A good dip belt could be precisely what you need to shake up your training and have more fun with bodyweight exercises.
That said, picking the right belt can be challenging, as there are countless options on the market.
To that end, we’ve compiled this guide to review the five best dip belt options in 2023.
Let’s dive in.
More...
Longest Chain
If you’re looking for a belt with a longer chain, you cannot go with the one by Armageddon Sports. It features a 47” chain and has a decent capacity of 180 lbs, which is enough for most trainees.
Best Overall
The Gymreapers dip belt is a fantastic option for most people because it doesn’t cost much but works as intended. The chain is 30”, enough to support several weight plates, and you have a decent capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg).
With Strap
The belt only costs $40, and you can get it with next-day delivery thanks to Amazon Prime. The strap is 40” and is said to support up to 300 lbs, which is far more than what most people will ever need in their training.
We may earn a commission if you buy something through our links. Check out the affiliate disclaimer.
The 5 Best Dip Belts Money Can Buy In 2023
- Best Dip Belt Overall: Gymreapers Dip Belt
- Best Dip Belt (Runner-up): Rogue Dip Belt
- Dip Belt With The Longest Steel Chain: Armageddon Dipping Neoprene Belt
- Best Leather Dip Belt: Dark Iron Fitness Dip Belt
- Best Strap Dip Belt: Hypeletics Weighted Dip Belt
1. Best Dip Belt Overall: Gymreapers Dip Belt
Material: Cotton/neoprene
Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
Chain length: 30” (76.2 cm)
Waist size range: one size fits all
Belt length: 32” (81.3 cm)
Pros:
- Excellent weight limit
- Durable and of excellent quality
- Comfortable on the back
Cons:
- The chain could have been longer
The Gymreapers dip belt is a fantastic option for most people because it doesn’t cost much but works as intended. The chain is 30”, enough to support several weight plates, and you have a decent capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg).
The chain links to the D handles through carabiners, which are easy to use and allow you to adjust the load, dump the plates between sets, and not waste unnecessary time.
The padding makes the belt feel comfortable against the lower back and prevents bruising, even when you’ve attached more weight.
2. Best Dip Belt (Runner-up): Rogue Dip Belt
Material: Heavy-duty nylon
Weight capacity: not specified but likely over 250 lbs (113.5 kg)
Chain length: 30” (76.2 cm)
Waist size range: one size fits all
Belt length: 30.5” (77.5 cm)
Pros:
- Feels comfortable on the back
- It supports a decent amount of weight
- It has a cool Rogue design
Cons:
- Some people have reported that it wears down quickly
The Rogue dip belt is a popular option, mostly because the company is known for making high-quality lifting equipment. However, I didn’t rank their belt as number one because several reviews claimed it wasn’t that durable.
One user reported that the logo fell away almost entirely within four months of purchase. He stated that it still works fine after years of use, so I hope his belt is from a bad batch and the issue is resolved now.
Overall, the Rogue dip belt is not that different from most other options on the market. It consists of lightweight but incredibly durable synthetic material and comes with a 30” chain, which is enough for most people.
The belt feels comfortable to use and can support decent poundage.
3. Dip Belt With The Longest Steel Chain: Armageddon Dipping Neoprene Belt
Material: Neoprene
Weight capacity: 180 lbs (81.7 kg)
Chain length: 47” (119.4 cm)
Waist size range: one size fits all
Belt length: 30.7” (78 cm)
Pros:
- It has the longest chain available
- The back portion is wide and feels comfortable even with more weight
- Light and durable material
Cons:
- It doesn’t have the same weight capacity as other belts on the market
If you’re looking for a belt with a longer chain, you cannot go with the one by Armageddon Sports. It features a 47” chain and has a decent capacity of 180 lbs, which is enough for most trainees.
(Hey, if you can strap more than 180 lbs on yourself and do full range of motion pull-ups and dips, this belt might not be for you.)
Overall, the belt is made of quality neoprene and will likely last for years, even with regular and heavy use. The rear portion is quite wide, which allows for better weight distribution and a more comfortable fit during training.
4. Best Leather Dip Belt: Dark Iron Fitness Dip Belt
Material: Leather
Weight capacity: 270 lbs (122.6 kg)
Strap length: 40” (101.6 cm)
Waist size range: one size fits all
Belt length: Not specified
Pros:
- Made of durable leather
- The strap is 40”, which keeps the weight away from the groin area
- Comfortable fit and great support
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the stitching isn’t the best
The dip belt by Dark Iron Fitness is slightly different from the previous options on our list. First, it comes with a durable strap instead of a chain for the weights. The strap is 40” and able to support up to 270 lbs.
Second, the belt works slightly differently from most dip belts. Instead of simply throwing it around your waist and keeping it in position by loading weight plates, you strap it around your waist and tighten it in position.
As a result, the belt doesn’t drag against your body as much and feels more stable. Even if you load up more weight, the belt stays up, making it easier to walk around, set yourself up for exercises, and do reps.
Plus, thanks to the longer strap, the weight plates are farther from your groin, which is always a welcomed benefit.
