Grips at the CrossFit Games 2026 revised guide: what’s allowed in the Open, Semifinals, and the CrossFit Games (2026) Finals

Rules change. Interpretation tightens. Enforcement varies by stage and by head judge.
The only approach that never fails: follow the current CrossFit Rulebook, the workout scorecards, and the head judge call on the day.

▼ Index

1. The 3 rules that matter at every stage (Open, Semifinals, Games)
   1. 1) Hand protection is allowed. Grip assistance is not.
   2. 2) Tape vs. grips on pull-up bars: choose one.
   3. 3) No wrapping for advantage
2. 1) The Open (online): the broadest stage, the widest equipment tolerance
   1. Velites guidance for the Open
   2. Don’t guess your size
3. 2) Semifinals (in-person): tighter control, closer scrutiny
   1. Velites guidance for Semifinals (recommended models)
   2. Where All Terrain fits at Semifinals
4. 3) The CrossFit Games: the highest standardization, the least ambiguity
   1. Velites guidance for CrossFit Games-level competitors
5. The simple season breakdown
   1. Open (online)
   2. Semifinals (in-person)
   3. CrossFit Games level

This guide is the clean, athlete-first version: what’s generally allowed, what gets judged as “assistive,” and how to choose the right Velites grips for each stage of the season without surprises.

The 3 rules that matter at every stage (Open, Semifinals, Games)

1) Hand protection is allowed. Grip assistance is not.

Grips are allowed as hand protection. The line you never want to cross is using grips in a way that creates extra grip assistance (especially if it changes the mechanical demand of hanging, pulling, or turnover under fatigue).

2) Tape vs. grips on pull-up bars: choose one.

If the workout includes a pull-up bar, the standard principle is:

• You can tape the bar OR wear grips.

• You can’t do both.

This is where a lot of Open videos get flagged: it’s not the grips, it’s the combination.

3) No wrapping for advantage

The classic “don’t do this” is wrapping material fully around the pull-up bar in a way that makes the bar behave like it’s attached to you. Even if your intent is “my hands hurt,” the judge’s lens is “is this protective or assistive?”

1) The Open (online): the broadest stage, the widest equipment tolerance

The Open is built for scale:

• different gyms

• different rigs

• different judges

• different surfaces

• different athlete skill levels

So the rules are the broadest here. That said, the same two constraints still apply: tape vs grips, and no wrapping for advantage.

Velites guidance for the Open

In the Open, anyone can use any Velites grips model, as long as they stay inside the rulebook and judging standards.

That includes:

• Quad Ultra

• All Terrain

• Quad Pro

• Quad Carbon

• Quad Competition

Chalk or no-chalk setups can both work, depending on what you’ve trained with and what your gym environment allows.

all-terrain

Don’t guess your size

Your grip choice doesn’t matter if your sizing is wrong. If you’re unsure, use the Velites sizing guide. Correct sizing is what keeps the grip protective rather than turning it into something that behaves unpredictably when you sweat or fatigue.

Open practical takeaway:
Pick the Velites model you train with. Don’t switch “because it’s the Open.” The fastest way to lose reps is to change bar feel and wrist mechanics under pressure.

2) Semifinals (in-person): tighter control, closer scrutiny

Semifinals is where enforcement tightens.
More judges. More inspection. Less tolerance for grey areas.

This is where athletes should think less about “what’s popular” and more about “what’s clearly protective and competition-ready.”

Velites guidance for Semifinals (recommended models)

For Semifinals, we recommend competing with:

• Quad Pro

• Quad Carbon

• Quad Competition

These are the cleanest choices when the environment is controlled and standards are enforced tightly. They’re also easier to justify as protection first, not performance assistance.

Where All Terrain fits at Semifinals

All Terrain is also a strong option because it works in any environment:

• chalk gyms

• no-chalk facilities

• humid venues

• slicker rigs

• unknown bar coatings

If you’re the athlete who doesn’t want surprises when the venue setup changes, All Terrain is the “works anywhere” grip that keeps your feel consistent across chalk or no chalk contexts.

Semifinals practical takeaway:
Train with the model you’ll compete with. In-person competition is the worst place for a last-minute grip switch because everything (bar feel, sweat, pacing, nerves) amplifies small differences.

3) The CrossFit Games: the highest standardization, the least ambiguity

The Games are different.
This is where equipment becomes the most standardized and the most controlled. It’s not about preference — it’s about removing variables.

Velites guidance for CrossFit Games-level competitors

If you’re competing at CrossFit Games level, the simplest “no brainier” choice is:

• Quad Competition

Why: it’s the option that removes the most decision-making and minimizes ambiguity. When you’re operating at Games-level fatigue, pacing, and pressure, you don’t want your grips to be a variable you’re thinking about between events.

Games practical takeaway:
At this stage, you’re not trying to find a “better” grip. You’re trying to ensure your grip choice is predictable, compliant, and consistent across the widest range of event demands.

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The simple season breakdown

Open (online)

• Any Velites grip model: Quad Ultra, All Terrain, Quad Pro, Quad Carbon, Quad Competition

• Stay inside the rulebook: tape OR grips, and no wrapping for advantage

• Check sizing using the Velites sizing guide article before you commit

Semifinals (in-person)

• Recommended: Quad Pro / Quad Carbon / Quad Competition

• All Terrain also excellent because it performs in any environment (chalk or no chalk)

• Expect closer inspection and less tolerance for grey areas

CrossFit Games level

• Quad Competition recommended as the no-brainer alternative for Games-level competitors who want maximum clarity and consistency

Final reminder

Last season showed what happens when assumptions replace clarity.
This breakdown exists so athletes can prepare early, train consistently, and avoid equipment surprises when it matters.

Your grip choice shouldn’t become the problem mid-season — especially not when the limiter is supposed to be fitness.