Wristrest or no Wristrest ?

[Wolfseye]

Over the years I have always had Keyboards with included wristrest. Even before I went mechanical. I realize more and more that most mechanical keyboards dont even come with one anymore, and what I have seen of "external" Wristrests that you can buy, they're not really good in my opinion. So I wonder and would like to know, whats your preference and why ? Do you always use a wristrest, and which (if its an external one non included with your keyboard) is it. Or would you never use one and maybe dont even see the point of using one.

And lastly, is using a wristrest  a definate benefit for my wrists to be more relaxed or is that not necessarely correct but just a matter of preference ?
I would appreciate all your experiences.

My usage of keyboards is for regular typing, office related stuff, gaming and a little programming. Just in case that matters in the question of why a wristrest would be better or wouldnt matter.

Cheers

Wolfseye

[Infrared]

I would really like to try using a wrist rest. I haven't had the funds or the interest to get one for a little while now but see as more and more seem to be getting reviewed I would love to try one with my new keyboard that I will be getting around christmas time.

For those who have used them what is a good wrist rest that isn't foam. I am looking for a leather one because I hate the texture that the foam ones that I have seen online are being produced with.

[E TwentyNine]

Never use one, no point.

Too many people think it's for them to wrest their wrists on while they're typing.  It's not, and that may mess up your wrists ala carpal tunnel.

[fohat.digs]

I have used a tall gel wrist rest for years and love it.

But it probably does promote poor hand posture.

[inanis]

I used my first wrist rest very recently. I never got the point, but then once I had one all of a sudden it made sense. I usually like mine with a bit of an angle - about 8 degrees. But with certain keyboards a flat rest can be nice too.

[jonathanyu]

My keyboard is quite thick, and using a wrist rest can make my wrist feel much better.

[zslane]

Wristpads are a must for me. My keyboards sit atop some fairly thick neoprene padding to dampen the sound of bottoming-out. I use a wristpad to raise my hands back to level with they keyboard. I also find that if I rest my wrists on a hard surface for many hours, my Pisiform bones get very sore. This is also true of my mousing hand, hence a wristpad in front of my mouse as well.

[tigersharkdude]

I much prefer a wrist rest. I couldnt stand how it felt like I was angling my hands up to type, so an adventure was had and this was made

[MeltingTeeth]

No wristrest.  They make CTS worse.

[beehatch]

wristrests are for squares and I ain't no square

[mobbo]

wristrests are for squares and I ain't no square

word homie

[demik]

wristrests are for squares and I ain't no square

word homie

Two people completely wrong.

Wrist rests ftw.

[beehatch]

wristrests are for squares and I ain't no square

word homie

Two people completely wrong.

Wrist rests ftw.

k

[Macsmasher]

wristrests are for squares and I ain't no square

word homie

Two people completely wrong.

Wrist rests ftw.

k

Don't be a square.

[beehatch]

wristrests are for squares and I ain't no square

word homie

Two people completely wrong.

Wrist rests ftw.

k

Don't be a square.

To be fair, in this instance I am being a "k."

[engicoder]

Never use one, no point.

Too many people think it's for them to wrest their wrists on while they're typing.  It's not, and that may mess up your wrists ala carpal tunnel.

I agree with you about using the wrist rest while typing, but the wrist rest should be just that...a place to rest you wrists when NOT typing....which depending on what you are doing could be a good portion of the time.

[tigersharkdude]

Never use one, no point.

Too many people think it's for them to wrest their wrists on while they're typing.  It's not, and that may mess up your wrists ala carpal tunnel.

I agree with you about using the wrist rest while typing, but the wrist rest should be just that...a place to rest you wrists when NOT typing....which depending on what you are doing could be a good portion of the time.

Am I the only on at uses it to wrist his forearms on?

[Macsmasher]

I always have a palm rest in front of my keyboards. (Two of the leather rests from EK. One for HHKB and one for TKL. Highly recommend.) When typing, I lift my wrists off the rest. When not typing, set my wrists on the rest. However, I think many/most users with rests keep their wrists on it when typing. Not healthy for your wrists long term from what I've read.

If somebody can cite a study or research paper touting no detrimental health impact from using a palm rest (not a wrist rest), I'm open to changing my opinion.

