Best Trap Bars (2024): Open, Closed, Rackable & More!

I have utilized numerous trap bars throughout my time teaching and training professional athletes. One thing I am certain of is that the worst trap bars have just one handle option.

Every time you get ready to deadlift, it’s a hassle to locate the center, and they’re a bother to store.

I’ve done all the grunt work of finding good products to spare you from making bad choices. This list contains the top trap bars to include in your home gym, whether you are an experienced lifter or just getting into lifting.

• Best Open Trap Bar: REP Fitness Trap Bar
• Best Closed Trap Bar: Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar
• Best Budget Trap Bar: Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar
• Best Premium Trap Bar: Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar
• Best Rackable Hex Bar: Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar
• Best Trap Bar for Farmers Walk: Kabuki Trap Bar HD
• Best Trap Bar For Deadlifts: Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar 3.0

	REP Fitness Trap Bar	Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar	Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar	Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar	Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar	Kabuki Trap Bar HD	Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar 3.0
Design	Open	Closed	Closed	Open	Open	Open	Open
Price	$399.99	$395	$159.99	$970	$349.99	$749.99	$299.99

Best Open Trap Bar

REP Fitness Trap Bar

Specifications
Open or Closed	Open
Weight	58.4lbs
Knurling	Moderate
Unique Features	Center Knurling
Handle Width	23″ (Narrow); 25″ (Standard); 27.3″ (Wide); 24.6″ (Rotating)
Handle Diameter	28 mm, 38 mm, 48 mm
Coating	Powder Coat w/ Chrome Sleeves
Removable Handles	Yes
Weight Capacity	1,350 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime

REP Fitness incorporated center knurling to keep it from slipping off your traps. Because of the round metal tubing, the trap bar can be used as a thick cambered bar, even for pressing.

Other open-ended trap bars, such as the Kabuki Trap Bar HD, do not have this option because they are rectangular.

Handle choices and grip breadth are two further distinguishing features.

For most people, the regular 25″ handle width works well. This is how the majority of trap bars are created. However, there is a narrow (23″) option for more slender men and women, as well as a wide (27.3″) option for larger lifters.

There are rotating handles are standard width but the company also offers three handle diameters. The three sizes are: ordinary 28 mm, thicker 38 (1.5″), and 48 mm (1.89″).

You may use the 28 mm handle for larger lifts and the thicker handles for deadlifts and carries to strengthen your grip.

However, the rotating handles only offer one height, whereas the other alternatives provide both low and high handle options.

These handles are also removable, so you can buy other handles and swap them if you want more possibilities. Alternatively, you can remove them when executing cambered bar squats or bench presses.

The REP Fitness trap bar has a weight capacity of 1350 pounds, so you can load it indefinitely. The sleeve length is the same as the Rogue TB-2, giving you additional room to load plates.

I appreciate how they constructed the deadlift jack with a plastic liner to preserve your platform. This model is reasonably priced at $400, but rotating handles raise it to $470. It’s well worth it, in my opinion. REP Fitness provides the typical lifetime manufacturer defect warranty.

It’s an excellent option for home gym owners who seek adaptability in their gym equipment.

Pros

• Center knurling for cambered bar squats to keep it from slipping off your back.
• The deadlift jack features a plastic liner to protect your platform.
• There are multiple handle variations and widths for different needs and exercises.

Cons

• There is nothing to complain about this bar.

Best Closed Trap Bar

Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar

Specifications
Open or Closed	Closed
Weight	60 lbs
Knurling	Moderately Aggressive
Unique Features	N/A
Handle Width	25″
Handle Diameter	34 mm
Coating	Powder Coat including sleeves
Removable Handles	No
Weight Capacity	Not stated
Warranty	Lifetime

It is constructed from an indestructible 1.5″ square steel tubing. It is 89 inches wide (including sleeves) and weighs 60 pounds. One distinguishing characteristic is the ultra-thick 34″ diameter handles.

If you’re acquainted with Fat Gripz, this is slightly smaller than the Fat Gripz One product.

This is ideal for males with larger hands or those who place a high value on grip training, but not for ladies with smaller hands or those who want to optimize the load lifted when deadlifting.

