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A weighted vest is a must-have training item if you want to add load to your bodyweight exercises, such as dips, pull-ups, box jumps, or even cardio activities like walking on the Stairmaster.
So what’s the best women’s weighted vest? My #1 pick for the best women’s weighted vest is the ROGUE Plate Carrier (click for today’s price on Rogue Fitness). This vest is made from ultra-durable material for all types of activities. It's also more comfortable than other weighted vests on the market, as it will not dig into your rib cage or chest while working out. It’s also 100% adjustable to fit all different sizes and builds.
Due to the anatomical differences between men and women, not all weight vests suit both genders. It would help if you looked for certain things in a weight vest for women to ensure it fits comfortably on the body.
If you want to know more about women’s weighted vests, what they do, and how to pick the perfect one for your needs, keep on reading!
Top 10 Women’s Weighted Vests in 2022
The upper body physiology of a woman requires special consideration while picking a weighted vest. You need to feel comfortable but still have a full range of motion while using the vest.
To make the search process more streamlined for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best-weighted vests for women.
The top 10 best women’s weighted vests are:
- Rogue Plate Carrier – Best Overall Option
- 5.11 TacTec Ballistic Plate Carrier – Best Outdoors Option
- CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest – Heaviest Weight Capacity
- ZELUS Weighted Vest – Best Budget Option
- Aduro Sport Weighted Vest – Best for Beginners
- ZFOsports Weighted Vest – Best Bounce Free
- Unbrokenshop.com WOD Weight Vest – Best For Crossfit
- Prodigen Running Weight Vest – Best For Running
- CAP Barbell Women’s Weighted Vest – Best For Bodyweight Exercises
- Tone Fitness Weighted Vest – Best for Comfort
1. Rogue Plate Carrier – Best Overall Option
Let’s start with my overall pick for the best weighted vest that is ideal for both women and men. This one is made by ROGUE, which is one of the biggest brands when it comes to fitness equipment.
The US-made Plate Carrier is made of 1000 Denier and 500 Denier Cordura fabric, which is one of the highest-grade nylon/cotton blends available.
This gives the plate carrier unmatched durability, so you don’t have to replace the weighted vest for years.
Another reason I consider this the best weighted vest for women is that, similar to most premium weighted vests, it allows you to load in the amount of weight you want. An adjustable weight vest like this one is ideal because you can use heavier or lighter weights depending on your workout and how much of a challenge you want.
The Plate Carrier is compatible with both Rogue Echo Vest Plates and Rogue USA Cast Vest Plates, so you can add them directly into your weighted vest, carrying up to 20 lbs of weight.
The weighted vest uses superb velcro fasteners for easy on and off without hassle. It’s also more durable than most flimsy buckles that break with time, rendering their vests useless.
Pros
- Extremely durable and sturdy build
- Easily loaded with an adjustable amount of weight plates
- Unique full-chest design for support and comfort
Cons
- Only limited to 20 lbs
2. 5.11 TacTec Ballistic Plate Carrier – Best Outdoors Option
5.11 is another top-shelf brand that makes excellent fitness equipment, and this 5.11 TacTec Ballistic weight carrier is one of the best weighted vests on the market! While it’s not a women-specific weight vest, it has many features that make it an excellent option regardless of the gender you identify with.
The weight vest is designed with highly durable 500 Denier nylon, which is super rugged and resists wear and tear to keep weight plates secure. It’s another adjustable weighted vest option on which you can easily change the weight, but you have to buy the compatible weight plates separately.
The vest itself weighs 2.5 lbs without plates. The tactical design of the weighted vest makes it remarkably unique when compared to other options on the market. There are several colors to choose from, though they aren’t particularly feminine.
Although the design gives the impression that it’s a tough shell, the vest is designed with shoulder pads to absorb impacts and friction.
Pros
- Available in a variety of colors and styles
- Features a one-handed quick-release option
- Excellent airflow for a full-chest weighted vest
Cons
- A bit pricey
3. CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest – Heaviest Weight Capacity
If you’re looking for a weighted vest with the highest weight capacity, you should opt for the CAP Barbell adjustable vest.
