Slap Bracelets

A slap bracelet (or snap bracelet) is a bracelet consisting of layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands sealed within a fabric cover. The bracelet can be straightened out, creating tension within the springy metal bands. The straightened bracelet is then slapped against the wearer’s forearm, causing the bands to spring back into a curve that wraps around the wrist, securing the bracelet to the wearer.

Invented by Wisconsin teacher Stuart Anders and sold under the brand name “Slap Wrap”, the slap bracelet was a popular fad among children, pre-teens and teenagers in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was available in a wide variety of patterns and colors. The bracelet was banned in several schools following reports of injuries stemming from improper use. The bracelet was later reintroduced with a plastic spring, but there were still reports of injuries. More recently, slap bracelets have been worn on the lower legs of cyclists to prevent trousers from being tangled in the gear system.

6 Comments to Slap Bracelets

1. 

   “Invented by Wisconsin…”

   That arm/hand do look rather Wisconsinish.
test on April 12th, 2011
2. 

   I used these to cheat in school. Write the answers on the back! Ya heard!!!!
Taint on April 12th, 2011
3. 

   These are still around. My kids have a couple.
ViviWannabe on April 13th, 2011
4. 

   These are actually back. Came back a couple of years ago. My kids have them and love them.
Karaisoke on April 13th, 2011
5. 

   hehe I didn’t realize these were made so long ago, I used to have a couple a few years ago until they broke.
Kendall on April 25th, 2011
6. 

   I remember them being banned in my school. Some urban legend about a kid accidentally slitting their wrists with them. I had an ultra awesome hot pink glitter one, though.
80*S KID on May 6th, 2011

Leave a comment