Which weight is right for me?
Three rules, then three vests. It takes two minutes.
Rule 1 — Start lower than you think
Day one should feel like a heavy sweater, not a workout. A recurring complaint in published reviews of fixed-weight vests is that day one was too heavy to repeat. HEFT ships with all pouches so starting light costs you nothing.
Rule 2 — 5 to 10% of bodyweight is the everyday ceiling
A common rule of thumb lands here. At 150 lb that's 7.5–15 lb; at 200 lb it's 10–20 lb. That ceiling is for everyday walking, where the vest is on for the whole route. Core and Heavy are session vests: stairs, hills, hikes and loaded bodyweight work, worn for the set and taken off after. Different job, different number. You don't need to live at the ceiling — you need to be able to reach it.
Rule 3 — Add weight when the last step stopped being noticeable
Usually a pouch every 5–7 sessions. Never two at once.
The three vests
| Vest | Range | Pouches | Pick it if | Price |
|---|
| Light | 4–10 lb | 6 × 1 lb | You've never worn weight on a walk. You want a low starting point and one-pound steps. You weigh under ~200 lb and walk, hike gently, do stairs occasionally. | $79 |
| Core | 20–32 lb | 6 × 2 lb | You've carried a loaded pack. You do stairs, incline, hikes, or want to add load to push-ups and squats. 20 lb feels like a base, not a wall. | $129 |
| Heavy | 24–40 lb | 8 × 2 lb | You train loaded already and you know you'll pass 32 lb. You want the last vest you buy. | $149 |
Fit
One adjustable size, black. Shoulder straps and two side buckle straps adjust over normal clothing. It's a harness, not a garment — it sits over what you wear. We don't publish a height range because we haven't measured one; if it doesn't fit you, the 30-day return covers it.
Weighted vests are exercise equipment. If you have back, joint, heart or blood-pressure conditions, or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before adding load.
Answer three questions instead
4–10 lb
20–32 lb
24–40 lb