Best Powerlifting Belt – Buyer’s Guide

Of course, when training with powerlifting or weightlifting exercises, it is essential to practice proper form to avoid injuring yourself. Unfortunately, it is an instinct to roll your back when performing these kinds of lifts. However, this is when you are most prone to injure yourself. Thankfully, best powerlifting belts provide the additional support necessary to help keep your form proper.

Best Powerlifting Belt in 2023

Still, figuring out which Weight lifting belt is the best can be difficult. That is why we have put together a list of the 5 best power lifting belts and weight lifting belts of February 2023. We also highlight what each one is best for. Then we provide a helpful buyer’s guide, so you can find the right powerlifting belt to suit your needs.

1. Best Lever Belt [amazon link=”B011PZ1FC0″ title=”Inzer Lever Belt”]

Inzer is one of the leading powerlifting product manufacturers in America. Izner Advance Designs Founded by numerous world record holding power lifter John Inzer. Their products are personally tested by the CEO to ensure that they are ideal for powerlifting exercises. That dedication has paid off. The Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt tops our list as the best performing powerlifting belt.

Inzer Belt Review

This belt practically oozes quality from start to finish. First, the belt is made out of top grain leather. This means that the belt is incredibly durable. It will also support your back better than pretty much every other material used for powerlifting belts. On top of that, the belt is lined both in and out with suede that offers a soft finish. It also functions to prevent the belt from sliding up or down while in use.

In an effort to appeal to the most powerlifters, this belt comes in an astounding 8 different sizes. Everyone can find an Inzer right for them. The Forever uses a lever closure which makes securing and releasing the belt exceptionally easy. That said, numerous consumers have noted that the lever can come undone while doing extremely heavy squats after repeated use.

I have not yet done a RISE lever belt review, they are not currently for sale on Amazon (where I shop mostly). However, they do look nice, but not a whole lot of difference (both 10mm) from the Inzer. Both look like excellent weight lifting belts.

2. Best Women’s Powerlifting Belt: [amazon link=”B07SYKDH5N” title=”Dominion Strength Training”]

Dominion Strength Training may not have the extensive pedigree of some of the other brands on our list. Though only formed in 2017, the company knows what it takes to make a great powerlifting belt. That said, Dominion Strength Training specializes in all weightlifting products for both genders. This breadth is why we rated it as our best powerlifting belt for women.

Dominion Strength Training Women’s Belt Review

This powerlifting/weightlifting belt still meets pretty much every other standard expected from a high-end belt. The Dominion Strength Training belt meets standard competition regulations for women. First, it is 10mm thick, which will provide plenty of support for your back. Still, the construction of this belt also really stands out.

3. Best Cheap Powerlifting Belt: [amazon link=”B016RAMIUQ” title=”Dark Iron Fitness”]

Dark Iron Fitness is another relative newcomer to the powerlifting market. Still, they have found a way to provide a quality product at a fairly reasonable price.

I ordered this belt to use during my lifting sessions at my local Crossfit gym. I’ve used it while deadlifting and doing front squats. I actually really like the smaller 5mm size. I am 6′, 165 lbs.

Here is my unboxing of the Dark Iron Fitness belt:

Dark Iron Fitness Belt Review

A big part of this combination has to do with the fact that they sell their products almost exclusively online. This lowers their overhead costs–savings they pass on to their consumer. That said, the Dark Iron Fitness is not the best powerlifting belt we saw. However, its value squarely makes it the best all-around value powerlifting belt we reviewed.

On the construction end, this too is a bit hit-or-miss. For instance, this belt uses a two-prong buckle closure. This type of closure is already the most durable. Even better, the closure is then reinforced with rivets to ensure that its fit stays put while also remaining strong. That said, this powerlifting belt is made out of genuine leather. While the genuine leather is cowhide, it is not made from a single strip. Ultimately, it will wear out quicker than some other powerlifting belts–especially with its 5 mm thickness.

4. Best Tapered Powerlifting Belt: [amazon link=”B013FFGQ54″ title=”Fire Team Fit”]

Like many of the companies we reviewed, Fire Team Fit is a new brand to enter the powerlifting product market. That said, it was founded in 2016 by veterans of the US Marine Special Forces. You can at least rest assured that the makers are well-aware what it takes to produce a quality powerlifting belt. Though, they make it a point to provide a belt that can help with more than just powerlifting.

Specifically, the Fire Team Fit belt is the only one reviewed designed to be used with more than powerlifting exercises. This design includes both leg and core building exercises. The belt accomplishes this through a number of ways. The primary quality that provides this profile is its flexibility. This powerlifting belt is designed with a host of features that make it by far the most flexible powerlifting belt. Though, it can still providing adequate support for your back. Part of this is accomplished through the use of less stiff and less durable nylon material.

5. Best Amateur Powerlifting Belt: [amazon link=”B01BLHCMJW” title=”Flexz Fitness Belt”]

Flexz Fitness is a company on our list that is so close to being one of the best. If they could just clean up a few miscues in terms of construction, they would be. It could still be the best all-around value that we found. As it stands, this powerlifting belt is made in the style and form as our best performing powerlifting belt. Though, does not meet the same high standards in terms of construction.

