The 5 Best Cheap Weighted Vests On A Budget

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Weighted vests are powerful fitness equipment options but they can get pricey. Luckily, there are also relatively cheap options for individuals on a budget.

Best cheap weighted vests top picks

  1. CROSS101 Weighted Vest With Shoulder Pads
  2. RUNFast/Max Adjustable Weighted Vest
  3. Yes4All Weighted Vest
  4. CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest
  5. ZFOsports Weighted Vest

Most of these weighted vests are budget-friendly in terms of price per pound. They do often start at low/medium maximum weights (but can be adjusted down for certain exercises and individuals).

Because of this, if you only need a very light weight, the Yes4All Weighted Vest can require a lower total investment even if it is just a bit pricier per pound.

Due to this and other reasons like different training goals, budgets, personal preferences, etc. it is not possible to create one perfect ranking for every person. Sometimes picks lower on the list will be better for you personally.

How we selected our top picks

Our fitness experts spent a lot of time looking at and comparing all the different important factors of cheap weighted vests. Some of the things that were taken into consideration when making our selection include:

  • Maximum weights available, adjustability, durability, etc.
  • User reviews
  • Anecdotal reviews from fitness experts
  • Total price and price per pound
  • Brand trustability

If a pick seems interesting click it to see the online prices.

5 Best cheap weighted vests reviewed

The short list of the best cheap weighted vests can help you make a quick decision. You can also look at each of the top picks reviewed in detail to make sure you are choosing the right one for you.

1. CROSS101 Weighted Vest With Shoulder Pads

Our top pick for the best cheap weighted vest is the CROSS101 Weighted Vest With Shoulder Pads. This option is the most budget-friendly per pound for a variety of the weight categories it offers.

This weighted vest is available in maximum weights that go from 20 to 140 pounds (9.1 to 63.5 kg). This model is also one of the best adjustable weighted vests because you have the option to take out weights to lower the total weight.

You can see this as getting multiple weighted vests for the price of one. As you become stronger and change between different exercises you can adjust the weight instead of having to get a new vest every time.

Two things you do have to keep in mind are that the CROSS101 Weighted Vest can move around while running and that some people don’t need as much as 20 pounds, the lowest maximum weight available.

Pros

  • Max weights ranging from 20 to 140 pounds (9.1 to 63.5 kg) available
  • Weight is adjustable
  • Optional shoulder pads to make your workouts more comfortable
  • Has a water bottle holder
  • Very positive ratio of customer reviews
  • A lot of happy customers
  • Budget-friendly price per pound

Cons

  • The weighted vest can move around while running
  • Some people don’t need as much as 20 pounds

It is true that you can adjust the weight down but that means that individuals on a budget can potentially save money by getting a lighter weighted vest.

Additionally, for some weight levels, other weighted vest brands are slightly more budget-friendly.

That being said, if you plan to do some type of resistance training with the weighted vest you get, this option from CROSS101 is the best choice for many weight levels.

Even with the high number of customers, CROSS101 manages to keep delivering quality yet relatively budget-friendly weighted vests.

2. RUNFast/Max Adjustable Weighted Vest

The RUNFast/Max Adjustable Weighted Vest is another solid pick for individuals on a budget. For certain weights it is even cheaper than the previous option.

One thing to keep in mind is that while customers tend to be very happy, there are just a few more complaints than the CROSS101 weighted vest.

These are mostly related to the design of the vest. The fit is not that adjustable which can make the vest somewhat uncomfortable for small individuals. Additionally, the “phone pocket” can be designed better.

Lastly, there are a few exceptional cases where RUNFast forgets to add the shoulder pads for individuals who chose this option.

Pros

  • Max weights ranging from 12 to 140 pounds (5.4 to 63.5 kg) available
  • Weight is adjustable
  • Optional shoulder pads to make your workouts more comfortable
  • Has a water bottle holder
  • Very positive ratio of customer reviews
  • A lot of happy customers
  • Budget-friendly price per pound

Cons

  • The fit of the weighted vest is not that adjustable
  • In a few cases, RUNFast forgets to add the shoulder pads
  • Phone pocket can be designed better

That being said, this model from RUNmax is still one of the best weighted vests. You can get it in maximum capacities ranging from 12 to 140 pounds (5.4 to 63.5 kg).

Each of these vests can be changed in resistance by removing some of the weight increments. This allows you to find the best weight for the exercise(s) you want to do and build up as you get stronger.

The water bottle holder can also be another nice addition if you plan to use this budget-friendly weighted vest for a workout like walking.

