Lifting Belts - Thickness - 10mm or 13mm 

An informed customer is the best customer! Holds us and other manufacturers accountable and they’ll more often than not get a product they expect and love! Thanks B! Great informative video

Insane how big the small differences can be on some of these! Thanks for sharing and educating, Brandon!

Edit: If there are any vegans or vegetarians out there, don’t worry, there are actually several leather alternatives now. I don’t own any so I can’t recommend a company but at least you have some options Okay original comment here Thanks Brandon. I got my 13mm back in 2011 or so from a small American company by the name of Best Belts. Can’t believe how well it has held up and how underrated this company is. Just figured I’d share for others out there..

That's crazy man, never even crossed my mind that there were all those variations between the belts. Perfect timing too, been thinking its time for a new belt haha

This is by far the most informative review I have seen on just about any weight training equipment. Basement Brandon is very detailed, thorough and honest about equipment he reviews.

Fantastic info and thanks for dropping that knowledge on us! I was already thinking my next belt would be 13mm double suede and now I feel comfortable going with that step up from my 10mm double suede.

I’ve had a 13mm from Inzer belt since around the same time as your original review back in 2013 and although it hurt like hell to break in, still looks brand new.

Got myself a 13mm double suede Inzer lever belt with the PAL. Had it for about 7 years now and love it. Got the PAL about a year ago, definitely a solid upgrade for old faithful. Would highly recommend.

I bought an expensive belt (Inzer Forever), too thick and stiff. I regret it. The double prong is too hard to close it.

I’m only 21 so I went with the Inzer 13mm all-leather so it’ll be broken in by the time my grandson is ready to set the deadlift world record on Jupiter.

I don't think I've got the commitment level it takes to break in a 13mm belt....:)

5:39 "a 6 and a 7, a 7 and.... 5 and half." Commutative property of addition, man!

Hi Brandon, I’ve currently got an 8.5mm belt with single suede so about the general 6.5mm of leather. If looking for a step up in thickness, would you say a 10mm single suede would provide a noticeable support increase or would a 13mm double suede be a better choice. I’m also curious as to what is your personal choice in thickness and if you feel stronger or more comfortable with particular belts. Thanks

Thanks for this thorough and clear breakdown. Would love to see other similar analyses. Actually just found out the belt I have been using (Rogue) is not "legal" for the first PL meet I just registered for. It's 5 inches and max is 4. Going to need to find a new one to break it in, so this was super helpful.

I use a 13mm Inzer lever belt for squat and a 10mm single-prong A7 (w/ 1/2" holes) for deadlift. I believe the A7 is made by Pioneer. Being able to adjust in 1/2" increments for deadlift has been a game changer for me.

But what if I wear my 10mm under my 13mm?

Even the millimeters matter 😂

10mm all day.. The Pioneer belts are super solid and 10mm is ridiculously nice!

Great nerd out on belts. Lot of good info. Wish I saw this when I first started using/understand how to use lifting belts.

I'm 5'7 and have more issues with the height of belts. It's okay during squats but when I deadlift it gets really annoying.

Under what category would the SBD belt fall under?

I thought more of Brandon than to have a non aligned dumbbell!

well damn I wish I knew about the suede trick before I ordered my belt. 10mm full leather is a painnnnn

I think I just realized I need all the belts

Very helpfull, thank you Brandon. Gonna get my first belt soon. Thinking about a Pioneer Lever Belt. I have been lifting beltless for 4 Years and was not sure at all what to do, as there seem to be no shops in Berlin that have proper belts. I am 196cm (6.5 I think) and about 160kg (350lbs) so I am still very unsure what exactly would be best for me. But this is a great start.

Very cool to provide such a detailed video. Top notch Brandon! Im not in the market for a belt, but I’m saving this video so I can go back to it when I am. I’ve done that with so many of your videos and used your info to build pretty much my entire gym

Nice. Did not know these details

can you review the transformer bar?

"Suede" (which is also leather)

If you’re down with the thickness the only answer is the SBD belt

Great video, anyone looking to buy a belt should watch this first

Ayy, what I like to see. Still inzer is my favorite belt

Not gonna lie I just went with the 13mm no suede all leather belt and I love it, yes it leaves bruises but idk love it seems as if I have a Kevlar or sth

Brandon! Not sure if you are aware of this but it looks like the Luxiaojun SS powerbar is Marked down to $319!!!! Daaaaaang and I paid $399. :(…

Awesome breakdown! I was unaware that the suede layer was 2mm

Team sbd 👀 I need a custom pioneer belt tho

I haven't had a new belt since before most of you were born, and it became time finally to buy a new belt. Those old single ply belts, while they break in, in 15 minutes, are fairly worthless. In a way, I do wish that I had purchased a 10mm belt just for the break in period, but I bought a 13mm with a suede lining layer. The why is because I overdo everything. I watched videos on how to break the belt in, and they did help. Roll that belt until it is pliable, and wear it for everything whether needed, or not.

Whats your opinion on Stoics lever belt compared to Pioneer or SBD?

I find that when I wear a lifting belt my squat and deadlift numbers go up. Does the mm thickness also play into that? i.e. if I wear a 13mm full leather vs a 10mm double suede will I be able to lift more in the 13mm than the 10mm?

