The best weighted vests work your muscles with minimal effort. They sit around your upper body, just like a jacket, and add a couple of extra kilograms to your body weight. As you go about your daily life, your body has to work harder to do the same movements, helping to improve strength and boost muscle mass.
In 2026, these vests are everywhere. Personalities such as Davina McCall and Jessica Alba have been spotted wearing the gilet alongside leading doctors, including menopause specialist Dr Mary Claire Haver. Are they all they're cracked up to be? Absolutely. Simply wearing a weighted vest for walking can help boost your strength, mobility, and flexibility almost as much as a set of dumbbells would.
When choosing a weighted vest, a couple of decisions need to be made: Do you want one that's adjustable? With pockets? One that you can just use every day around the house, or one that's suitable for dedicated weighted vest workouts? As woman&home's digital health editor, a certified fitness instructor, and a keen runner and hiker, I've weighed up our tried-and-tested favourite with Amazon's top options to bring you a round-up of the best weighted vests to buy.
The best weighted vests for women
The ProSourceFit weighted vest is our tried-and-tested favourite after two weeks of testing by Health Writer Kat Storr. She wore the 10lb (4.5kg) vest on her daily walks and around the house as a total beginner, and raved about the benefits of strength training on the go.
"The adjustable straps make for a snug fit without rubbing, and the pocket on the back is handy to store keys and other essentials," says Kat. She also noted that the vest has reflective strips, which can be handy for early-morning walks and adjustable straps on the front, making it a good option for those with a larger chest.
Compared to some of the other weighted vests, it's the most budget-friendly, sitting at under £20 in the sale or under £25 at full price. However, "perhaps an option with adjustable weights would have been better so I could build up gradually," she notes.
Weight range: 6lb (2.7kg) to 20lb (9kg)
Adjustable weights? No
Pros
- Good weight range
- Feels comfortable to wear
- Discreet appearance
- Double clips for support
- Reflective details for night walks
Cons
- No adjustable weights
When choosing a weighted vest for walking workouts, my first suggestion would be to look for pockets. Many weighted vests are somewhat similar, so the pocket element is what makes one weighted vest better for walking over another. As we're coming into summer now, this is especially important as you're less likely to be wearing a coat to store your essentials.
The BAGAIL Weighted Vest has a large mesh pocket at the back. I'd recommend using this one for storing non-valuable essentials, as it is see-through. It also has a removable pouch you can affix to the vest or your arm, where I would suggest you store valuable essentials. Made from thick opaque foam, it feels a lot more secure.
The only downside, much like our favourite vest, is that it's not adjustable. The 15lbs (6.8kg) option – a weight that's suitable for most women weighing over 60kg - offers a challenge without being too much. To support you, the vest is padded, has adjustable straps, and the iron sand sits close to the chest, reducing the risk of lower back pain, even after many steps.
Weight range: 5lbs (2.3kg) to 30lbs (13.6kg)
Adjustable weights? No
Pros
- Pockets
- Good weight range
- Multiple colourways available
- Reflective details for visibility
- Secure fit
Cons
- Single clip
- Weights not adjustable
A weighted vest can be one of the easiest ways to gently level up your squat, lunge, or jumping workout. The design of the HOMCOM weighted vest with its two wrap-around straps means the weights are held tightly to your torso, and the weight is evenly distributed. It has a more secure feeling than other vests on this list, but won't be so comfortable to wear for longer periods (i.e. walking).
Inside the vest, you'll find almost 40 small weighted bags. These are removable as and when you like. It makes this the most versatile weighted vest of the bunch since you can work your way up from two or three kilograms to the full 10 to 30kg, depending on the weight you've bought. It's the best way for beginners to start wearing a weighted vest, as you shouldn't start with more than five to 10 per cent of your body weight.
It's also comfortable, with soft padding against the body that cuts the risk of any weights chafing your skin.
Weight range: 10/20/30 kg
Adjustable weights? Yes
Pros
- Weights fully adjustable
- Secure for workouts
- Budget friendly for features
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- May not be as comfortable for those with larger chests
The Stepforwarder weighted vest has two padded, fully adjustable straps going across the body, which you can customise to suit your chest. This is unlike many other weighted vests I've seen, where lighter resistances (up to 10kg) will only have one strap across the middle.
The two supportive straps are padded too and wider than average, helping to spread the weight evenly across the body.
While most of my chosen weighted vests would also work for those with larger chests - fitting into this category myself, I know what to look for - it's best to avoid those that go over your head and tie around the waist, as these can compress your chest uncomfortably. My top pick, the ProSourceFit weighted vest, would also work.
