What to Buy Fitness Gear The 6 Best Weighted Vests to Level Up Your Fitness, Tested and Reviewed These durable vests fit us great and helped us push ourselves to the next level. By Jack Byram Jack Byram Jack Byram is a freelance writer who has written numerous articles over the last five years about all things self improvement. He has interviewed medical doctors, chiropractors and other experts to guide his research into recommending the best products. health's editorial guidelines Updated on July 17, 2023 Medically reviewed by Forest Miller, MSOT Medically reviewed by Forest Miller, MSOT Forest Miller, OTR/L, MSOT, is an occupational therapist specializing in geriatric rehabilitation and treating conditions affecting people's upper extremities. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. health's fact checking process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Testing Process What to Know Your Questions, Answered Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Health / Brian Kopinski If you feel like you're not being challenged enough during your workouts, weighted vests are a great way to add some variety and intensity to your routine. Whether you’re a weightlifter, runner, or someone who enjoys regular walks, a weighted vest can upgrade your exercise regimen by making it a little more difficult. According to Shianne Nevers, a certified trainer at Iron Culture Gym in North Bergen, New Jersey, weighted vests can improve strength and cardio and help you lose weight. She notes that they are also useful for building muscle during plyometric exercises and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). We tested the weighted vests on this list for four hours each. They were put through the wringer by our team, which includes a certified personal trainer and running coach. The vests were tested during bodyweight exercises, interval training, running, walking, hiking, and cardio. We also accounted for the variance in the weight of adjustable vests, paying attention to whether they remained comfortable when adding or decreasing loads. An occupational therapist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the information in this article about the benefits of weighted vests and how to select a vest for your workout. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Hyperwear Hyper Vest Fit Weighted Vest for Women at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Tone Fitness Weighted Vest at Amazon Jump to Review Best for CrossFit: Aduro Sport Adjustable Weighted Vest at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Running: Henkelion Weighted Vest at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Walking: Omorpho G-Vest+ at Omorpho.com Jump to Review Most Comfortable: Prosourcefit Weighted Vest at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Hyperwear Hyper Vest Fit Weighted Vest for Women 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart Our Ratings Materials 5/5 Fit 5/5 Technical Quality 5/5 Resistance Level 4/5 Overall Value 5/5 Why We Like It The thinner material and cinching on the sides keeps everything in place during use. It’s Worth Noting The vest is designed with women in mind. Hyperwear’s Hyper Vest Fit Weighted Vest is specifically designed for women, with comfort at the forefront. It has a sleek and thin design, with a one-way stretch construction that helps to keep the weights in place. In our testing, we found it thinner than other options, which means that it can be worn under bulkier pieces of clothing like a jacket. It also features cinches on the side for a better fit, which eliminates bouncing while running. Other features that put this vest on the top of our list include the higher-end materials. The vest is made with a polyester and lycra blend, which is durable and built to last. Keep in mind that while you can adjust the weight load, it can only go up to 10 pounds. Additionally, although it comes in three sizes, we feel that its longer length may not be ideal for smaller women. Price at time of publication: $100 Product Details: Weight: 5, 10 poundsMaterials: Polyester lycra blendAdjustable vs. Fixed Weight: Adjustable Best for Beginners Tone Fitness Weighted Vest 12 lbs 4.3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart Our Ratings Materials 4/5 Fit 5/5 Technical Quality 4/5 Resistance Level 4/5 Overall Value 5/5 Why We Like It Its ease of use and lower price tag make this a good entry point into the world of weighted vests. It’s Worth Noting It bounces more than other vests since it only has one strap to keep it in place. For the beginner who is just dipping their toes into weighted vest exercises, the Tone Fitness Weighted Vest is the way to go. We thought it was comfortable and found it caused no irritation in over an hour of continuous use. It’s also very easy to put on and the lower price tag makes it easy to try out without breaking the bank. Additionally, at 12 pounds, this option is heavier than the more expensive choices on our list, making it a good investment. The vest is made with breathable mesh, and it also features reflective strips should you decide to use it in the dark. It comes with a single adjustable strap to keep it in place, but we felt it could benefit from adding another strap along the bottom. While it’s comfortable to use, it does produce some