate so that the wristbands do not stay soaked for long. This makes it ideal in terms of your overall performance since the wristbands will not add any significant weight on your wrists.
On top of how effective it is at keeping your dry, the On-Court Wristbands have a fabric that is quite soft and comfortable. It tends to stay flexible enough even when wet or soaked so that it will not disrupt your wrist’s movements when you are playing hard on the court.
The Nike NBA On-Court Wristband come in different colors that usually depend on your team of choice. Moreover, unlike the Nike Dri-Fit Wristbands, these come with an embroidered NBA logo that makes it a point to tell people that you are wearing the NBA’s official product.
What Makes the NBA On-Court Wristbands Unique:
- It is the official licensed basketball wristband of the NBA, which means that NBA players actually use it.
- Comes with Nike’s patented Dri-Fit tech, which is known for being one of the most effective at keeping a player dry.
- The color choice depends on your favorite team’s colors.
Why Choose the NBA On-Court Wristbands:
- These are good for you if you are only willing to purchase products that are officially licensed by the NBA.
- They are almost the same as the Nike NBA On-Court Wristband but carries the NBA logo instead of the large Nike swoosh.
Nike Swoosh Doublewide Wristbands
Similar to any other basketball wristband made by Nike, the Swoosh Doublewide Wristbands have some differences that make them products that are unique on their own.
The name obviously suggests that these basketball wristbands are wider than most other competitors on the market. This makes it ideal for players who are heavier sweaters than most. And if you happen to live in a country or region that is warmer and more humid, you are expected to sweat a lot more. As such, you might need wristbands that are wider and bigger so that you will have a wide coverage area when wiping sweat off your body
While these wristbands do not have the patented Nike Dri-Fit technology, you do not have to worry a lot about how it stays dry. Its double-wide feature allows it to have a bigger capacity when wiping sweat off your body. As such, it might not be too much of a problem that it is not as effective as other Nike wristbands when it comes to staying dry since you might not even be able to soak the entire wristbands when you are playing.
The snug fit on the Nike Swoosh Doublewide Wristbands also feels nice and comfortable to the point that it feels natural on your wrists. It is also not too tight to the point that it restricts movement and blood flow. We actually found it comfortable but it might be a bit too big and heavy for those who prefer smaller wristbands. Nevertheless, that does not take away the fact that these wristbands are some of the best the market has to offer.
What Makes the Nike Swoosh Doublewide Wristbands Unique:
- It is bigger and wider than other wristbands, which means that it has a wider coverage and bigger capacity.
- Even though it is bigger than most wristbands, it does not seem to be heavier and less comfortable.
Why Choose the Nike Swoosh Doublewide Wristbands:
- Ideal for heavy sweaters and for those who prefer to cover more ground when wiping sweat.
- It is best for those who are in warmer climates because of how it is much more effective at wiping sweat off compared to regular-sized wristbands.
- One Pair, 5 inches in width
- Embroidered SWOOSH logo for visible brand recognition
- Machine washable
- One size fits most.
The Value Pick for the Best Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands
The Value Pick for the Best Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands
Under Armour 3
Under Armour is becoming one of the leaders in the basketball industry because of its great basketball apparel. Their 3″ Performance Wristband actually performs up to par when compared to the other wristbands you see on the market today.
What sets these wristbands apart from the rest is that they are smaller. This means that they do not take up as much space as other wristbands on the market. On top of that, because they are merely three inches wide, they do not seem to restrict your movements and are great at staying subtle and discreet compared to the bigger and wider wristbands you see.
Even though it is smaller than other wristbands, the Under Armour 3 do not lack in terms of performance. Using the brand’s patented Moisture Transport System, it is effective at wicking away sweat from any parts of your body and will immediately absorb it the moment the soft fabric touches your skin.
Meanwhile, using Under Armour’s HeatGear tech, the Performance Wristbands do not stay soaked for a long time because of how quick it is to dry off. That is why it is not too much of an issue that it is smaller and also more affordable compared to other wristbands on the market. This product also comes in five different colors that are all stylish and suitable for any kind of basketball player or athlete.
What Makes Under Armour 3” Performance Wristbands Unique:
- It is only three inches wide, which makes it smaller than other wristbands on the market.
- The bands are so effective at wicking and absorbing sweat away from your body with just a simple wipe.
- They dry off rather quickly and will not stay soaked for a long time despite how small they are.
