8 Best Weighted Vests for Your Workouts, Tested by Fitness Editors

I’ve tested a lot of weighted vests over the years, and I haven’t seen a whole lot that gets my attention. The REP Fitness Strata has impressed me though. First off, I appreciate the fit is one of the better ones I’ve worn, especially for a plate carrier. What really makes it work is three different points of tightening and cinching. In addition to the standard Velcro wrap you find on a plate carrier, there is also a place to cinch both straps.

The fit is also helped by the curved plates (sold separately) that REP Fitness has developed for the Strata. They taper at the top to freely allow arm movement, and the curved design allows them to conform better against your body, causing less awkwardness when doing pull-ups, pushups, and other bodyweight movements.

The open sides also means that your torso gets a lot of air, which is one of the reasons I find myself leaning towards plate carriers often (even for jogs). The price is also pretty appealing, especially for how it performs and the quality that REP Fitness meets. Bonus points for the convenient Velcro-secured pocket in the front for keys or a phone when you’re on the move. I also like that the color options of olive or military green are available rather than just the classic black.

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This luxe vest isn’t cheap, but it’s designed to be a comfortable, minimalist means to add some extra load to your training. Unlike some other vests, which hold removable plates that make the weight concentrated to only one part of your torso, the Omorpho vest is designed for equal weight distribution.

“It’s the best-fitting weight vest I’ve ever used,” MH Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., said of the G-Vest Icon. “It also makes you look like a GI Joe when you don it, which is an added bonus, especially in the olive green colorway.” We especially love that the fit is super-customizable, thanks to adjustable cords on the sides and adjustments at the shoulders. Because it’s so form-fitting, it works exceptionally well for lightweight speed drills.

“If you’re in a larger, heavier weight vest, you can run miles upon miles, but it’s so heavy that you won’t be able to train other functions, like change of direction, agility, or leaping ability,” explains Samuel. “The Omorpho Weight Vest is light enough that I can do hurdle jumps in it, or work through change-of-direction exercises like skater lunges and cariocas. I’m also getting to continue moving at a high rate of speed when I do these moves, because I’m not toting around 20 pounds.” In essence, adding a little bit of resistance, but not enough to slow down your body, helps to build explosive athleticism, instead of simply strength.

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The APEXUP is a fixed-weight vest that requires you to choose your desired weight before purchasing. A good starting point is five to ten percent of your body weight if you’re a beginner, and ten to fifteen percent for those with more experience. It’s designed with specific guidelines according to your weight and is constructed from durable neoprene filled with iron sand, which is denser than regular sand and doesn’t absorb moisture, keeping the vest lightweight during workouts.

During use, we found the vest comfortable whether worn over a T-shirt or directly on the skin. The smooth neoprene and fabric-stitched seams eliminated any chafing or discomfort, even during longer walks or dynamic movements. It performs well, maintaining its density and preventing any shifting or clumping. It’s also available in 17 bright colors, it lacks discretion and can ride high on the torso.

Overall, this weighted vest is a solid choice for walking or basic workouts, provided you adjust it for a snug fit. While it holds up well during exercises like lunges and squats, it may shift during more dynamic moves like burpees. The APEXUP offers good value for those starting with weighted workouts, but serious athletes might benefit more from an adjustable vest or one designed for high-intensity exercises.

Read More: Our Review of the APEXUP Weighted Vest

5.11 Tactical has long been a favorite amongst armed service members and military enthusiasts alike. Consider MH fitness editors part of that fan club, too. The original full-sized plate carrier is excellent, but 5.11 smartly saw the opportunity to offer a more streamlined model that could serve more individuals. The result was the TacTec Trainer Weight Vest.

When testing, the compact design felt comfortable against the chest and back, while adjustable shoulder straps allowed every body shape and size to achieve a precise fit. Breathable materials, including mesh body pads, felt light and breathable despite heavy weight and hot weather. This vest also has more storage options than most models we’ve seen. A Velcro admin pocket on the front provides quick access to your essentials, while MOLLE panels on the front and rear allow for even more storage.

