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The Best Weighted Vests To Add Difficulty to Your Workouts
Written By OvertimeReviews Team
Looking for a way to challenge your fitness routine and get an even better workout? You may want to consider adding a weighted vest to your arsenal. These vests are designed to add an extra layer of resistance to your exercises to push your body further. Plus, they can be worn in a variety of different ways to target different muscle groups for a truly full-body workout. From bodyweight and cardio training to hiking and aerobic workouts, a weighted vest is a wearable, hands-free option to add resistance. If you’re ready to take your workouts to the next level, we’ve rounded up our favorite weighted vests of 2025. We’ve considered factors like comfort, durability, price, and fit to bring you the highest-rated options on the market. So, no matter what your fitness goals are, we’ve got the perfect vest for you!
Detailing the Best Weighted Vests of 2025
Aduro Sport Weighted Vest
Best Overall
The Aduro Sport Weighted Vest is perfect for cardio and weight training, providing an intense and efficient workout experience. Designed to add extra resistance to body weight in a way that won’t slip or slide, this weighted vest comes with an adjustable front belt and is made from a soft neoprene material. The mesh pocket on the back of the vest allows you to add extra weight if necessary. The material used to make this vest is durable enough to stand up against regular use without showcasing any visible signs of tearing. It comes with a lifetime limited warranty, giving you peace of mind when making your purchase. Overall, this vest is a great choice for experienced or new exercisers looking for a bit of an extra challenge for their routine. With over 9,000 ratings on Amazon, the quality, reliability, and versatility make this weighted vest stand out as the best on our list.
RUNmax Weighted Vest
Most Versatile
The Runmax Weighted Vest is a versatile fitness accessory that provides an additional level of resistance to your workouts. It’s made from durable materials that make it suitable for even the toughest workouts, and also comes with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. The vest features adjustable chest sizing and weight load, allowing users to customize it to their body type. The vest also comes with a phone pocket and water bottle holder for convenience, along with included weights that can be added or removed at any time. The company says it’s been designed for maximum comfort and equal weight distribution, ensuring that there is no strain on the back or shoulders when you’re working out. We selected this weighted vest for the body type versatility, multiple storage pockets, and lifetime warranty.
CAP Barbell Weighted Vest
Most Comfortable
Next up, we have the CAP Weighted Vest, which is constructed from reinforced nylon and polyester for durability. The adjustable waist belt and padded shoulder straps ensure a snug fit, and the vest’s weight can be adjusted by removing or adding individual 2.5-pound packets. This vest is ideal for those who wish to increase the intensity of body weight training exercises, and its anchor hooks allow it to be used for parachute runs. The reflective stripes also make it easy to spot if used while walking or running outdoors. Most important, however, is the manufacturer’s excellent reputation. With over 30 years in the fitness industry, CAP has established itself as a leader and innovator, giving customers peace of mind that their products are reliable and of the highest quality.
ZELUS Weighted Vest
Most Value
Want to get the absolute most value with your purchase? Check out the ZELUS Weighted Vest. Its premium neoprene fabric and double-stitching provide maximum durability and ensure you’ll get hundreds of uses out of this vest. It is filled with iron sand for even weight distribution and decreased injury risk, ensuring you can push yourself to the limit without risking harm. Overall, this vest is perfect for circuit training, weightlifting, cardio, strength training, and weight loss exercises. Its adjustable elastic straps with reflective stripes were designed to ensure you have complete mobility and visibility during low-light conditions, while its removable pockets offer maximum convenience for safely storing your valuables. The vest is further equipped with cushioned shoulder straps that won’t chafe or rub, so you can train in comfort no matter how intense the session is. With its sturdy construction, adjustable features, and beginner-friendly sizing (from six pounds to 30 pounds), this weighted vest offers an unbeatable workout experience.