The 1.91″ diameter sleeves make Olympic plates easy to load, compatible, and adaptable to your existing plates. However, standard barbell collars may not fit, and you may require larger Rogue collars if you use them.

The sleeves are 400mm long, a bit longer than the Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar but identical to the REP Fitness Trap Bar, allowing you to load an extra plate.

Rogue’s classic knurling may be found on both the high and low handles, as is common with trap bars. I’ve noticed Rogue’s knurling can be abrasive, so keep that in mind if you select this option.

It is also rackable, but just for rack pulls because there is no open end to provide workout variety. Furthermore, the powder coat will scratch off because the sleeves are powder-coated.

As always with Rogue Fitness, it comes with a lifetime warranty and is reasonably priced at $395. Another option is to check the Rogue Boneyard to see if you can get one with a cosmetic defect for less money.

Pros

• The sturdy, closed construction is ideal for big deadlifts.
• High and low handles with strong knurling provide maximum grip.
• Thick handle diameter to test your grip or provide extra comfort for those with large hands.

Cons

• It is not open-ended therefore, you are limited in your workout options.
• Thick-diameter handles may not be appropriate for ladies.
• Rackable, but you’ll scratch the powder coat off the sleeves.

Best Budget Trap Bar

Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar

Specifications
Open or Closed	Closed
Weight	44 lbs
Knurling	Smooth diamond
Unique Features	N/A
Handle Width	24.5″
Handle Diameter	28 mm
Coating	Chrome
Removable Handles	No
Weight Capacity	500 lbs
Warranty	1 Year

Another flaw is that the knurling is far smoother than any trap bar on our list, which is unsuitable for training in hot conditions. However, the 56″ length makes it ideal for a compact home gym.

The usual handle width is 24.5 inches, with a handle diameter of 28mm. Another concern is the 9.75″ loadable sleeve length, which means you’ll need to use thin plates to put enough weight on the trap bar.

The sleeve diameter is 48 mm, which is 2 mm less than the typical 50 mm for Olympic plates, giving you more movement with the trap bar before the plates come off the floor.

However, for $160 and a one-year guarantee, you won’t find anything better in this price range, and this option is well worth it for those on a tight budget.

Pros

• Smaller trap bar that will fit into a small garage gym.
• For those who want to save money.

Cons

• Smooth knurling will provide inadequate grips for heavier loads or in hot temperatures.
• A small loadable sleeve with too much room within the plate’s center ring.

Best Premium Trap Bar

Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar

Specifications
Open or Closed	Open
Weight	25 kg
Knurling	Eleiko 1.2 mm Balanced Knurling
Unique Features	Built In Rubber Deadlift Jack
Handle Width	24.61″
Handle Diameter	28 mm
Coating	Chrome
Removable Handles	No
Weight Capacity	1102 lbs
Warranty	5 Years

Eleiko is well-known for their exceptional craftsmanship, and the Oppen Deadlift Bar benefits from the same impeccable attention to detail as their IWF Weightlifting Barbells.

Because of its open-ended design, people of all sizes may use the Oppen Deadlift Bar.

This design option differs from the usual square design used in other variants, instead going for thick circular metal that has been powder-coated for durability and comfort.

In my experience, it feels sturdier when lifted than the thinner metal design of the comparable Kabuki Trap Bar HD.

The knurling is moderately aggressive at 1.2mm deep, just like on Eleiko training bars.

It is not as aggressive as a competition bar, so repeated use will not shred your hands. The grips are 28mm in diameter, just like Eleiko weightlifting bars, making it easier to handle big deadlifts.

The Eleiko Oppen Deadlift Bar has long Olympic sleeves for maximum loading capacity, swappable dual handles for low and high-handle deadlifting, and a built-in deadlift jack for convenient loading.

The rubber ends of the deadlift jack ensure it does not scratch your platform.

I’m a massive fan of the new open-end trap bar designs. It may feel awkward initially, but you’ll get used to it quickly.

The most significant advantage is the variety of exercises. For example, you can do lunges and Bulgarian split squats without kicking the front of the trap bar.

It’s also rackable, so you can do rack pulls or trap bar overhead presses. The Eleiko Oppen Bar is ideal for home gyms because it is 77″ wide, narrower than many of the trap bars on our list.