[zslane]

That's an interesting insight. Turns out I have my wristpad about an inch away from the keyboard, which means my wrists aren't resting on it per se, more like the part of my forearm near the wrist. It keeps my hands straight with respect to my forearms rather than forcing my hands to angle up to the keys, which they would have to do if my forearms were resting on the table with no pad.

[grav3serker]

I have a wrist rest, but I only use it when I'm using my arrow keys or resting my wrists. They aren't made to use while typing. If you use your desk for a rest while typing, I highly suggest breaking that habit ASAFP 

[di3gopa]

For me the wristpast is a must but as others said, i don't use it for my wrist, instead for my forearms, this way i don't feel that i am using my muscles to have my hands in place:

[Oobly]

None for me.

I find they promote bad typing habits in me. I didn't realise before I got my Ducky TKL that I was resting my hands on the desk while typing. When I got a taller board it felt wrong. Until I realised I was resting my hands and bending my wrists. Since I learnt to raise my wrists while typing I find I can actually type for longer and have less chance of pain at the end of the day.

I do use a rest for gaming for long periods, but it's tall so it allows me to keep my wrist straight.

I have adjustable elbow rests on my chair which helps, although I often raise them, too, since it helps to use even my shoulders while typing, less strain on just the fingers / forearms.

[A-train]

I used to use one, but I didn't really care for it. Actually, I probably stopped using it mostly because I moved from a full-size keyboard to tenkeyless and 60% and my full-size wrist rest looked silly with these keyboards.

There are some really nice looking wrist rests out there though! The wooden and leather ones are very appealing.

[Macsmasher]

I never type with palms on the rest. But for gaming, a rest is a must for me.

[mikes41720]

After reading all the comments, I'm taking out the wooden wrist rest while typing this comment! But I've gotten used to it though. The thought of my wrists floating while I'm typing isn't very reassuring.

After browsing some websites, I'm glad that I'm actually resting my palm on the 'wrist rest' and not my actual wrists.

[raymogi]

I tried so many times but everytime I put my wrist rest I always feel pain on my palm, no idea why.

I don't even rest my palm there when I'm typing, it's just there for when I'm browsing and I need to rest my hand.

[rowdy]

I've never felt the need for one.

There were a few of those huge old faux-leather desk mats at work with built in wrist rests.  I tried one for a little while, but it didn't do anything for me.

[MagicSauce]

I much prefer a wrist rest. I couldnt stand how it felt like I was angling my hands up to type, so an adventure was had and this was made

Show Image

I love it.

[fohat.digs]

but the wrist rest should be just that...a place to rest you wrists when NOT typing....which depending on what you are doing could be a good portion of the time.

This probably my method, too. I lift the wrists when typing more than a few characters at a time.

[SpAmRaY]

I just use one for my mouse.

[lawlz_xD]

Since I started typing, I've never used a wrist rest and have never had any health problems.  If you have decent technique and don't have an underlying condition, I don't really see the need for one.

[umeboshi]

No wrist rest, so I have to lift my wrists, and in turn, have to sit up out of my slouch...

[Nai_Calus]

Don't use one, don't see a point. If I pause briefly while typing, I just leave my hands hovering in position. If I pause for longer I pull my hands back and rest them in my lap or on my chair arms.

Too much temptation for people to mess themselves up with resting your wrists on them typing.

[tronbeaver]

I find it comfortable myself.

[gameaholic]

A wrist rest brought me to this forum actually.  The acrylic milestone TKL.  I also use a wooden Filco TKL sometimes. 

Which wrist rest would wrists rest if wrists could rest wrists?

[shinigamiyuk]

Over the years I have always had Keyboards with included wristrest. Even before I went mechanical. I realize more and more that most mechanical keyboards dont even come with one anymore, and what I have seen of "external" Wristrests that you can buy, they're not really good in my opinion. So I wonder and would like to know, whats your preference and why ? Do you always use a wristrest, and which (if its an external one non included with your keyboard) is it. Or would you never use one and maybe dont even see the point of using one.

And lastly, is using a wristrest  a definate benefit for my wrists to be more relaxed or is that not necessarely correct but just a matter of preference ?
I would appreciate all your experiences.

