These Are The Best Open & Closed Trap Bars In 2024

Not so long ago, trap bars were found only in commercial gyms and used mostly by athletes who needed to deadlift but wanted to avoid the extra back strain. With the appearance of open trap bars and decent budget hex bars, they have become much more common in home gyms.

But having more options available also means you have a harder choice to make. With different features, sizes, and prices, getting the right trap bar may require some help, and this roundup is

created for this purpose- to help you choose the most appropriate trap bar for your needs and budget.

• 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 Trap Bar For Deadlifts: Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar 3.0
• Best Trap Bar For Farmers Walk: Kabuki HD Trap Bar
• Best Premium Trap Bar: Eleiko Oppen
• Best Rackable Hex Bar: Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar
• Best Trap Bar On Amazon: HulkFit Olympic 2-Inch Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar

Best Open Trap Bar

REP Fitness Trap Bar

Feature	Specifications
Weight Capacity	1350 lbs
Knurling	Moderate
Special 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
Open or Closed	Open
Warranty	Lifetime

REP Fitness’ open-ended trap bar has an original design. The design is similar to the Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar, with one key difference: a softly knurled middle.

Only a few open-ended trap bars can be used as cambered bars in a rack for squats and good mornings.

REP Fitness added center knurling to prevent it from slipping off your traps. Because of the round metal tube, the trap bar can be utilized as a thick cambered bar, even for pressing.

Other open-ended trap bars, such as the Kabuki Trap Bar HD, lack this option because they are rectangular.

Handle options and grip breadth are two more distinct elements.

The standard 25-inch handle width is appropriate for most people and mirrors the design of most trap bars. The Rep Fitness model also offers narrow (23″) and wide (27.3″) options for different body types.

There are spinning handles of conventional width, but the manufacturer additionally provides three handle diameters: standard 28 mm, thicker 38 (1.5 inches), and 48 mm (1.89 inches).

You can use the 28 mm handle for heavier lifts and the thicker handles for deadlifts and carries to improve your grip.

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

These handles are also removable, allowing you to purchase additional handles and swap them if you want more options. Alternatively, you can remove them while performing cambered bar squats or bench presses.

The REP Fitness trap bar has a weight capacity of 1350 pounds, allowing you to load it infinitely. The sleeve length is the same as the Rogue TB-2, so you have enough room to load plates.

I appreciate how they designed the deadlift jack with a plastic liner to protect your platform.

This model is attractively priced at $400. However, rotating handles increase the price to $470, but it’s definitely worth it.

REP Fitness offers the standard lifetime manufacturer defect warranty for this price range.

It’s a wonderful choice for home gym owners who value versatility in their gym equipment.

Best Closed Trap Bar

Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar

Features	Specifications
Weight Capacity	1,300-1,500 lbs (estimated)
Knurling	Rogue Hybrid Knurling
Special Features	N/A
Handle Width	25″
Handle Diameter	34 mm
Coating	Powder Coat, including sleeves
Removable Handles	No
Open or Closed	Closed
Warranty	Lifetime

The Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar is a remarkable hex bar designed and manufactured by Rogue Fitness, a company known for producing high-quality, long-lasting gym equipment.

The Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar has a unique black powder coat finish that adds a sleek look while providing a superior grip and resistance to wear. 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.

This is ideal for males with larger hands or those who value grip training highly, but it is not suitable 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, making them 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, significantly 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. Rogue’s knurling can be quite 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 exercise variation. 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 out the Rogue Boneyard and see if you can pick one up for even less money.

You can see my in-depth breakdown in my Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar review.

Best Budget Trap Bar

Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar

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

The tradeoff with budget equipment always is quality and versatility. 

For example, the Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar is only rated for 500 pounds, which limits you if you are a stronger lifter.

Another drawback is that the knurling is far smoother than any other trap bar on our list, making it inappropriate for training in hot temperatures.

But as a plus, I can mention the 56-inch length, which makes it ideal for a modest home gym.