3. Yes4All Weighted Vest

Most of the other options are adjustable because this basically offers different weighted vests at the price of one. These are also often budget-friendly per pound at the weights they come in.

That being said, these adjustable weighted vests do often start at a somewhat higher weight because they can be adjusted down anyway.

If you don’t need that amount of weight, one of the lighter options of a static weighted vest like the Yes4All Weighted Vest can save you some money.

You do have to keep in mind that these types of static weighted vests are often not as sturdy as their adjustable alternatives.

Pros

  • Max weights ranging from 6 to 16 pounds (2.7 to 7.3 kg) available
  • Has reflective straps
  • A lot of breathing room
  • Has a storage pocket
  • Lower weights have budget-friendly total price

Cons

  • Weight is not adjustable
  • The weighted vest can move around during really dynamic workouts
  • Elastic bands can become loose over time
  • Not suited for bigger individuals
  • Price per pound is alright but not that impressive

The Yes4All model is kept in place by 2 adjustment straps and 2 straps that are partly made of elastic material that go around your shoulders.

For something lighter like walking this is often enough, but during more dynamic workouts the vest can bounce around a lot. Especially as the elastic bands get looser and looser over time.

A downside that is more specific to the Yes4All Weighted Vest is that it is a bit small for bigger individuals.

So if you are on a tight budget, have the right body proportions and workout plan, and have the right strength level, one of the Yes4All Weighted Vests with a lower weight can be enough and cheaper than a heavier adjustable model.

4. CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest

The CAP Barbell Adjustable Weighted Vest is really budget-friendly at certain maximum weight levels but somewhat more average in others. In any case, at all of these levels, this is another solid model.

Something that really stands out in this model is that it is one of the best heavy weighted vests due to the uniquely high weight option of 150 pounds (68 kg).

All of the weighted vests have adjustable weights. One customer mentions the 80-pound and lighter models come with sandbags. Heavier models come with metal weights.

The sandbags can be a bit more challenging to put back into the weighted vest. If you want to avoid that you can get the heavier options.

Pros

  • Max weights ranging from 20 to 150 pounds (9.1 to 68 kg) available
  • Weight is adjustable
  • Built-in shoulder padding to make the vest more comfortable
  • A lot of happy customers
  • Budget-friendly price per pound

Cons

  • In some cases, customer support has to be contacted to replace a few missing weights
  • Some people don’t need as much as 20 pounds

One thing to keep in mind is that some customers initially don’t get enough weights to reach the maximum they ordered.

These issues do get resolved after contacting support but in these few exceptional cases, customers did have to put more time and attention into the weighted vest.

That being said, these models from CAP Barbell still have many happy customers. For a few maximum weight levels they are also cheap compared to other options.

5. ZFOsports Weighted Vest

This next option is not that impressive compared to the other cheap weighted vests but if you don’t like the previous models and/or happen to stumble upon any good deals you could consider it.

Before you do that, something important to note is that the ZFOsports Weighted Vest tends to be too big for smaller people, especially in terms of how long it is.

This can be very annoying during basically any exercise where your upper body and upper legs move towards each other (running, sit-ups, squats, etc.).

Pros

  • Max weights ranging from 30 to 80 pounds (13.6 to 36.3 kg) available
  • Weight is adjustable
  • Has a water bottle holder
  • Has a storage pocket
  • A lot of happy customers

Cons

  • Price per pound is alright but not that impressive compared to some of the other cheap weighted vests
  • Some people don’t need as much as 30 pounds
  • Can be too big for smaller people

Additionally, during more dynamic workouts, the ZFOsports Weighted Vest can bounce up and down.

This weighted vest is relatively budget-friendly per pound compared to many good weighted vests. However, it is not that impressive in this area compared to these other cheaper models.

The ZFOsports Weighted Vest still has many happy customers but most people will find some of the previous options a better choice.

FAQ

Are weighted vests worth it?

While it ultimately depends on your budget and personal situation, weighted vests are powerful pieces of fitness equipment that can definitely be worth it. They can be used to grow and strengthen a lot of important muscles, make your cardiovascular workouts more challenging, and do all of this at a reasonable price.

Why are weighted vests so expensive?

While expensive is a relative term, weighted vests get their price because of reasons like creating separate adjustable weights instead of one block, stitching together the material in a way the vest can hold all the weight, and adding things like padding to make the workouts more comfortable.

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Author:

Matt Claes founded Weight Loss Made Practical to help people get in shape and stay there after losing 37 pounds and learning the best of the best about weight loss, health, and longevity for over 4 years. Over these years he has become an expert in nutrition, exercise, and other physical health aspects.