Choosing the best Weighted Vest for Calisthenics from our extensive collection is challenging. Over the years, we have collected, used, and reviewed many excellent vests and a few not-so-great ones. Today, weβll review and compare the best Weighted Vests by Eric Flag, GORNATION, Gravity Fitness, Hyperwear, and more. Based on our experience with these vests, we categorize them into 3 categories: plate carriers, light vests, and heavy vests. It’s time to compare them.
You can also watch my Best Weighted Vests for Calisthenics review on YouTube:
1. Eliminating 12 Weighted Vests
Right off the bat, we can eliminate a sizeable chunk of vests for two main reasons. The first is that they are too awkward to wear during Calisthenics exercises, and the second is that they offer too limited growth potential for Weighted Calisthenics. These vests might still be fantastic for other exercise types, but weβre looking for the best Weighted Vests for Calisthenics.
1.1 Plate Carriers or Plate Loaded Vests: Awkward
Plate Carriers have a solid plate inserted into them that covers the whole torso (like actual plate carrier armor). The disadvantage of this type of vest is that it is awkward to wear for Calisthenics. Plate carriers are often in the way when doing Pull-Ups and other exercises where your chest is close to a bar or the floor. They are also inflexible and come in one weight, limiting your growth potential.Β
Another type is the Plate-Loaded Vest, which allows you to attach a plate to your chest, back, or both. This type of vest enables you to attach more weight than a typical vest. However, plate-loaded vests are even more awkward for Calisthenics exercise than Plate Carriers. A Dip Belt is usually the better choice for heavier exercises.Β
1.2 Light Vests: Limited Growth
A smaller vest with a lower weight capacity will limit your growth quickly. These vests go up to 10kg (22lbs) and thatβs it. Even moderate Calisthenics exercise will soon get you to that limit. From our experience, their bigger cousins, which go beyond 20kg (44lbs), are enough for Weighted Calisthenics and allow you to grow for longer.Β
You can remove weights from a heavy vest, but with a light vest, you are stuck with a low-weight ceiling. These vests are not cheap, so we recommend investing in a (marginally more expensive) bigger vest instead of buying two.
2. Honorable Mention: Hyper Vest Pro β Hyperwear
One exception we want to make as an honourable mention is the Hyper Vest Pro by Hyperwear. This light vest fits like a glove and is worn like a regular cloth vest. You retain much of your original mobility and range of motion. With a capacity of 15 kg (33 lbs), they are lighter but pair well with bar exercises and Calisthenics in general. You can also comfortably wear the Hyper Vest Pro while walking, jogging, or running.
3. The BEST Weighted Vests Review
Weβre left with 5 (actually 6) Weighted Vests that have enough weight capacity for Calisthenics and are suitable for Calisthenics exercises. These vests go up to 20kg (44lbs), enough for Weighted Calisthenics where a vest is in order. A dip belt is the correct implement if you want to go beyond this added weight.
3.1 GORNATION Weighted Vest β 20kg
The GORNATION Weighted Vest provides a good range of motion and is comfortable to wear. It puts only slight pressure on the shoulders and chest, which is standard for this type of vest. Exercising with the vest on went well, and you can do all your Calisthenics exercises without loss of mobility or range of motion. The GORNATION vest keeps your range of motion intact the most.
3.2 Gravity Fitness Weighted Vest β 20kg or 30kg
The Gravity Fitness Weighted Vest is comfortable to wear and provides an ample range of motion. It is one of the least bulky vests and is similar in design and dimensions to the GORNATION. Exercising was a breeze with the Gravity Fitness vest, and you wouldnβt be remiss in choosing it. Gravity Fitness also discounts U.K. Armed Forces veterans, NHS personnel and U.K. Police and Firefighter personnel.
Gravity Fitness also offers a 30kg (66 lbs) version. This vest is larger, and it further impedes your range of motion. The added 10kg is not worth it, and youβre better off using a dip belt for that extra weight.
