The 5 best weighted vests for workouts

If you’re looking to change up your workouts to add more resistance and versatility, a weighted vest could be just what you’re looking for.

Weighted vests can help you get more from a range of different workouts, from running to strength-based gym work.

To help you decide on the best weighted vest for you, we’ve picked our top five in this blog.

Table of contents

1. CORENGTH Adjustable Weight Training Weighted Vest
2. Bulldog Gear 20kg Adjustable Weight Vest
3. XN8 Sports Adjustable Weighted Vest
4. Mirafit Adjustable Weighted Vest
5. Empower Women's Weighted Vest

But before we dive into our favourite weighted vests, let's look into why they're such a handy piece of kit to have.

What are the benefits of a weighted vest?

Weighted vests are a powerful addition to any workout routine, offering a range of physical benefits by increasing resistance without compromising movement. Here are a few ways they can enhance your exercise.

Increased calorie burn

Adding extra weight makes your body work harder, boosting heart rate and energy expenditure for more effective fat loss.

Improved strength and endurance

Your muscles will adapt to the added resistance, which promotes strength gains, especially in the core, legs, and back.

Improved cardio fitness

Wearing a weighted vest during aerobic activities like walking or running can improve your stamina and lung capacity over time.

Posture and balance improvement

Weight distribution engages your stabilising muscles, which can help improve your posture, balance, and coordination.

Whether you’re doing bodyweight exercises, hiking, HIIT, or something else entirely, a weighted vest can provide scalable resistance that grows with your fitness. If you want serious results, a weighted vest could be a smart, long-term investment.

What exercises can I do in a weighted vest?

The best weighted vests can be used for a multitude of training, from aerobic exercises such as running or hiking to strength training such as weights or CrossFit.

However, weighted vests are most commonly used for:

• Weight loss during running or walking
• Strength and endurance building
• Building muscle through bodyweight sessions

1. CORENGTH Adjustable Weight Training Weighted Vest

RRP: £59.99
Weight: 6-10kg
Type of weight: Flat metal plates
Best for: Value

If you’re serious about pushing your bodyweight workouts to the next level, the Decathlon CORENGTH Adjustable Weight Training Vest is a smart choice.

Built from durable polyester and reinforced with robust webbing and buckles, the vest starts at 6kg but comes with four additional 1kg plates, so you can increase it to 10kg if you wish. If you want even more of a challenge than that, the pockets can also take cast-iron weights.

What stands out about this vest, in particular, is how adjustable it is. The shoulder straps and chest width can be tailored to different body shapes, ensuring it moves with you rather than restricting your workout.

The cut is ergonomic, with a fitted design that allows freedom of movement in exercises like pull-ups, burpees, squats, and dips. It also distributes weight evenly, helping to reduce hot spots or discomfort during dynamic sessions.

2. Bulldog Gear 20kg Adjustable Weight Vest

RRP: £124.95
Weight: 20kg
Type of weight: Solid metal bars
Best for: Beginners

The Bulldog Gear 20kg Adjustable Weight Vest is designed with 18 solid metal 1kg bars (9 on the front, 9 on the back), allowing you to dial in weight precisely up to a full 20kg.

Comfort hasn’t been overlooked as part of the design, either. It hugs close to your torso in an ergonomic cut, featuring passed straps and durable, stretch-resistant webbing so that it stays stable even under heavy loads. Large Velcro panels also mean the weight bars are firmly locked in during dynamic movements.

This vest is ideal if you want a progressive overload, as being able to add or remove weight bars gradually gives you complete control over your training intensity. Though it’s slightly more expensive than other weighted vests, the build, design, and 20kg max load make it a worthy investment.

3. XN8 Sports Adjustable Weighted Vest

RRP: from £35.99
Weight: 3.5kg, 8kg, or 10kg
Type of weight: Iron-sand filled pouches
Best for: Comfort

The XN8 Sports Adjustable Weighted Vest is one of the best weighted vests for wearability. The X-shaped composition is aimed at maximum function, practicality and manoeuvrability.