For instance, this belt meets the standard competition regulations for powerlifting competitions. It is 4″ wide, which provides plenty of back support. Even better, the Flexz Fitness is 10 mm thick, which speaks well both of its support and durability. This belt also uses the lever closure system. A lever helps keep a tight fight and is simpler to both put on and take off.

That said, some of the construction and material choices leave a bit to be desired. For instance, this is the only product on our list to use polyurethane as its base material. Polyurethane is not nearly as durable or as stiff as actually leather. Though, it is more water resistant and breaks in quicker. Beyond the material, the lever closure has a screw which keeps it in place. Unfortunately, this screw is not truly rated to handle the kind of force it will endure during powerlifting exercises. As such, it will regularly come loose after being stripped of its threading.

6. Best 13mm Powerlifting Belt: [amazon link=”B011PYYZ5U” title=”Inzer Advance Designs Forever Lever Belt 13MM”]

For those that want an even thicker lifting belt, this 13mm powerlifting belt from Inzer is a great pick. It uses a lever design (they also offer a [amazon link=”B011PZ24R0″ title=”buckle belt 13mm option as well”]) that is the same as their popular 10mm version.

This belt is genuine leather, and made in the United States. You’ll really need to break in this belt, as even the 10mm Inzer lever belt requires a good amount of break in. With 13mm of leather width, you will have to spend some time breaking this in before hitting those heavy squats.

This belt is too thick for me, but I’m only 165 lbs. 6′ tall. If you’re looking for a high-quality 13mm thick leather weight lifting belt, this is a great pick. I’ve heard good things about the SBD powerlifting belt 13mm belt as well, though it is nearly 2x the price of the Inzer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buyer’s Guide Powerlifting Belt of 2023:

Many people work out to stay in shape. If you are trying to cultivate mass, then you know you need to do more than cardio. In this instance, you are going to want to workout using some of the powerlifting exercises. These work to strengthen the entire body and provide usable strength beyond just a large muscular form. The best powerlifting belt comes in handy when squatting or lifting heavy.

Material:

While ultimately, the sizing of the belt is the most important quality, that is a factor you can control directly. Other qualities about the powerlifting belt, like the materials, are things that are left completely to the manufacturer. That is why it is important to make sure that you buy one made out of high-quality materials. When looking at a powerlifting belt’s materials, the main contrast will be between stiffness and flexibility.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane, or PU, is the scientific name for faux or “fake” leather. While this material has some benefits, it is ultimately the least desirable material for powerlifting belts. PU sits in a precarious balance between strength and flexibility. With some of the more pliable materials, you understand that you are giving up a bit of stiffness.

However, when it comes to PU, it will generally start as pliable as any other type of leather. It is only after using the belt for months that you begin to notice its flaws. The internal structure cannot withstand the forces laid to bare for extended periods. Of course, it is too late by that point, and you are stuck with the belt.

That said, a PU belt can be useful for certain people. For one, this is generally one of the least expensive materials. While you usually want to favor quality over cost. If you only intend to use the belt infrequently, then there is no reason to break the bank when buying it.

PU is also the most water-resistant material on our list. It is generally a relatively simple measure to clean up leather. Still, leather can absorb sweat and begin to crack when not treated with a conditioner. Nylon will not break, but it will absorb the sweat and lose some stiffness while the sweat is absorbed. PU, on the other hand, will not absorb sweat at all.

Leather

Leather is by far the most preferred and durable material for lifting belts. It is also often the most expensive material depending on the type of leather. That said, there are three different leather grades with a reasonably significant difference between the highest and lowest grades.

The lowest grade of leather is “genuine” leather. Genuine leather technically is made of leather, but not out of a single piece of leather. Instead, this type of leather is either numerous strips or shredded pieces of leather-bound. They are either glued or fashioned together with heat and a thermoplastic material. This type of leather is a little better than PU.

The next grade, top grain leather, is generally seen as the best grade for products that people wear. Top grain leather is still extremely durable and offers plenty of stiffness. However, it is still technically soft enough to be broken in. Top grain leather is made out of the topmost layer of skin and removes the hair follicles. This grade of leather breaks in easier than the highest grades of leather. It will still retain its overall structural integrity after broken in.

The last and highest grade of leather is full-grain leather. Full-grain leather uses the entire piece of skin, including the lower layers. Full-grain leather incredibly durable, but it also tends to be extremely stiff. Full-grain leather is for products not worn due to its inability to be easily broken in. That said, full-grain leather can last decades if properly taken care of.

Nylon

On its own, nylon is not the best material for weight lifting belts. Nylon is a soft, pliable fiber that does not carry with it an inherent stiffness. Nylon is to other elements in the manufacturing of powerlifting lifting belts.

As a material, nylon does carry with it several advantages. For one, nylon is an extremely durable fiber. When woven together, nylon can hold or secure far more than most other fibers like cotton or wool. Nylon is also somewhat water-resistant and will not degrade due to the presence of water like leather will.