3.3 ThenX Weighted Vest β 20kg
The ThenX Weighted Vest has wider shoulder straps that distribute the weight more evenly. It also has a nice buckle in front, and you can make this vest fit you like a glove. Exercising with the ThenX vest on went like a charm. The vest sits the most comfortable of all the best vests but is also the bulkiest (excluding the already excluded 30kg Gravity Fitness vest). The buckle and wide side strap do a good job of keeping this vest in one place.
3.4 RaMaSS Weigthed Vest β 20kg
The RaMaSS Fitness Weighted Vest has similar padding to the ThenX vest but with a thinner side strap and smaller buckle. The padding and thinner straps make the vest sit comfortably while not impeding your range of motion. Exercising felt comfortable with this vest, and we had no problems doing our Calisthenics. The shoulder straps stay in place during Pull-Ups, and despite the thinner, longer side strap, the RaMaSS Fitness vest stays nicely in place.Β
3.5 Eric Flag Weighted Vest β 20kg
The Eric Flag Weighted Vest is between the Gravity ThenX and GORNATION vests in terms of comfort and bulkiness. The shoulder pads feel good and distribute the weight well. Our range of motion was good, more than enough for all our Calisthenics exercises. During Pull-Ups, the shoulder straps push out more than, for instance, the GORNATION or Gravity Fitness straps. The difference, though, is tiny. The Eric Flag vest has the sleekest design of all of them.
4. Pricing for the Best Weighted Vests & Discount Code
Here is a pricing overview of all the best Weighted Vests and any discount code we have procured for you.
| Brand Vest | Regular Price | CWW10 Discount Price (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| GORNATION | β¬149.90 | 134.91 |
| Gravity Fitness | β¬124.95 | – |
| ThenX | β¬193.95 | 174.56 |
| RaMaSS | β¬117.95 | 106.16 |
| Eric Flag | β¬124.95 | 112.46 |
5. Conclusions About the Best Weighted Vests for Calisthenics
After our elimination rounds, we dwindled the selection of best Weighted Vests for Calisthenics down to 5 vests. These vests are useful for your Weighted Calisthenics and allow you to grow. They also donβt impede your range of motion as to make Calisthenics exercises impossible.Β
We learned that the margins between these five best Weighted Vests are tiny, minuscule. One has slightly wider shoulder straps, and the other is 2cm (1 inch) less bulky on the front β small things like that. They all have similar designs and color schemes. After discussing this, we must conclude that no single winner exists in this lineup. All of them are equally solid choices if you want a vest.
That leaves us with personal preference only. To that end, I have classed these vests as best according to their individual best value. Remember that weβre still talking fractions of a single star better than the others on a 5-star scale. All of these vests score high marks in all the following categories.
Best Range of Motion
Most Comfortable Wear
Best Looking
Veteran Discount
Lowest Price
If interested in a Weighted Vest, use the discount code CWW10 to get 10% off. The code also applies to other products in their catalogue.
Are weighted vests effective?
Weighted Vests can be an incredibly effective instrument for the Calisthenics practitioner to see more gains or increase the speed of gains. These vests increase the wearer’s body weight, which demands higher muscle strain to do regular Calisthenics exercises.
Is a 20 lb weight vest enough?
A Weighted Vest should initially not exceed 10% of your body weight. Most practitioners will quickly outgrow a 20-pound vest, though. A 40-pound vest is suitable for most weightlifters and Calisthenics practitioners.
How long should a weighted vest be worn?
You should wear your vest only while doing the specific exercises with the vest included. Take it off while doing other exercises, during breaks or while moving from exercise location to location (in the gym). You should avoid wearing the vest for more than 60 minutes on training days.
How heavy should my weighted vest be?
Your vest should initially not exceed 10% of your body weight. Say you are 170 pounds; your vest should not exceed 17 pounds. You will gradually add weight after starting with a weighted vest. By far, most practitioners will find a vest rated at 44 lbs sufficient since this will carry them to a body weight of 440 lbs of lean muscle mass. This is humanly impossible.