mild bouncing. Additionally, the weight is not adjustable, which is another downside. Price at time of publication: $30 Product Details: Weight: 12 poundsMaterials: NeopreneAdjustable vs. Fixed Weight: Fixed Best for CrossFit Aduro Sport Adjustable Weighted Vest 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Materials 4/5 Fit 5/5 Technical Quality 4/5 Resistance Level 4/5 Overall Value 4/5 Why We Like It The vest doesn’t get in the way of your arms during CrossFit exercises. It’s Worth Noting The pockets aren’t big enough to hold valuables like a phone. For the CrossFitter, a weighted vest that doesn’t get in the way of your arms freely moving is imperative. We particularly like the Aduro Sport Weighted Vest as it sits higher up than many competitors, which promotes liberal arm movement. We also appreciated that the weight is evenly distributed throughout the vest, which means soreness doesn’t get concentrated into just one area. Another design feature that makes it good for CrossFit is the padded shoulder straps and the adjustable buckle that keeps the vest secure throughout a workout. This vest itself weighs four pounds and it comes with six 1-pound weight packs, so you can adjust it before or even during a workout. While we appreciate that this option features two pockets, in testing we felt they could be a bit larger to accommodate a cell phone. On the plus side, Aduro Sport offers a lifetime limited warranty to ensure you are happy with this product. Price at time of publication: $75 Product Details: Weight: 4 to 10 poundsMaterials: NeopreneAdjustable vs. Fixed Weight: Adjustable Best for Running Henkelion Weighted Vest 4.3 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Materials 4/5 Fit 5/5 Technical Quality 5/5 Resistance Level 4/5 Overall Value 4/5 Why We Like It An adjustable strap helps you get the perfect fit so there’s no shifting on a run. It’s Worth Noting One size option is not particularly useful for larger body types. Having a weighted vest that doesn’t shift during exercise is particularly vital when you are running. That’s why we like Henkelion’s Weighted Vest. In our testing, we found that the ergonomic design coupled with the adjustable strap prevents shifting and chafing during runs. We appreciate that the iron pellets that create the weight are evenly distributed, preventing too much stress from building up in one area of your body. The vest comes in black, blue, gray, pink, and purple. While the vest is available in weights of 4, 6, 8, and 12 pounds, the weights are not adjustable once you purchase them. Unfortunately, it only comes in one size, which may be limiting for people who are larger. Additionally, it comes with a pocket in the back, but we found it was too small to hold a regular-sized iPhone. Price at time of publication: $27 Product Details: Weight: 4, 6, 8, or 12 poundsMaterials: NeopreneAdjustable vs. Fixed Weight: Fixed weight Best for Walking Omorpho G-Vest+ Omorpho View On Omorpho.com Why We Like It A zipper, side cords, and sleek shape make the fit superior to other brands. It’s Worth Noting The weights cannot be adjusted. The added security features and sleek fit of Omorpho’s G-Vest+ make it a great option for someone looking to improve their walking routine. The stainless steel ball bearings are spread evenly across the torso, creating a less bulky look. Unlike other options, this vest has two means of keeping it in place: a zipper and side cords. In our testing, we found it stayed in place well and that the contoured design made it comfortable to wear. This vest is more expensive than all of the other options on our list by quite a bit. Considering the price, we didn’t like that the vest doesn’t have the option to add weight. Additionally, it only comes in two sizes. However, we feel that overall it is worth the money due to the secure design and comfortable fit. Price at time of publication: $279 Product Details: Weight: 4 or 5 poundsMaterials: Laminated polyester, synthetic rubberAdjustable vs. Fixed Weight: Fixed weight Most Comfortable Prosourcefit Weighted Vest 4.3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Our Ratings Materials 4/5 Fit 5/5 Technical Quality 5/5 Resistance Level 4/5 Overall Value 4/5 Why We Like It The neoprene material, adjustable straps, and sleek fit do a great job preventing chafing and discomfort. It’s Worth Noting There’s a bit of an odor at first. ProSourceFit’s Weighted Vest is our pick for the most comfortable weighted vest. We experienced no discomfort or chafing during the entire testing period. The neoprene material creates an optimal fit, and the adjustable straps and streamlined style make it easy to put on and take off. Additionally, it’s more affordable than other options out there, which makes it a great option for someone who is new to wearing weighted vests. Keep in mind, there was a bit of a neoprene smell when we opened the packaging, but that dissipated after one usage. Additionally, the vest has a fixed weight, but it is available in weights of 6, 8, 10, 12, and 20 pounds. Unlike other options out there, we found that the pocket in the back of this vest can hold a phone, but it doesn’t have space for much else.  