The typical handle width is 24.5 inches, with a handle diameter of 28mm. The 9.75″ loadable sleeve length requires thin plates for sufficient weight on the trap bar.

The sleeve diameter is 48 mm, 2 mm smaller than the standard 50 mm for Olympic plates. This allows for more mobility 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 bracket, making this option well worth considering for people on a limited budget.

Best Trap Bar For Deadlifts

Bells Of Steel Open Trap Bar 3.0

Features	Specifications
Weight Capacity	700 lbs
Knurling	Moderate
Special Features	Built In Deadlift Jack
Handle Width	24″
Handle Diameter	25 mm
Coating	Black zinc
Removable Handles	No
Open or Closed	Open
Warranty	Lifetime

The trap bar was originally designed for big deadlifts with reduced back pressure. However, open hex bars provide far more adaptability without sacrificing deadlift efficiency, thus my choice for the best deadlift trap bar is another open design.

The Bells of Steel Open Trap Bar 3 provides an unparalleled deadlifting experience and can replace your barbells in the home gym. Unlike many other trap bars, this one features spinning sleeves.

The sleeves are also slightly shorter to be more compact, but the plate block is extremely thin, allowing the same number of plates to be loaded as in longer sleeves.

With a capacity of 700 pounds, this bar is not suitable only for pro-level powerlifters, who may require more.

Another feature you should look for in high-quality open trap bars is a built-in deadlift jack, which this model has.

The BoS Trap Bar 3.0 is $300 with a lifetime warranty, making it an excellent value for your home gym.

Best Trap Bar For Farmers Walk

Kabuki HD Trap Bar

Features	Specifications
Weight Capacity	1500 lbs
Knurling	Medium diamond
Special 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
Open or Closed	Open
Warranty	Lifetime

Farmer’s walks are an important part of my strength training, and the Kabuki Trap Bar HD is a perfect instrument for this purpose because of its open shape.

It is constructed of sturdy, reinforced square steel tubing and can support up to 1500 pounds, making it ideal for large loads. The handle diameter variations on this trap bar make it ideal for farmer’s walks.

The handle is 29mm, similar to a powerlifting barbell, which you can use for large carries. The 1.5″ handle is better suited for smaller loads.

If you like an even thicker handle, replace the handles with 2″ “love handles.”

Depending on your size, you can choose between a thin (23″), standard (25″), or wide (27″) handle width.

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

It is covered by a lifetime warranty, just like other Kabuki equipment. However, this bar costs $850, comparable to our premium alternative, the Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar.

Best Premium Trap Bar

Eleiko Oppen

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

I’ve tested various trap bars, and the Eleiko Oppen Trap Bar is the best in terms of quality.

It’s a great mix of style and function and takes strength training almost to an art form.

Eleiko is well-known for its superb craftsmanship, and the Oppen Deadlift Bar boasts the same meticulous attention to detail as their IWF Weightlifting Barbells.

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

The design goes away from the typical angular form found in other models, opting for thick circular metal that has been powder-coated for durability and comfort.

In my perspective, it seems more solid when lifted than the thinner metal construction of the comparable Kabuki Trap Bar HD.

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

It’s not as harsh as in a competition bar, so repeated use won’t rip your hands. The grips are 28mm in diameter, similar to Eleiko weightlifting bars, making it easier to manage heavy deadlifts.

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

The deadlift jack’s rubber ends protect your platform from scratches.

I am a massive fan of the new open-end trap bar designs. Although they may initially feel awkward, you will get used to them quickly.

The most important advantage is the variety of exercises. For example, lunges and Bulgarian split squats can be performed without kicking the trap bar’s front.

It is also rackable, allowing you to perform rack pulls and trap bar overhead presses. The Eleiko Oppen Bar is 77″ wide, making it narrower than other trap bars on our list and more suitable for home gyms.

Furthermore, with a weight capacity of 500 kg (1102 lbs), you should be able to load it as much as you desire.

It includes a 5-year warranty and costs $850, which is to be expected for a premium trap bar. It is priced the same as the Kabuki Trap Bar HD, which is the most comparable option.

