Matthew Varney
A weighted vest is one of the best ways to add extra resistance to cardio and bodyweight training. Here we bring our roundup of the best weighted vests in the UK for 2023.
While other review sites appear to overcomplicate things with many options, we’ve assigned the vests a Savvy Score out of 10. We’ve then narrowed it down simply to the very best 8.
Table of Contents
How We Rated Our Weighted Vests
Most websites list the best weighted vests with zero logic regarding how they reached their conclusion.
At Fitness Savvy, we combine our expert analysis with customer ratings to get a Savvy Score.
We account for the material quality, the maximum load, how adjustable the vest is, the price, the warranty, and whether the vest comes with weights.
Below we’ve listed the eight best weighted vests, in order, based on the Savvy Score.
8 of the Best Weighted Vests in the UK for 2023
- 9.8/10 – Gravity Fitness Weighted Vest
- 9.7/10 – MVRK Adjustable Weighted Vest
- 9.6/10 – Gymnastics Power Weighted Vest
- 9.2/10 – Surreal Weighted Vest
- 9.2/10 – Hyperwear Hyper Vest FIT
- 9.0/10 – BodyRip Weight Vest
- 8.9/10 – Hyperwear Hyper Vest Pro
- 8.8/10 – JLL Weight Vest
Gravity Fitness Weighted Vest
The Gravity Fitness Weighted Vest earned the highest Savvy Score for 2022 and 2023, with 9.8 out of 10.
Unlike cheaper vests that use sandbags (which can be bulky and uncomfortable), the Gravity Fitness Weighted Vest comes with 18 x 1.1 kg cast-iron weights.
With 18 individual weights, this vest allows plenty of room for progressive overload. As a result, you don’t have to worry about the vest feeling too heavy or too light.
This nylon vest includes fully adjustable straps and is durable – even during vigorous testing.
The Savvy Score of 9.8 means that this vest is about as good as they get. It doesn’t get a perfect score because some other options can accommodate higher loads of up to 30 kg – but that’s a minor niggle.
To put things into perspective, out of over 650 customer reviews, only 3% rated this vest less than 4 out of 5. Customers were overwhelmingly pleased with the vest, commending the quality and adjustability.
The Gravity Fitness Weighted Vest also has an outstanding 5-year warranty – a better warranty than any other vest we tested.
It’s not the cheapest on our list – but it is, by far, the best value.
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MVRK Adjustable Weighted Vest
Second on our list – and a new addition for 2023 is the MVRK Adjustable Weighted Vest.
This bad boy only just missed the top spot with a Savvy Score of 9.7 out of 10.
At 15 kg (35 lbs), this isn’t the heaviest vest on our list, but the overall quality and design set this option apart.
Manufactured using military-grade 1000D nylon and featuring fully-adjustable straps, the MVRK weight vest is both functional and comfortable.
Like the Gravity Fitness vest, the MVRK Adjustable Weighted Vest comes with solid metal weights instead of sand. This makes for a less bulky top, allowing users to get on with their workout without the restrictions sandbags impose.
During testing, the comfort level was apparent. We performed pull-ups, running, dips, and pushups without issue.
The weights can be loaded in the front and back for a balanced core when working out.
Perhaps the greatest letdown is the warranty. It comes with a standard 12 months of coverage. For the price, we would like to have seen at least two years.
Compare Prices for the Jordan Weighted Vest
Gymnastics Power Weighted Vest
Securing third place on our 2023 list is the Gymnastics Power Weighted Vest.
When we combined the customer ratings with our own, we ended up with a Savvy Score of 9.6 out of 10.
The Gymnastics Power Vest is available in many vibrant colours, including pink, yellow, blue, red, and black.
Three size options are available – 25 lbs (12 kg), 35 lbs (15 kg) and 45 lbs (20 kg).
The 25 lb option includes 12 slots which accommodate 1kg (2.2 lb) steel weights. These slots are evenly distributed in the front and back for a balanced load.
