Weighted vests have many uses – throw it on during your run, wear one on the treadmill, climb with it, do pull-ups, dips, handstands even. Weighted vests are the most comfortable and safest way to add weight to your workout. There’s no hanging, dangling, weight hanging from your waist just a vest that’s secured tightly to your body while you reap the benefits.
The best weighted vest will fit you comfortably, be adjustable within the weight range you want to use for exercise, and also not break the bank. In this best weighted vest reviews article I’ll cover some of the top options currently available to help you find the right one for you. I’ll include categories like best budget weight vest, best overall weighted vest, heaviest weighted best, most versatile weighted vest, and more!
Best Weighted Vest Review Table
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Best Weighted Vest Reviews
HumanX Weight Vest Review [usr 4.5]
The HumanX is a pretty solid all around weight vest. It comes in three options with either .5 pound increments, 1 pound increments, or 2 pound increments. This makes three vest options in the ranges of 0.5-10, 1-20, or 2-40 lbs. I think the fact that the 2lb increment vest can start as low as 2lbs and go all the way up to 40lbs pretty well makes the other two options obsolete. Unless you really think you want a light vest with frequent light weight options then I would just go with the 2-40lb option. This vest fits very nicely, it isn’t overly long, it straps over the whole shoulders and high up on the neck. You could use it for pretty well any activity and since the weights are not made of metal you could even use it for swimming or other aquatic activities. In my opinion this is the best weighted vest on the list.
- Comes in three options of 0.5, 1, or 2lb adjustable increments up to 10, 20, and 40lbs
- Use it for a wide variety of activities with it’s comfortable fit and adjustable belt
- Cushioned shoulders
- Tear resistant
- Easy to wash
- Overall a great weight vest for a reasonable price
- Great for: ANYTHING – really a great weight vest for the money
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Hyperwear Hyper Vest PRO [usr 4]
I like to think of the Hyperwear Hyper Vest as the HumanX’s bigger more expensive brother. They’re very similar in the way that they’re both quality weight vests that don’t restrict range of motion, can hold a lot of weights for an adjustable experience, and they’re form fitting. What drives up the price of the Hyper Vest is it has a few more adjustments when it comes to fit and the design should techncially allow you more freedom while exercising. It uses a stretchier fabric, larger arm holes that give you more shoulder ROM, and the fabric is a bit higher quality boasting wicking, odor resistance, and open sides for ventilation. The open sides are also adjustable for even more custom fitting. Do I think this is worth almost twice as much as the HumanX? Probably not, and for a few reasons.
- I think that plastic weights in the HumanX make the vest last longer than this one with metal weights
- Reports say that you can expect this to fray with extended use, lowering the value
- Available in S, M, L, and XL sizes for weights 90-130, 130-170, 170-210, 210+
- Very adjustable and comfortable vest
- Probably not worth the price over the HumanX
- Great for: Running, walking, crossfit, anything on land
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CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest Review
This is one of the best budget options when it comes to heavy weight vests. Ranging from 40-150lbs the options available for this vest should cover the needs of almost anyone. For about $1/pound this is a padded shoulder strap vest with adjustable weight pockets to have you set and ready for any exercise. It’s probably not great for underwater activities or aquatics, but for bodyweight exercises that you need a lot of weight for it’s perfect.
- 40-150lb adjustable weight vest
- $1/pound of weight in a vest is a great price
- Not the most mobile/comfortable but it’s padded and will be tight to your body
- Padded shoulder straps
- Adjustable belt
- Best heavy weighted vest on a budget!
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Empower Women’s Weighted Vest Review [usr 4]
This is the first women’s specific weighted vest on this list. It’s shaped to be more suitable for women, and it’s extremely comfortable with it’s form fitting design and weight distribution. The only downside to this vest is it’s only 8lbs and it’s not adjustable. If you’re looking for a women’s weight vest for swimming, running, walking, or any activity really then this is a great vest for you! The reason why I’ve included this vest on the list even though it’s not adjustable is because I think it’s extremely comfortable and suitable for literally any activity you could use it for.
- Great lightweight women’s vest
- Comfortable, padded
- X-shape for even weight distribution
- 8lbs – pretty light but also very verstaile
- Burn extra calories doing any activity with this vest on
- Best weighted vest for women
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Yosoo Adjustable Weighted Vest Review [usr 3.5]
Here’s my first entry for a solid budget weighted vest. This might not be the flashiest, most comfortable, or form fitting weight vest but it comes in an adjustable format up to 44lbs and it’s CHEAP! In the end, weighted vests add weight to your body for training, exercises, running etc. – and this vest does exactly that. For close to 50cents/pound on this weight vest it’s my pick for the cheapest and best weighted vest out there right now.
- Best budget weight vest
- Comes up to 44lbs
- Comfortable to wear with wide shoulder straps
- Has belts to tighten under the chest, and around the waist
- Has 16 slots for loading weight into
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Titin Force Weighted Shirt System Review [usr 4.5]
Taking a bit of a side step from weighted vests but serving the same purpose we have the Titin Force Weighted shirt. Hands down the most expensive option on this list for $/pound but also hands down the most form fitting and comfortable option. They boast being the only weighted compression apparel manufacturer and they’re probably not wrong. This could arguably be the most high-tech development when it comes to weighted vest and for good reason. The purpose of spending more money on a weighted vest is either to get more weight, or to get a vest that reduces your mobility less, and is more comfortable to wear. Doing complex movements with a vest on becomes increasingly difficult if the weight is hanging off of you, balanced oddly, or you need to wear bulky equipment. The Titin shirts solve all of those problems – if you’re willing to shell out for them.
