Pulling your hair out searching for the best vegan weight lifting belt on the internet?
Sick and tired of sifting through endless amounts of “cowhide leather” or “suede leather” weight lifting belts?
Ready to find that perfect belt to crush it on squat day?
Then settle down and drink your pea protein shake because you’ve come to the right place.
The truth is, there are some great vegan alternatives to leather belts. As you will see, you needn’t sacrifice quality to be compassionate to animals.
Let’s check out the belts!
Looking for the strongest possible belts for powerlifting? Check out my article on the best vegan powerlifting belt of 2023.
Best Vegan Weight Lifting Belt –
2POOD Straight Weightlifting Belt
My top pick for the best vegan weight lifting belt of 2023 goes to the 2POOD Straight Weightlifting Belt. Worn by Olympic weightlifters and CrossFit athletes including: Mattie Rogers, CJ Cummings, Jacob Heppner, Amanda Barnhart, Nick Urankar, and Chyna Cho! Constructed out of cordura nylon, with a Velcro strap and a specialized WODclamp to for added security, this is one weight lifting belt which won’t be slipping off anytime soon!
Fortunately, along with the support and durability, the belt is flexible and simple to use. The WODclamp is easy to use, and the belt is quick to take on and off. This belt is a fantastic all-purpose belt which can be used for Olympic weightlifting, CrossFit, or powerlifting.
There aren’t too many drawbacks with this belt. It won’t offer quite as much support as some of the artificial leather belts on the market, but it is really darn close, so it’s hard to count that against it. There are plenty of reports of the sizing being too big, so make sure to size down.
Bottom Line
The 2POOD Straight Weightlifting Belt is a phenomenal choice for all kinds of weight lifting. Stronger than most nylon weight lifting belts, it still offers the strength and protection of an artificial leather belt while remaining flexible and easy to use.
Best Budget Vegan Weight Lifting Belt – Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt
For those on a budget, the Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt is the obvious choice. This belt is made from 100% nylon, with a metal buckle to lock it into place and Velcro to secure it. The nylon material makes it feel far more comfortable than traditional leather, or even an artificial leather belt. However, make no mistake, this belt is incredibly sturdy and durable.
Despite the strength of the belt, it feels light and flexible. Once it’s secured, it won’t move, even on heavy lifts. There is a strong metal buckle that secures it as well as a plastic self-locking mechanism as added security to keep it in place in case the Velcro gives. Due to the length of the Velcro being quite long, it gives versatility in terms of how tight or loose you want it to be.
The biggest drawback with this belt is the lack of padding compared to other belts on this list. Don’t get me wrong, you can still lift heavy with this. But for serious competitive powerlifters working with max effort squats weekly, you may want to get one of the belts on this list that has more padding.
Bottom Line
The Element 26 is a fantastic belt for those on a budget. Worn both by WWE champion Becky Lynch and world-record holding powerlifter Brad Kiltz, you really can’t do better given the price point for a belt like this.
2nd Best Vegan Weight Lifting Belt – Strength Shop Weightlifting Belt
The runner up for the best vegan weight lifting belt of 2023 is the Strength Shop Weightlifting Belt. At 8mm thick, this belt offers excellent support and is preferred by Olympic weightlifters. Like other Strength Shop belts, it is made out of artificial leather which is super high quality. This belt has a tapered shape which goes from 6cm in the front to 10cm in the back. This means it is a lot more comfortable than a belt which is uniformly wide all around. Because of this, the belt is incredibly versatile. It can still be worn for heavier lifts too.
The only real potential downside with this belt is the tapered shape. Because it is thinner in the front, it offers less support there. Now, this may not be a downside if that’s what you’re looking for, but keep it in mind as it does change the support the belt offers a bit.
Bottom Line
The Strength Shop Weightlifting belt is a versatile belt preferred especially by Olympic weightlifters. The tapered shape makes it more comfortable than most artificial leather belts, yet still offers fantastic support.
Best Budget Runner Up Vegan Weight Lifting Belt – Contraband Black Label 4010 Weight Lifting Belt
If you are on an absolute bootstrap budget, but still want to have a quality belt, your best bet is the Contraband Black Label 4010 Weight Lifting Belt. For the price point, this bad boy packs a punch. Made from nylon, this belt is stronger than you’d think given how inexpensive it is. It actually is a bit stiff at first, but it loosens up over time and becomes quite comfortable.
