If you’re reading this article, you’re probably aware of how amazing the Nordic hamstring curl exercise is for developing ridiculous posterior chain strength.
If you’re a follower of Ben Patrick or Mr. 1NF1N1TY then you’re probably looking to include Nordics into your training routine.
Nordic benches can be quite expensive, but you don’t have to fork out a ton of cash to perform this exercise, which is where the Nordic strap comes into play.
Best Nordic Straps – At A Glance
- Best Overall – Mr. 1NF1N1TY X Shogun Triple Flexion Nordic Strap
- Best Budget Strap – Slant Board Guy Nordic Strap
- Best Door Strap – ATG American-Made Nordstick
- Best Attachment – TBG Ez-Nord
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Best Budget Strap |
Best Door Strap |
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A1ATHLETE |
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A1ATHLETE |
- Ankle padding increases comfort.
- Ultra high quality and super durable.
- More comfortable and easier to use than a Nordic strap.
- Fantastic quality.
Using a Nordic strap, you can transform any gym bench into a Nordic bench which is why the Nordic strap is an excellent, affordable Nordic solution.
I’ve put together a list of the most effective Nordic straps available on the market to help you decide which one is best for your needs.
Let’s begin!
If you’re looking for a super comfortable, ultra high quality Nordic strap that’ll last forever, then MR1NF1N1TY’s got your back!
Best Overall Nordic Strap
This Nordic strap is way better than all of the others on the market, and it’s not even close.
It’s made from a completely different material to all the others. This one’s been upgraded to an industrial grade yarn, so it’s thicker and more reliable.
The break capacity of this strap is 1,200lbs, which means it can hold your entire bodyweight several times over without breaking a sweat.
This is also the only Nordic strap that comes with an ankle pad, so you can expect maximum comfort during long sets.
It’s called the ‘triple flexion’ Nordic strap because of how versatile it is.
There’s 3 primary ways of using it: for Nordics, for knee raises (hip flexors), and for tibialis raises.
The amount of use you will get out of this thing is absurd!
Yes, it’s slightly more expensive than the other options, but I feel like Nordic hamstring curls are an exercise that demand more in terms of safety and comfort.
Recommended Use
This is the most comfortable and durable Nordic strap, ideal for anyone looking to perform Nordics, regardless of what level you’re at. This is definitely the best option for anyone who is particularly heavy or who is doing full range Nordics.
Pros
- Ultra high quality materials. Super durable.
- Only Nordic strap on the market with ankle padding for improved comfort.
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than alternatives.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR 10% OFF WHEN YOU BUY FROM SHOGUN WEBSITE!
SBG also makes a decent Nordic strap if you wanted to save some cash by going for a more basic option.
Best Budget Nordic Strap
I like to think of the SBG Nordic strap as a fairly middle-of-the-road product that is not quite as good as Mr. 1NF1N1TY’s strap, but still better than the super cheap Amazon straps.
It’s 1.5″ thick as opposed to 2″ and it’s 5 feet long as opposed to 6 feet like the Shogun strap is.
It’s also made from a thinner/weaker polyester material but is still rated to hold around 600lbs.
And it also doesn’t come with ankle pads, unfortunately.
Surprisingly, it’s not all that uncomfortable to use even without the ankle pads and most users think it does a decent enough job.
I’m not going to lie, this is a very simple and rudimentary Nordic strap but, put simply, should work fine for most users.
There was a few reports of the strap loosening/not holding completely taught, so if you’re pushing a lot of weight or doing full range of motion Nordics, you might be better off spending the extra $10 and going for Mr. 1NF1N1TY’s strap.
Recommended Use
This sled strap is a little more affordable than the Shogun strap and is going to get the job done for most athletes. It’s definitely not quite as robust but is still a fine option for beginners.
Pros
- The SBG strap is considerably more affordable than the Shogun strap.
- Will get the job done for most athletes and is quite a decent option for beginners.
Cons
- The text that’s been printed on the strap prevents the buckle from fastening properly at times.
- Strap may loosen/slip slightly, especially if you’re on the heavier side.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER WHEN YOU ORDER VIA SBG WEBSITE.
Using your door, you can turn this strap into a fully functional Nordic bar which is a great option for at-home use.
Best Nordic Door Strap – Nordstick
This device is a little different from the standard Nordic strap, but is a fantastic alternative worth thinking about.
It slides into your doorframe and allows you to perform Nordics on the floor, which is actually a really smart solution.
The padded foot holds are quite comfortable, arguably more so than a traditional Nordic strap going around your ankles.
Of course, to be able to use this, you’ll need to be working out at home (or anywhere directly in front of a doorframe).
This means it can’t really be used in the gym or with a typical bench.
On the other hand, being able to do the exercise on the ground is safer and more secure than being on top of a bench.
The downside is that unless your floor is carpeted, this will be uncomfortable to use without the addition of a yoga mat or some other form of knee padding.
Your doorway also needs to have a lot of clearance so you can actually perform the Nordic in front of the door, which rules out some doors.
Doorways with larger gaps underneath may also make this product pretty dodgy.
But the Nordstick from ATG is really solid compared to the cheaper, flimsy versions other manufacturers have produced.
