Precisely my way of thinking. The same applies in using a belt too.
I think once you hit a national standard for specific lifts, then the picture changes. You can use these tools in order to get those extra kilo's in.
But personally? I'll stick with raw thank you.
The same does not apply to using belts. People wrongly use belts for all kinds of more dangerous reasons.
Don't fall into the eaw4lifebro trap though mate.
It limits back SIZE but maybe not strength. The back is a vast muscle group capable of lifting some of the biggest weights a human being can move. The forearm and grip strength is probably one of the most genetically limited body parts. This combination leads to an imbalance and basically the decision will come down to the individuals goals.
If you want a big back use straps for weights you cant grip and progress back independent of grip. If you want to be a competitive powerlifter then do extra grip work to try and keep grip and back strength in line, its pretty simple. You can always increase forearm size at a later date which i will be doing.
And for those wondering my forearm flexed at widest point is 14.5 in
You've blamed genetics before, but have you done any grip training since this last came up?
If the answer is "no", you know the type of person you are in danger of sounding like...
Yes, you can limit your back development by being limited by grip. However, your grip can catch up very quickly with the right work. People are far too quick to decide that their grip is weak, strap up for everything, and end up massively retarding their grip development.
I still use straps for some things (Kroc rows, DB split squats...), but my grip takes enough of a pounding from everything else for it not to matter.