On the downside, this is a premium weighted vest with a premium price tag to match. It’s priced at $140 (in only one size), and the weights are sold separately, easily pushing the cost of this one closer to $200, depending on how much weight you need. But, considering it’s extremely well-reviewed by our team and the greater fitness (and military) community, (and backed by the legendary 5.11 Tactical brand name), it’s a worthy option if you’re willing to splurge.

Want to feel like a badass and look hardcore when you do military-themed CrossFit challenges, like The Murph? You’re going to want one of these functional, full-sized plate carriers, which is built to be loaded with weighted plates, similar to the ballistic plates worn in combat.

Don’t misunderstand. These plates aren’t meant to take any punishment like those used by the military, but they will make your bodyweight training plenty punishing. I’ve tried a number of plate carriers over the years, and this model is more comfortable than the competition. Comfort goes a long way when you are lugging around anywhere between 14 and 42 pounds of extra weight. Your best bet is to buy plates from Wolf Tactical, as they are designed specifically for their plate carriers.

Once you get the sequence down, the plate locking system is also relatively easy. This can be a big pain point for plate carriers since a lot of strap security is required to keep the plates in place. The Velcro, the premium 600D material, and the MOLLE panels are all as tough and durable as it gets, exactly what you want in a plate carrier.

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The design of Hyperwear’s Hyper Vest Elite is a clear departure from most other weighted vests on the market. The lace-up design looks and wears differently, and that’s a good thing as this vest is extremely comfortable. In fact, we like this vest so much, it graced the top of our Gear of the Year list a few years back, and we still love it.

Each size comes pre-loaded with 10 pounds, and you can add up to 32 pounds in the largest version. With a blend of nylon, Tyvek, and Lycra, it’s plenty durable to support all that weight, and the Lycra adds a comfy bit of stretch to the fabric too. It’s also quick-wicking and odor-resistant, making it perfect for even the nastiest workouts.

At more than $200 for the entry-level model, this is one of the pricier weighted vests in our roundup. But, the hundreds of buyers and reviewers—including more than 400 five-star ratings on Amazon alone—agree that it’s worth the premium price tag.

You might see the word “Kevlar” and think this weighted vest has a different purpose than adding weight to your training. But this formidable piece of gear is only meant to help you ‘bulletproof’ your body through rigorous workouts. It employs a unique cross-strap design (with genuine Velcro), which we found stays locked down and ultra-secure no matter how vigorously you’re moving.

It’s available in 10-, 20-, and 40-pound models, with the 20-pound model offering adjustments in 1-pound increments and the 40-pound version in 2-pound increments. So, you can dial in your perfect level of pain as needed. There’s a lot to like about this weighted vest, from an esteemed fitness brand like TRX.

Highly and easily adjustable, comes in a range of weights for different fitness levels, is incredibly rugged, fits well, and moves with your body, not against it. So, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most-used weighted vests by our editors, and why it’s our pick for the best weighted vest for most workouts in 2026.

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It’s not quite a vest, but it serves the same role: Adding a load to your bodyweight workouts. In fact, we found that the backpack-style design helps spread weight more evenly across your entire back, and feels great for most people. MH Military Muscle program creator and Army veteran Erik Bartell has used this pack for years, preferring how it feels during high-capacity workouts.

This backpack is designed with a streamlined silhouette to hold the weight closer to your body, which we found made for a noticeably more comfortable, natural-feel while working out. There’s wide, ergonomic lumbar support padding and non-abrasive fabric on the back panel and underside of the shoulder straps designed to add comfort (which they do). On the downside, we found the added padding makes this vest a bit less breathable compared to more minimalist options. Regardless, it’s so comfortable that we even enjoyed wearing it while exercising shirtless. It also holds up well in the rain (we’re talking from a soggy experience, here).

At just under $120, this weighted vest alternative is priced right. On the downside, however, the weights are sold separately, so you’ll need to figure that into the total cost. The design of this vest makes it most effective for rucks and long walks, but it’s a poor choice for pull-ups, push-ups, and other classic strength exercises. But, we like that GORUCK allows you to mix and match your setup for the perfect fit. Plus, the brand has a rabid following thanks to the brand’s extremely well-made products and excellent customer service.

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