I’m in the market for a new belt. I already have a gigantic ass, full width and thickness powerlifting belt that I bought way back when. Sadly, at the time I didn’t really know what I was doing when it came to belts.
The belt is really not ideal for me. I’ve got a “short waist”, and the size of the belt makes it borderline useless for deadlifting on account of how hard it is to set up with it, on top of being extremely uncomfortable. In addition to this, it’s pretty much impossible to do power cleans with it due to the humongous, sticky out buckle on it.
I’ve been looking up belts at my local strength/combat sport store, and there’s quite a lot to choose from. Most of them are in the aforementioned gigantic ass powerlifting belt category.
There are some tapered belts there (Eleiko for example, which would be ideal for the quick lifts), but I haven’t seen any non-tapered narrower/thinner belts.
Anyone have any experience with tapered belts? If so, is there anything particularly wrong with them? I ask, because I’m thinking of just taking the Eleiko price hit and buying that tapered belt.
Best Belts is great. I got a standard powerlifting belt from them several years ago, and it’s been perfect. Everything is custom made, and they also offer 3" and tapered belts. Lead time can vary because it is a small family-owned business.
I would get a single prong 10mm, or lever 10mm. Prong more durable, lever more convenient for getting on and off. In terms of brands, Inzer, SBD, strengthshop or, if you can afford it and wait a couple of weeks, Best Belts.
Went and grabbed the latest model of Schiek’s neoprene belt. It passed muster with an extremely strong powerlifter friend of mine, so I figured it at least won’t fall apart on me.
Would have bought a narrower leather belt, but unfortunately couldn’t find any…