This one is made from reinforced polyester and nylon, which allows it to carry up to 150 lbs of weight. Note, however, that you’ll have to buy the specific weight vest that can hold the amount of weight you want to use (in other words, there isn’t one vest that goes up to 150 lbs – you have the option to buy a vest that goes up to 40 lbs, one that goes up to 50 lbs, and so on).
This women’s weighted vest is super versatile and can be used for bodyweight training and parachute run training.
CAP adds a reflective strip to the weighted vest to keep you visible to cars and bikers at low light situations.
Pros
- Carries up to 150 lbs of weight
- Adjustable straps and weight pouches
- Features pockets, reflective strips, and hook anchors for parachute running
Cons
- A bit overkill for most beginners
4. ZELUS Weighted Vest – Best Budget Option
If you’re on a strict budget, you may want to consider a more affordable option. In that case, the best budget weighted vest that still works quite well is the ZELUS weighted vest.
This one is made of neoprene rubber. Neoprene material is great on weighted vests because it’s soft and supportive. However, it’s not very breathable and can hold on to sweat, so you’ll want to let this weight vest air dry after wearing it to prevent odor build-up.
This weight vest also has double stitching around the weight bars to ensure stability and balanced distribution of weight.
The shoulder straps are comfortable and padded to keep you comfortable while running. Also, the straps are easy to adjust, making them resistant to excessive bounce.
Keep in mind that this x-style weight vest will have pre-filled weights that are built into it. So, you’ll have to buy a new one if you want to change the loaded weight.
Pros
- Ideal for buyers on a budget
- Available in different colors
- Adjustable and prevents bounce
Cons
- Buckles are quite flimsy
5. Aduro Sport Weighted Vest – Best for Beginners
If you’re on a strict budget, you may want to consider a more affordable option. In that case, the best budget weighted vest that still works quite well is the ZELUS weighted vest.
This one is made of neoprene rubber. Neoprene material is great on weighted vests because it’s soft and supportive. However, it’s not very breathable and can hold on to sweat, so you’ll want to let this weight vest air dry after wearing it to prevent odor build-up.
This weight vest also has double stitching around the weight bars to ensure stability and balanced distribution of weight.
The shoulder straps are comfortable and padded to keep you comfortable while running. Also, the straps are easy to adjust, making them resistant to excessive bounce.
Keep in mind that this x-style weight vest will have pre-filled weights that are built into it. So, you’ll have to buy a new one if you want to change the loaded weight.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight options for beginners
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Affordable price
Cons
- Has a little bounce while running
6. ZFOsports Weighted Vest – Best Bounce Free
Adding a few extra pounds to your weight is enough to trigger more muscles and a higher metabolic response, which helps you lose more weight and build more muscles.
If you want a pre-loaded weighted vest that doesn’t bounce around, you should consider a full-chest model.
ZFOsports weighted vests combine these two features, offering a truly unique design that enhances back support and offers a snug fit without forcing you to adjust weights frequently. I also like that it has a wide belt on the bottom to provide a more secure fit and help offset some weight.
Fitting the female body contours perfectly makes this model bounce-free and remarkably comfortable while maintaining amazing performance!
Pros
- Easily fitted to prevent bouncing
- Pre-loaded model
- Features a water bottle holder
Cons
- Available in relatively heavier weights only
7. Unbrokenshop.com WOD Weight Vest – Best For Crossfit
CrossFit is all about endurance and high intensity. That’s why you need a women’s weight vest that handles heavyweight plates, doesn’t bounce a lot through repeated high-impact movements, and can handle heavy usage.
Similar to the ROGUE Plate Carrier, this female weighted vest from Unbrokenshop.com also supports adjustable weights using ROGUE weight plates, so it’s a great pick for anywhere from a serious beginner to advanced.
Unlike other weight-adjustable options, the UnbrokenShop WOD vest works with any kind of gym plates, offering great room for versatility and sparing you the hassle of carrying the special weights around. It isn’t large enough to hold the bumper plates that are likely lying around your CrossFit gym, but it can hold lighter iron weight discs or change plates.
