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Top 10 Best Weighted Vests for Women (New – 2019)

If you’re looking to improve your strength and endurance, weighted vests have got you covered! Strapping on even just a few extra pounds can seriously magnify the benefits of practically any physical activity. Whether you’re running marathons or taking a leisurely stroll around the park, there’s a perfect weighted vest for you.

Not sure which vest is best? We’ve rounded up 2019’s top sellers you’ll want to consider:

Empower Weighted Vest for Women

Created specifically for a woman’s frame, Empower’s vest has adjustable weight and is durable enough for outdoor use.

Empower’s weighted vest is designed specifically for women athletes. The contoured, X-shaped design allows the weight to rest comfortably and evenly across your frame. Made from Lycra spandex with adjustable straps, it fits waist sizes from 24 to 48 inches.

Plus, it’s safe and convenient to use outdoors. Reflective sections on both the front and back help keep you visible even in low light. Plus, a tiny pocket securely holds keys, ID, money and other small items.

Three different vests are available: four pounds, eight pounds and 16-pound adjustable. Note that the four and eight-pound vests are fixed weights; only the 16 pound is adjustable. All vests use segments of sand sewn into the vest for even, comfortable weight distribution. You won’t feel pinching or pulling in your shoulders.

At 16 inches long by 13 inches wide, it can easily be worn over a sports bra, shirt, light jacket or basically any other workout gear. To keep it clean simply wash it by hand with cold water and dish soap then air dry.

Cap Barbell Women’s Weighted Vest

This vest is a comfy choice for walkers and joggers, but chute hooks in the back make it a solid option for top-level athletes, too.

Flexibility is the name of the game here. Cap’s weighted vest features a fully-adjustable, touch-and-close Velcro waist belt, padded shoulder straps, and removable weight packets.

There are ten weight packets which each weigh three pounds. You can add or subtract them from the vest with ease. At the same time, they fit snugly and securely in designated pockets for even weight distribution.

The padded straps prevent the vest from digging into your shoulders even when loaded up with max weight. Made from reinforced nylon and polyester, it’s lightweight, comfortable and breathable. The total size is 19 inches wide by 12 inches tall.

Are you looking to take your training to the next level? Hooks on the back of the vest allow you to attach a chute for wind-resistance training easily.

Not only is the vest durable, but it’s also easy to clean. Simply remove the weights then toss it in the washing machine. Allow it to air dry.

Tone Fitness Weighted Vest

Lightweight and breathable, this weighted vest from Tone Fitness allows for plenty of full-body movement.

Although 12 pounds might not sound like a lot of weight, it’s actually an ideal amount for light walking, jogging and distance running. It’s comfortable, versatile and helps take your training to a whole new level.

It’s made from neoprene which is soft, comfortable and breathable. An adjustable front belt allows for a secure, snug fit. One size fits most.

The vest is X-shaped which allows for easy arm movements and plenty of flexibility. Plus, the weight is distributed evenly throughout the vest so you won’t feel any pulling in the shoulder area. Reflective strips on the front and back keep you visible when running at night.

The carry pocket is vest’s biggest drawback. It doesn’t always hold items very securely, especially during full-body movements. While it’s fine for an ID or house key, you might think twice before pocketing your phone.

RUNMax Weighted Vest

Adjustable weights allow the vest to grow along with your strength level. You can adjust the weight between 20 and 60 pounds.

Also sold under the name Max Pro, these vests are available in 12, 20, 40, 50 and 60-pound versions. Except for the 12-pound ones, all the vests allow you to remove weight for quick and easy customization.

The dual straps keep the vest snug and secure. One size fits most. The weight remains evenly distributed across the front and back which makes the vest great for walking, jogging and other light exercise. However, weight in the front might make breathing difficult during hiking or other activities where you’re on an incline.

RUNMan / Max Pro offer a complete manufacturer’s warranty. You can return the vest for any reason if you’re not satisfied. Because the fit of a weighted vest can vary wildly from person to person, the ability to try before you buy is a definite plus.

Aduro Sport Weighted Vest

A comfortable, adjustable vest with a large back pocket which is perfect for holding gear and personal items.

Comfort meets style with Aduro’s weighted vest. It has an adjustable front belt with soft, neoprene pockets. It’s snug without feeling uncomfortable.

Do you have lots of gear? You’ll love the vest’s mesh pocket. It can hold a wallet, keys, a water bottle or even extra weight.

Vests are available in four, six, 12, 20 and 25 pounds. Weight is removable so buying a heavier vest gives you more options. All vests include Aduro’s Lifetime Limited Warranty.

MiR Women’s Adjustable Weighted Vest

A sleek design and lightweight materials allow for a full range of motion in your arms, neck and upper body.

