Henkelion Weighted Vest Review

The Henkelion weighted vests may be one of the simplest and easiest-to-use weight vests we tested. Combine that with a bargain price point, and it easily becomes our top recommendation for those looking to save some cash while still benefiting from a weight vest. That said, it's not exactly unique. There's a handful of other brands that offer almost identical products, including the Zelus vest. Depending on any applicable discounts, either one could be a better buy, and we'd recommend them both equally.

Performance

During our evaluation, we found that the Henkelion was above average across all the test exercises, and ideal for light cardio given its design. We tested the 12-pound version, and think the same findings would hold true for most versions under 20 pounds.

The Henkelion is quite comfortable to wear, and despite being put on like a backpack, manages to hold the weight well across a variety of exercises. For light cardio like power walking or an easy jog, the Henkelion is very comfortable. It bounces a little, but the weight pellets and neoprene are soft and still comfortable despite the motion. It's not as impressive for high-intensity workouts or sprints. There are no compression or cinch straps to secure the vest, so it bounces significantly more.

We tested the Henkelion with a variety of exercises, but primarily focused on squats, push-ups, and pull-ups, three common bodyweight exercises where adding a vest can provide an increased stimulus. We noticed no issues with our range of motion for completing any of the exercises. As with running, there will be significantly more movement and bouncing for high-intensity exercises such as burpees or jumping jacks.

Comfort

Unlike other vests in our lineup that rely on solid metal bars or plates, the Henkelion is filled with small metal pellets. Combine that with the soft neoprene cover, and the Henkelion is a very comfortable and malleable vest that conforms to your shoulders.

Despite the Henkelions excellent overall comfort, we were remiss to note that it lacks much adjustment to achieve a snug fit. A small chest strap helps keep the vest clipped on your shoulders, but that is the extent of it.

Previous Next

The open chest design of the Henkelion is a huge boost to breathability. Even when panting after a workout, the vest didn't stop us from breathing deeply. The soft neoprene material is comfortable whether you're in a sweatshirt or shirtless, making it ideal for year-round workouts.

Features

Though weight vests are simple pieces of training equipment, there's a few features that help make them more comfortable or perform better. The Henkelion checks a few boxes for extra nice-to-have features, but also lacks some standard ones that we wish it had. One of the nicest features is the available weight ranges. The Henkelion is available in seven different weight options, ranging from six to 30 pounds, meaning you can find a weight that is right for you.

Having a variety of weight ranges helps dial in the right size vest for your needs and fitness level. Unfortunately, the weight of the vest is fixed, so you'll need to get a new vest if you want to adjust the weight at all as you get stronger. For each range, the neoprene padding is soft and comfortable.

While the Henkelion has a little pouch on the back of the vest, it's somewhat challenging to store anything in it, given the hard-to-reach location and relatively small size. The vest also lacks any type of weight cinch to help secure the vest.

Ease of Use

The Henkelion is one of the simplest vests we tested, and therefore is quite easy to use. Though it lacks some features that might improve performance, like adjustable weights or cinch straps, it doesn't detract from our overall perception of the vest.

Putting on the Henkelion is the same way you might put on a jacket. This design helps eliminate the sometimes awkward process of lifting a heavy vest over your head to slide on, or struggling to reach straps hanging behind your back.

We noticed no durability issues during testing. That said, the whole vest is made from elastic and neoprene, so we have minor concerns about the longevity over time, especially for heavier weight ranges.

Should You Buy the Henkelion Weighted Vest?

If you're looking for a budget-friendly and lightweight vest to add a little extra resistance to your workouts, we think the Henkelion is a great choice. After our testing regime, we think the best use cases for this style of vest are light cardio workouts or upping the challenge of some body-weight circuits, but it is comfortable across most kinds of workouts. Given its accessible price, the Henkelion would also be ideal if you're interested in trying a weight vest before investing more money.

What Other Weight Vests Should You Consider?

If you like everything about the Henkelion but want to consider another brand, the Zelus Weighted Vest is almost identical in both looks and performance. The APEXUP Weighted Vest is another similar model, but offers some adjustability with removable weights. If you're ready to make a bigger investment in a weight vest, the Rogue Plate Carrier is a bomb proof vest that will help really amp up your workouts to the next level. Though you'll need to buy plate weights separately, the Rogue fits a variety of body types, is secure across any type of activity, and is breathable, too!