Additionally, the tensional bands on the vest are highly adjustable, making the vest suitable for different kinds of bodies and able to fit just right on your body.
Pros
- Works with different weight plates
- Easy to adjust
- Great for different types of exercises
Cons
- Might be uncomfortable for the chest training for some
8. Prodigen Running Weight Vest – Best For Running
When looking for a weighted running vest, you have to keep some unique considerations in mind. For example, it needs to be highly breathable to avoid over-sweating. Ideally, it should also come with pockets where you can store your phone, keys, and perhaps energy gels for longer runs.
The Prodigen running weight vest comes with a surprisingly breathable neoprene fabric that makes it the right tool for the job.
The mesh pocket on the back can also hold small items you may need to bring when you run. However, I wish there was velcro or a snap closure for extra reassurance that those things wouldn’t fall out during a run.
Its relatively small profile also makes it a good weight vest for running because it doesn’t add too much bulk to your upper body and allows you to move your arms more freely.
The vest is available in different colors and weight choices. The fabric is made of chloroprene, which is stretchy enough to give you a snug fit.
Unlike other weight vests of a similar style with only one chest strap, this weighted vest has two. The second strap means even more support, which can keep extra stress off your shoulders and upper back.
Also, the reflective strip keeps you visible in low-light situations, so you won’t have to worry about passerby runners, cyclists, or even vehicles. All of these features make it the best weight vest for women who run frequently.
Pros
- Available in different colors and weight options
- Designed to fit perfectly while running
- Highly breathable to prevent overheating while running
Cons
- The stitching doesn’t survive intense usage
9. CAP Barbell Women’s Weighted Vest – Best For Bodyweight Exercises
Next up on our list of the best weighted vests for women is the x-style CAP Barbell women’s weighted vest.
What I like about CAP is that all their products are made with the highest quality materials that are built to last. This one is no exception.
It works like a charm for bodyweight exercise, and it’s specifically designed to fit women’s contours.
I also like that the style of this vest allows for more range of motion in the upper body, which is important if you’re using it for exercises like push-ups and pull-ups. The extra room on the sides also means this vest can accommodate larger busts and won’t put uncomfortable pressure on the chest area.
This durable women’s workout vest is made of nylon/polyester blend, which ensures an excellent level of durability and sturdiness even with intense use.
Pros
- Made from durable materials
- Adjustable weight with iron ore fines
- Velcro strap on the waist for an easy fit
Cons
- Limited to 30 lbs only
10. Tone Fitness Weighted Vest – Best for Comfort
Lastly, if you want to enjoy the most comfortable vest without compromising performance, you should consider this Tone Fitness weighted vest.
This workout vest for women has a special design that is specifically made for women, offering a great fit that unisex vests don’t match.
The vest is available in ultra-soft neoprene that doesn’t trigger skin irritation or cause chafing while exercising. Neoprene isn’t known for being very breathable, but this weight vest has various airflow channels that allow air circulation without affecting the stability of the vest.
However, this weight vest isn’t adjustable. If you go with this one, you’ll have to be okay with using the same weight over and over again. Fortunately, it’s reasonably priced, so if you wanted to buy a heavier one, you don’t have to shell out too much extra cash.
Pros
- Ultra-comfortable neoprene construction
- Single front bucks for easy adjustment
- Extra soft padding for added cushioning
Cons
- Lacks storage pockets
What To Look For When Buying A Women’s Weighted Vest
A weighted vest is supposed to be a long-lasting investment. That’s why you need to put some critical aspects into your considerations before making your final decision.
In this section, you’ll find some essential buying points you need to look for while shopping for a weighted vest for women.
Materials & Durability
Weighted vests, in general, can be made of a wide variety of materials. These materials used while manufacturing a weighted vest will permanently dictate a lot of its properties.
Among the most common fabrics used for weight vests are nylon, polyester, spandex, and neoprene.
Ideally, nylon is a great material to add wear and tear resistance to the weighted vest, making it ideal for long-term buyers.
Polyester is also durable but comes at a more affordable price. Also, it adds a little more flexibility to the vest, which enhances comfort.
The spandex used in the weight vests usually enhances the fit and prevents excessive bounce while running.