I prefer the Eleiko bar due to its thicker and more rounded construction.

Best Rackable Hex Bar

Titan Fitness Open Trap Bar

Features	Specifications
Weight Capacity	1500 lbs
Knurling	Medium diamond
Special Features	Built In Deadlift Jack
Handle Width	23″
Handle Diameter	32 & 38 mm
Coating	Powder Coat w/ chrome sleeves
Removable Handles	No
Open or Closed	Open
Warranty	1 Year

A rackable trap bar should be open-ended, allowing for exercise variety, and have long chrome sleeves that are not powder-coated. Powder coat scratches off when used on a rack.

Titan Fitness nailed it with its 16″ loadable chrome sleeves and open-end design. This bar is suitable 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), which are 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.

Best Trap Bar On Amazon

HulkFit Olympic 2-Inch Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar

Features	Specifications
Weight Capacity	800 lbs
Knurling	Medium diamond
Special Features	N/A
Handle Width	23.5″
Handle Diameter	32 & 38 mm
Coating	Powder Coat or chrome gloss
Removable Handles	No
Open or Closed	Closed
Warranty	N/A

You’ll often hear me advise against ordering important pieces of home gym equipment from Amazon, but some people still want to do it for various reasons, so I have to include a recommendation. In the case of hex bars, this is the HulkFit Olympic.

This bar has a traditional hexagonal shape and can be ordered in a powdered black coat or chrome high gloss coated over heavy-duty steel. You get two sets of handles with medium diamond knurling.

The weight capacity of 800 lbs is not bad for a product of this price range as it is more than the Titan Fitness Hex Bar, which is the other budget option. All the measurements are comparable to the Titan Fitness model, but the price is 30 bucks less at  $130.

However, as with all products from Amazon, you get 30 30-day return policy but no actual warranty.

So, if you are tempted by the low price and the quick Amazon shipping, Hulk Fit is your best choice. And with 6500 user reviews and a score of 4.6, you know a ton of people are happy with their purchase.

Benefits Of Using A Trap Bar

Reduced Lower Back Activation

Lifters and athletes with problematic lower backs may have difficulty performing conventional deadlifts. There’s a reason why so few professional athletes prefer the conventional deadlift over the trap bar.

With the trap bar, the weight is evenly distributed with your hands by your sides, as opposed to utilizing a barbell, which puts more strain on your lower back because it is in front of you. The trap bar is also an excellent way for beginners to learn the hip hinge movement.

This is demonstrated in a study comparing the two routines, which found that trap bar deadlifts put less stress on the lower back while increasing the load on the quads compared to standard deadlifts ^[1].

You can also limit the range of motion, which leads to the following benefit.

Different Handle Heights

One of the most important characteristics of a trap bar is the variety of handle heights. Trap bars typically have two handle heights, one aligned with the sleeves and one slightly above.

It means you may deadlift with the taller handles, reducing your range of motion.

This is especially beneficial if you are a taller lifter or have back issues. Even with a healthy back, lifting from the high handles feels better, and elevating your feet allows for a more traditional range of motion, similar to a barbell deadlift.

Exercise Versatility

An open-end trap bar is very versatile, allowing more exercise variety than other gym equipment. It’s still great for deadlifts but can also be used for squats, lunges, and upper-body exercises.

The classic closed trap bar is much more limited, so I recommend getting an open trap bar for your home gym to save space and money.

‌Reduced Risk Of Injury

The risk of injury is a major concern in strength training, especially when doing complex compound lifts such as the deadlift with heavy loads.

The trap bar deadlift is a safer alternative to the classic barbell deadlift since it reduces strain on the lower back.

Develop Strength And Power

Finally, the trap bar is useful for building strength and power. Trap bar deadlifts provide higher peak power and velocity while lifting the same load as standard deadlifts, and the trap bar allows you to lift more weight ^[2].

Furthermore, loaded jumps with the trap bar are safer for the joints than barbell squat jumps.