As a fiber, nylon can be woven over, through, or around other materials and objects. Nylon is especially useful for powerlifting belts that use pads or braces at various points. These inserts or pads provide additional strength when powerlifting. Still, the primary use for nylon with powerlifting is to provide a belt that can offer flexibility. It needs to be flexible enough for leg and core exercises without having to take it off.

Closure:

While it may seem small, the closure of a powerlifting belt plays an important part in many qualities. It greatly affects the belt’s comfort, the support the belt provides, and the ease of the belt’s use. Despite often being an afterthought, the closure is arguably the second most important part of a weightlifting belt. It is the most important outside of the material in the belt.

Buckle

The buckle is the classic closure for any belt–powerlifting or weightlifting–and can come in a couple of different configurations. The most common arrangements for buckle closures are the one and two-prong styles. Though, three-prong powerlifting belt closures do exist. This type of closure has the advantage of providing excellent security. It also offers ease when putting the belt on or adjusting it. On the flip side, buckle closures are notorious for being the most time consuming to take off. It also provides only average durability–especially when paired with less durable belt materials.

Velcro

Velcro is a much-maligned type of closure that often polarizes the powerlifting community. Some people love velcro belts for their ease of use. Velcro is by far the easiest powerlifting belt closure to put on, adjust, and take off. However, velcro is the least durable powerlifting belt closure around. The velcro closure has to be stitched onto or woven into the belt. Ultimately the velcro material will lose some of its grip after repeated use.

Lever

The lever is the newest type of closure used for powerlifting belts. It is also widely seen as providing the best balance between a buckle and velcro. In terms of putting on and taking off, the lever closure is nearly as easy as velcro. It also carries with it the durability of the buckle closure. It is even more reliable when used with lesser grade belt materials. The main issue with the lever closure is that it is the most difficult to adjust. Though, once you figure out where the closure should sit, you are unlikely to adjust it much after that anyway.

Thickness:

Along with the material, the belt’s thickness goes a long way in determining the amount of back support. Ultimately, the best powerlifting belts range between 10 mm to 13 mm thick. Though competition regulations for powerlifting belts usually require a belt that is 10 mm thick. That said, there are non-competition standard powerlifting belts that may be thinner than 10 mm thick if they from stiffer materials than most powerlifting belts–like full-grain leather.

Width:

The powerlifting belt width will help determine how the belt supports the area of the back. Width is not one of the features that are a one-size-fits-all type of quality. Different people will need different widths of support. Taller people will require wider belts, while shorter people will need less wide belts.

Keep in mind, getting a belt that is too wide will not support your back less. Instead, the issue becomes one of mobility. The wider the belt, the less mobile you become. Of course, the material used in the belt–and more specifically its flexibility–will also play an essential role in this equation. Still, you will generally want a belt suited for your height for comfort reasons, if nothing else.

Stitching:

The stitching of the powerlifting belt will only really affect its long-term durability. It does not play much of a role in the effectiveness of the support that the powerlifting belt provides. Even a belt made of high-quality leather can suffer from durability issues if the stitching is subpar. In this respect, you will generally want to look for a powerlifting belt that is either triple or quadruple stitched. The stitching should also be double-sided–or all the way through. Stitching all the way through ensures that the belt pretty much has to fall apart altogether for the stitches to come undone.

Shape:

The shape of the powerlifting belt does not vary too much. Powerlifting and weight lifting belts come in one of two forms: straight and tapered. Straight powerlifting belts are relatively self-explanatory. They are a single width all the way around. Tapered powerlifting belts differ in that they are less wide through the midsection than at the back.

Choosing one or the other will hinge more on personal comfort and exercise programs than anything else. If you are wearing a powerlifting belt for squats, cleans, and lifts only, then you do not need flexibility. In this instance, you simply want a powerlifting belt that will provide the absolute maximum stability. Thus, you should opt for a straight shaped belt.

If you want to wear a powerlifting belt to help with your form and mobility, you want a tapered belt. If you also work out your legs and core, then you are liable to prefer a tapered powerlifting belt. A tapered powerlifting belt will still provide the width necessary to support your back for the previous exercises. However, it will narrow by an inch to an inch and a half across your midsection. This tapered shape will provide you more mobility and feel more comfortable when exercising your legs and core.

Conclusion:

No powerlifting belt will be the best for every person. Still, there are a few that stand out when compared to their competitors. With a combination of materials, dimensions, and quality construction, a couple of powerlifting belts rise to the top of the cream.

If you are a man, we highly recommend the Inzer. The 4″ width and 10 mm thickness meet competition regulations. The top grain leather material and lever closure ensure a tight fit that will last a long time. Though, that quality comes at a steeper price than most.

For women looking for a powerlifting belt, the Dominion Strength Training is almost ideal. Its top-grained leather and 10 mm thick to provide excellent support. It is only 3″ wide, which is more suitable for shorter powerlifters.