Why Choose the Under Armour 3” Performance Wristbands:
- They are affordable and also ideal for those who prefer smaller and more subtle wristbands that do not necessarily stand out.
- Great for those who do not want their movements to be restricted by bigger and wider wristbands.
- Multi channel performance fibers absorb more & wick away moisture to keep you focused on your game
- Embroidered, oversized UA wristband logos add bold style & statement
- Wristbands sold in pairs
FAQ on Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands
Why Do NBA Players and Sweatbands?
Wristbands and sweatbands are more than just fashion statements but actually have their own purpose. Conventional wristbands wipe and absorb sweat from the forehead and from different parts of the body so that the bands do not have to get wet. Meanwhile, rubber wristbands are actually worn to protect the player’s wrists because a basketball player’s wrists suffer from a lot of pressure whenever the player is dunking, shooting, or dribbling.
Who are Some of the Popular NBA Players that Wear Wristbands?
Almost all of the players in the NBA wear wristbands. Such players usually go for the NBA’s official wristband but there are some stars and popular players that use their own. For example, Nike signature athletes such as LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo use their own wristbands from the brand. In the 90s, Michael Jordan was often seen wearing wristbands near his elbow. Stephen Curry is also known for wearing Under Armour wristbands as a signature athlete of the sporting giant.
Who Should Wear a Basketball Wristband or Sweatband?
Basically, any athlete should be able to wear wristbands or sweatbands regardless of who they are. The purpose of a wristband or a sweatband is, after all, to keep a player dry and protected. Even athletes from other sports often use basketball wristbands and sweatbands. Tennis players are often seen wearing them so as to make sure that their rackets do not slip off.
What’s the Purpose of Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands?
Many different players use basketball wristbands and sweatbands for various reasons. First off, most players wear them to keep their hands dry since they will be wiping their foreheads using their wristbands. However, some wear wristbands and sweatbands for other reasons such as to protect their wrists. Tighter rubber or silicone wristbands keep the wrists compressed and protected.
Meanwhile, there are also those who wear wristbands for simple purposes such as to make a statement. Some wristbands are made of rubber or silicone and have their own messages on them so that players can send such messages out to make a statement or to promote a brand or a movement. For example, some of LeBron James’ wristbands are made for charity.
How to Choose the Best Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands for You
When you are choosing basketball wristbands or sweatbands, you have to look at such factors:
Width
Most basketball wristbands and sweatbands come in the regular four-inch width but there are some that are actually wider or smaller. Five-inch wristbands are made for those who are heavy sweaters and for those who want to have a wider coverage when they are wiping sweat off. Meanwhile, smaller wristbands are for those who want a more subtle look and for those who do not want their movements to be restricted by larger wristbands.
Materials
The wristband’s material is very important because this is what dictates how effective it is at wicking away sweat. Cotton wristbands are quite common but most wristbands are made from synthetic materials that are effective at absorbing sweat like a sponge without staying soaked for long. For example, Nike’s wristbands feature its Dri-Fit tech, which is known for drying off rather quickly compared to other types of wristbands.
Breathability
Of course, you do not want your wrists to feel warm whenever you are wearing wristbands. That is why your wristbands should be made of a breathable material that still allows air to flow through it to keep your wrists cool and breezy the entire time.
Summary of the Best Basketball Wristbands and Sweatbands
Putting everything together, in this guide we reviewed the following:
All that considered, there are plenty of different basketball wristbands and sweatbands out there. Some are made for wicking and absorbing sweat while some are designed to protect the wrists. There are also those that are so simple that they merely convey messages whenever a player wants to make a statement.
However, we believe that the best wristbands serve useful purposes. That is why the Nike Dri-Fit is our favorite. This wristband is so effective at wiping sweat off your forehead and at keeping you dry and fresh all game long without leaving your hands wet. They are also ideal for players who want to have a stylish look on the court.
Other wristbands by Nike such as the official NBA On-Court Wristbands are also good for those who are looking to wear apparel worn by NBA players. The Doublewide wristband by Nike is also good for those who prefer bigger and larger wristbands.
Finally, if you want something more affordable but with a subtle yet still effective design, the Under Armour 3” Performance Wristbands should be best for you. These are smaller and less restricting than other wristbands while still retaining the same great sweat-wicking and breathability features you would look for in the best basketball wristbands.
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