Designed specifically for women, this vest is lightweight with plenty of mobility. It has a sleek, sparse design which doesn’t waste any space. Although it looks smaller than similar vests, it’s still a high-quality vest made for athletes of all ability levels.

An adjustable Velcro belt combines with padded shoulder straps to create a secure, snug fit which hugs your body. At the same time, you’ll have a full range of arm and torso movement. The 1200 D-Nylon construction is lightweight, breathable and wicks sweat away from your skin.

Vests are available in five versions: 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 pounds. The weight for each vest is divided into multiple three-pound segments which you can add or remove at will. Special pockets which line the front and back help ensure even weight distribution no matter how many pounds you want to carry.

TNT Pro Series Iron Weighted Vest

High-quality iron pellets and metal rock help ensure even weight distribution, making this a great choice for anyone suffering from lower back pain.

TNT Pro Series understands that even a relatively light vest can be annoying and even painful without a supportive design. Their vest is designed to distribute weight evenly across the front and back to avoid pulling at your shoulders or jostling into your sides.

Most vests contain sand, which can bunch up and even leak. But TNT contains 11 pounds of iron pellets and metal rock. It not only stays in place better than sand but it smells better, too (wet sand can get pretty funky).

The iron pellets and overall weight-balancing design make the vest an excellent option for anyone with lower back issues. It won’t pull down or compress. Instead, you’ll feel an all-over, even resistance which helps build muscle and burn calories.

TNT Pro Series has a fun, lively brand identity. They promise to never be a pain in the butt. Their vests, along with all their gear, can be returned for any reason – and they’ll even pay shipping costs.

Sweatflix Weighted Body Vest for Men and Women

Two vests for the price of one make this pair of unisex vests a great value for you and a partner.

Perfect for couples, this BOGO pack includes a bright pink vest and a bright blue one. Both are available in six, eight, ten or 12-pound varieties. (The weight is not adjustable although there is a mesh pocket in the back.)

Comfortable, adjustable chest straps and a lightweight design keep the vest in place even during intense exercise. It’s a good choice for CrossFit, running and full-body training.

The unique placement of the front straps helps ensure the weight stays evenly distributed across the front and back. Comfort is the major feature here. You’ll feel the increased intensity of the workout but with no pulling or awkward heavy sensations.

Weighted Vest by Challenge Weighted Workoutwear

A super-stylish vest made specifically for women which combines flexibility, functionality, and comfort.

There’s nothing quite like these bold, colorful vests from Challenge Weighted Workoutwear. They’re the antidote to the blocky, gender-neutral weighed vests which tend to dominate the market. The vibrant, colorful patterns and svelte design are instantly eye-catching.

It’s a four-pound vest. The weight’s divided into 16 Weight Thins. They’re thin, bendable weights which each weigh one-quarter of a pound. You add or remove the Thins into the special enclosures built into the vest. Additionally, Weight Thins can be purchased separately to increase the total weight of the vest to over four pounds.

The patent-pending Weight Thins have a free-floating, suspended metallic-ball construction which adds weight without compromising flexibility. You’ll be able to walk, bend and move without restriction.

Sixteen different pockets are located in the waist, shoulders and back areas. They hold the weights securely to prevent shifting. Weight is kept evenly distributed across the front and back.

JBM Weighted Vest

A durable, 20-pound vest ideal for strength-training outside in all weather and light conditions.

Not every vest is for all skill levels. JBM’s vest is for women athletes who aren’t messing around. It packs 20 pounds of sand. You’ll build strength fast when wearing this while running, climbing and moving.

Don’t let the soft Neoprene material fool you. This vest is stretchable, durable and comfortable. It pulls sweat, rain and other water away from your skin. Plus, it’s tear-resistant and easy to keep clean. Simply hand wash (avoid throwing it in the machine).

Do you like to exercise outdoors? The large mesh pocket on the back of the vest is large enough to hold keys, ID and other essentials. Multi-reflective tape on both the front and back help you stay visible even in low light.

There are just too many great vests out there to limit our list to 10! Here’s are two bonus vests with specialized appeal:

Bonus #11: Hyperwear Hyper Vest PRO

This durable vest fits just about any size frame and is tough enough to be a long-standing favorite of law enforcement and military professionals.

This 10-pound vest isn’t just durable – it’s professional-grade. Frequently used in law enforcement and military training, it allows for a full range of movement. The secret is a flexible horizontal plane which allows for full chest expansion.

Open side panels keep the vest away from your arms while allowing for plenty of ventilation. The adjustable side lacing keeps it secure and snug. The stretchable fabric wicks away sweat and odors while preventing chafing. Additionally, zippers allow for you put on and take off the vest in seconds.