10mm

Strength Shop USA belts are artificial leather, that still counts i am assuming. I love it.

Do you still prefer the 13mm with double suede over something like the SBD belt?

Excellent overview this x and your lever video really helped me decide on a belt to order

Still waiting for the PAL comparison review. You said you would do it after your initial impressions.

Super helpful, now would just love a recommendation of pal (pal v2 vs pioneer cut) or maybe new vid coming soon? Thanks!

I have a 10mm full leather belt. It's a stock PAL belt from Pioneer. I have had it since July 2021 and I use it 2 to 3 sessions a week. It could be that this belt is still fairly "young" but I can't imagine needing a stiffer belt than this, even for competition. Time will tell, I suppose.

Looking for an adjustable lever belt. I think I landed on a Pioneer PAL V2 after watching your videos. The question I have is this the correct belt for me or not and if so and what thickness/combination should I get? I currently use a Rogue Ohio Belt and my current 1RM are: 550lb deadlift and 450lb squat. Thank you and keep up the great content.

How do you get a belt only if you already have the lever? I’ve only found belts with lever included…thanks

I have a Pioneer lever belt and Strength Co suede/leather belt single prong. The Strength Co belt is perfect. No break in and doesn’t slide around during lifting.

Brandon, I urge that you go for a BeltFed belt! You’ll change your mind and realize these belts don’t compare to a full handmade belt from him.

Can you get as tight with a pioneer cut as with a lever? Way easier for me to get the tightness I want with a lever so never use the PC belt

Great video! Very informative. You explained it really well and how they vary depending how much leather they have.

currently waiting for my 3in 10mm double suede pioneer cut from their xmas sale

How’s the preacher pad in the background? I’m looking at getting one.

A non home equipment gym review???? WHAT YEAR IS IT?!

That…. Was some Scott Steiner promo level of maths right durr.

My head hurts from all this math. I just want to lift the heavy iron, man.

Great job with a very clear explanation!! Also, your shirt is pretty cool because all of my belts are Pioneer as well!

NGL. Screenshoted 8:02 for future quick reference. 😁

I need every mm I can get. Every mm counts!

Super informative, thanks.

No questions - I just wanna say I love getting up in the morning and seeing you have a new video up. Nothing better to enjoy with a coffee and a Tim Tam!

Can you please do a review of the Wahlanders belt?

tried the 10mm full on leather from pioneer way too stiff for my liking, so this one is going back and 8.5mm single suede is on the way now

When I purchased my belt about 4 years ago, I went with 13mm full leather. The first time I tried using it, I literally needed someone else to help me get it off of me because of how stiff it was. Whenever I would squat, it would pinch my love handles and literally make them bleed, leaving my waist bruised after every training session. It's currently the most comfortable feeling in the world to put that belt on now, but my god was the break-in period absolutely brutal.

thats a great video! Nice! Very clear

Very comprehensive info. Thanks 🙏

I love my Inzer Forever 10 mm belt

You forgot to mention prong styles. I've owned many belts of just about every style and material and I completely agree that the 10mm double- suede is the best all-around choice. But although the double-prong is more common, in my experience the single-prong is more comfortable and easier to use. I also prefer the single-prong over lever-styles because the lever-style limits you to one size whereas the single-prong is easy and quick to adjust sizing from day-to-day or even lift-to-lift. For example I usually tighten one extra notch for heavy squats. The lever styles are a little more streamlined but their lack of easy adjustability negates any advantages in my opinion. Have not tried an SBD so my lever experience comes from the older style lever belts.

Ive had a wahlander belt since 2018. Still looks great. Pioneer looks great tho, guess Ill check if they are ipf approved. Before that i had so many stupid belts.

this was extremely informative! thank you

Thank you. This was helpful

Thank you for this. Appreciate the info!

Is it bad I’ve never used a belt

Thanks for explaining!

Heya Brandon, solid video. I already have a 10mm single prong full leather pioneer belt and it's serving me really well. Your thoughts on the new pal lever system from pioneer? Worth a buy?

thank you

Yes ! More guides !

Awesome, incredibly informative!

👍

This was great. Now, solve my 3” vs 4” debate for one belt to rule them all.

Thanks for the valuable information. Appreciate it 👍🏼

This is an interesting video, albeit a bit long-winded LOL. As someone who has worked with leather for quite some time, I'd like to clarify and possibly simplify a couple of points. Vegetable tanned Saddle skirting, which can be as thick as 7mm, is essentially a cows full hide. Leather, when layered, is a lot like plywood. A multi layered item will have a stronger tensile strength when compared to anything made from a single layer. I would advise against the use of suede as an inner layer. Although suede provides a bit of grip, it doesn't add to the strength of the belt at all. In fact, its sponge like texture will soak up sweat, dead skin, and stain and stink much faster than smooth finished leather. Moisture will accelerate the decay of the leather. Suede should only be used for appearance sake. Two to three layers of vegetable tanned leather can equal the exact thickness that you would like. Leather crafters have a tool known as a splitter that can thin the leather perfectly even with the exact thickness you'd like. And essentially, you'd have a much longer lasting belt over the belt with a thinner core and suede added. As a maker, it's in my best interest for your belt to wear out, because it's additional business for me. As a consumer, all I can say is, choose wisely.