We Tried These Weighted Vests, and They Added So Much to Our Workouts

The Goruck Spy Ruck is a low-profile vest you can truly wear anywhere, from neighborhood walks to longer hikes, or even around the house when you want to give your chores a little extra purpose. Designed specifically with women in mind, it comes in three colors and three weight options — 8 pounds (lb), 12 lb, and 16 lb — making it easy to progress at your own pace. While this is ideal for beginners planning to start slowly, advanced users planning to increase their carrying load more rapidly may want a more versatile option.

Unlike some of the brand’s more tactical, heavy-duty styles, this one has a contoured shape that hugs close to the body. It moves with you instead of against you, without restricting your breathing or range of motion. Everyday Health editor Nicole Bonaccorso found the shape comfortable as a newcomer to weighted vests, though she thought the racerback design could have made the fit even better.

The padded shoulder straps add noticeable comfort, especially on longer hikes or runs. It’s made from durable, nonabrasive materials that feel sturdy without being rough. The anti-odor and anti-rust details help it stay fresher after multiple sweaty sessions. It’s practical, thoughtfully designed, and easy to wear without feeling overly tactical.

If you’re experienced with weighted vests and willing to spend a little more on something that will last, the Omorpho G-Vest is worth a serious look.

After a few years of using vests, it’s easily my favorite option so far. Most other weighted vests are bulky, hard to layer under a sweatshirt, and finished with stiff Velcro that can rub against bare arms. They often feel more tactical than practical, but this vest is a noticeable shift.

Made from breathable, high-flexibility, washable laminated polyester bonded to synthetic rubber, it’s curved to hug the body. The adjustable side cords and shoulder straps keep it close to your frame without feeling stiff or oversized. The material is soft against the skin and naturally moves with you.

The biggest downside is the price. At close to $300, it’s an investment. If you’re training for something specific and want a vest that feels like a true second skin and holds up during long, demanding sessions, it’s worth the cost. You can also purchase the G-Pack addition, which are snap-in weights that add an additional 6 lb to the vest. If you just want to add a little extra resistance to your daily walks, it’s probably more than you need.

When you think of rucking, there’s a good chance you think of the brand Goruck. While the brand originally started making rucksacks (the type of weight you carry on your back), it has moved on to weighted vests.

The Rucking Weight Vest is the upgraded version of the brand’s flagship vest, which was originally designed for CrossFitters and functional fitness enthusiasts. Now, everyone from former military personnel to your neighborhood dog walker can be spotted wearing one.

This vest features innovative Curved Ruck Plates with a hole in the center that provide superior airflow during heavy sets without the suffocating pressure common with standard flat plates. The plates slide into the front and back of the vest for even weight distribution. They come in either a 6.25-lb pair (12.5 lb total) or a 9.25-lb pair (18.5 lb total).

The vest is available in just two sizes, small/medium and large/extra-large, the latter of which the brand says fit most men. On my frame, the small/medium felt a bit bulky and shifted during more intense workouts.

Still, for someone who wants a heavier vest that’s built to last, this is a solid choice. If you’re a more casual walker who wants to add a little extra intensity, you may prefer something more comfortable and easier on the budget.

If you’re new to weighted vests, investing in an expensive one might not make sense just yet. That’s where the Apexup Weighted Vest comes in. It’s a straightforward, no-frills option that’s easy to put on and comfortable enough for everyday wear. The reflective stripes make it great for outdoor activities when light is minimal.

Our tester Brittany Scanniello found herself keeping it on for daily tasks like dishes, laundry, cleaning, and cooking. She also says it noticeably increased the intensity of her stroller walks and regular workouts.

“I never got so tired that I had to take it off, but loading and unloading my front-load washer and dryer, going up and down stairs, bending over to pick things up — each was done with a little more effort, which I enjoyed,” Scanniello says.

One trade-off is that the vest’s weight is fixed (with six options to choose from), so you can’t adjust or increase the load over time. While some people may appreciate that the weight is evenly distributed throughout the vest rather than added with plates, it means that once you adapt to that weight, you’ll need a whole new vest for a more challenging workout.

“I like that my husband and I can interchange this vest, really with only adjusting the front straps,” Scanniello says. Though if you have a smaller frame, she adds that you may find the extra strap length dangling, which can be a bit distracting during workouts.

There are beginner weighted vests, and then there’s the Kensui EZ-Vest V2. Unlike most options that require you to purchase brand-specific plates, this one lets you load regular weight plates you might already own or want to purchase from other manufacturers, whether they’re Olympic, standard, or bumper varieties. The vest itself weighs just under 4 lb unloaded. The design supports up to 300 lb, making it one of the most customizable options out there.

