HEFT Adjustable Weighted Vest

A weighted vest built for walking, not the squat rack

HEFT is an adjustable weighted vest you can wear on an ordinary walk. It adds load in a way you feel in your legs and hips without turning your morning loop into a workout you dread. The weight sits flat and close through the Steady-Load design: iron-sand fill spread across the torso, held in place by two Velcro waist straps and a pair of front buckle clips. It stays put when you move, so it walks with you instead of bouncing.

Add it to a walk you already take. Wear it up the stairs. Keep it on for a round of squats, lunges, or push-ups in the living room. The idea is steady resistance during movement you would do anyway.

Who it is for

This is for the person who walks the dog every morning and wants that hour to do more for their legs, hips, and bones. It suits older adults adding gentle resistance to stay strong for daily life, and women who have read that load-bearing exercise supports bone density and want a straightforward way to try it. You do not need to be an athlete. You need a walk and a vest that stays out of the way.

How to pick your weight

A common starting point is 5 to 10 per cent of your body weight. If you are new to wearing load, start at the lower end and give your body a couple of weeks before you add more.

• 10lb / 4.5kg: a light, easy introduction. Good if you are returning to exercise or weigh under about 130lb / 60kg.
• 12lb / 5.5kg: a small step up for regular walkers who found the lightest vest too easy.
• 16lb / 7.5kg: a solid everyday load for most walkers between about 155 and 200lb / 70 and 90kg.
• 20lb / 9kg: for walkers who already carry load comfortably and want more from the same walk.
• 30lb / 13.5kg: for stair climbs, hills, and bodyweight strength work once lighter loads feel easy.

Still deciding? Our weight selection guide walks through it, and you can start lighter and size up later.

How it fits

The vest goes over your head and closes at the waist. Two Velcro straps let you cinch it snug across a wide range of body types, and the front buckles lock that fit in so nothing shifts mid-stride. The sides are open, which is the part walkers notice first: your arms swing freely and air moves through, so you stay cooler on a long loop. The shoulder straps carry 2 cm of padding, enough to keep the weight off your collarbones on a longer walk. It fits men and women. Same vest, adjusted to you. For measurements and a fit walk-through, see the sizing and fit guide.

What it is made of

The load is iron sand, sealed into panels across the front and back. Iron sand packs more weight into less space than steel plates or loose sandbags, so the vest keeps a slim profile and moulds to your torso instead of pressing into one spot. There are no loose weights to rattle or fall out, and nothing to swap in and out before a walk. The shoulder padding is 2 cm thick. The straps and buckles are the parts you handle most, so they are the parts built to last.

How to care for it

Keep it simple. Wipe the shell with a damp cloth and mild soap after sweaty sessions, then let it air dry fully before you store it. Do not machine wash or tumble dry it; the fill and padding do not belong in a washing machine. Press the Velcro straps closed onto themselves between walks so they stay grippy. Stored dry and out of direct sun, it holds up for years of daily use.

What the 30-day guarantee covers

Try it for 30 days. Walk in it, wear it up the stairs, see how it feels on a real week. If it is not right, send it back within 30 days for a full refund. Shipping across Australia is free on orders over $99, and orders arrive in 2 to 6 business days.