The Weighted Vests I Wear for Walks, Push-ups, and Runs

Reena Vokoun, founder of the wellness platformPassion Fit, is a fan of the APEXUP because it has a comfortable fit and a vest shell made of breathable and durable nylon and mesh. It’s important to note that this vest utilizes “ironsand,” which is basically sand with heavy concentrations of iron. Any weighted vest with this type of ironsand construction can have a potential for leaking or dust but is often considered a nice low-cost option for beginners. It comes in over a dozen colors and patterns, though Vokoun owns the pink one, which is her personal favorite. “The weight options range from five to 30 pounds, so you can work your way up to a weight that challenges you,” she says.

This weighted vest from GoRuck was designed by the brand’s co-founder and former CIA officer Emily McCarthy. The exterior is made from a double-grid ripstop nylon and the interior is a soft, nylon-spandex blend. This vest offers fixed weight (sometimes referred to as a holster vest) and comes in eight-, 12-, and 16-pound versions, which are generally a solid option if you’re new to the world of weighted vests. I opted for the 12-pound version, which I think is a great middle-of-the-road weight. It’s been ideal for adding extra resistance to my longer walks without any slippage, though I found that on my five-foot-five frame, it can be a bit too heavy for training runs. (Perhaps the eight-pound one would have been a better option for running.) It forms nicely to the body, and the adjustable chest strap allows you to cinch it even tighter. There’s also plenty of space for my arms and the chest strap sits right across the top of my sternum, above my sports bra.

If you’re looking for a sleek weighted vest, Omorpho is your best bet.Arzón, Peloton’s head instructor and host of theProject Swaggerpodcast, loves that it looks “badass,” and says “it’s not so much weight that it takes it out of being functional.” She uses her Omorpho for Hyrox training and workout sessions where she’s doing a mix of running, strength, and body-weight movements — “sled pushes, burpees, things like that,” Arzón told me. “It just gives me an extra added stimulus that gives me an edge training for race day.”

I wrote about testing Aion’s weighted vest, which is the first design I’ve tried that doesn’t screamI’m wearing a weighted vest. It’s considered a “walking vest,” so it’s not as heavy as other options on this list. The brand says it adds about five to seven pounds of resistance, which comes from the steel discs that are placed between the stitching. I love that it has multiple pockets: two small ones on the outside, and one internal chest pocket, which are perfect for stashing smaller items, including lip balm, my card case, or gum. It blends seamlessly with my summer uniform of exercise dresses but also layers well over T-shirts and thin sweaters and crewnecks.

In March, Stakt introduced its new weighted vest, which starts at six pounds and can be adjusted up to eight pounds by zipping on the weight extension at the bottom hemline. It has a washable mesh liner and uses iron balls instead of iron sand. The fit is also easy to customize with two buckles at the front plus shoulder straps to adjust the height. Similar to the Aion vest above, the Stakt has one outer mesh pocket for my phone or cards.

Crawford recommends this Hyperwear vest — along with the brand’s Hyper Vest Elite below — to her patients. She says that “the fit is streamlined and secure, with elastic side straps that reduce bounce and allow for comfortable movement.” Crawford told me that her patients have also noted good breathability during walking and training sessions. The vest includes adjustable, removable weights, which allows users to tailor the load and progress gradually over time, Crawford says.

Steven John, a staff writer with Forbes Vetted, doesn’t typically wear a weighted vest during runs; however, during bodyweight exercises, such as pushups or lunges, John says this 20-pound TRX weighted vest “is a great way to make each exercise a bit more of a challenge and a bit more productive.” It has straps on the shoulders and one around the waist for a customizable fit. “I appreciate how readily adjustable this vest is, as it can easily be secured to my body without it shifting around as I move,” John says.

I tried Omorpho’s original G-Vest above, but it’s actually in the process of being phased out for the brand’s first adjustable weighted vest, the G-Vest Icon. Unlike traditional adjustable weighted vests that often require inserting metal bars or plates, the new Omorpho vest uses their special G-Packs, or weighted panels that snap securely into place.

When I finally got my hands on the G-Vest Icon, I was so excited because I loved the streamlined construction of the older model, but now with the adjustable G-Packs, I have the option of increasing the weight I’m carrying without compromising the comfortable and tailored fit of the vest. It’s not bulky and never gets in the way of my movements — it has adjustable shoulder straps and you can cinch the sides for added security. As someone with a larger cup size, I never feel awkward or suffocated when wearing this vest.

Kat Pasle-Green, a health and fitness coach withBay Club, loves this vest because it’s fully adjustable with lacing along both sides and a strong central zipper to keep it firmly in place. Pasle-Green says the weight (and distribution) are also adjustable because it utilizes slim metal bars and a pocket system across the front and back, so you can place the weights where you want. She wears it while walking, hiking, and jogging mostly: “I’ve also used it during pull-ups and burpees. I wear it during exercises that benefit from a slight increase in resistance but require my hands to be free,” Pasle-Green says, adding that she’s owned her Hyperwear vest for over a year now with no visible wear.

Pasle-Green also told me about an “honorable mention” that’s available right now for preorders. “The Carry vest was created by women and designed to be friendly (not restricting) to busts and bodies of all sizes,” Pasle-Green says. The load is adjustable in half-pound increments — the Beta Bundle comes with 20 pounds total (40 removable half-pound weight bars) — and the vest shell can be machine-washed.

Here’s a plate carrier option from GoRuck, although it’s actually designed to be worn high and tight on your back. While all the other options on this list are true weighted vests (a.k.a. weight is distributed evenly across the entire torso), this pick is more in line with rucking — or in simple terms, walking with a weighted backpack — since the weight is loaded on your back. I’ve been testing it for the past month, and I’ve found that it does a nice job opening up my chest and shoulders. I’m more aware of walking with proper posture, rather than leaning forward or slouching, and it also forces me to engage my core muscles. I love that it has extremely sturdy shoulder straps and padded lumbar support, and while your front side is mostly open, there is an adjustable chest strap. TheGoRuck platesare sold separately, and for the Standard carrier, which I own, it holds ten, 20, or 30 pounds. (The Long carrier has a single-plate pocket that fits up to 45 pounds, and the Heavy carrier has a dual-plate pocket that can fit up to 90 pounds.)

Kris Herbert, the owner ofthe Gym Venice, is a certified personal trainer who specializes in working with clients over 40. “If a client has earned the right to use a weighted vest, I look for something stable and well-built like the Rogue Plate Carrier. For our 40-plus population, predictability and durability come first,” Herbert told me. He says that the Rogue’s plate-vest design keeps the load close to the torso, which helps minimize shifting during movement. The weight is adjustable based on the plates used, allowing for a completely customizable workout progression. “Breathability is solid for a heavy-duty training vest, though like most durable carriers it is designed more for stability than airflow,” Herbert says, adding that the durability, stable load placement, and no-frills construction are what make it a standout pick. Just note that this plate carrier is compatible with Rogue’sCast Vest PlatesandEcho Vest Plates, which are sold separately.