If you’ve been looking to level up your fitness this year, a weighted vest might just be your secret weapon.

We’ve been hearing so much about weighted vests lately, and it’s no surprise. They’re fantastic at helping you build strength — wear one during a workout, especially a cardio session, and you’re increasing resistance and heart rate in a way that’s hardly even noticeable. We especially love wearing them for walks, hikes, and functional fitness workouts at the gym.

And the best part? They can even help support bone health, a must for women, especially as we age. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite weighted vests below — with a focus on weighted vests designed for women.

What are the benefits of wearing a weighted vest?

Wearing a weighted vest during a workout helps increase the intensity. You’ll get more resistance and a higher heart rate from the same workout you always do, for better strength training. It can help you sweat more and build endurance, pushing past your performance plateaus.

All strength training, even lifting light weights, can help you increase bone density, which is especially important for women of a certain age. Weighted vests work similarly, giving you extra resistance and strength training to help you support healthy bone density.

What should I look for when shopping for a weighted vest?

When shopping for weighted vests, we look for comfort above all else. We want a vest that fits well and won’t bounce during a workout, so we love vests with adjustable straps or buckles, along with comfortable, quick-drying materials. We also keep an eye out for vests with adjustable weight loads for customizability. And, as always, products made in the US of more eco-friendly materials or by women-owned brands are our priority.

Our criteria:

After researching, corresponding with brands, and combing through customer reviews, our editors have selected the best weighted vests for women that balance comfort, durability, and functional design. We update this list regularly with our emerging favorites, and all of our picks are vetted to meet the following criteria.

  • COMFORT & FIT | Weighted vests should be ergonomic, balanced, and designed to fit the contours of your body. We’ve prioritized adjustable straps, breathable fabrics, and low-bulk designs that allow full range of motion.
  • DURABILITY | These vests are made with long-lasting materials like reinforced stitching, heavy-duty nylon, or sand/steel weights to hold up to frequent workouts and outdoor training.
  • PERFORMANCE | The best vests offer customizable weight options, secure load distribution, and designs that stay put during movement. We focused on vests that enhance training across walking, running, HIIT, strength training, and even CrossFit-style workouts.

If you’re looking for more resistance training accessories, check out our wrist and ankle weights guide.

1. Omorpho

Best For | A weighted vest that feels like nothing
Styles | Workout vest, workout tank
Weight options in lbs | 0.5, 3, 5, 6, 12
Prices starting at | $279

One of our editors tried out Omorpho’s weighted G-Vest recently, and the review was glowing. It’s one of the more pricey options on this list, but it has the performance to back it up. The vest’s five-pound weight is distributed evenly over your torso with tiny G-Spheres, so you hardly feel the weight — it just slightly ups the intensity of your workouts, and it can help your posture and core strength if you wear it while walking the dog or doing housework. Our editor loved how the vest fit — sleek, and not too tight but snug enough to not bounce around or chafe at all. Instead, it feels more like a second skin. She recommends sizing up if you’re between sizes. The brand also makes a “sport” version of their G-Vest that’s three pounds, along with an “icon” version that’s six pounds with an option to become 12 pounds.

Editor Review | “[The vest] feels lighter than it is — like your own body just got slightly more powerful. My workouts felt more efficient — I was heating up sooner, and my recovery time shrunk. My heart rate stayed elevated in zone 2 longer, and I didn’t need to add dumbbells to feel the burn. I even wore it while house cleaning and doing laundry. Functional fitness goals: Achieved.” – Emily Wagner, (Read the review)

Shop Omorpho
Woman in athletic wear performing a high knee exercise, lifting her right knee and left arm, with massage guns recommended for muscle recovery after intense workouts, against a plain background.
A woman wearing a black vest relaxes after using massage guns.

2. Aion

Best For | Everyday, cute walking vests
Styles | Workout vests, walking vest
Weight options in lbs | 4, 5, 6
Prices starting at | $259

Aion makes both workout and recovery weighted vests, for whatever the day has in store for you. Their weighted women’s workout vest weights around five pounds (a touch less for the smaller sizes — the XS is 4.78 pounds, for example) and has a three-factor punch that blends slight compression, insulation, and fractional weight to help increase your strength and muscle mass and make your workouts more effective. Their walking (a.k.a. recovery) vest is designed to be worn outside the gym. It has a slightly looser fit with a cute crop — it looks like any other vest you’d wear day-to-day, but this one boosts metabolism, supports bone health, and calms the nervous system with six pounds of extra weight as you’re going about your day. Aion even makes a cropped workout vest, as well — it’s just like their regular workout vest but with a cropped length (and four pounds of weight), perfect for working out in hot climates or when you want more range of motion in the torso.

Customer Review | “The Aion Crop Vest is a game changer! 🔥 It intensified my workout without ever feeling heavy or uncomfortable. I wore it for three hours and was still sweating underneath when I took it off. Extra resistance without even noticing it’s there. Highly recommend!” – Misty Parenzan (Read more reviews.)

