Stefan Grossman in one of his "blues guitar" videos uggests strongly that you develop "the wrap" if you "wanna play the blues. If you use "the wrap" to paly that great blues chord D9, [(2T)(0)(0)(2M)(1I)(0)], it leaves the ring and the pinky available for "messing around". Stefan says "with practice anyone can do it". Of course, he lies. I have small hands and I play a Martin D-28. I can get my thumb around, but only to dampen the 6th string, not to clearly sound a note. And it isn't from lack of trying.

"The wrap" may require less finger strength than the barre. That's one advantage. "The wrap" also allows you to dampen the 5th string, leaving the pinky available for grace notes in the "F" position. It is doable with a barre (I can do it), but it is difficult.

So, as many have said before me, "it depends". I think it is easier to slide a barre position up the neck if you are doing power chording. Sometimes, the barre enables you to change to a chord that leaves one or more of the strings between 2 and 5 open to the barre. That's not so easy with "the wrap".

In the end, if you want to be a humdinger, folksinger uitarist, learn both ways. One will be easier for you, but it adds to your versatility to have access to both chord positions.

Roger in Baltimore