Furthermore, it has a weight capacity of 500 kg (1102 lbs), so you shouldn’t have any trouble loading it as much as you want.

It comes with a 5-year warranty and costs $850, which is typical for premium trap bars. It costs the same as the Kabuki Trap Bar HD, the most comparable option. Of the two, I much prefer the Eleiko bar for its thicker design.

Pros

• Open-ended design allows greater exercise variety without hitting your leg into the bar.
• High and low handles allow for a wider range of motion when deadlifting.
• The thick metal gives you a nice, stable feeling.
• A built-in deadlift jack makes loading easier.

Cons

• Premium pricing for a premium design.
• The warranty is just five years, but Eleiko’s track record suggests it will last a lifetime.

Best Rackable Hex Bar

Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar

Specifications
Open or Closed	Open
Weight	65 lbs
Knurling	Medium diamond
Unique Features	Built In Deadlift Jack
Handle Width	23″
Handle Diameter	32 & 38 mm
Coating	Powder Coat w/ chrome sleeves
Removable Handles	No
Weight Capacity	1,500 lbs
Warranty	1 Year

Titan Fitness nailed it with its 16″ loadable chrome sleeves and open-end design. This bar has you covered for deadlifts, shrugs, farmer’s walks, rack pulls, and overhead presses.

However, the space between grips is only 23″, making it one inch narrower than most trap bars. Because the handles cannot be removed, as with the REP Fitness trap bar, you may have difficulty doing exercises such as the bench press.

It has two grip diameters (32mm and 38mm), significantly thicker than the standard 28-29mm barbell. The medium diamond texture knurling ensures a firm grip without being too abrasive on the hands.

The Titan Open-Ended Trap Bar is built like a tank, with a weight capability of 1,500 pounds. The powder-coated black frame finish is elegant and durable, while the hard chrome sleeve finish exudes professionalism and quality.

It weighs 5 pounds more than comparable trap bars at 65 lbs. One disadvantage of Titan Fitness equipment is the one-year guarantee. However, for $350, you get a high-quality, rackable trap bar at an excellent price.

Pros

• Rackable, with chrome sleeves, so there is no coating to scratch off.
• It has a 1500-pound weight capacity, making it one of the strongest trap bars on this list.

Cons

• Thicker handles may lessen the maximum load for people with small hands.
• Because the handles are not removable, they may interfere with classic exercises such as the bench press.

Best Trap Bar for Farmers Walk

Kabuki Trap Bar HD

Specifications
Open or Closed	Open
Weight	30 kg
Knurling	Medium diamond
Unique Features	Built In Deadlift Jack
Handle Width	23″, 25″, or 27″
Handle Diameter	29 mm (can add 1″, 1.5″, and 2″ handles)
Coating	Semi-Gloss Powdercoat
Removable Handles	No
Weight Capacity	1,500 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime

It’s made of strong, reinforced square steel tubing and can support up to 1500 pounds, making it perfect for giant loads. I particularly like this trap bar for farmer’s walks because of the handle diameter options.

It has a conventional 29mm handle, similar to a Powerlifting barbell, for heavy carries and a 1.5″ thick handle to help you grip during smaller carries.

You can also add 2″ “love handles” to replace one of the handles if you like a truly thick handle.

You can also select a thin (23″), normal (25″), or wide (27″) handle width based on your size.

The regular is best for most people (including me, who stands 5’8″ and weighs 185 pounds), while the narrow and wide versions are ideal for smaller or larger lifters.

As with all Kabuki equipment, it comes with a lifetime warranty. However, this bar costs $850, similar to our premium alternative, the Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar.

Pros

• Varying handle diameters to prioritize grip or load weight when doing farmer’s walk.
• Lifetime warranty.
• Grip width variations to suit every body type.

Cons

• Square steel tubing eliminates the ability to squat and bench press.
• Premium pricing.

Best Trap Bar For Deadlifts

Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar 3.0

Specifications
Open or Closed	Open
Weight	47lbs / 21kg
Knurling	Moderate
Unique Features	Built In Deadlift Jack
Handle Width	24?
Handle Diameter	25 m
Coating	Black zinc
Removable Handles	No
Weight Capacity	700 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime

The Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar 3 gives you an unmatched deadlifting experience while being capable of replacing your other barbells in the home gym. Unlike many other trap bars, this model has rotating sleeves.

