Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who wants more from the movement they already do. Older adults adding gentle resistance to stay strong for daily life. Active and athletic people who want their walks, runs and sessions to ask a little more without adding time. People working on their fitness or general health. And people managing their weight who want the same walk or session to take more effort. The vest adds load, so your body works a little harder over the same distance. You do not need to be an athlete, and you do not need to be older.

The vest goes on over your head and is then pulled snug with dual Velcro waist straps and a front buckle closure. The sides are open, so it hangs from the shoulders and cinches at the waist rather than wrapping tight around your ribs. That is why a single size covers a wide range of bodies. Our sizing and fit guide shows how to measure and set the straps.

A sensible range is 5 to 15 per cent of your body weight, depending on your fitness and how hard you want to push. Start at the lower end if you are new, returning after a break, or older, and work up as you adapt. For most first-time wearers that means the 10lb / 4.5kg or 12lb / 5.5kg vest. The weight selection guide maps each weight to a walker profile and body-weight range.

The vest comes in five fixed weights: 10lb / 4.5kg, 12lb / 5.5kg, 16lb / 7.5kg, 20lb / 9kg, and 30lb / 13.5kg. Each vest is a single fixed weight, so you choose the one that suits you now, and can buy a heavier vest as you progress.

The weight comes from iron-sand fill held in sealed panels, not loose steel plates. The fine sand settles into a slim panel that molds to your torso and stays close to your center of mass. That keeps the load flat and quiet instead of swinging, which is what makes it comfortable over a long walk.

The open-side design keeps your arms completely free, so your natural arm swing is untouched and air moves across your ribs on a warm day. It also stops the vest pinching under the arms, and it is part of why one size fits so many body types.

Not when it is set snug. The slim panels hold the weight flat against your torso, and the waist straps plus front buckle lock the fit in place. Cinch the straps first so the weight rests on your hips and core, then clip the buckle. A snug vest sits still through walking, stairs, and bodyweight training.

Yes. The close, steady fit holds up for stairs, running, and bodyweight training such as squats and lunges as well as walking. The same vest handles a gentle daily loop and a harder session, so you are not buying separate gear for each.

Spot clean the outer shell with mild soap and water, then let it air dry. Do not machine wash it and do not tumble dry it. The iron-sand fill stays sealed in its panels, so you are only ever cleaning the outer fabric. Between uses, store it somewhere dry so the shell and straps stay in good shape.

Research suggests that weight-bearing and resistance exercise supports bone health, and a vest adds load to weight-bearing movement such as walking (see the NIH NIAMS guidance on exercise for bone health). It is not a medical treatment, and no single product builds bone on its own; the benefit comes from consistent, gradually harder exercise over time. If you have osteoporosis, low bone density, or another medical condition, check with your doctor before adding weight. The weighted vest for bone density page covers this in more detail.

For many active older adults it is a reasonable way to add gentle load to a daily walk, starting at the lightest weight and shorter routes. Balance, joints, and existing conditions matter, so check with your doctor first. The weighted vest for seniors page walks through using it sensibly at an older age.

Yes. HEFT vests are covered by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and faults. Normal wear and tear is not covered. If you think your vest is faulty, email us at info@shopheft.com or reach out through the contact page and we will help sort it out.

We ship worldwide, and shipping is free on every order. Orders are dispatched quickly from our warehouse. When your order ships, we email a tracking link so you can follow it; see the track your order page for how that works.

Every vest comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try it on your own walks, and if it is not right for you, return it within 30 days for a refund. If you need a hand starting a return, email us at info@shopheft.com or reach out through the contact page.