Bonus #12: Cross101 Adjustable Camouflage Weighted Vest

With durable construction and camouflage print, this vest for Cross101 is perfect for members of the military or anyone training outdoors.

We admit a camouflage pattern probably isn’t necessary, but it’s still pretty cool. The vest is available in both Arctic and Desert camo with optional shoulder pads.

It’s an adjustable vest which holds up to 20 pounds. Eight 2.5-pound weights are included with additional weight sold separately. The weights are made from tightly-packed sand.

The vest has a simple, breathable one-piece design with a Velcro wraparound belt. Taking it on and off is easy and fast.

How We Selected the Best Vests

Not every vest made the cut. Before including one on our list, we considered the following criteria:

Adjustability

You don’t necessarily need a vest with a ton of weight. Even just four or five pounds helps improve strength, tone muscles and work your core. But while you don’t need a vest with a lot of weight, you do want one with a lot of weight options.

The best vests are adjustable. You should be able to add and remove weight easily. The weight will be either bags filled with sand or iron, or metal squares.

Ideally, the vest should have individual compartments for each weighted component. That’s the best way to keep weights secure and evenly distributed.

Weight Distribution

Even weight distribution is vital. Five pounds can feel like a million if it’s pulling into your shoulders. The weight should be distributed equally across the front and back of the vest.

Make sure any bags of sand or iron bearings are densely packed. Otherwise, gravity will alter their shape over time. You don’t want the weight to pull down. Instead, the weight should be packed tightly.

A weighted vest should make you feel heavier, like you’re personally carrying the weight in your body. It shouldn’t give you a feeling of being pulled down, like you’ve stepped onto a planet with heavy gravity.

Materials Used

Most vests are made from Lycra spandex. It has three key qualities needed in a weighted vest:

• Durability
• Flexibility
• Breathability

Durability

Look for double-stitching, which helps the vest stay together for years and years. Plus, double-stitching is extra-important if the weight in the vest can be adjusted dramatically.

The vest should be specifically designed to handle any extra weight you want to add. For example, adding 15 pounds of weight to a four-pound vest will likely hurt your shoulders and could even cause the vest to fall apart.

Flexibility

The vest should allow you to move how you want. Make sure you always have full use of your arms.

Some vests have weight pockets with button fasteners on the top. That’s usually not an issue if you’re walking or jogging, but weights can fly out during Cross Fit or other intense activity. If you’re highly active, you’ll want a vest where the weight compartments are zippered instead of buttoned.

Also, make sure the vest isn’t too bulky. Some vests load tons of weight up top near the shoulders. It ends up looking like a vest worn by someone on the SWAT team! These bulky vests can be very restricting. Vests with thinner weights, spread evenly across the torso, allow for unencumbered movement.

Breathability

The materials should allow for plenty of natural air circulation. Most Lyrca will wick sweat away from your skin to help keep you cool.

Speaking of sweat, you want to make sure the vest is easy to clean. After all, exercise gear can get pretty gross. Most weighted vests should be cleaned by hand with warm water and detergent. Some vests are machine washable, but be sure to remove all the weights first! All vests are air-dry only; never put one in the dryer.

Fit

The vest should fit more like a sports bra than a piece of outerwear. You want it to fit snugly against your torso. At the same time, you shouldn’t feel any pressure against your skin. If you feel like you’re struggling to take a full breath, the vest is too tight.

Choose a vest with Velcro or straps. Buckles are usually too loose. Also, choose pockets with Velcro or zippered compartments instead of buttons.

Gender

Men’s and women’s weighted vests are not the same. They store the weight in different locations. When wearing a man’s vest, the weight will likely dig into your sides and bite into your shoulders.

Vests made for women are usually more streamlined than ones made for men. The weight will be placed higher so your hips can help provide support.

How Will You Use the Vest?

Pick a vest which fits your preferred type of exercise. If you’ll mainly be walking, comfort is more important than a tight fit. But if you want to run, twist and perform aerobic exercises, make sure the vest won’t bounce and shift as you move.

Weighted vests are also great for water exercises. Just make sure the material is quick-drying, so you’re not stuck with a damp vest for days.

Final Thoughts

The key to selecting the best vest is finding the perfect fit for your frame. You want a vest with adjustable weights, breathable material and precise fasteners made from Velcro. The vest shouldn’t bounce or shift when running, but it also shouldn’t be so tight you feel pressure against your ribs.

Weighted vests may seem simple, but they’re one of the most effective ways to boost strength and tone muscles. Plus, you can continue to do the exercises you already enjoy – only now you’ll get better results faster!