If you’ve been working out for a while, you know that dips and pull-ups are an essential part of any strength training program.
As you start working out, your body weight will be challenging enough. But as you build more and more strength, you’ll find yourself needing something more.
This is where dip belts come into play. They are a great addition to any strength training routine and they’ll help you take your goals to the next level.
If you don’t know where to start looking for the best dip belts on the market, we have a few ideas for you, so keep reading to find out more.
Buying Guide: What To Look For in a Dip Belt?
Material
Buying the perfect dip belt usually starts by looking at the material it is made of. You want something heavy-duty, robust, that won’t break easily, yet is comfortable to wear. The material is also a question of preference and usually goes hand in hand with comfortability.
For instance, leather is very popular and will last years without any issues, but they aren’t very flexible, so they feel bulky and rigid. On the other hand, neoprene belts are a lot more flexible, comfortable, and breathable. They are built for durability, though many say they aren’t as great in this department as leather ones.
Sizing and Adjustability
Next, you need to look at the sizing and adjustability. You want a dip belt that fits well, but you also want to make sure it is adjustable.
That will allow you to make the most of it for months or even years, regardless of any changes that might happen to your body.
The size of the strap or the chain to which you attach the weights is also important and you want to make sure it fits or that you can at least adjust it.
Weight Capacity
Finally, look at the maximum weight you can attach to it. Even if you’re not expecting to use big weights right now, in time you’ll progress and you could end up regretting you didn’t buy a dip belt with a better weight capacity.
You may also find yourself wondering what is best to attach the weight: chain or straps. Chains are considered better for those who want to lift very heavy.
However, not all chains are rust-resistant, and you may need to change the best sooner rather than later. Straps on the other hand are more heavy duty, but you need to pay close attention to the maximum weight they can hold.
Top 7 Best Dip Belts in the Market
1. DMoose Fitness Dip Belt
The DMoose fitness dip belt is one of the new belts on the market, but it is gaining popularity quickly. It is padded with neoprene, which makes it extremely comfortable. Even better, the backside is 6” wide which is more than what you see in many other dip belts.
In terms of sizing, it has 33” and a steel chain of 36”. It has a maximum pull capacity of 225 lbs, which fits even Olympic-sized plates. That makes it great for anyone: from those who are using a dip belt for the first time to heavy lifters.
Users agree that the lower back feels well-supported even when lifting heavyweights. This further backs the idea that the belt is great for both beginners and advanced users.
Those who have been lifting heavy weights for a while may know how to protect their back during exercises. However, those who are just starting out and increasing their weights, need a bit more support to avoid injury, and DMoose seems to do just that.
What is even better about this dip belt is that you can use it for more than just dips and pull-ups. You can also use it for squats, for instance, which makes it a great addition to your home gym equipment, when you need to save space and use the same pieces for more than one exercise.
DMoose sounds like the perfect belt, but it does have a few cons. For instance, the size isn’t adjustable. Since people do not all fit into the same size, this is not ideal.
The chains are also rather thin and they are not rust-resistant, which makes you doubt its durability and whether it can truly hold the maximum weight very often.
2. Harbinger Polypropylene Dip Belt with Steel Chain
Harbinger is a well-known name in the weight lifting world. Their polypropylene dip belt is high-quality, heavy duty, and if you choose the black-colored belt. If you like a different color, the price goes up.
Polypropylene is an interesting material and offers a lot of comfort as it picks up the body’s contour after you wear it a few times. It also has a 5” padding on the lower back, preventing chafing and pinching.
It has a steel chain that allows you to comfortably attach two 45 lbs plates. Some users say they attached 3 plates, but usually, they all agree more than that will become uncomfortable.
A real minus, however, is the fact that the producers do not specify a maximum weight capacity for the belt.
Another minus is the size. The chain is only 30” which could be ok for average lifters, but again, for those wanting to lift heavy, it could become a problem.
3. Dark Iron Fitness Leather Weight Lifting Dip Belt
Dark Iron‘s fitness belt stands out among other dip belts for two reasons: the 40” strap and the nylon strap. Is the nylon strap a positive thing? It actually is.
Sure, metal is the king in terms of durability. But this nylon strap can hold up to 270 lbs which is the equivalent of six 45 lbs plates. That is impressive, and we’ll satisfy the most advanced users.
It is slightly more expensive than the ones we’ve seen so far. This is explained both by the fact that the main material is leather and the big capacity.
It also has a mechanism that allows you to quickly chain and unchain weights. That’s helpful for those who want to take short to no breaks between exercises, but need to change the weight.
