A weightlifting belt may not seem like a necessity to everyone, but there’s no doubt that wearing one at the right time can be huge for your lifts. Some lifting belts are meant for powerlifting, some are meant for Olympic lifting, but others — like the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt — are able to be worn across multiple lifts. Lifting belts provide the means for your core muscles to stay tight since they can brace against the belt throughout the duration of your lift, decreasing your chance of injury.
There are a lot of belts out there that vary in materials used and style of latch. Due to its hybrid build with leather and nylon, and the self-locking buckle, we think this belt from Element 26 is a great option for anyone who’s looking for a versatile belt to toss in their gym bag. Its versatility makes it possible to rep out some squats and deadlifts one minute, then work through CrossFit workouts the next.
Main Takeaways
- The pairing of leather and nylon makes the Element 26 Hybrid Belt a good choice for powerlifts, Olympic-style lifts, and even CrossFit.
- The self-locking buckle makes it easy to get in and out of this belt in a split second.
- The Element 26 Hybrid Belt provides stability for your torso, allowing you to lift heavier during your powerlifts. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be used for more athletic movements, such as power cleans.
This hybrid lifting belt from Element 26 features a mix of leather and nylon for added versatility, and a self-locking buckle that makes it easy to put on and take off.
Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt Video Review
Our reviews writer, Jake, put this belt to the test during his detailed video review. Tag along as he breaks down everything there is to know about this belt, and helps you decide whether or not you want to toss it in your gym bag.
Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt Highlights
During our time with the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt, we felt as if it provided enough stability during our squats and deadlifts, and was versatile enough to accommodate power cleans. This is undoubtedly because of the mixed leather and nylon design. You’ll most often find a fully leather belt to be the optimal choice for powerlifting since these belts are thicker than nylon belts, and provide more stability. But, a nylon belt is typically your best bet for Olympic and CrossFit lifts. Luckily, Element 26 decided to give you the best of both worlds, so nearly every athlete can find usage out of this belt.
The self-locking buckle makes it easy to put on or take off between your sets or exercises, and the velcro keeps the strap locked in throughout your workouts. Now, it’s worth mentioning that it’s not as thick as a fully leather belt, meaning it might not provide as much stability for a heavy deadlift. It’s also not tapered in the front, so some athletes may have an issue with the belt restricting their breathing a little bit.
Who Should Buy The Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt
- Athletes looking for a versatile belt that can be used for powerlifting, Olympic lifts, and CrossFit may want to strongly consider the Element 26 Hybrid Belt.
- Those who are looking for a belt that provides both stability and comfort can rest assured that this belt checks off both of those characteristics. The leather will stabilize you, while the velcro strap will make you feel secure.
- Anyone looking for a new belt at a good price will be happy about the price tag of this belt, especially considering its versatility.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt
- Anyone who has a heavy emphasis in powerlifting may find that a fully leather belt can provide more stability.
- Folks who are looking for a belt that is tapered in the front may not enjoy the uniform width of the Element 26 Hybrid Belt.
- While the self-locking buckle feels secure to us, it may not be as secure as a belt with a lever.
Price
This Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt is priced right around $60 on the Element 26 website and Amazon. When you compare this price to the rest of the market, it’s a pretty solid deal. A lot of fully leather belts are priced at around $150, and there are some nylon belts that are also more expensive. Since you’re getting the best of both worlds with this belt, we think it’s one of the better-value options out there. Due to its high level of versatility, it’s likely going to be the only belt you’ll need.
Overall Build and Quality
The Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt is crafted with 100 percent premium leather, as well as nylon wrapped around the outside. This belt has a thickness of six millimeters, a four-inch wide profile, and a velcro strap to assist the steel self-locking buckle. With the velcro strap, you can always tighten the belt more if you need to.
While a fully leather belt may have a thicker design, it likely won’t be as versatile as this one. And you can find some belts out there that are a little cheaper, but they may not last you as long. This is a high-quality belt that also features a lifetime warranty to cover any manufacturing defects (such as a faulty buckle).
Features
Weightlifting belts don’t typically have a lot of features, but let’s break down the ones that stood out to us. The self-locking buckle is a quick and easy way to get in and out of the belt between your sets if you need a breather, or as you’re switching exercises. The velcro strap will assist the buckle and provides you with (practically) infinite adjustments.
