Simply put: to protect your hands. Hand wraps help protect the bones and tendons in your hands. In addition, they will help support your wrist and thumb.
To help prevent injuries, always wrap your hands before using any type of boxing glove or bag gloves. Make sure you have hand wraps handy when you are trying on boxing
gloves or bag gloves that you are thinking about purchasing. They are an important component in the fit of the gloves you choose.s

There are many types of hand wraps available now. Most common are 100% cotton and stretchable polycotton. Hand wraps can be broken down by size, style, and function (disposable or reusable).
Hand wrap size: The most common sizes you will see are 120", 136” 160" & 180”. When you have smaller hand wraps you should consider buying shorter wraps. If your hand wraps are too long they will be cumbersome and you will have to make extra revolutions around your hand. This will hamper the fit of your glove.
Hand wrap style: It is common to find traditional cotton herringbone wraps, elasticized wraps, and gauze bandage hand wraps.
The traditional cotton herringbone hand wraps have been around a long time. They do not stretch. Traditional cotton hand wraps are reusable and should be washed after each use if possible.
Elastic style hand wraps are a technological advancement that arose in recent years. They are a blended combination of the traditional hand wrap combined with a gauze type bandage hand wrap used by the professionals.
The elastic hand wraps have also been called "Mexican style" because they are a modern day version of a gauze bandage hand wrap that was often made in Mexico. Elastic hand wraps have some stretch to them and tend to be more comfortable. As a result they have become more popular in recent years. They also tend to me more expensive. This wrap is also washable and reusable.
Gauze bandage hand wraps – This hand wrap is often used by professionals with a combination of sports tape. They are not used frequently at health clubs and martial arts schools because they are disposable and therefore not the most practical. It is also recommended that if you use them, you have someone who can help you put them on and tape them up properly so you get the most protection.
The style of hand wraps chosen by most people is a matter of personal preference. Some people like the tighter fit that a traditional hand wrap provides. However, others prefer the comfort of an elastic hand wrap.

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Many people like to use extra protection besides their hand wraps. Sometimes they add cotton padding along the knuckle line and then wrap their hands over that.
These days it is common to see padded under wraps that you can use in conjunction with your hand wraps. Also these days it is common to see cardio wrap versions that are designed to give you some protection instead of a hand wrap. This is not advised but you it isn't a bad idea to use a cardio type wrap AND a full hand wrap. There are some deluxe cardio wraps that have extra padding built in to the wrap as well.
Remember the basics: you will still need to make a fist, don't wrap too tight, and they still have to fit under your gloves.
There are different methods of wrapping hands and below you will see a few of them illustrated.

Make sure you buy multiple pairs of hand wraps because they should be washed after each use. Since it can be time consuming if you only own one pair, it is recommended you have a few pairs in your equipment bag.
Ideally your hand wraps should be washed after each use. Also, they should be rolled up after each use. When you roll them up, start rolling at the end or where the Velcro enclosure is. This essentially means you roll them up backwards but this will enable you to easily put them on the next time you go to use them. If you roll them up correctly your finger loop should be hanging loosely at the end and you can just tuck it in before putting the wraps in your gym bag.
Hand wraps can be a pain to maintain for three main reasons:
1- they like to wrap around your laundry in the washing machine like a boa constrictor,
2- the colors can run and ruin your other clothes,
3- It can be difficult to roll them back up for your next use,
Because of wonders of modern day technology these problems are easily solved. First go out buy yourself two things:
1- a hand wrap wash bag
2- a hand wrap roller
The hand wrap wash bag is a mesh bag that is designed to keep all of your wraps together and away from your other clothes. It looks like a bag that you wash delicates with, however it is bigger. Once your wraps are in the wash bag, you can drop it in any washing machine & dryer. The bag will keep your wraps from tangling with your clothes.
AVOID washing your colored hand wraps with any white clothes. It is probably fine to drop your wash bag in with your dark laundry however RED has a tendency to run. Many people have turned their white loads pink by accidentally dropping in their red hand wraps.
After you have washed your wraps, simply roll them up using your hand wrap roller. This will allow you to easily prep them for your next use.

The pros use gauze hand wraps and sports tape. You should make sure you have a coach or professional who can help you get your hands wrapped properly when you want to do this.

Protecting the bones and tendons in your hands is an absolute must for kickboxing, muay thai, MMA and other martial art forms. Before you even put on your gloves, wrap your hands for safety.
Women's hands are typically smaller than men's, and require different sized wraps for martial arts. The length and thickness of the hand wraps are also determined by your necessity. For instance, if you need a less bulky fit or are simply doing light fitness boxing, you won't need long thick wraps. Less wraps means less time getting them on and off, but be safe in choosing the right amount.
Women's wraps can run from 108” to 160”, and preference of safety are the main determinants to what size you really should use. That said, the question isn't as much "what size wraps are good for women" but "what size wraps do I need to safely protect my hands and wrists?"

Hand wraps are an essential part of a martial artist’s arsenal. There are several types of hand wrap styles available for any form of martial arts so picking the right ones for you can be a little overwhelming.
Kickboxing hand wraps come in a variety of sizes, typically between 120” & 180”. They also come in a variety of styles as well.
Choosing the right size is primarily determined by what you find comfortable. Smaller hands will typically require shorter wraps; otherwise the wrap will be too bulky and will mess up the fit of your gloves. Make sure that whatever wraps you are using aren’t overly long, while still being long enough to keep your hands and wrists safe.
There are several types of wraps available to use in kickboxing and choosing the right ones for you will be decided on by the fit and safety. Herringbone hand wraps are the traditional style and offer no stretch. In recent years, Elastic hand wraps, also called “Mexican style” hand wraps, have been developed and were greatly received due to their stretch and comfort. Elastic hand wraps tend to be more expensive, but may prove to be worth the price for the comfort they provide. Lastly, there are gauze hand wraps which are rarely used for non-professional use, simply because they are disposable and impractical for training exercises. Gauze hand wraps are also most effective when someone is available to wrap and tape them up for you.
These are the most common styles of kickboxing hand wraps and they come in a variety of colors. As well, there are cardio hand wraps, which slip on to your hands. These save you from having to spend the time wrapping your hands and wrists but don’t offer the same amount of support.