Want more support? Our guide on the best sports bras for larger busts has options covered up to an H cup.
Weight range: 5kg
Adjustable weights? No
Pros
- Comfortable fit for larger chests
- Double clip for support
- Larger back panel
- Multiple colour options
- Reflective strips for visibility
Cons
- Weight not adjustable
Whenever I write about weighted vests, I always find myself recommending this one from Gravity Fitness. It blends two designs in this guide: the running vest style with the clips across the chest (like our overall top pick) and the over-the-head design of the HOMCOM vest.
Sliding it over your head, the Gravity Fitness vest doesn't have the same limitations as the HOMCOM around the waist, making it more of a crowd-pleaser for wearing around the house, walking, and stretch workouts. Some may find it less constrictive.
Each of the weights, up to 30kg, in this vest is fully removable, so you can work your way up as you get stronger. This is essential if you're new to weighted workouts, but you want to continue doing bodyweight exercises.
Weight range: 10/20/30kg
Adjustable weights? Yes
Pros
- Design suitable for most
- Comfortable
- Less restrictive than others
- Fully adjustable weights
- Free support on the Gravity Fitness Calisthenics app
Cons
- Nylon material not as comfortable as neoprene
For those with more budget to spend, there's always a way to level up your fitness experience. With weighted vests, it's opting for TRX Training's new Hexgrip Weight Vest (4.5kg). Fellow Health Writer Kerry Law wore this one for a series of workouts over two weeks, including yoga, and found it to be a "slimline and ergonomic vest that wasn't too bulky for yoga movement".
This one has a noticeably more premium feel than the others, with a soft neoprene padding surrounding the weight pockets and pressure points on the vest, and a distinctly lightweight (the brand describes it as a 'second-skin') feel. It also has a mesh pocket for storing essentials and two chest straps, allowing for a fully personalised fit.
It's a good option for all workouts, whether that's walking or a weighted home workout, but the reflective strips make it a top choice for any exercise done outdoors. The only downside is that it doesn't have adjustable weight pockets, unlike the option from Gravity Fitness, which is about £10 more. For the price, I would have liked to have seen this be fully interchangeable.
Weight range: 4.5kg
Adjustable weights? No
Pros
- Premium feel
- Pocket for essentials
- Lightweight material
- Comfortable to wear for any workout
Cons
- Most expensive
Are weighted vests worth it?
- Improves your strength: A weighted vest works much like weights and resistance bands, offering extra pressure to move against during your workout, challenging the muscles and so improving your strength. This is the "beauty of using a weighted vest", says Laura Blease, a personal trainer with Ultimate Performance. "It can engage every major muscle group simultaneously, turning even the simplest bodyweight exercises into challenging, metabolism-boosting movements."
- Boosts bone density: As much as a weighted vest can help boost your strength, it can help improve your bone density as well, which is key for those going through perimenopause, when bone density naturally starts to decline.
- Versatile: "You can perform familiar bodyweight exercises, such as squats, lunges, push-ups, or even walking or jogging, while intensifying your workouts in a way that effectively builds muscle and boosts your metabolism," says Blease.
- Low effort required: While a weighted vest can intensify yoga mat workouts, you can just wear one around the house or out on an early morning walk and feel the benefit. It's an easy way to seamlessly fit strength training, which is one of the best exercises for longevity, into your daily routine.
- Great for limited grip strength: If you have limited grip strength, you'll likely prefer a weighted vest over dumbbells, says Blease. "Using a weighted vest can effectively add resistance to bodyweight exercises without taxing the grip. This allows for progressive overload and muscle development while minimising reliance on grip strength," she says.
Disadvantages of using a weighted vest
- Storage: While the best resistance bands, dumbbells, and other weights are relatively easy to store, you'll likely have to think about where to put your weighted vest. Even the lighter options are relatively bulky.
- Cleaning: Neoprene weighted vests are sometimes harder to clean than those with a plastic covering, so be sure to check whether your weighted vest can be machine-washed before buying.
- Best for beginners: A weighted vest is ideal for those new to strength training and looking to improve strength without much extra effort. However, you'll need to make sure your vest is heavy enough if you've been working out for a few years.
What weighted vest should I buy?
In general, the best weighted vests for women are 10% of your body weight. So, for example, someone weighing 60kg may find that a 6kg weighted vest is the best option for them. However, if you're new to weighted training, then you may want to opt for one just 5% of your body weight or even less.
From here, if you have an adjustable vest, you can build up to more resistance.