Not only does it come in various weights (starting at 3.5kg up to 10kg), but it’s also designed with the wearer in mind. The shoulder straps are slip-resistant and made from a thickened material to aid comfort during prolonged usage.

There are six concealed pockets for the iron-sand filled weight pouches, which makes it easy to vary the load for different exercises. Four buckles (two on the chest, two on the shoulders) also allow you to tighten or loosen the fit without compromising on stability.

The vest is available in various colours and has reflective elements, too, for training in the dark.

4. Mirafit Adjustable Weighted Vest

RRP: £49.95
Weight: 10kg, 20kg, or 30kg
Type of weight: Cast-iron blocks
Best for: Versatility

If you’re looking for a highly versatile weighted vest that can grow with your strength, the Mirafit Adjustable Weighted Vest is an excellent option.

This one-size-fits-all design allows you to load up with 1kg cast-iron blocks, starting from as light as 10kg all the way up to 30kg, so it’s ideal whether you’re just starting out or pushing hard.

Made of tough 1000D polyester, this vest is built to withstand regular, high-intensity workouts while resisting wear and tear. The cast-iron blocks are rust-resistant thanks to their painted finish, and they’re removable, too, so you can customise your load for different movements.

The fit is fully adjustable via a secure hook-and-loop strap that helps to reduce shifting during dynamic workouts. However, while great for strength work or short cardio bursts, Mirafit advises it’s not suitable for long-distance running.

5. Empower Women's Weighted Vest

RRP: £54.99
Weight: 3.6kg
Type of weight: Iron-sand (sewn in)
Best for: Women

This vest from Empower is our best weighted vest for women. Designed exclusively for women with a distinctive X-shape design, it isn’t just a smaller copy of a men’s vest, and it’s made with comfort and function in mind.

The neoprene fabric is soft and stretchy for different body shapes, with padded shoulders and adjustable side straps so you can move freely and comfortably for prolonged periods.

The vest comes pre-loaded with weight (8lb, roughly 3.6kg), meaning, unlike many other vests, you don’t need to mess around with inserts or plates. It’s designed to add small resistance during activities such as fast walks, light jogs, aerobics classes, or bodyweight circuit training.

Adjustable straps mean you can secure it snugly around your torso, which helps to minimise bounce and shift while you move. One downside of not being able to adjust the weight load is that you may outgrow it quicker than other vests. That said, it’s a great vest for beginners or for those looking to layer up those lighter workouts without adding too much bulk.

How heavy should a weighted vest be?

The weight of your vest will differ depending on your fitness level and the type of exercise you’re doing. Although weighted vests distribute their weight effectively, the heavier you go, the more weight your back and shoulders will need to support.

Here are some suggested weights for different exercises:

• Running and cardio: 2.5-5kg
• Strength training and muscle building: 10-15kg

If you’re more experienced and have a good level of fitness, you can think about upping your load to 20kg or more.

However, always make sure that whatever weight you’ve opted for feels comfortable. Remember, less is always more, and you cannot reach your fitness goals if you’re injured!

Other weighted vest considerations

Some additional factors to consider when choosing the best weighted vest for you are:

• Type of weight: weights are often made from either metal or sand and can come in bars, pouches, or plates
• Fixed vs. adjustable weight: can the weight be removed or added to gradually build up to the full load during your workouts, or is the weight fixed?
• Total weight: the ideal weight will depend on the type of exercise you’re doing. Some activities benefit from lighter loads (e.g. running), while others may require more resistance (e.g. strength training)
• Style, comfort, and durability: consider how the vest looks, how breathable it is, and whether the fabric is comfortable enough to wear over minimal clothing or directly on the skin

Specialist sports insurance through Insure4Sport

Though weighted vests are a relatively safe piece of equipment, they can still carry injury risks, especially if you load them up too quickly or if you’re not adjusting them properly according to your body shape.

That’s why if you’re working out regularly, you may want to consider protecting yourself financially with insurance. Specialist sports insurance through Insure4Sport can provide cover for accidents, injuries, and much more. Get a quick quote online today.