My usage of keyboards is for regular typing, office related stuff, gaming and a little programming. Just in case that matters in the question of why a wristrest would be better or wouldnt matter.

Cheers

Wolfseye

I've started using a wrist wrest when I moved my my mac apple wireless keyboard to the RF 87u. I haven't looked back since. I find that resting your hands on the wrist wrest or even typing with one giving my hands a nice wrest feels nince. I recently moved from a grifiti fat wrist pad to a battlestation.io wooded wrist rest and it is quite magnificient. I did read something recently though that you shouldn't actually rest your wrist when typing but only when you are not typing. I found this odd but notied that I mostly don't actually put my wrist on my rest when I type. Just food for thought I guess.

[olijuice]

I started to really touch type just this year so I don't believe I've built a habit just yet. I alternate between having my hands hover above like proper posture and wresting my wrists on the table without a wrist rest.

I recently bought the Grifiti fat pad and a slim pad. I'm liking the slim pad because it is just in between both. The fat pad is really awkward for me. I'm wondering what my mindset will be a year from now.

[Niomosy]

I use one.  The front of my keyboard sits on it to give the keyboard a negative tilt.  I don't use one for my wrists, however.

[dummytim]

Funny thing about this is I sat in with my girlfriend in one of her classes like 2 weeks ago and her prof talked about wrist rests. So what he said was it would be bad to constantly type with a wrist rest as it adjusts the angle of the hand forcing more pressure onto your carpals. Which would then lead to CPS, thus making it hurt long term to type.

The good news to this is that if one decides on having a wrist rest, but types and doesn't touch it. It won't matter at all, since it doesn't add any weird pressure to your carpals.

So it's pretty similar to what everyone has been saying in this thread so far, with not using one while typing.

A wrist rest is just for resting your wrist, and not to use while typing!

[shinigamiyuk]

A wrist rest is just for resting your wrist, and not to use while typing![/size]

I was worried about this exact thing when I saw an article posted about it and I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was not resting my wrist when typing. I think sometimes I might lazily do it as mentioned above but I think for not using a wrist rest for so many years I haven't picked up bad habits when I finally started using one.

[cryptokey]

I'm using a fat grifiti keyboard wrist rest and I'm really enjoying it.  I would certainly recommend it! 

Lately, I've been thinking of using a wrist rest for my trackball since my wrist stays in one place.  I would never use one for a regular mouse but it seems like it makes more sense with a trackball.  Has anyone had any experience with this?

[dummytim]

I'm using a fat grifiti keyboard wrist rest and I'm really enjoying it.  I would certainly recommend it! 

Lately, I've been thinking of using a wrist rest for my trackball since my wrist stays in one place.  I would never use one for a regular mouse but it seems like it makes more sense with a trackball.  Has anyone had any experience with this?

How long have you had that wrist rest for so far? I think that there has been like issues with it over time like the outer layer peels or something.

[kurplop]

I like having palm rests but I don't actually rest my palms on them. They just contact my hands enough to maintain a reference with the board. they don't actually support my hands in any way. It's kind of the "Dumbo's Feather" of the keyboard world.

[cryptokey]

I'm using a fat grifiti keyboard wrist rest and I'm really enjoying it.  I would certainly recommend it! 

Lately, I've been thinking of using a wrist rest for my trackball since my wrist stays in one place.  I would never use one for a regular mouse but it seems like it makes more sense with a trackball.  Has anyone had any experience with this?

How long have you had that wrist rest for so far? I think that there has been like issues with it over time like the outer layer peels or something.

I've only had it since mid-October.  I just checked the edges and there is the slightest, almost not-noticeable amount of peeling.  Now that you mention it, I will check back and make a post in the future if I notice any significant peeling!

[shinigamiyuk]

I'm using a fat grifiti keyboard wrist rest and I'm really enjoying it.  I would certainly recommend it! 

Lately, I've been thinking of using a wrist rest for my trackball since my wrist stays in one place.  I would never use one for a regular mouse but it seems like it makes more sense with a trackball.  Has anyone had any experience with this?

How long have you had that wrist rest for so far? I think that there has been like issues with it over time like the outer layer peels or something.