If you’re looking for the most inexpensive alternative that will still get the job done, neoprene vests are your way to go!
Design & Performance
While materials won’t differ between men’s and women’s weighted vests, the design of a weighted vest for women can vary slightly to fit women’s contours better. In contrast, other designs are mostly unisex and can be used by both men and women.
The most popular styles for women’s weighted vests are the ones that cover the chest completely, the backpack style, and the x-shaped style.
The chest supporting style is usually the most expensive. However, they’re also the most durable and give the most support.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative that provides decent performance, x-shaped style vests might work for you.
Yet, the choice here will mainly depend on personal preferences as well as the size of the chest and how comfortable you are in each style.
Comfort
When we talk about comfort while wearing a weighted vest, we’re considering two major criteria: padding and adjustability.
As with most fitness equipment, you want to be as minimally irritated by what you’re wearing as possible.
That’s why the fabric of the weighted vest needs to be quite soft and padded enough to prevent the tough shell from bruising your body.
Additionally, a weighted vest that is too loose will bounce so much while running while strapping it too tight might make it hard to breathe in it.
For that reason, a highly adjustable weighted vest means ample room for a comfortable fit that suits your unique body measurements.
Weight Capacity
Since most women’s weighted vests are made by the same manufacturers that make unisex vests, they all follow the same formula when it comes to weight capacity.
Most weighted vests use sandbags or metal bars to load the vest with weight. Some of them are adjustable and let you choose how much weight to load into the vest.
Yet, most of the reasonably priced models will have the weight bags permanently sewn into the vest.
The choice here depends on your room for growth. For instance, if you’re a bodyweight training rookie who’s willing to add in more weight as you tolerate the vest, you should go for the first option.
However, if you’re only going for kicking your cardio routine up a notch and only want to spend extra effort while doing your cardio, a pre-filled option might be a good pick here.
In that case, make sure that the weight inside the vest is evenly distributed to maintain your balance while running.
Additional Features
Some weighted vests will also have room for water bottles, pockets to store your items while running, or reflective strips to keep you visible at night for road safety.
If you usually carry items around while training, having some of these extra features built directly into your vest will make it a greater bang for your buck!
How To Size & Fit A Weighted Vest For Women
Luckily, most weighted vests on the market come in a one size fit all style. This makes it a lot easier to size and fit the weighted vest no matter how large or small your body stature is.
Instead of picking a size for your vest, you should consider the amount of weight added in the vest.
Even if the weighted vest has a suitable size, that doesn’t mean that it’ll fit you well, and that’s where the adjustable straps come in handy!
After wearing the weighted vest, make sure that you pull the straps enough to give you a snug fit that isn’t too tight that it affects how you breathe or too loose that it starts bouncing around while working out.
In some cases, vests do come in various sizes. To get your size, measure the circumference of your torso at about 2 to 3 inches above your belly button, then refer to the sizing chart included with the product.
How Heavy Should Your Weighted Vest Be?
Unfortunately, no studies have been made to assess the ideal amount of weight to be added in the weighted vest for men or women.
However, since wearing a weighted vest is remarkably similar to wearing a backpack, a lot of physical therapists use the recommended weight limit of the backpack as a reference.
According to a 2014 study regarding this matter, a backpack shouldn’t be heavier than 20% of your body weight.
For instance, if you weigh 160 lbs, your backpack shouldn’t exceed a 30 lbs limit. However, wearing a weighted vest for running or another high-impact activity can add even more force on your joints, which can do more harm than good if you’re not careful.
That’s why a weighted vest should be a maximum of 5 to 10% for exercises like running or CrossFit and 15% for bodyweight training. In most scenarios, a woman shouldn’t need anything heavier than a 20-pound weighted vest.
Benefits Of Wearing A Weightlifting Vest For Women
Like men, athletic women can benefit greatly from throwing a weighted vest into their workout routine. Here are some benefits you should expect from using a weight vest:
1. Helps you accelerate your gains for enhanced speed and endurance
2. Boosts cardiovascular benefits by raising your heart rate even more while working out
3. Adds some variation to your workout routine to stay committed
4. Helps in enhancing metabolism and burning more calories
5. Improve leg speed and quickness
Types Of Activities You Can Do With A Weighted Vest
The best weighted vests can be used for various activities. The most common exercise used for weighted vests is just running.