Another advantage of the nylon strap is that it is easily adjustable. No, it doesn’t have a pre-design adjusting mechanism, but you can knot it and make it shorter, something you wouldn’t be able to do with metal chains. The only problem in terms of size is that the waist is 38” which may be too little for some users.
Most users agree that it is a great belt, very comfortable fit, and easy to use even if you’ve had a previous back injury. The concern that the nylon strap will wear out rather quickly exists, but many people claim they’ve been using it for a long time with heavyweights and no issues.
4. RIMSports Dip Belt with Chain
Made out of nylon and cotton, the RIMSports dip belt with chain stands out due to its flexibility. If you like to have your own dip belt at the gym but have too much in your gym bag already, this belt will be perfect for you. Its flexibility makes it easy to pack even in the tightest bag. It is also only 1.5 pounds so it is not only flexible but also very light.
The price is affordable. It has a waist size of 33”, which may not be a good fit for everyone. The strap, however, is 38” long enough, so it can be used both for lighter and heavier weights. Speaking of weights, the maximum capacity is 275 lbs, which is very good for this type of dip belt.
Some have voiced concerns that the D-rings aren’t exactly built for safety, especially when you want to lift heavyweights. There are, however, few real complaints, as most users agree it is a comfortable, easy to use dip belt with chain.
5. Jayefo DIP Belt
If you’re looking for a low-budget option, Jayefo Dip Belt is a perfect choice. It is extremely robust and can support up to 350 lbs. It has a 36” chain, which allows you to add as many plates as you’d like. In other words, it is great for both beginners and advanced users. It is padded with neoprene, perfect for those who put comfort first.
The major downside, however, is durability. Many users say the chains began to bend after only a few months of lifting heavyweights. Others, on the other hand, didn’t face that problem. If you do have problems, the good thing is you can change the chains because the belt comes with two carabiners.
6. Hypeletics Weighted Dip Belt
Hyperletics weighted dip belt is the number one choice if you’re looking for something with a lot of lower back padding that will never feel uncomfortable, no matter what weight you’re lifting. With a 7” back padding it is safe to say it’s the best in this area.
This weighted dip belt is made out of high-grade neoprene, which makes it very comfortable and fairly light. The belt comes in two sizes. The small one can be adjusted for a waist size of 23”-30”, while the large one fits waists 30”-40”. The strap is 40”, which means you can comfortably add up to six Olympic plates.
It is not one of the cheapest dip belts, but not the most expensive either, it is available on Amazon.
On the downside, some users complain the strap of the weighted dip belt falls apart fairly quickly, especially if you lift heavy weights, but you’ll find just as many if not more users who are perfectly content with its durability.
Hyperletic’s weighted dip belt offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if there’s something you don’t like after using it a few times, you can always return it without any issues.
7. Rogue Fitness 5″ Nylon Weightlifting Belt
The last on our dip belts list is the Rogue Fitness 5” Nylon belt. At the time of this article, it is available only through the main Rogue website.
The Rogue leather dip belt is a brand known to powerlifters and crossfitters. It is robust, made of durable leather, and provides support whether you’re doing dips, pull-ups, squats, or deadlifts. Rogue’s official tests concluded that their dip belt can withstand 29,400 lbs without breaking.
This is both due to the materials used and the design. Rogue’s dipping belt has a unique way of attaching weights, that guarantees it will be a lot sturdier than other dip belts.
Are there any cons? Sadly, yes. The dipping belt has a width of only 3” in the front and 4” in the back. While that’s not narrow, it isn’t exactly comfortable either, especially when lifting heavy.
Is it for everyone? It can certainly be used by both beginners and advanced people alike. However, it is safe to say it is built with heavy lifters in mind, for people who know proper posture and safety measures when working out.
The width may also feel uncomfortable if you’ve never used a dip belt before. The price is also slightly high and if you’ve got no intentions of becoming a powerlifter, the investment might not be worth it.
So, Which Is The Best Dip Belt To Buy?
As you can see, there are a lot of dip belts to choose from. Our personal favorite is the Rogue belt because this belt is made to last and you can lift as much as you’d like. But if you want something with more padding at the back, you may want to choose the one by DMoose, for instance.
Remember that at the end of the day, the best dip belt is the one that fits best for you, that feels comfortable and allows you to take your workouts to the next level. That could mean you choose the one that fits easily into your bag or the one with the most back padding or maybe the least expensive one.
If you liked this article, make sure to check out our review on the Best Dip Stations and other reviews at Dumbbellsreviews.com, for information on the best supplements and home gym equipment to help you stay in shape and be healthy.