The 35 lb option includes 16 slots, and the 45 lb version is 20.
Like the Gravity and MVRK vests, this option uses military-grade 1000D nylon and is fully adjustable.
During testing, the vest felt comfortable, and it was easy to adjust the weights and overall fit.
While this particular weight vest is more expensive than others, it provides great value for money – and customers who parted with their hard-earned cash agree.
The only things letting this vest down are the warranty and price. It comes with a standard 12 months cover, and the 45 lb version is the most expensive vest on our list.
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Surreal Weighted Vest
With a Savvy Score of 9.2 out of 10, the Surreal Weighted Vest comes in at number four.
This vest, like the Gymnastics Power Vest, comes in various sizes. This means you only pay for the load you need. The five size options range from 5 kg up to 25 kg.
All versions are fully adjustable – both in fit and in terms of weight capacity.
Unlike the other vests we’ve discussed, the Surreal Weighted Vest utilises sandbags.
With that said, this is the highest-rated sandbag-based vest on our list.
This vest performed well during testing. It was easy to adjust and feels breathable – as advertised.
We were worried that the sandbag design would make it feel too bulky – but we were wrong. The weights are evenly distributed, and this vest would be ideal for CrossFit, running, pushups and pullups.
It’s priced well, too – with the 5 kg vest costing only £27.99 and the heaviest option coming in at only £69.99 at the time of writing.
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Hyperwear Hyper Vest FIT
The Hyperwear Hyper Vest FIT is the middle of the pack with a Savvy Score of 9.2 out of 10.
This weighted vest is designed to fit women better and comes in two sizes – 2.3 kg (5 lbs) or 3.6 kg (8 lbs).
As with all of the choices in our list, the Hyperwear Hyper Vest FIT is fully adjustable.
The 5 lb version includes ten pockets – each can accommodate a 0.5 lb weight. The 8 lb version has 16 pockets.
Each weight is about the size of a pack of cards and is super easy to insert and withdraw.
One major complaint we’ve seen for many other weighted vests is that they are not washable. The manufacturer states that this vest is washable – a huge plus, we believe.
Another issue with many weight vests is that they come in one size – and you must adjust it to fit your body. The Hyperwear Hyper Vest FIT is unlike most others in that it comes in three sizes, from small to large.
This vest is ideal for women seeking a high comfort level without heavy weight loads.
Compare Prices for the Hyperwear Hyper Vest FIT
BodyRip Weight Vest
Scoring a highly respectable 9 out of 10, the BodyRip Weight Vest makes our roundup at number six.
The price is perhaps one of the most appealing things here – we struggled to find others for this budget without horrendous reviews.
That said, you get what you pay for, and some customer reviews were brutal.
We have to say that we can see where they’re coming from while testing.
So here’s the deal: the vest’s features are great – especially for the price; however, letting this vest down is the overall quality. Quite a few customers reported the stitching coming away soon after purchase. Others complained that the black dye comes off with sweat.
We also found the weights difficult to adjust – which can be tiresome when trying to keep workouts tight.
This vest is a great option for those on a budget who don’t need to adjust the load rapidly. Otherwise, we suggest spending more and getting a better quality product.
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Hyperwear Hyper Vest Pro
The Hyper Vest Pro is the second on our best weighted vest list from Hyperwear.
This was by far the most comfortable of all the vests we tested. It also comes in four sizes – from small to extra large.
The slimline design and breathable materials help this vest stand out from the bulkier alternatives.
Scoring 8.9 out of 9, this vest is certainly worthy of this list; however, there are some concerns.
The biggest gripe regards the quality. Many customers reported that the vest began coming apart after a few uses. Another drawback is that the weights appear to rust easily.
We should highlight, however, that most of these negative customer reviews were from a couple of years ago.
Hyperwear assured us that the newer version is of a higher standard and undergoes strict quality control.