The sleeves are also a little shorter to be more compact, but at the same time the plate block is extra thin, allowing the same amount of plates to be loaded as in longer sleeves.

With a capacity of 700 lbs, this bar will not be suitable only for the strongest lifters who may need more than this.

The built-in deadlift jack is another feature you should expect of good quality open trap bars, and it is present in this model.

The BoFS Trap Bar 3.0 costs $300 and has a lifetime warranty, making it a killer deal for your home gym.

Pros

• Rotating sleeves make this a decent barbell replacement.
• Shorter sleeves make it more compact.
• Great value for the price.
• Lifetime warranty.

Cons

• 700 lbs may not be enough for some lifters.
• Shorter sleeves mean you may need metal plates and not bumpers to fit bigger loads.

Benefits Of Using A Trap Bar

Reduced Lower Back Activation

Lifters and athletes with weak lower backs may struggle with conventional deadlifts. There’s a reason why very few professional athletes choose the conventional deadlift over the trap bar.

With your hands by your sides, the weight is evenly distributed, unlike when using a barbell, which puts more strain on your lower back due to its position in front of you.

This is seen in a study comparing the two workouts, where trap bar deadlifts place less stress on the lower back while increasing stress on the quads compared to traditional deadlifts ^[1].

You can also restrict the range of motion, which leads us to the following advantage.

Different Handle Heights

The various handle heights of a trap bar are one of its most essential features. Trap bars often have two handle heights, one aligned with the sleeves and one slightly higher.

It means you can deadlift with the higher handles to shorten your range of motion.

This is especially useful if you are a taller lifter or have back problems. But even with a healthy back, lifting from the high handles feels superior, and elevating your feet allows for a conventional range of motion similar to a barbell deadlift.

Versatile Exercise Selection

The trap bar outperforms several other pieces of equipment in terms of versatility when it is open-ended. It works well for deadlifts and can also be used for squats, lunges, and presses.

Classic closed trap bars do not allow locomotive or traditional strength exercises, which limits their application in the home gym.

Reduced Risk Of Injury

A key issue within strength training is the possibility of injury, particularly when performing complicated compound lifts.

The trap bar deadlift is a safer alternative to the traditional barbell deadlift because it puts less stress on the lower back.

Develop Strength And Power

Finally, the trap bar is effective for developing strength and power. Trap bar deadlifts provide better peak power and velocity when lifting the same load as traditional deadlifts, and the trap bar allows you to lift more weight ^[2].

Furthermore, loaded jumps with the trap bar are more joint-friendly than barbell squat jumps for most people.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Trap Bar

Open Or Closed

One of my first considerations when selecting a trap bar is whether to use an open or closed design. Open trap bars provide increased exercise variety and freedom of movement.

They frequently include built-in bar jacks for convenient loading and unloading of weight plates. On the other hand, closed trap bars are conventional but have a limited range of possible exercises.

Rackable vs. Non-Rackable

Rackability is important, especially with open trap bars that function as cambered bars.

Rackable bars can be used on a squat rack for easy weight adjustments and classic weight training routines. However, non-rackable bars are more space-efficient and often less expensive.

Weight Capacity

A trap bar’s maximum load is determined by its weight capacity, which must exceed your lifting abilities to allow for progression.

Look for bars with a high weight capacity, preferably above 500 pounds, to ensure durability and adaptability as your strength grows.

Handle Options

Today’s open-ended designs provide more grip alternatives. Some trap bars have adjustable grips or variable handle heights, which improves adaptability for various exercises and user preferences.

Some even include detachable grips, such as the REP Fitness Trap Bar, allowing you to select the grip that best suits your training approach.

You also have handle diameter options to test your grip with thick handles.

Weight

Weight is frequently used to indicate build quality. Lighter trap bars, like the Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar, are manufactured of less expensive steel and weigh less than 44 pounds. Like the others on this list, heavy-duty trap bars can weigh 60 pounds or more.

Material and Durability

A durable and dependable bar requires high-quality steel construction with solid welds or secure bolts and nuts. It is not just about the material; structural integrity and resistance to bending under severe loads are also important variables.