Self-Locking Buckle and Velcro Strap
The self-locking buckle is one of the best features about this hybrid lifting belt. While some might argue a belt with a lever buckle may “lock” into place a little more securely, we felt completely secure with this belt. The self-locking buckle is easy to adjust and is paired with the velcro strap to ensure the belt doesn’t come loose. During our time with this belt, we never felt as if it was about to come undone during our workouts. Since the velcro strap is pretty long, you’ll likely constrict your breathing before you run out of room on the strap.
Taper
This lifting belt is not tapered in the front and has a uniform width of four inches all around.
A lot of belts do in fact feature a tapered front to allow you to bend at the hips more effectively for exercises such as deadlifts. While we didn’t have an issue with the lack of a tapered front, it’s understandable why some athletes would prefer the tapered design.
Color
The Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt only comes in black. If you’re looking for some variety in the appearance of your belt, you might want to consider the nylon belt. It’s worth mentioning though that the nylon likely won’t provide as much support as this hybrid belt can.
Product Specs
The Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt has a thickness of six millimeters that provides you with good support for your back when you’re about to hit a heavy deadlift. Plus, the uniform width of the belt will support your core. This belt comes in five different sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL), and features a lifetime warranty.
Materials
Instead of using one type of material to craft this belt, Element 26 decided to use both leather and nylon to create a more versatile lifting belt. The self-locking buckle is made from steel so you shouldn’t have to worry about it breaking on you, and the velcro strap is going to assist the buckle in keeping the belt locked in place.
Weightlifting Belt Type
This is a hybrid lifting belt that can be worn across multiple lifts rather than one specific style. A fully leather belt is typically meant for powerlifts (such as squats), while a nylon belt is designed for more explosive Olympic lifts — such as the clean & jerk.
Since this belt is designed with leather and nylon, you’ll be able to do it all — but since it’s not tapered in the front, you may have some issues when reaching over for your deadlifts.
Sizing and Dimensions
This lifting belt is six millimeters thick, and it has a uniform width of four inches to provide you with the proper support needed on your back and core for heavy lifts. While we didn’t have any issues with the width of this belt in the front, some people may feel more comfortable with a belt that is tapered. Since it’s available in five different sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL), there is an option for virtually everyone out there. The sizing will depend on the diameter of your body, but instead of measuring around your hips, you want to measure around your belly button since that’s where the belt will be positioned.
The extra small ranges from 23 to 27 inches, small ranges from 27 to 31 inches, and medium will be best for people with a measurement of anywhere between 31 to 36 inches. Large ranges from 36 to 40 inches, and extra large will be 40 to 45 inches. Since there is such a wide variety, odds are you’ll be able to find one that fits your needs.
Warranties
Element 26 tosses in a lifetime warranty on their belts. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, but it does cover any manufacturing defects. So if you have a faulty buckle, you can send it back, and they’ll replace it.
Places to Buy
You can buy this weightlifting belt directly through the Element 26 website or through Amazon.
Company Information
Element 26 was founded in 2017 by a doctor of physical therapy, and a US Army Veteran. Their mission is to end training setbacks due to injuries and limitations of the human body in the form of their products. To find out more about their operations, you can contact them at support@Element26.co, and someone from their support team will reach out to you.
Final Word
Weightlifting belts can be extremely beneficial to your lifting gains and help prevent you from injury. This hybrid lifting belt from Element 26 uses a combination of leather and nylon to provide you the stability needed for a one-rep max, and the versatility to rep out some power cleans. Since it’s not tapered in the front, some people may not find it to be as comfortable as they would like during their squats, but we do have to say, we didn’t experience any issues whatsoever during our workouts.
The self-locking buckle and velcro strap keeps your belt locked into place, and you shouldn’t have to worry about it coming undone while lifting. If you’re looking for a new lifting belt that you can use for all of your workouts and put on/take off easily, we think the Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt from Element 26 is a great option to consider.
FAQs
Why would I want to use the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifitng Belt?
To be blunt, you should use one to ensure you don’t get hurt while lifting heavy weights. Lifting belts are meant to give your core something to brace against and assist you in keeping proper form.
What workouts can I do with the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifitng Belt?
The cool thing about this lifting belt is that it can be used during all of your workouts. Whether you’re a powerlifter looking to rep out some squats or deadlifts, or an Olympic lifter wanting to spend the afternoon focusing on your power cleans — you can do it all while wearing this belt.
How much does the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt cost?
This belt from Element 26 will run you around $60. This is a really solid deal considering the high level of versatility it brings to the table. Fully leather belts tend to cost around $150, and some nylon belts are more expensive, as well. The Hybrid Leather Lifting Belt provides the support needed for a heavy squat or deadlift while allowing you to be mobile enough to work in explosive lifts like the clean & jerk.
