Which hula hoop should I buy? Your guide to finding the right one
Buying your first hula hoop (or your next one) can feel surprisingly confusing. Sizes, tubing, grip tape, sparkle levels…. where do you even start?
Here’s some good news, choosing the right hula hoop doesn’t have to be complicated. Finding the right hula hoop comes down to two things: size and style. Get those right for your body and goals, and everything else will fall into place.
Our hoops are handcrafted in Melbourne using 100% Australian made, durable, flexible plastic, designed for learning, dancing, fitness, and joyful play. This guide will help you confidently choose a hoop that works with your body, not against it.
What makes a good hula hoop?
A great hula hoop is one that:
- Feels comfortable on your body
- Matches your current skill level
- Inspires you to pick it up and play
The last one matters more than people give it credit for. The best hoop is the one you’re super excited to use.
Step One: What size hoop do you need?
Size is the single most important factor, especially for beginners. A hoop that’s too small will spin too fast and give you no time to respond. A properly sized hoop moves at a pace you can learn and work with.
As a general guide:
- 80cm for littlies (up to 6 years old)
- 90cm for big kids and intermediate hoopers
- 100cm for beginners
- 110cm for tall/big build beginners
💡Beginner Tip: A good starting size is roughly the distance from the floor to between your belly button and chest. (If you are quite tall or have a bigger build, we suggest starting with a 110cm hoop.) When in doubt – size on up!
As you progress to off body tricks you’ll naturally want to add something smaller and lighter to your collection. To choose the right hoop, start from where your body is at now. Future you can figure out their own hoop.
For a much more detailed breakdown, including kids sizing and what happens as you progress, take a read of our full hula hoop size guide.
Step Two: What type of hula hoop should you buy?
There are three main styles to know about. Each suits a different kind of hooper.
Dance/Fitness hoops (HDPE)
These are best for:
- Beginner to intermediate hoopers
- On-body hooping
- Flow, dance, & fitness
These hoops are fully taped, often sparkly, and often include grip tape to help with keeping them up. If you’re new to hooping, this is the best place to start.
Practise hoops
Best for:
- Beginner to intermediate hoopers
- Rougher play
- Hard surfaces (think concrete)
Practise hoops are usually plain coloured plastic, with optional grip tape. They’re durable, affordable, and you don’t need to worry about trashing decorative tape because there is none!
Polypro hoops
Best for:
- Beginners – advanced hoopers
- Off-body tricks
- Faster, lighter movement
Polypro hoops can be taped or untaped and are lighter and more flexible. Many hoopers add polypro hoops to their collection once they’ve built up some confidence.
Not sure which material is right for you? Our polypro vs. HDPE guide goes into all the details.
Check out the quick comparison table that shows the key differences between dance hoops, practise hoops, and polypro hoops.
Shiny or practical? Let’s be honest
Some hoopers are lovingly protective of their hula hoop, and that makes sense, you work hard for ya money! Others know their own tyranny or perhaps have children and no item is sacred anymore, so they prefer to use practise hoops that are a bit cheaper, and have less tape on them.
Practise hoops are great for thrashing around and a good choice for playing on hard surfaces like concrete.
- Less tape
- Less precious
- Great for outdoor play and rough surfaces
Taped polypro hoops are beautiful shiny colourful fun. If you want some bling with your spin this is the one.
- Extremely sparkly
- Beautiful gifts (For yourself or a hooper in your life)
- Popular with performers for shows and photos
Quick recommendations
Not sure where you land? Here’s the short version:
Total Beginner: Start with a 100 – 110cm HDPE dance/practise hoop with grip tape
Learning off-body tricks: Go for a smaller polypro hoop
Kids or family play: Opt for a durable practise hoop
Love sparkle & aesthetics: Taped polypro all the way
Exploring doubles, quads, or juggling? Here’s everything you need to know about mini hoops.
What about weighted hoops?
If you’ve been seeing those “fitness hoops” online with knobbled bits or foam padding, it’s worth pausing before clicking buy. Those aren’t what most hoopers mean when they talk about a weighted hoop.
A proper weighted hoop is just a larger, heavier traditional hula hoop and is an excellent choice for beginners and those interested in fitness hooping. Our guide to weighted hoops cuts through all the noise and explains what’s actually worth buying and why.
Still not sure?
If you’ve read this far and still feel like you need to think it through, the complete beginners guide to choosing a hula hoop might be a good extra read for you.
If you’re in Melbourne and want to try out a few hoops before making your choice, come along to a hula hoop class. Is there anything better than giving a few different hoops a spin with an expert to chat with along the way?
Ready to choose your hoop?
Ultimately, the best hula hoop is the one you’re excited to pick up! Buy hula hoop styles that you LOVE to look at and they’ll be more fun to play with.
Start with a hoop that suits your body and skill level. You can always add more later, and let’s be real, most hoopers do.
We’ve got a pretty awesome range of hand-made hula hoops crafted here in Melbourne, Australia.
👉 Dance & Fitness hoops
👉 Polypro hoops
👉 Kids hoops
What size hula hoop should I buy as a beginner?
Most adult beginners do best with a 100cm hoop. If you’re tall or have a bigger build, start with 110cm. Bigger hoops move more slowly, making on-body hooping easier to learn.
What size hoop should I buy for a child?
As a guide, 80cm suits littlies (up to around 6 years old) and 90cm suits big kids. If you’re unsure, choose the slightly larger size for easier learning.
Which type of hula hoop is best for beginners?
A dance hoop (HDPE) is usually the best starting point. It’s designed for learning on-body hooping (like waist and chest hooping) and tends to feel more stable.
What’s the difference between a dance hoop and a polypro hoop?
Dance hoops (often HDPE) are usually a little heavier and slower which is great for on-body learning. Polypro hoops are lighter and faster, which many hoopers prefer for off-body tricks and quicker movement.
Do I need grip tape on my hula hoop?
Grip tape helps reduce slipping and can make learning feel much easier and less frustrating.
What’s a practice hoop and who is it for?
A practice hoop is a more durable, often simpler hoop that’s great for people who want to practise without worrying about scratching or damaging tape, especially when hooping outdoors or on hard surfaces.
Should I buy a taped or untaped hoop?
Taped hoops can feel more grippy and look extra sparkly, while untaped hoops are lower maintenance. If you want a hoop that looks stunning for flow and photos, taped polypro is popular. If you want something you can thrash around, a practice hoop is ideal.
Can I learn hooping with a smaller hoop?
You can, but many people find it harder. A larger hoop gives you more time to feel the rhythm and respond, which is why bigger hoops are recommended for beginners.
How do I know if I should size up?
If the hoop drops quickly while you’re learning waist hooping, sizing up can help (along with adding grip tape and checking technique). Tall or bigger-build beginners often prefer 110cm.
I want a hoop for fitness. What should I choose?
For fitness beginners, a larger weighted hoop (100–110cm) is usually easier to keep going for longer sessions. As you gain confidence, lighter/smaller hoops can be great for cardio, flow, and off-body work.
Can I buy a hula hoop as a gift?
Absolutely! If you’re buying for someone else, try to have an idea of their height so you can choose the right size. Our size guide can help. Gift vouchers are also available if you’d rather let them choose.