Recommended Use
If you don’t like the idea of messing around with securing the strap every set, this is a great option.
Pros
- The foam pads are quite comfortable compared to a normal Nordic strap.
- Much easier to start/finish sets than using a Nordic strap which is finnicky.
Cons
- Certain doorways might not be compatible. You need lots of clearance in front of the doorway as well as minimal space under the door.
- You’ll need to find or buy some knee padding to use this device comfortably.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER!
If you don’t like the idea of contorting your body just to secure a Nordic strap around your ankles, the next best option is to go for the EZ-Nord, a really clever attachment that turns any weight bench into a full blown Nordic bench.
Best Nordic Strap Alternative
The worst thing about using a Nordic strap is that it’s really quite annoying having to strap yourself down to the bench every set.
It’s quite a slow process and requires a bit of contortion.
The Tib Bar Guy’s EZ-Nord is an attachment that straps onto any weight bench that transforms it into a proper Nordic bench.
No messing around with fastening straps needed!
Plus the padded ankle pads are way nicer than a thin strap that can dig into your legs.
These things cost about $100 but I think it’s a fantastic purchase for anyone doing Nordics more than once a week.
Also a great choice for advanced athletes doing full Nordics who want a portable Nordic solution.
Recommended Use
The EZ-Nord is a logical upgrade from the Nordic strap for anyone doing frequent Nordic work. Perfect for anyone who finds Nordic straps frustrating to use but isn’t ready to invest in a Nordic bench.
Pros
- Super quick and easy to use compared to a Nordic strap which requires a lot of fiddling around.
- Thick ankle pads are significantly more comfortable than a thin plastic strap.
Cons
- At ~$100 these are definitely more expensive than a Nordic strap.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER.
Final Verdict?
I think the vast majority of athletes taking their training seriously should definitely invest in Mr. 1NF1N1TY’s Nordic strap.
It’s far better quality than anything else on the market, and it’ll probably last forever.
It’s also extremely fairly priced, in my opinion.
For entry level athletes or anyone who wanted a cheaper option, I’d actually recommend going for Slant Board Guy’s Nordic strap – it’s decent quality and super affordable.
Strapping your ankles to a bench isn’t super easy and can be quite fiddly.
If this is something you’d rather not go through, consider upgrading to the EZ-Nord which is a far smoother alternative to the Nordic strap.
My Nordic Strap Research & Review Process
I always make it my mission to be as comprehensive as possible with these product reviews so I can be as helpful as possible to my readers.
Unfortunately, since I’m living abroad in Thailand, I’ve not been able to purchase and test any of these Nordic straps yet, as customs and duties fees have made it super difficult and expensive to import simple equipment like this.
So in the interest of full transparency, I cannot speak about these products from first hand experience.
Since there wasn’t much information available on the internet about Nordic straps, I decided to take the time to research each of these options and put together this list anyway, hoping some of you would find it helpful.
As an affiliate for some of these products, I often get a heads up regarding new product releases before the general public, which allows me to put together reviews with all of the most up-to-date kit.
Research Process
I spent a full day browsing through each of the available options on the market and read every review of each different product to get a feel for which straps people had good experiences with.
Customer satisfaction was the primary metric I used to determine the order of this list, with price being a close second.
Negotiating The Best Customer Discounts For Jump Stronger Readers
Part of my mission to be as helpful as possible is to help you guys get the biggest discounts possible.
Over the last few months I’ve been able to negotiate discounts with several of these Nordic strap manufacturers.
As always, remember to use the discount code “A1ATHLETE” at checkout when buying any of these straps to ensure you get the best possible deal!
Continually Updating With New Products & Information
From time to time I’ll check in on each of the products in this roundup and update the article as necessary to reflect the market sentiment.
I’m also constantly on the hunt for new Nordic straps that can offer value to the marketplace for inclusion in this article.
Feel free to read more about our product testing standards and review process.
What Is A Nordic Strap?
A Nordic strap is a piece of nylon/polyester material usually around 5-6 feet long with a cam buckle on one end that allows users to strap their legs to a weight bench.
Once secured to the weight bench, users can perform Nordic hamstring curls as though they were using a typical Nordic bench.
How Do You Use A Nordic Strap?
- Start by kneeling on your weight bench and wrap your Nordic strap around your lower legs (just above your ankles) as well as the underside of the bench itself. This can be a little awkward, especially if you’re not so flexible.
- Secure the strap through the buckle so it’s nice and taught.
- Perform your Nordics.
- Once you’ve finished your set, undo the buckle to release yourself from the bench.
Why You Should Upgrade To A Nordic Bench
Historically it would cost north of $600 for a Nordic bench, but in recent months several super exciting and really affordable Nordic benches have made their way onto the market, like the Nordic Mini…
These devices range from $200-$250 and are significantly more affordable than your traditional Nordic bench.
They’re also far easier to use than Nordic straps, so they’re well worth checking out!
Be sure to check out my full article discussing the latest and greatest Nordic benches in 2023!
If you’re still unsure, check out my full article discussing how you can do Nordic curls at home with no equipment!