- World’s only weighted compression gear
- Designed for strenuous workouts and not affecting you adversely while still adding weight AND compression
- Don’t forget about the added benefits of compression
- 8-10 year life, and they have a lifetime warranty
- 14 pockets that fit 8lbs of weight each
- Most expensive weighted shirt/vest but also the least obstructive
- Sweet looking weighted vest that makes you kind of look like Goku
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MIR Short Adjustable Weight Vest Review [usr 3.5]
Another option for maintaining your mobility is the MIR 50lb short adjustable weighted vest. This thing hangs high up on the body, fits snugly, and doesn’t weigh down on your abdominen and waist area – this is essential for full use of your core and if you need to raise your knees above your waist for your activity. The weights are also anchored more to the upper body and distributed to the front and back for max mobility and performance.
- Reasonably heavy weight vest going up to 60lbs
- Compact 11″ length – designed for max mobility
- Weight evenly distributed in the front and back
- Double padding on the shoulders and strap area
- Pretty pricey for the weight
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Everlast Weighted Vest
This is another great option for women due to the fit and style, and also for men. This is my top pick for a non-adjustable weight vest because the design is really great and the sacrifice you make for it being non-adjustable is justified. This hangs on you like a life jacket, over the shoulders and straps a few times across the chest and abdomen. This design anchors it to you really nicely and distributes the weight perfectly as well. Since the weights are built-in you can swim, climb, anything really and not worry about weights dangling and obstructing your exercise. These vests fit every body type extremely well due to the flexible fastening.
- Best non-adjustable weight vest
- Comfortable neoprene vest ideal for fit
- One size fits most
- Available in 10 or 20lb option
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How to Pick the Right Weighted Vest for You
Depending on your activity there may or may not be a “best weighted vest” for you but hopefully I can narrow it down a bit for you at least. Let’s go over some common activities you might want to add weight to:
- Walking/running/sprinting: The best weighted vest for running and sprinting is probably one that’s not adjustable. You want that thing anchored to you, and you’re probably not trying to tack on a TON of weight so something like the EverLast 10 or 20lb vest would be best. Walking you could potentially add more resistance with a heavier vest and not worry about it moving around on you too much since you’re only walking.
- Crossfit: Again, like running or sprinting the best weighted vest for crossfit is going to be one that stays tight to the body and doesn’t disrupt your activity be it olympic lifting, gynmastic style movements, or using it for a WOD. You’re going to want it to be tight to the body but also you want to be able to increase or decrease the weight so I would go with the HumanX, or MIR short weight vest. They both won’t disrupt your mobility and also can stack up the weight when you need it heavy!
- Training: Training generally involves progressing, getting stronger – and on that point the best weighted vest for training is one you can stack up the weight. Depending on what you’re doing you may want it to fit pretty snuggly as well. Go with the HumanX weighted vest or Yosoo if you’re on a budget.
- Climbing: The best weighted vest for climbing definitely can’t hinder your mobility and depending on your style you might want a non-adjustable, or adjustable vest. Adjustable vests are often not as snug and secure but they give you the option of mixing up the resistance. I would go with the HumanX or MIR short weight vest for climbing.
- Swimming/aquatics: Adding resistance to your aquatic activities is a great idea. You want a vest that can handle being in the water so that bumps out most metal/iron plate vests. Go with a non adjustable like the EverLast or Empower for women.
Weighted Vest Buying Guide
Your Activity: Choosing the Best Weight Vest
I’ve talked a bit about different activities you might be doing while wearing a weight vest but you really need to use common sense to pick the right one for you in the end. Will you be winging your body around and need a tight fitting vest?
How Heavy of a Weighted Vest Should You Get?
The next question is the total weight of the vest – are you wanting to add a little bit of resistance to your exercise or really crank it up? This question guides you in the direction of buying a 10 vs 20 vs 40lb vest and could cost or save you a lot of extra money. My favorite way to go in this aspect is a vest that has pockets for expansion but also starts off light in the amount of weight initially provided in the sale. For example getting a vest that can hold up to 60lbs of weight like the MIR short vest, and it only comes with 20lbs initially. So you have the option to expand to more weight but don’t break the bank right away when you’re just getting into using a weighted vest and don’t need that much weight.
Adjustable or not? That is the question
Buying an adjustable weighted vest allows either more people to use the vest if they need different resistances, and allows an individual owner to customize the resistance they get doing each exercise by increasing or decreasing the weight in their vest.
Best Weighted Vest Reviews Conclusion
So there’s no one size fits all when it comes to buying the best weight vest, but hopefully with the information provided you’re headed in the right direction. I think like I suggested earlier, unless you’re swimming and need a specific aquatic vest – go with an adjustable vest that fits snuggly and also has room to expand and hold more weight. That’s my thought on the weighted vest market. The HumanX is overall the best weighted vest in my opinion based on performance and also price. Good luck with your weighted vest adventures!
Stay tuned and shortly I’ll be adding some of the best weighted vest exercises to this article!
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