If you have thick hair, you already know the frustration. You buy a claw clip that looks great, put it in your hair, and 20 minutes later it has either slipped out completely or snapped in half. Neither is great.
The problem is almost never your hair. It is the clip. Most clips on the market are not built for the tension that thick hair creates. They are made from thin plastic that flexes once, maybe twice, before it gives out.
This post covers what to look for in a claw clip if you have thick hair, which Kov clips are best suited to different thicknesses, and how to figure out which size you actually need.
Why Most Claw Clips Fail on Thick Hair
It comes down to two things: material and size.
Material: standard plastic claw clips are brittle. They are not built to handle the repeated tension of thick hair, and they crack or snap at the hinge over time, sometimes very quickly. Cellulose acetate is different. It is a plant-based material that flexes under pressure instead of snapping, which means it handles thick hair much better and lasts significantly longer.
Size: a clip that is too small for your hair volume will never hold properly, no matter how good the material. Thick hair needs a wider jaw and stronger spring tension to stay put all day. Using a regular-sized clip on thick hair is like trying to close a full suitcase with a rubber band. It is not a you problem, it is a size problem.
Kov clips are made from premium cellulose acetate and engineered with stronger spring tension than standard clips. They are one of the few brands that actually builds for thick hair across multiple sizes.
How to Know What Size You Actually Need
Kōv Essentials clips vary based on size, spring strength, and overall design.
Not sure where your hair falls? Take the Kov fit quiz and it will match you to the right clip in under two minutes. It is free and it saves you a lot of trial and error.
Take the Kov Fit Quiz
The Best Kov Clips for Thick Hair
The Soul Clip: for very thick, long, or high-volume hair
The Soul Clip is Kov's largest silhouette. It has a wide jaw and the strongest spring tension in the range, making it the clip to reach for when other clips simply cannot hold your hair. If your hair is long as well as thick, the Soul is almost always the right answer. It provides full coverage from root to end without slipping.
Available in classic and seasonal colours.
The Sculpt Clip: small but mighty, built for a bun
Do not let the size fool you. The Sculpt Clip is compact by design, built specifically for one job: holding a bun that actually stays put. Its strong spring tension grips hair firmly without the bulk of a larger clip.
If you want a clean, secure bun that stays all day without constant adjusting, the Sculpt is the clip for that. It punches well above its size for thick hair that needs a reliable hold in a smaller footprint.
The Icon Clip: strong hold with a distinctive look
If you want your clip to be part of the outfit rather than just a functional tool, the Icon Clip is worth considering. Its signature cutout design makes it instantly recognizable, and it is built with enough tension to handle medium to thick hair all day.
It works best for hair that is thick but not extremely voluminous. If you are between the Icon and Soul, the fit quiz will tell you which is right for your specific hair.
What About Claw Clips That Say They Are for Thick Hair?
A lot of brands claim their clips work for thick hair without doing anything differently in the design. What you want to look for specifically:
• Cellulose acetate or reinforced nylon rather than standard thin plastic
• A wider jaw opening that can accommodate more volume without straining the hinge
• Stronger spring tension, which you can test by pressing the clip open and feeling the resistance
• A track record from real users with thick hair, not just marketing claims
Kov clips have been worn by over 100 million people on TikTok. A significant portion of that audience has thick hair and has been vocal about what works and what does not. The Soul and Sculpt Clips came directly out of that feedback.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Clip
Even the best clip works better with a little technique:
1. Add a bit of texture before clipping. Second-day hair or a light spray of dry shampoo gives the clip something to grip. Very silky or freshly washed hair can be harder to hold even with a strong clip.
2. Do not overfill the clip. If you are forcing hair in and the clip is straining to close, size up. A clip at full tension all day will put stress on the hinge and shorten its life.
3. For a bun style, use the Sculpt specifically. A large clip like the Soul is designed for a half-up or full updo, not a bun. Using the right clip for the right style makes a significant difference.
4. Store clips closed, not open, when not in use. Keeping the spring compressed over long periods can weaken the tension over time.
Find Your Perfect Match
If you are still not sure which clip is right for your hair thickness and length, the Kov fit quiz takes about two minutes and matches you directly to the right clip. It is the fastest way to avoid the trial and error.