You can also use the weighted vest while hiking and climbing to make it more challenging and benefit from the endurance benefits.
In addition to running, you can also incorporate weighted vests into your bodyweight training, such as air squats, lunges, sit-ups, bridges, and more! They’re also good for adding weight to exercises like dips if you don’t have a dip belt.
Crossfitters can also benefit from weighted vests while working out because adding extra weight makes the workout even more challenging and trains your speed and endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Weighted Vest Help You Lose Weight?
According to a 2013 study conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), wearing a weighted vest while exercising does help in burning extra calories.
Participants who wore a vest that’s about 15% of their body weight during walks have burned extra calories for an average of 6.3 calories burned per minute. That accounts for an extra 27 calories burned per 45-minute walk.
According to a recent 2020 study by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, running with relatively heavy weighted vests or even using it during daily activities can help you lose extra weight.
The test subjects who wore a heavier vest 8 hours a day for 3 weeks lost 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) as opposed to 0.3 kg (0.6 lbs) with lighter ones.
Is Wearing a Weighted Vest Safe for Women?
As long as you’re a healthy person who doesn’t suffer from any medical issues that prevent them from bearing extra weight on the back or knees, a weighted vest should be harmless for you.
Since a weighted vest increases the loaded force on your knees and back while landing, too much weight can cause some joint problems in the long run. For that reason, limiting the weight capacity of the weighted vest to a bearable limit is critical.
Since no medical studies test the ideal amount of weight added to the vests, most therapists recommend a maximum of 5% to 12% of your body weight added to the vest.
How Heavy Should a Women’s Weighted Vest Be?
A women’s weight vest should be about 5-15% of your body weight or somewhere between 10-30lbs. If you’re looking for a weighted vest for CrossFit, it should be at least 14lbs, as this is the most commonly prescribed weight for most CrossFit workouts and competitions.
What Is the Best Type of Weighted Vest?
The best type of weighted vest is one that goes over the chest and back. It tends to be the most durable and comfortable because you can get more even weight distribution with it. It also offers the most support, which is important when wearing it for long times or for high-impact activities like running.
What Happens if You Wear a Weight Vest Every Day?
Wearing a weight vest daily can place a lot of stress on your joints, especially if you wear it for several hours a day. You’ll also likely feel some aches and pains in your upper body. If you want to wear a weight vest daily, start with a light weight (about 5% of your body weight) and build up from there.
Are Weighted Vests Worth It?
Weighted vests are worth it if you want to add some variety or an extra challenge to your workouts. They can help improve strength and endurance, and their versatility makes them easy to use for various workouts. However, care must be taken when wearing one to prevent joint issues.
Is a Weighted Vest Good for Losing Weight?
A weighted vest can be good for losing weight, as wearing one during exercise can increase your calorie burn. However, the additional calorie burn isn’t significant enough to produce dramatic weight loss results unless you wear it all day. As well, the most important factor in successful weight loss is diet.
Other Women's Workout Gear
Check out my other women's workout reviews:
Wrap Up
Wearing a weighted vest is an exquisite way to add an air of change to your workout routine, lose extra weight, or even gain more muscles to tone your body to your liking! However, there are certain things you need to look for when considering which is the best women’s weighted vest, such as comfort and how well the design fits the female body.
If you’re looking for the best weighted vest for women out there, I recommend the Rogue Plate Carrier as the best option on the market.
Despite being a bit pricey, its unmatched durability and stitching will last you a lifetime. The weighted vest is highly adjustable and easy to use, all with US-made materials that ensure both quality and performance.
But if you’re a beginner and looking for a budget-friendly weighted vest for your workouts, ZELUS Weighted Vest should be on your radar.
Despite being astonishingly affordable, the vest is comfortable and fits perfectly. Also, it comes with dual-storage compartments.
Since no medical studies test the ideal amount of weight added to the vests, most therapists recommend a maximum of 5% to 12% of your body weight added to the vest.