I've use the grifiti fat wrist rest and I swapped my latest one out due to peeling. I have one at work that hasn't started to peel yet.

[captaineleven]

I'm using a fat grifiti keyboard wrist rest and I'm really enjoying it.  I would certainly recommend it! 

Lately, I've been thinking of using a wrist rest for my trackball since my wrist stays in one place.  I would never use one for a regular mouse but it seems like it makes more sense with a trackball.  Has anyone had any experience with this?

I've considered getting one after I transitioned from regular mouse to trackball mouse because I find that my hand somehow slides down so that my wrist is bending and I'm actively over-correcting myself by pushing my hand and placing it way over the trackball body so that it rests on the mouse. If you somehow find a good one, let me know because I'm thinking about getting one, too, especially because of what I'd been doing.

As for the regular wrist rest for typing - I never used to have the problem with it typing but ever since I got into mechs, I'm more aware of my typing habits and the flat wrist situation is throwing me off. So at this point I alternate depending on just how high the mech board is. For something like the Poker X that I feel sits a lot higher, I use one. But for something like the Royal Kludge topre clone, I can do with or without it.

[alexjd99]

It really depends on the board.
If I use a wrist rest, I keep it at a higher angle than normal.
I really like tigersharkdude's wrist rests though. I'd like having the board a little higher with the rest

[cryptokey]

I'm using a fat grifiti keyboard wrist rest and I'm really enjoying it.  I would certainly recommend it! 

Lately, I've been thinking of using a wrist rest for my trackball since my wrist stays in one place.  I would never use one for a regular mouse but it seems like it makes more sense with a trackball.  Has anyone had any experience with this?

I've considered getting one after I transitioned from regular mouse to trackball mouse because I find that my hand somehow slides down so that my wrist is bending and I'm actively over-correcting myself by pushing my hand and placing it way over the trackball body so that it rests on the mouse. If you somehow find a good one, let me know because I'm thinking about getting one, too, especially because of what I'd been doing.

As for the regular wrist rest for typing - I never used to have the problem with it typing but ever since I got into mechs, I'm more aware of my typing habits and the flat wrist situation is throwing me off. So at this point I alternate depending on just how high the mech board is. For something like the Poker X that I feel sits a lot higher, I use one. But for something like the Royal Kludge topre clone, I can do with or without it.

I'll let you know if I find one.  I've seen this rest on Massdrop before: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/royal-glam-keyboard-mouse-wood-rest but from what I've heard, Royal Glam is usually overpriced so I might just dust off my woodworking skills and make one myself if I get the time.
  I
In terms of typing, I notice that I rest my wrists on my wrist rest while typing so I'm going to try to break that habit and only use my wrist rest when I'm not typing.  I might remove my wrist rest for a while, correct the habit, then bring it back.

[thatsmrdoctortoyou]

I just use one for my mouse.

Also a wrist-rest-for-mouse-only person; this is a must for me. I actually used a Royal Glam wrist wrest with my poker2 for 2+weeks and found that: 1. My typing speed slowed substantially, 2. My fingers fatigued quicker during the day while typing, and 3. I actually developed pain in my right wrist.

I find that when I'm typing my wrists move both laterally (left/right) and forward/reverse while typing, allowing shorter finger movements to adjacent keys. With a wrist rest my wrists were stationary which prompted my fingers to have to stretch further while typing, hence the increased fatigue.

[cryptokey]

I just use one for my mouse.

Also a wrist-rest-for-mouse-only person; this is a must for me. I actually used a Royal Glam wrist wrest with my poker2 for 2+weeks and found that: 1. My typing speed slowed substantially, 2. My fingers fatigued quicker during the day while typing, and 3. I actually developed pain in my right wrist.

I find that when I'm typing my wrists move both laterally (left/right) and forward/reverse while typing, allowing shorter finger movements to adjacent keys. With a wrist rest my wrists were stationary which prompted my fingers to have to stretch further while typing, hence the increased fatigue.

It's interesting that you mention this because I have been resting my wrists on my keyboard wrist rest and my right wrist has been hurting as well as my fingers feeling stiffer.  As of now, I will be typing without a wrist rest until I get over the habit of putting my wrists down.