How To Choose The Best Trap Bar

Open Or Closed

The first factor I consider when choosing a trap bar is whether it should have an open or closed design. Open trap bars offer a greater variety of exercises and greater mobility.

Frequently, they feature integrated bar jacks to help load and offload weight plates. Conversely, closed trap bars are traditional and have their place but offer a much more limited range of exercise options.

Rackable vs. Non-Rackable

Rackability is critical, especially for open trap bars, which also work as cambered bars.

Rackable bars can be used on a squat rack to make simple weight adjustments and perform traditional weight training exercises. Non-rackable bars, on the other hand, take up less space and are typically less expensive.

With a bit of ingenuity and a rackable open trap bar, you can come up with a ton of lower and upper body exercises, so spending the extra cash and buying one can save you money on purchasing additional equipment.

Weight Capacity

A trap bar’s maximum load is determined by its weight capacity, which must be greater than your current lifting ability so you can progress for a long time.

Look for bars with a large weight capacity, preferably over 500 pounds, to ensure durability and adaptability as your strength increases.

Handle Options

Today’s open-ended designs offer more grip options. Some trap bars feature adjustable grips or varied handle heights, making them more adaptable to different exercises and user preferences.

Some even include changeable grips, like the REP Fitness Trap Bar, which allows you to choose the grip that best suits your training style.

You may also experiment with different handle diameters to see how you grip thick grips.

Weight

Weight is commonly linked to build quality. Lighter trap bars, like the Titan Fitness Olympic Hex Bar, are made from less expensive steel and weigh less than 44 pounds. Heavy-duty trap bars, like most on this list, might weigh 60 pounds or more.

Material and Durability

A strong and reliable bar requires high-quality steel construction with robust welds or secure bolts and nuts. It is not only about the material; structural integrity and resistance to bending under extreme loads are also crucial considerations.

Finish

The coating on a trap bar affects its grip and resistance to corrosion. Most are chrome-plated or powder-coated, both of which have worked well in my experience.

You need to pay more attention to the sleeve covering. Powder-coated sleeves scratch easily when loading and unloading plates; therefore, chrome is the preferable coating option.

Knurling

The majority of trap bars feature moderately aggressive knurling. Cheap chrome trap bars have smooth knurling, which is unsuitable for big deadlifts.

Some trash bars may even have no knurling at all. But if you stick to one of the options listed in this roundup, you will get decent knurling at the very least or excellent knurling pattern and depth in most cases.

Dimensions and Size Options

The trap bar’s dimensions and size are important in relation to your body size and available space in your garage gym. 

The standard handle width fits most body types, but some bars here allow you to choose according to your body type. 

The sleeve length determines how much and what types of plate you can load. Longer sleeves are ideal for bumper plates, while smaller options allow less weight but are easier to store away in tighter spaces.

Price

Price is a tradeoff between cost and features and is typically a sign of quality.

I’m willing to spend more on a trap bar with better build quality, features like a deadlift jack, and a higher weight capability.

However, I constantly look for value, so I don’t pay too much for brand names that don’t offer comparable advantages.

Warranty

A longer warranty period can give you peace of mind in two ways. The more obvious is that the item can be returned in case of production flaws and defects.

The second sign a longer warranty gives you is that the manufacturer is more confident in the product compared to companies providing shorter warranty periods.

For example, the top open and closed models on the list have a lifetime warranty, while the cheaper models have 1 year.

Frequently Asked Trap Bar Questions

Summary

A barbell may be the best and most versatile piece of gym equipment, but trap bars can help you do deadlifts in a safer way and even substitute a barbell in your home gym if you get the right trap bar.

My recommendation for the “right one” is the Rep Fitness open trap bar, the most versatile trap bar on the market without a premium price tag.

If premium is what you’re after, look no further than Eleiko. If you’re on the opposite end of the budget spectrum, Titan Fitness should be your brand of choice.

Make sure to go over every entry on the list because they all have earned their place for one reason or another.

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.