10mm vs 13mm Belt - Which Belt is Best? (SBD Belt Review)

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[@sndr2977]

Keep in mind, that belt stiffness is determined by the construction used, so it is not that straightforward to compare different belts just by their thickness: most belts use suede layers on the inside, and some on the outside as well. Suede adds almost nothing to the stiffness of a belt, it is all about the full grain leather layer. So a 10mm belt made completely out of full grain leather will be stiffer than a 13mm double suede belt, which is 9mm full grain leather with 2x2mm suede on sides. As for the SBDs, they probably use the same single suede construction on both, so it is 3mm (about 30%) less full grain leather in the 10mm version. It seems this doesn't matter stiffness wise, but it is for sure less bulk.

[@powerliftingpremedcrafter473]

Wow thank u for this info! Very helpful comment

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

This is good info and likely accounts for the feel that I have never really been interested until the SBD

[@danolo2762]

@sndr2977 Just wondering, what belt thickness do you recommend? I'm lean and I do convencional deadlift, I'm worried the 13mm might be to bulky for me or dig too much into my body. Don't want to buy a belt i will regret. What is your advice?

[@tony312x]

Great review and great timing! Thanks 🙏

[@PeterMarkAzzopardi]

Just the video I've been searching for to decide to get a 10mm or 13mm belt. Brilliant presentation and informative, thanks!

[@ciscokidcspf]

I've noticed, as a thinner bodied lifter, with a decent total, it's how well the leather conforms do your ribcage that allows you to utilize the leather best, some 13s will conform well, others won't at all, but 10mm always will

[@6packonlyripped604]

Nope it's preference for everyone what you might like others won't

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

Isn’t this what the original commenter said? It seems like you have never watched my channel before based on multiple dumb comments back to back. So let’s just take a second to think before commenting in the future. Or just don’t.

[@lillygarza3982]

completely agree not to mention my friend squats with a 13mm and the belt has cut her leg many times since she has a more closed squat that's why I loved that sbd made thier 10mm more rounded edges on the lever

[@van3ssa.f]

Thank you for your recommendation!

[@quadratuslumborum822]

I used 10mm (Inzer) belt for multiple years, but recently tried 13mm (SBD) and liked it for squats. For deadlift (conventional) i don't feel any difference when i wear it with buckle on the side. With buckle on the front its not comfortable for both 10mm and 13mm.

[@shortycareface9678]

I'm a smaller lifter, and I use my 13mm belt for all three lifts. Yeah, bench also; I just find that it helps me stay braced better, and I don't find it interfering with my arch (maybe cause I don't have a huuuge arch). Talked to quite a few people who say the buckle on the 13mm belt interferes with their deadlift, though... I guess I have a body type and lifting techniques where I don't have any issues with the 13mm getting in the way.

[@edn8539]

great video and personality sir can easily see you get to 1M+ subscribers if you push out content. keep at it

[@DavidBlained]

as a bigger lifter i can agree on the deadlift portion. due to how the sbd overlaps it compresses you even further (having a gut already gets in the way), leading you to feel very out of position. swapped out to a 13mm wahlander and that problem went away. therefore i use 2 belts - 13mm sbd for squats and wahlanders for deadlifts. kinda interested in how the 10mm would feel.

[@BraedonStorey]

As a 5’11” 220 pound dude, thankyou! I was wondering which belt I should get first

[@keepit100kg]

I've had 10mm and 13mm at this point over the years and can echo a lot of what you have said here. My personal feelings as a lifter that is 6'2" and float around 220-250 lbs: - 13mm lever belts feel the best on squat; the most rigidity just feels the best - 10mm prong belts feel the best on bench; I actually like belts on bench but the slight pliability and less tolerance here feels the best for my moderate arch - deadlift it can go either way; 13mm lever feels better for my sumo but a 10mm lever or prong on concentional/accessories feels like I can maintain my brace better All in all, I keep a 13mm Pioneer lever and 10mm Pioneer single prong belts in the bag. This works the best for me in my personal use but could be wildly overboard for smaller lifters where I agree the 10mm could be perfect for all 2-3 lifts (depending on bench arch capability).