Henkelion Weighted Vest
Most Even Weight Distribution
The Henkelion Weighted Vest is designed with an ergonomic shape, evenly distributing weight and providing additional stability with elastic straps at the waist. Made of soft neoprene fabric, this vest also features a mesh pocket on the back to hold smaller items. What makes this vest unique, however, is that it uses iron pellets and metal rock rather than cheaper river sand as its weight material. The adjustable straps make this vest suitable to fit a variety of users, including men, women, and teens, while the equal distribution of weight was designed to prevent back and shoulder strain. Whether you are looking to increase your strength, endurance, or stamina, this well-reviewed weighted vest is an excellent choice to get you started. With its unique design and durable materials, it can help you reach your goals in no time at all.
Buying Guide: Weighted Vests
Weighted vests are a great way to improve your strength and endurance during exercise. If you’re in the market for one, there are several key features to take into consideration before making a purchase. Finding the perfect vest for your needs can be a little harder than you’d think, so. To help, we’ve provided a detailed buying guide that’s packed with everything you should know about weighted vests.
Weight
When choosing a weighted vest, consider the total weight of the vest and the amount of weight it can hold. For reference, most weighted vests range between 10 to 50 pounds. It’s important to select an appropriate weight for your fitness level so you can gradually increase the challenge as you get stronger. If you’re a beginner, finding a vest that has lower weights can help prevent accidental injury from overtraining.
Comfort
Make sure the vest fits well, is comfortable to wear, and doesn’t cause any chafing or irritation. It should be made from a breathable material and properly distribute the weight across your body so it doesn’t add any extra strain on your shoulders or back. Additional support with straps around the waist and chest is ideal for support and proper fit.
Quality/Durability
Look for a well-made vest with strong stitching and solid construction. Check for good quality materials like reinforced nylon or steel hardware, which will ensure that the weighted vest won’t tear easily and is durable enough to last over time. Look for reinforced stitching, tough fabric, and adjustable straps to make sure you get value for your money.
Adjustability
Ensure you can adjust the weight, size, and fit of the vest to your individual needs and specific exercises by selecting one with adjustable straps and removable weights. This will allow you to increase or decrease the amount of weight as needed, making it more customizable to your training program.
Versatility
Most weighted vests are designed to be versatile and can be used for multiple activities like running, walking, and strength training. This can save you money in the long run if you plan on using it for more than one type of exercise.
Removable Weights
Look for a weighted vest with removable weights so you can adjust the weight as you go along, or buy new weights once you’ve gotten stronger and a bigger challenge. This way, your vest won’t become outdated as quickly as other models with fixed weights might.
Warranty/Guarantee
Lastly, see if the vest comes with a warranty or satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturer in the case of any defects or problems with the product after purchase. Additionally, check to see if there are any additional benefits, such as repair services or money-back guarantees in case you’re unsatisfied with your purchase.
People Also Asked
What is the difference between a weighted vest and a regular vest?
A weighted vest is a vest with weight inserts, which increases the resistance of any activity and adds extra weight for the user to carry. The weights can be made from a variety of materials, including sand and metal plates. A regular vest is not designed to add extra weight to the user and does not provide extra resistance.
What are the benefits of wearing a weighted vest?
Wearing a weighted vest can help increase strength, balance, and endurance, as well as improve power and speed by adding extra weight while performing exercises. Additionally, it can help reduce the risk of injury by adding more stability and control over body movements.
What weight should I get for my weighted vest?
The appropriate weight for your weighted vest will depend on your strength level, fitness goals, and body size. Generally, the recommended weight is 10 to 20% of your body weight, but this can vary depending on your individual situation and goals.
How long should I wear a weighted vest while exercising?
This will depend on your fitness goals and preferences, but most experts recommend wearing a weighted vest for no more than 30 minutes at a time during exercise. Doing so may help prevent muscle fatigue and overexertion due to the added resistance.
Does wearing a weighted vest increase calorie burn?
Yes, wearing a weighted vest can increase calorie burn because of the added resistance. Additionally, the higher intensity of exercising while using a weighted vest helps burn more calories than normal exercise alone.
Is it safe to use a heavier weight than recommended in my weighted vest?
When using a weighted vest, it’s not recommended to use heavier weights than recommended as this could lead to injury or overexertion from the added resistance and strain on your muscles. Always use caution when exercising with weights — including those attached to a weighted vest — and start slowly with lighter weights until you’re comfortable with the activity or exercise being performed.
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