This appears to be the case when testing. We vigorously tested the Hyperwear Hyper Vest Pro for running, pull-ups and CrossFit and did not experience any of the issues reported by customers.
As with other vests in our list, this one is fully adjustable – capable of loads of up to 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
It is one of the most expensive vests on our list. Is it worth the money? Probably not – and that’s another reason for the lower score; we admit we did expect more.
If comfort is your top priority, you require a slimline design, and you have the budget, then get the Hyperwear Hyper Vest Pro. If not, we recommend saving some cash and buying something that’ll do the job without breaking the bank!
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JLL Weight Vest
Just about making it onto our Best Weighted Vest for the 2023 roundup is the JLL Weight Vest.
It scored 8.8 out of 10, fending off a bunch of other vests, which scored between 7 and 8.5.
The JLL Weight Vest is available in several options ranging from 10 kg to 30 kg (moving up in 5 kg increments).
This vest is a great option for those on a budget who want nothing more than a simpler way of adding load. However, you’ll compromise on comfort – as confirmed by many customers.
While most reviewers were happy with their purchase, some complained that the vest is not adjustable enough. Others said the sandbags fall out, and some buyers even said theirs broke within just a few uses.
For these reasons, we advise spending a few quid more and getting something with a track record for quality.
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What is a Weighted Vest
Whether you need more weight during pull-ups or want to burn more calories while running, a weighted vest is a perfect tool.
In simple terms, weighted vests are jackets with extra pockets to load weights.
Usually, the weights will be made from either steel, cast iron or sand.
As you might imagine, the steel and cast iron options are less bulky than sandbags but are more expensive.
Nowadays, most weight vests are adjustable. This means you’ll have several pockets where you can add as much (or as little) weight as you desire. This also means that the vests have straps and other adjustable features for a better fit.
A common theme is that vests come in one size. The jacket is adjustable and so should fit most people. We’ve discovered, however, that some customers struggled to make these vests fit comfortably. More expensive options come in various sizes so you can find a better fit for your body size.
What Exercises Can Benefit From a Weighted Vest?
You can up the intensity of a whole bunch of exercises with a weighted vest. Below we’ve highlighted the most popular ways to use a weight vest.
- Pull-ups/chin-ups – to add muscle mass, you need to train heavy. Once you can do ten pull-ups unassisted, you should consider adding extra weight. A weighted vest is a great alternative to holding a dumbbell between your legs. It’s also more comfortable when performing this back exercise.
- Pushups – a great chest workout that also trains your shoulders and triceps. One issue is that after time, you’ll notice yourself doing 30, 40, or maybe even 50 pushups in just one set. Ideally, we must work in lower rep ranges with higher loads to build muscle. This is where weighted vests can help. Without a vest, you might need to place a weight plate on your back, but that can be difficult – not to mention dangerous.
- Dips – dips are a fantastic bodyweight triceps workout and recruit the chest and shoulders. As with all the bodyweight exercises we’ve covered, your body weight will only take you so far. Slinging on a weight vest is the easiest way of upping the load and getting the most out of the workout.
- Running or walking – running is an excellent way of burning calories – and is a cheaper option than buying a spin bike. However, there is a way to ensure you burn even more energy. Carrying a heavier load forces your body to burn more calories. You can wear some of the slimline vests under your clothing. This way, you’ll remain comfortable while you train – either out on the road or inside on a home treadmill.
Discount Codes
Check out the discount codes below to see if you can save even more on your purchase.
Final Words
So that’s the end of our Best Weighted Vest for the 2023 roundup.
If you’re still not sure which is the best weight vest for you, here is our final take to help you choose.
- For those who want a high-quality, heavy vest suitable for a range of exercises, including CrossFit, running, and resistance training, and can spend about £100, you should opt for the Gravity Weighted Vest.
- If you’re on a tight budget and require anything to add some load to your workout, then we recommend the Surreal Weighted Vest.
- When comfort is your top priority and budget is not a concern, you should opt for the Hyperwear Hyper Vest Pro.