Shop Aion
A woman in athletic wear runs while elevated in mid-air against a clear sky, with a gray wall and rocky ground in the background—showcasing the energy that massage guns can help you recover after intense workouts.
A woman wearing a taupe quilted vest over a black long-sleeve top stands against a plain background, holding the vest near the zipper with one hand—ideal attire for those relaxing at home after using massage guns.

3. Hyperwear

Best For | Customizable weights
Styles | Workout vest
Weight options in lbs | Customizable — up to 15
Prices starting at | $115

Whether you’re training for a workout competition or you’re just looking to combat osteoporosis, Hyperwear has a weighted vest to fit your needs. Their Hyper Vest FIT, designed with women in mind, adds 10 pounds of weight to your walks or workouts — but feels so comfortable, hugging your curves with its lightweight, breathable fabric and ½ pound weights made in the US of recycled steel. The brand makes two other unisex weighted vests. The Hyper Vest PRO has a thin profile and side cords so you can easily adjust the fit, while the Hyper Vest ELITE is their highest performing model, with superior weight distribution and an even thinner profile — and the ability to customize your weight level for each workout, adding or subtracting weights as you need to.

Customer Review | “I immediately loved this vest from the first time I put it on. I started with 3 pounds and have been working my way up. I use it while I run on a treadmill. My Dr. said I should try it to add to my weight bearing exercises. The vest is so comfortable that I am unaware of it while I’m on the treadmill. I think it is terrific.” – Rebecca Singband (Read more reviews.)

Shop Hyperwear
Person wearing a blue and black padded vest with adjustable side laces, shown from the side with hand resting on lower back—ideal for pairing with massage guns for targeted relief.
Three women in athletic clothing and weighted vests—black, blue, and red—walk together, smiling against a plain background, likely post-workout and ready to relax with their massage guns.

4. Reebok


Best For | Intense weight
Styles | Workout vest, one size
Weight options in lbs | 11, 22
Prices starting at | $119

Reebok makes two models of weighted vests designed to intensify your training by adding constant, hands-free resistance — a 5 kilo model, which is around 11 pounds, and an intense 10 kilo model that’s about 22 pounds. Part of Reebok’s Strength Series, they elevate both muscular and cardio endurance by making every movement more demanding, from walking and bodyweight drills to conditioning circuits.​ Strategically placed enclosed weight packs distribute 10 kg evenly across your torso, while dual-buckle fastenings lock the vest securely in place, reducing bounce. The vest has a one-size-fits-all design and 12-month warranty. With slightly higher weight limits than other vests on this list, Reebok’s can help you push past plateaus, and build a stronger conditioning foundation with every session. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly options on this list.

Shop Reebok
A man wearing a weighted vest sprints on an indoor track, focused and mid-stride, with blurred background details—his recovery made easier with massage guns after intense training sessions.
A man in a red Reebok t-shirt and weighted vest stands outdoors with his hands on his hips, likely ready to recover after his workout with massage guns; a high-rise building rises in the background.

5. RUKSTR

Best For | Affordability
Styles | Backpack-style vest
Weight options in lbs | 12, 18
Prices starting at | $59

RUKSTR is a women-owned brand all about making weighted gear, like vests and backpacks, for women, on their mission to make rucking more accessible to everyone. They make two versions of their weighted vests — one that’s 12 pounds and one that’s 18 pounds, so they’re both fairly intense. They’re designed for folks who want to train for rucking, but can add intensive to any of your workouts, walks, or runs. The vests feature contoured fits, adjustable chest and body straps, and even weight distribution across the torso to avoid shoulder pinching or chest pressure, and they have an iron-sand style fill, creating a firm yet slightly flexible feel. We love how easy these vests are to grab and go, sliding comfortably over whatever shirt or jacket you’re wearing. They even have shoulder strap pockets for phones and keys, and a back pouch for snacks.

Customer Review | “Very comfortable. I’ve worn it to the gym, shopping, and on walks around my neighborhood. The vest feels soft on my body and sits so that my arms move without chafing. The weight is distributed evenly and is just enough that I know it’s there but doesn’t adversely affect my balance as I navigate exercise machines or outdoor terrain. I’m 72, 5’1″ and hoping this vest helps build bone in my osteoporosis and osteopenia battle.” – Cynthia M. (Read more reviews.)

Shop Rukstr
Two women wearing athletic clothing and weighted vests walk on a dirt trail outdoors with trees and a valley in the background, likely to enjoy some recovery time with massage guns after their hike.
A woman wearing a white RUK STR posture corrector stands outdoors, facing away from the camera with a scenic landscape in the background, showing how posture support pairs perfectly with recovery tools like massage guns.

Natalie Gale is a Contributing Editor at Good Gear and The Good Trade. She is a freelance journalist covering lifestyle, wellness, sustainability, and food for publications like Bustle, The Zoe Report, Boston Globe Media, The Good Trade, and others. When she’s not writing, you can find her on a hike, at the farmers’ market, in a yoga class, or planning her future travels. Find her on Instagram or at nataliekgale.com.