“The plates we already have at home fit perfectly,” says tester Alexandra Ginos, a writer and dietitian. “It’s highly customizable versus vests that come with small sand bags or weight plates custom to that vest.”

Made with aircraft-grade aluminum sleeves, machine-washable breathable padding, and a weather-resistant powder coating, it can withstand everything from runs to long hikes. That said, this probably isn’t the best pick for a casual user. While it’s well cushioned with sturdy straps and high-quality materials, the plate-holding rods that extend from the front and back make it impossible to layer under a coat for outdoor use in colder months.

“The racks stick out pretty far in the front and the back,” Ginos says. “I added one plate to the front and back and felt kind of silly walking around with a rod poking out of both sides, but it’s necessary for people who add heavy weights to both sides.”

At close to $300, it’s also a significant investment, but one many may appreciate for adding hands-free weight during their workouts.

It’s not always easy to find a weighted vest that checks all the boxes without stretching your budget. But for casual users, the Aduro Sport Weighted Vest does exactly that. This highly adjustable option comes in four weight ranges. Each can be modified by adding or removing the included weight pouches that slide into pockets on the front and back of the vest. That flexibility makes it easy to scale your workouts up or down as needed.

It also includes two large storage pockets, a mesh stretch pocket on the back, and a Velcro-enclosed pocket in the front for small essentials. Made from soft, sweat-resistant neoprene, the vest is designed with comfort in mind. The adjustable side straps help keep it secure so it doesn’t slip or shift during walks, workouts, or everyday movement.

The vest includes 16 removable 1.25-lb sandbags distributed evenly across the front and back, so you can adjust the load depending on what you’re doing. Double-stitched construction adds durability. The Velcro side straps help create a snug, secure fit.

That flexibility is especially helpful for beginners. Kristen Hislop, a certified Ironman and USA Triathlon coach and Athletics and Fitness Association of America personal trainer, recommends easing in.

“I would start with the weight you need,” she says, adding if you don’t want a vest that has a set weight, opt for an option that allows you to add and subtract weights as needed. “In my mind, it is better to start with something lighter and less expensive. Then, if it becomes part of your workout regimen, you can upgrade.” This vest offers both a price point and the ability to adjust as you get stronger.

The ergonomic X-shaped structure and adjustable buckle straps create a secure fit across a range of chest sizes, making it suitable for both men and women. It’s made from wear-resistant spandex fabric that feels flexible yet durable. The reflective straps boost visibility for early morning or evening walks when safety is top of mind.

Popularized in the early 2000s, the TRX suspension training system is now in gyms everywhere. The brand has stepped into the weighted vest game with the TRX Hexgrip Weight Vest.

At first glance, it looks like a classic weighted vest, similar to Goruck, but it’s built with patented Hex Node technology that makes it rugged, dirt-repellent, and slip-proof — ready for the toughest workouts. The ergonomic fit and fully adjustable shoulder and waist straps mold to your body for comfort and stability, letting you move freely, whether you’re doing strength reps, sprints, or anything in between.

The regular vest comes in two weights, 20 and 40 lb, which can feel heavy, especially for women or beginners. (The brand’s new 10-lb version has a design more similar to the Spy Ruck.)

“To find the right weight, start with around 5 to 8 percent of body weight (often 8 to 12 pounds) and progress slowly,” Lamb says. “Starting with a 20-pound vest won’t make you more fit. It might, instead, set you up for an injury that didn’t need to happen.”

When it comes to fitness equipment, Rogue Fitness carries serious credibility. If you’ve used the brand’s gear before, you know it’s built to last. We wouldn’t expect anything less from the Rogue Plate Carrier.

This heavy-duty vest features 1000D and 500D Cordura construction, Velcro straps and fasteners, and reinforced stitching to ensure it holds up through tough training. Extra foam padding, stretch-woven fabric, and minimized interior seams help reduce chafing. A short elastic section at the back of the waist strap makes it easier to achieve a consistent, snug fit. It’s not flashy, but it checks every box for tactical-style workouts.

The vest comes in three sizes and four colors. It’s compatible with the brand’s contoured USA Cast Plates and Echo Cast Plates, allowing you to load it up to 20 lb, which is significant enough for most people, says Colin Pennington, PhD, assistant professor of exercise science at Gwynedd Mercy University in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and a certified personal trainer.

“Besides the calorie burn increase, [weighted vests are] great for improving bone density because of the added load on your skeletal system,” Dr. Pennington says. “They also help with functional strength (i.e., the kind of strength that helps you carry groceries or hike a steep trail) because the weight is distributed around your torso, replicating how we naturally carry loads. Plus, they can improve your posture and core stability because your midsection must stay engaged to keep you upright under the extra weight.”