The only real drawback is that the stitching might not be the best quality. Of course, that could simply be a case of a bad batch, but even if that’s not the case, the belt will likely last for at least a few years before you need to replace it.
5. Best Strap Dip Belt: Hypeletics Weighted Dip Belt
Material: Neoprene
Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136.2 kg)
Strap length: 40” (101.6 cm)
Waist size range: 30 - 40” (76.2 - 101.6 cm) regular size; 23 - 30" (58.4 - 76.2 cm) small size
Belt length: Not specified
Pros:
- The strap is 40” instead of the traditional 30”
- There are two size options: regular and small
- It has a great weight capacity
Cons:
- The weight capacity might be less than 300 lbs
I was wondering whether to put the Hypeletics dip belt in the first spot but decided not to because I don’t know that much about the company and if their products are as durable.
But, regardless of that, I wanted to include it in this list because even if it doesn’t last a decade, it works great and doesn’t cost much.
First, the belt only costs $40, and you can get it with next-day delivery thanks to Amazon Prime.
Second, the strap is 40” and is said to support up to 300 lbs, which is far more than what most people will ever need in their training. The advantage of the longer strap is that it keeps the weight plates lower, so the risk of a groin injury is much smaller.
Third, you get two size options: regular and small. The standard option will work for most people, but there is also an option for smaller lifters, which is great. Plus, the belt comes in several colors, including gray and green camo.
How to Buy The Best Dip Belt For Your Needs: 3 Things to Consider
1. Chain vs. Strap
The first thing to consider when purchasing a lifting belt is the hanging system––how the belt holds onto the weight plates.
Two common options include a steel chain and a nylon strap. The former solution is what companies have predominantly used, and it has stood the test of time. In contrast, the latter is a newer technology that leaves some trainees wondering how it could work.
Old school lifters might swear by chain dip belts because they are reliable and, apart from the carabiner wearing out over time, it is mostly a reliable setup.
However, a strap dip belt can also work great because the way you use it differs slightly. You must fasten the belt before putting the nylon strap through one or more weight plates.
The benefit is that the weight gets distributed more evenly around your waist, and you don’t feel the same tension around your groin area.
2. Chain/Strap Length
If you’re not planning to strap several weight plates to your body for dips, pull-ups, and other movements, the chain/strap length likely won’t matter much.
However, if you’re a stronger lifter or aspire to get as strong as possible, consider a dip belt with a longer chain or strap. For instance, the dip belt by Rogue has a chain length of 30” (76.2 cm), whereas the strap length of the Dark Iron Fitness dip belt is 40” (101.6 cm).
Looking to go even longer? The Armageddon Dipping Neoprene Belt has a 47” (119.4 cm) chain.
3. Material
As with lifting belts, knee sleeves, and other training tools, there isn’t a single best material for a dip belt; it all comes down to preferences.
Leather is more durable and feels more secure, but it can also be more uncomfortable and cause some bruising, especially if you load up more weight. That said, the belt will break in after some use and become more comfortable.
In contrast, nylon feels more comfortable from the start but isn’t as durable and might not be able to support as much weight as a heavy-duty leather belt.
Best Dip Belt Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How to use a dip belt?
Using a dip belt is pretty straightforward; most people figure it out quickly. With that said, there is some nuance depending on the type of belt you use, so here goes:
Chain Belt
With the chain attached to one side, place the belt on your lower back, squat down, and put the other end of the chain through the center of one or more weight plates. Then, attach the chain's open end to the other D ring via a carabiner.
Stand up carefully to protect your groin, and you’re ready.
Strap Belt
Put the belt around your waist and fasten it in position. Take the strap and attach it to one D ring. Crouch, grab the opposite end of the strap, and guide it through the center of one or more weight plates. Secure the strap to the second D ring, like you would when using a chain, and stand up.
2. How much weight can a dip belt hold?
Most dip belts should be able to support at least 220 to 250 lbs (100 to 113.5 kg).
3. What exercises can I use a dip belt for?
You can use a dip belt to overload a variety of exercises, including:
- Pull-ups/chin-ups
- Push-ups
- Dips
- Squats with your feet elevated on a couple of platforms
- Muscle-ups
4. Is a dip belt worth it?
A dip belt is worth it for everyone who can do at least 10 to 15 reps on bodyweight movements like pull-ups and dips.
A belt would allow you to overload each of these movements and provide the necessary stimulus without doing 12, 15, or even 20+ reps per set.
5. Are there any dip belt alternatives?
The two primary alternatives to a dip belt are:
- A weighted vest - these generally weigh from 10 to 150 lbs; using one can be more comfortable than a dip belt
- Free weight (dumbbell, weight plate, etc.) - for example, pinch a dumbbell between your feet and do dips or pull-ups
Best Dip Belt Final Words
Based on research, the best dip belt for 2023 is the Gymreapers Dip Belt. The belt is compact, easy to take with you, made of quality materials, and can support up to 300 lbs, which is enough for even the strongest lifters.
Of course, it’s always best to do your research and consider which belt might be best for you.
Read next:
Leave a Reply