Finish

The coating of a trap bar can affect its grip and resistance to rust. Most are powder-coated or chrome-plated. Both work well, in my experience. What you’re looking for is the sleeve covering.

Powder-coated sleeves scratch easily when loading and unloading plates hence, chrome should be used instead.

Knurling

The majority of trap bars have moderately aggressive knurling. Cheap chrome trap bars have smooth knurling, which is not ideal for heavy deadlifting.

Dimensions and Size Options

The trap bar’s dimensions and size matter when considering your body size and available space.

The standard handle width is suitable for most body types. If you’re using bumper plates, longer sleeves are preferred, while compact choices fit into small places.

Price

Price is a trade-off between cost and features and is usually an indicator of quality.

I’m willing to pay extra for a trap bar with greater build quality, features such as a deadlift jack, and a larger weight capacity.

However, I always seek value, so I don’t pay too much for brand names that don’t provide matching benefits.

Warranty

I usually check the warranty details before buying a trap bar.

You can rest easy knowing your investment is safeguarded from production defects or premature wear and tear with a large guarantee period, demonstrating the company’s trust in their goods.

Frequently Asked Trap Bar Questions

What Should I Consider When Buying A Trap Bar?

Features to think about when buying a trap bar include the bar’s open or closed design, rackability, weight capacity, grip options, finish, knurling, measurements, size, pricing, and warranty. These elements will affect how well, how long, and how adaptable the bar is.

Does The Design Of A Trap Bar Matter?

A trap bar’s design is important. You can do more with open trap bars in terms of a variety of exercises, while closed trap bars will give you the traditional feel. Your training needs and personal preferences will determine your choice.

What Does Rackability Mean In Trap Bars?

Rackability is a trap bar’s ability to fit onto typical gym racks, making it easy to load and unload weights and combine with other workouts. It is vital for convenience and to broaden workout possibilities.

How Does Weight Capacity Affect Trap Bar Choice?

Weight capacity refers to how much weight the trap bar can safely support. Ensure the trap bar you purchase can hold the highest weight you want to lift.

Is A Trap Bar Worth It?

Buying a trap bar is absolutely worth it. It is a great piece of equipment that allows you to do various workouts.

All trap bars are a better alternative to traditional deadlifts for most people because they don’t put so much stress on the spine and are used for heavy farmer’s walks and shrugs. Open-end trap bars give you even more versatility.

What Are Trap Bars Used For

Trap bars are used mainly for deadlifts to hit your glutes and hamstrings and shrug to grow big trapezius muscles, which is how the trap bar was named initially.

In addition, with an open trap bar, you can also perform lunges, Bulgarian squats, trap bar jumps, and many other exercises. Some models can even be used for upper body strength.

Why Do Athletes Use Trap Bars?

Athletes from different sports often prefer trap bar deadlifts to the traditional straight bar deadlifts. The trap bar’s handles are in a neutral position and higher, which allows achieving a stronger hip position. This reduces the load through the spine and allows higher loads to be lifted.

For non-strength athletes, this type of training allows faster strength improvements in the areas they need instead of having to focus on mastering the technique of straight bar deadlifts first.

Summary

REP Fitness combines the highest quality, adaptability, and price ratio into a single trap bar. You can perform all the traditional trap bar exercises like deadlifts, shrugs, squats, and farmer’s walks, but you can also use the bar for bench presses, overhead presses, and many other upper and lower body exercises.

When looking for the best trap bar, open-ended bars are the superior choice because of their adaptability, simplicity of storage in a garage gym, and loading with built-in deadlift jacks.

References

1. Swinton, P. A., Stewart, A., Agouris, I., Keogh, J. W., & Lloyd, R. (2011). A biomechanical analysis of straight and hexagonal barbell deadlifts using submaximal loads. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 25(7), 2000-2009.
2. Lockie, R. G., Moreno, M. R., Lazar, A., Risso, F. G., Liu, T. M., Stage, A. A., … & Callaghan, S. J. (2018). The 1 repetition maximum mechanics of a high-handle hexagonal bar deadlift compared with a conventional deadlift as measured by a linear position transducer. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(1), 150-161.