The lightness and flexibility of this belt make it ideal for someone wanting the least invasive, most comfortable belt they can find. The Velcro is strong and doesn’t come apart over time either. It has a hook and loop system which is easy to use and adjust. This belt just feels good to wear.
The biggest issue with this belt is just the lack of overall padding and security for heavier lifting. I wouldn’t recommend this belt to someone competing in powerlifting. It is, however, a great belt for the everyday lifter. Another potential cause for concern is the limited, one year warranty. Still, despite that, it is a fantastic belt. It’s ideal for someone who desires a comfortable belt over the added security of a thicker option.
Bottom Line
The Contraband Black Label 4010 Weight Lifting Belt really packs a punch for being one of the lowest priced vegan lifting belts on the market. If you’re on a strict budget, this comfortable belt is a great choice.
3rd Best Vegan Weight Lifting Belt – Schiek Sports Model 2004 Weight Lifting Belt
One great alternative to the options listed above is the Schiek Sports Model 2004 Weight Lifting Belt. If this belt had been cheaper, it may have overtaken the Element 26 belt as the best budget belt. It just has so many cool features. It is made of nylon, and like the other nylon belts, it is comfortable to wear. Part of this comfort is due to its contoured, cone-like shape, being thin on the hips and wider in the back and abs (where more support is needed). There is also a special lumbar insert in the back for added protection and firmness.
Something that distinguishes this belt from the others is the dual closure system, where you Velcro it once, loop it through the steel buckle, and then pull the strap tight and Velcro again. This extra Velcro provides more security for the belt.
One potential downside to this belt is the contoured, thinner shape on the hips. It may not be for you if you desire a more uniform, firm belt all around. Some people want more security in the hip area, and this belt doesn’t really provide that. Another downside is, because of the dual closure system, it is not as quick to take on and off.
Also, there is potential to run out of room on the Velcro pad with two different parts of the belt being attached to it. Finally, one must consider the lack of a warranty when purchasing this belt. Despite that, for the lifter who desires an overall solid belt with some unique features that is comfortable to wear, this is a great choice.
Bottom Line
The Schiek Sports Model 2004 Weight Lifting Belt is an excellent middle of the road choice. This belt provides solid stability and comfort, as well as not being terribly expensive. A great choice no matter what you plan to use it for.
FAQ
Q: Are weight lifting belts really worth it? I heard you should lift raw to avoid depending on a belt…
A: While it is absolutely true that weight lifting belts can act as a band-aid for a weak lower back, any intermediate or advanced lifter who trains regularly with heavy weights can attest to the utility of a good weight lifting belt. I only recommend using a belt on your big, compound movements, and only on your heaviest sets.
Of course, if the belt is lighter (like the Element 26 vegan weight lifting belt), you can probably get away with using it more often. However, I would echo the advice that it can be a band-aid for improper development or poor form if overused. Make sure you’re only using it when you need it for safety.
Q: What kind of exercises are weight lifting belts designed for?
A: In general, you want to only use a weight lifting belt when necessary to stabilize your core and spine, in order to prevent injury/overuse, and to add more weight to your lifts. The exercises I recommend performing with a weight belt are:
-
- Squats
- Deadlifts
- Cleans
- Snatches
- Barbell Rows
Q: What about sizing? Any tips?
A: Follow the manufacturers direction in terms of sizing. If you are on the upper or lower end of the size range for a belt, you may need to size up or down. Call the company if you are unsure of which belt would be the best fit. You can also check Amazon or Strength Shop reviews for people with a similar size to you and see what worked for them.
Q: Are these belts really comparable to their leather counterparts?
A: Yes! While they may have some drawbacks in comparison, they also have a lot of strengths. A vegan weight lifting belt is generally more comfortable, flexible, and less expensive than a leather belt. As we have seen, the artificial leather alternatives are a killer option if you want something a bit sturdier, and more reminiscent of a standard, leather belt.
P.S. check out this article for some great, scientifically-backed information regarding the benefits of weight lifting belts:
https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/3-key-benefits-of-wearing-a-weightlfting-belt.html
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