Lifting belts, knee sleeves and wrist wraps are sold with a great deal of marketing language and very few numbers. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) is unusual in publishing exact dimensions and construction rules for them. Those figures do not say which product is better for training, but they do give a shopper a factual specification against which to read product descriptions such as “competition legal” or “IPF approved”. This article summarises the personal-equipment section of the IPF Technical Rulebook effective 1 March 2026. These are competition rules for IPF events; other federations set their own, and anyone entering a different event should check that federation’s rulebook.
What “approved” means for personal equipment
The rulebook states that only belts, and only knee sleeves, from manufacturers accepted onto the IPF’s “Approved List of Apparel and Equipment for Use at IPF Competitions” are permitted in competition. Supportive wraps must also come from commercial manufacturers registered and approved by the Technical Committee. A product that merely matches the dimensions below is therefore not automatically usable at an IPF event; the manufacturer must be on the list.
Belts: construction rules
A competitor may wear a belt, and it must be worn on the outside of the lifting suit. The main body must be made of leather, vinyl or other similar non-stretch material in one or more laminations, which may be glued or stitched together. The rulebook forbids additional padding, bracing or supports of any material, whether on the surface or concealed within the laminations. The buckle must be attached at one end of the belt by studs or stitching, and it may have one or two prongs or a quick-release type, which the rulebook defines as a lever. A tongue loop must be attached close to the buckle.
Belts: maximum dimensions
- width of belt: maximum 10 cm;
- thickness: maximum 13 mm along the main length;
- inside width of buckle: maximum 11 cm;
- outside width of buckle: maximum 13 cm;
- tongue loop: maximum width 5 cm;
- distance between the end of the belt and the far end of the tongue loop: maximum 25 cm.
The practical reading for a buyer is that a 10 cm wide, 13 mm thick belt sits at the top of the permitted size, and that prong and lever fastenings are both allowed. The rulebook does not rank them.
Knee sleeves
The rulebook defines sleeves as cylinders of neoprene worn only on the knees. They must be constructed entirely of a single ply of neoprene, or predominantly of a single ply plus a non-supportive single layer of fabric over the neoprene, and must not provide any appreciable support or rebound to the knees. The specifications are:
- maximum thickness of 7 mm;
- maximum length of 30 cm;
- no additional strapping, Velcro, drawstrings, padding or similar supportive devices;
- continuous cylinders, without holes in the neoprene or any covering material;
- centred over the knee joint and not in contact with the suit, other than a long-legged suit, or with socks.
Knee sleeves cannot be worn together with knee wraps. They may be worn over a long-sleeved singlet but not under it.
Wraps
Wraps must be of one ply of commercially woven elastic covered with polyester, cotton or a combination of both, or medical crepe. Supportive wraps require Technical Committee approval; wraps made of medical crepe or bandage do not. For the wrist, the rulebook sets these limits:
- wrist wraps must not exceed 1 m in length and 8 cm in width, with any sleeves or Velcro tabs included within the one-metre length;
- a loop may be attached as an aid to securing but must not remain over the thumb or fingers during the actual lift;
- a combination of wrist wraps and sweat bands is not allowed;
- a wrist covering must not extend beyond 10 cm above and 2 cm below the centre of the wrist joint, or exceed a covering width of 12 cm.
Knee wraps may not exceed 2 m in length and 8 cm in width and may be worn only in competitions designated as Equipped. They must not extend beyond 15 cm above and 15 cm below the centre of the knee joint or exceed a total covering width of 30 cm, and wraps and sleeves cannot be combined.
Shoes and socks
The rulebook says shoes or boots must be worn. They are defined as indoor sports shoes or boots, weightlifting or powerlifting boots, or deadlift slippers, and it states that hiking boots do not qualify. Sole thickness must not exceed 5 cm at any point, the underside must be flat without projections or modification, loose inner soles that are not part of the manufactured shoe are limited to 1 cm thickness, and shoes must be properly fastened on the platform. Socks with a rubber outside sole lining are not allowed in the squat, bench press or deadlift. Shin-length socks must be worn to cover and protect the shins during the deadlift.
Reading product listings with these figures
- Check the width and thickness against 10 cm and 13 mm for belts.
- Check sleeve thickness against 7 mm and length against 30 cm, and whether any strapping or holes are present.
- For wraps, note whether the product is elastic or medical crepe, and its length and width.
- If the goal is to compete, confirm that the manufacturer is on the current approved list rather than relying on a product description.
Frequently asked questions
Does the rulebook say which belt fastening is better?
No. It permits a buckle with one or two prongs or a lever type and sets no ranking.
Can sleeves and wraps be combined?
Not at IPF events. The rulebook forbids wearing knee sleeves together with knee wraps.
The bottom line
The IPF Technical Rulebook effective 1 March 2026 sets maximum figures for belts (10 cm wide, 13 mm thick), knee sleeves (7 mm thick, 30 cm long), wrist wraps (1 m by 8 cm) and shoe soles (5 cm). Those numbers describe what is permitted at IPF competitions, not what performs best, but they let buyers compare specification sheets objectively and check that a manufacturer is on the approved list if competing.