These 5 Claw Clips Are the Best for Thick Hair

If your claw clip has ever sprung open mid-afternoon, leaving your hair cascading down in a public place, you bought the wrong clip.

Standard "large" clips are designed for average hair. Thick hair isn't average—it's denser, heavier, and requires clips engineered to handle the load without the spring giving out by lunch.

The good news? Once you find clips built for thick hair, they work. No more clips snapping under pressure. No more adjusting every 20 minutes. No more that sinking feeling when you feel your hair start to slide.

We've tested dozens of clips on genuinely thick hair (the kind that breaks standard clips) to find the ones that actually hold all day. From professional-grade options like the FRAMAR Large Claw Clips to budget-friendly picks, here are our top recommendations.

For general claw clip basics, see our complete claw clip guide.

Why Most Clips Fail on Thick Hair

The problem isn't your hair—it's the clips. Here's why standard clips don't work:

What to Look For in Thick Hair Clips

When choosing a claw clip for thick hair, these features are non-negotiable:

• Size: Large or XL only (3-4+ inches). Standard "medium" clips will fail.
• Spring Type: Metal springs provide 3-5x the hold strength of plastic springs
• Jaw Opening: Should open wide enough to fit all your hair with room to spare
• Teeth Design: Widely spaced teeth that can interlock even with thick hair between them
• Grip Surface: Rubberized or textured interiors prevent slipping
• Construction: Double-walled or reinforced for durability

Pro Tip: If a clip is labeled "large" but doesn't specify thick hair, it's probably designed for long hair (length) not thick hair (volume). Look specifically for "thick hair," "heavy hair," or "XL" in the product description.

Our Testing Process

We tested each clip over 30 days of daily use on genuinely thick hair, evaluating:

• Hold strength: Does it stay secure through an active day?
• Spring durability: Does tension weaken over time?
• Comfort: Any headaches or pressure points?
• Breakage: Did any clips crack or snap?

All the clips featured below passed our testing. Dozens of others didn't.

Styling Tips for Thick Hair

Even the best clip won't work if you use it wrong. These techniques maximize hold:

The Double-Twist Method

For extra security with very thick hair:

1. Divide your hair into two sections
2. Twist each section separately
3. Combine the twists into one bundle
4. Clip as normal

This creates more texture for the clip to grip and distributes the weight more evenly.

The Base Anchor

If clips still slip:

1. Create a small ponytail with a snag-free elastic
2. Don't pull tight—keep it loose
3. Clip over the elastic
4. The elastic provides an anchor point that prevents sliding

Height Matters

Clips stay better when positioned at the mid-height of your head, not at the nape. Too low = gravity pulls the clip down. Too high = awkward angle without support.

The Sectioned Clip Method

For extremely thick hair that overwhelms even XL clips:

1. Divide your hair horizontally into two sections
2. Clip the bottom section first, closer to your nape
3. Let the top section fall over it
4. Clip the top section slightly higher
5. The two clips work together without visible layering

This distributes the weight between two springs instead of overloading one.

How to Position Clips for Maximum Hold

Where you place the clip matters as much as which clip you buy. These positioning techniques prevent the mid-day slip.

Finding Your Hair's Balance Point

Every head of thick hair has a natural balance point—the spot where your hair's weight is evenly distributed. To find it:

1. Gather your hair loosely in one hand
2. Move your hand up and down the back of your head
3. Notice where the hair feels balanced (not pulling forward or backward)
4. This is your ideal clip position

For most people with thick hair, this point is about 2-3 inches above the nape, at the occipital bone (the bump at the back of your skull).

The Angle Matters

The angle of your clip affects hold strength dramatically:

For thick hair specifically, a 45-degree angle (tilted slightly toward one ear) provides the strongest hold because it works with gravity rather than against it.

Securing at the Hinge Point

The strongest grip comes from securing hair at the hinge point of the clip (where the two jaws meet). To do this:

1. Open the clip fully
2. Position your twisted hair bundle directly at the hinge
3. Close the clip so teeth interlock around the hair
4. The hair should be captured at the clip's strongest point

Many people make the mistake of clipping too close to the teeth tips, where hold is weakest.

Avoiding Common Positioning Mistakes

Clipping too much hair: Even XL clips have limits. If your clip can barely close, you're overloading it. Either use the sectioned method above or choose a larger clip.

Clipping too little: Leaving hair outside the clip creates uneven weight distribution. Make sure all the hair you want secured is captured.

Fighting your hair's natural fall: Thick hair wants to hang a certain way. Work with this direction rather than forcing it the opposite way.

For more positioning guidance, see our clip positioning guide which covers headache prevention too.

Thick Hair Clip FAQs

What size clip do I need?

For thick hair, start with large (3-4 inches). If that doesn't hold, move to jumbo/XL (4+ inches). Standard and medium clips are designed for average hair thickness—they won't work.

Why do my clips keep breaking?

Cheap clips use brittle plastic that can't handle the stress of thick hair. Invest in clips with reinforced construction, metal springs, and quality materials like acetate. The TOCESS Big Hair Claw Clips offer excellent value with powerful metal springs. Yes, quality clips cost more. Yes, they last 10x longer.

How many clips should I own?

For daily use, we recommend 2-3 quality clips in rotation. This prevents any single clip's spring from wearing out too quickly and gives you backups.

Can I use two clips at once?

Yes! For very thick or very long hair, using two clips (one higher, one lower) can provide better hold than a single clip. Some people also use a clip plus bobby pins for elaborate styles.

Do thick hair clips work for workouts?

Regular thick hair clips can slip during intense movement. For gym use, look for clips with textured or rubberized teeth and extra-strong springs. We cover this in detail in our best claw clips for thick hair at the gym guide. The key is choosing clips designed for both thickness AND activity.

How do I prevent headaches from heavy clips?

Thick hair clips tend to be larger and heavier, which can cause scalp pressure. To prevent discomfort:

• Reposition your clip every 2-3 hours
• Choose clips with padded or smooth hinges
• Avoid clips that grip too tightly
• Try lightweight acetate materials instead of heavy metal

Should I choose acetate or plastic clips for thick hair?

Both can work, but they have different strengths. Acetate is more durable and less likely to snap under pressure, making it ideal for very thick hair. Plastic clips are lighter and more affordable but may break faster. For a detailed comparison, see our acetate vs plastic guide.

My hair is thick AND curly—what should I choose?

Thick curly hair needs clips that accommodate volume without crushing curl definition. Look for widely spaced teeth and smooth edges. Our curly hair claw clips guide covers specific recommendations for this hair type combination.

The Bottom Line

Thick hair needs clips designed for thick hair—not marketing claims, but actual engineering. Look for metal springs, XL sizing, and widely spaced teeth. Our top pick, the FRAMAR Large Claw Clips, delivers the hold strength thick hair actually needs.

Stop buying clips that break. Stop adjusting clips that slip. Get the right tools, and thick hair becomes effortless to style.

For more recommendations, see our guides for long hair, curly hair, and heavy hair. For gym-specific thick hair clips, see best claw clips for thick hair at the gym. Or explore our complete claw clip guide for more tips.