A lifting belt is an essential weightlifting accessory for all severe iron pumpers. While there are a lot of brands and styles to choose from, lifting belts can be divided into two basic categories:

• Nylon
• Leather

The type you choose is a big deal. If it doesn’t match your training goals and lifting habits, it may actually make your workouts less effective.

In this article, I’ll compare the benefits and drawbacks of leather and nylon lifting belts and show you how to match your belt to your training goals.

Leather Belt Anatomy

A leather weightlifting belt is constructed from high-quality leather sourced from the hides of animals such as cows and buffalo. Here’s an overview of the construction process:

1. Premium-grade leather is selected on the basis of thickness, flexibility, and quality.
2. The leather undergoes a series of treatments to strengthen and enhance its durability. These include tanning, dyeing, and conditioning.
3. The leather is cut into strips to create the belt.
4. The edges of the belt are bevelled to prevent fraying.
5. The leather is stitched together with heavy-duty thread or reinforced with rivets to enhance strength.
6. The buckle and closure mechanism are added to the belt.

The thickness of a leather lifting belt usually varies between 10 and 13mm. Leather belts are the stiffest and most rigid type of lifting belt, making them more suitable for people who are training with heavy loads (greater than 80% of their one-rep max).

Leather lifting belts feature three different closure systems:

1. Single Prong
2. Double Prong
3. Lever

You can also buy triple-pronged buckles to provide the absolute best in rigid fastening. Pronged belts are generally considered secure and reliable. Lever closures feature a lever, hinge, and locking mechanism. They allow for quicker fastening and release and consistent tightness.

Some leather weightlifting belts feature a tapered design, being wider at the back and thinner at the front. The smaller front portions reduce discomfort and lack of movement through the ribcage and hips. This may allow you to achieve a deeper squat. Tapered leather belts are generally more comfortable to wear than those with a standard width.

Check out the all-new Unleash tapered 7mm IPF-approved leather lifting belt from IronBull. It’s a game-changer!

Nylon Belt Anatomy

Nylon weightlifting belts are made from synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. During the construction process, several layers of high-strength nylon or polyester fabric are woven together to produce a thick, supportive belt. The layers are then reinforced through stitching or bonding to make them stronger.

Nylon belt closing mechanisms include velcro straps, hook and loop fasteners, and quick-release buckles.

Nylon belts are lighter and more flexible than leather belts.

Leather vs Nylon Belts: Key Differences

Leather and nylon lifting belts serve the same basic purpose - to increase intra-abdominal pressure during lifting - the different materials used produce different effects. Here’s the breakdown:

• Leather belts are more durable and stronger than nylon belts.
• Many people consider leather belts to be more aesthetically appealing than nylon belts (i.e. they look cooler!).
• Nylon belts are lighter, more flexible, and provide better moisture resistance than leather belts.
• Nylon belts are more prone to wear and tear, including fraying at the edges.
• Leather belts are more rigid than nylon belts, making them potentially less comfortable to wear.
• Nylon belts are more flexible, promoting natural movement when doing dynamic exercises.
• Leather belts are generally recognized as having a more secure fastening system.
• Nylon belts may feature a nylon fastening system that may lose its strength over time.
• Leather belts are more expensive than nylon belts. The materials used are more expensive, and the craftsmanship is more in-depth.

Leather Belt Pros

• Leather belts provide exceptionally rigid support for the core. This increases intra-abdominal pressure, helping you push heavier weights.
• Leather belts are more resilient and durable than nylon belts. If you care for your leather belt, it will last for decades.
• Leather belts are thicker than nylon belts, with a typical range between 10 and 13mm. This compares to 5 to 7mm for nylon.
• The buckle and prong fastening mechanism found on most leather belts is considered to be more secure and reliable than the velcro found on many nylon belts.
• Leather belts have a more classic, rugged look, which appeals to many people.

Leather Belt Cons

• Leather belts are more expensive than nylon belts. Due to their durability, however, a leather belt will end up being a better long-term investment.
• Leather belts are heavier than nylon belts.
• Leather belts may require a break-in period to soften the leather to the shape of the user’s body. The belt will feel stiff and uncomfortable during this time.
• Leather belts require more maintenance than nylon belts to prevent cracking or drying.
• Leather is susceptible to moisture and sweat damage.
• Leather belts have limited flexibility and range of motion.
• Extreme heat or cold may cause the leather to expand or become brittle.

Nylon Belt Pros

• Nylon belts are less expensive than leather belts.
• Nylon is a more flexible material, allowing wearers to move more freely.
• Nylon is a lighter material.
• Nylon belts weigh less than leather belts so that the wearer doesn’t feel as weighed down.
• Nylon is water resistant.
• Nylon belts are easier to clean and maintain than leather belts.
• Nylon belts offer safer adjustability than leather belts.

Nylon Cons

• Nylon belts may stretch, fray, or wear out over time.
• Nylon belts are not as supportive and stable as leather belts.
• Nylon belts are more likely to retain their new odor than leather belts.

Leather vs Nylon Belts: Buying Considerations

Now that we’ve completed a comparative breakdown between leather and nylon, we’re in a position to make some recommendations based on training goals and workout intensity.

Training Goals

• If your main goal is to lift heavy weight (80% or more of your one rep max) on compound exercises like squats and deadlifts, you should choose a leather lifting belt. That’s because leather provides greater intra-abdominal support to allow you to push against the belt as you lift.
• If your training is centered around functional training with dynamic movements or CrossFit, you will be better off with a nylon lifting belt.

Workout intensity

• A leather belt is the way to go if you train for powerlifting competitions or engage in high-intensity lifting sessions.
• For lighter lifting sessions, general fitness training, or conditioning workouts, a nylon belt will give you the support you need without the rigidity that could impede movement.

Comfort and Fit

• A nylon belt will provide you with a more comfortable, flexible fit than a leather belt.
• A leather belt gives you a firmer, more structured fit.

Price

• Leather belts are more expensive but longer lasting, so they represent a better overall value for money.

Aesthetics

• Leather lifting belts provide a classic, timeless look.
• Nylon belts have a more modern, utilitarian appearance.

Bottom Line

Invest in a leather lifting belt if you’re a powerlifter, bodybuilder, or other serious lifter who trains with 80 percent or more of your one rep max.

A nylon belt is the better option if you are a CrossFitter or a general fitness trainer, or if you wear your lifting belt while doing exercises other than squats, deadlifts, and Olympic lifts.

Check out the IronBull range of leather and nylon lifting belts.