Price at time of publication: $30 Product Details: Weight: 6, 8, 10, 12, 20 pounds Materials: NeopreneAdjustable vs. Fixed Weight: Fixed Our Testing Process We began our process by speaking with multiple experts to better understand weighted vests and how they can be useful for overall fitness. Our experts include: Shianne Nevers, certified trainer at Iron Culture in North Bergen, New Jersey. Joe Taggart, Director of Personal Training and Group Fitness at Iron Culture in North Bergen, New Jersey Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, certified running coach and personal trainer From there, we narrowed down our list to the most popular weighted vests on the market, accounting for details like durability, fit, resistance levels, and overall value. We wore each vest for a total of four hours during various exercises, including bodyweight workouts, interval training, cardio, hiking, running, and walking. We also noted how effective the vests were at each different weight level. What to Know About Weighted Vests Benefits of Weighted Vests Weighted vests can be a viable way to upgrade your current fitness regimen. Nevers says they can be a useful tool for building muscle during interval training, as well as a good way to upgrade the intensity of plyometric exercises. Taggart notes that a weighted vest can be a good tool to progressively overload certain exercises like pull-ups and pushups. Because weighted vests fit so snugly, they’re often more efficient than other weight tools like belts. How to Use a Weighted Vest Taggart tells us weighted vests are a good tool, but they shouldn’t be used until you’ve mastered the basics. It’s wise not to go heavy too quickly, so be sure you start out doing exercises or movements without the vest to ensure safety and minimize soreness. Your Fitness Needs A standard weighted vest is a good tool for anyone who wants to improve fitness. If you’re looking to consistently add strength and progressively overload, you will want to invest in a weight vest that is adjustable, like the Aduro Sport Weighted Vest. Nevers and Taggart emphasize it’s best to only add a vest once you are already proficient in a movement. For exercises like pull-ups, lunges, or bodyweight squats, it’s vital that you understand the basics before you introduce load. Weight and Fit According to Taggart, a weighted vest should be tight and snug to your body. Be sure to look for products that include features like adjustable straps, side cords, or a zipper to help ensure a solid fit. Without a proper fit, you will be stuck with a vest that bounces when you’re using it which will not only be inconvenient but can also lead to chafing or injury. Your fitness goals will also guide you in deciding on the proper weight for you. However, for running, Taggart recommends using 5% of your body weight in the vest. Quality Materials and Design Many weighted vests are made of neoprene, which is a durable and tear-resistant material. There are also other important features such as cords and zippers that may not hold up well over time. Make sure you look into customer ratings for any vest you purchase to ensure quality. In terms of maintenance and care, each weighted vest is different, so be sure to read the specific recommendations before washing your vest. Some can be machine washed and others can be hand-washed and hang-dried. You’ll probably sweat a lot while wearing your vest, so it’s important that it can be easily cleaned. Your Questions, Answered How much does a weighted vest typically cost? Weighted vests generally range in price between $25 on the lower end to as high as $300 on the higher end. While more expensive options sometimes fit better, are made of higher quality materials, and are more discrete, a high price tag doesn’t necessarily translate to a better vest. Is it good to walk with a weighted vest? Walking in a weighted vest is a good way to increase the intensity of your walks, says Nevers. Using a vest can also enhance your cardio and potentially help you lose weight. Do weighted vests build muscle? As noted by Nevers, a weighted vest can help to build muscle during exercises like high-intensity training and interval training. Adjustable vests allow for progressive overload, which can help build muscle on exercises like pushups and pull-ups. How heavy should my weighted vest be? The answer to this depends on your own particular goals and abilities. It’s smart to start small and work your way up to make sure you can handle workouts with a weighted vest. A good rule of thumb is to go lighter and only add weights that feel safe and don’t cause you any pain. When it comes to running, Taggart recommends using a vest that weighs approximately 5% of your body weight. He adds that if you’re doing sprints, you could potentially go as high as 10% of your body weight. Who We Are Jack Byram is a freelance writer and a health and exercise fanatic. He is constantly researching and speaking with experts to better improve his fitness. He is also consistently trying out new products in the gym to better make recommendations in his work. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 1 Source Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Puthoff ML, Darter BJ, Nielsen DH, Yack HJ. The effect of weighted vest walking on metabolic responses and ground reaction forces. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2006;38(4):746-752. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000210198.79705.19