[@ChefIan07]

Thanks for the info Ima go With the 10mm

[@ClarksvilleBarbellClub]

Very interesting conversation, brother!

[@Indiapapa100]

I'm 5'8 and recently just cut from 180lbs to 156. When I was heavier, my 13mm belt was fine. But I lost a lot of fat around my midsection, and my 13mm became really uncomfortable on my ribs and hips. A new 10mm belt has seemed to be much more comfortable.

[@ibrahim_-_-_]

how much fuckin money do you have laying around to be buying belts left and right for your bulk and cut cycles 😂 dawg i don’t even… nvm 💀

[@FrankPapadakis]

I've always used my 13mm SBD belt for deads, squats, strict OHP, but don't wear a belt when benching. I've never really felt like the 13mm gets in the way like some people say it does for them. I'm 5'9", right around 205lbs. I think the only difference between a 10mm and 13mm belt is just personal preference and whatever allows you to be mentally more confident, and the mental confidence is what allows better performance.

[@thomaswang225]

As a thinner lifter 5’11 160lb， 10mm is much better than 13

[@StephColbertsonStrength]

100% agree. I switched to a 10mm on deadlift about 5kg of bodyweight ago. I tried to deadlift with my 13mm not long ago and it was very much in the way. But the 13mm still feels great on squat. For context I’m 6’2” currently about 110kg.

[@bradevans8714]

If you could only afford one, which would you get?

[@StephColbertsonStrength]

@@bradevans8714 I got the 10mm. And I love it!

[@danolo2762]

At this point I'm pretty sure I should buy the 10mm due to low body fat an convencional deadlift. However, I still got doubts if I'm losing kg's in squat for not going with the 13mm version. Did you see any quatifiable difference from squatting in 10 instead of the usual 13 mm?

[@botwhale4494]

I’m a bigger bodies lifter and I’m wanting to buy a belt, I’ve been looking at a gymreapers 10mm belt but I’m wondering if there’s a better option around the $100-150 range?

[@CSEducator]

Just received my 10mm SBD belt today. Once I figured out how tight it should be and where to position it, ALL was good. I felt the difference when I was squatting and deadlifting versus that velcro belt I used. The SBD belt gets a "10."

[@stevo946]

I'm using an inzer 10mm lever belt. I haven't felt it stretch at all

[@nikpry]

Hey. Good video. Trying to decide which one to choose(187, 75kg). Wanna hear ur opinion. Thanks in advance.

[@DylanQuitoriano]

I used my 13mm SBD my whole time PL for everything. But after my last meet when I purchased the a7 10mm prong for deads. My sumo has felt so much nicer. I still have a wall to brace against but I can get into a better position for the pull. For Conv I still like using my SBD since I am not in such an advantageous positioning so I just need a hard wall to brace against.

[@danolo2762]

Did your deadlift increase thanks to the prong 10mm belt?

[@shouman3277]

Hey man my waist is 28.5-29 I got medium but I am on the 2nd last whole too get bigger meaning I have about 2 inches more to grow if I want too should I stick with medium or get large?

[@MarkarthCityGuard]

Best belt I ever used is my rogue 3 inch ohio belt. 10 mm and thinner than usual. Great for a 5'3 man with long limbs (short torso). Brutal breakin period but now it's perfectly molded to me. I'll die a little inside if that thing ever breaks.

[@nikkolitesla]

pioneer makes a 8.5 , 10, and 13mm with either a 4 inch width or 3 inch

[@MeharBhogal]

Funny. Pre sbd era, it was the norm to use a 10mm and 13 was reserved for tbe larger males.

[@henrikeheidrunsdottir]

I'm a 1,60cm +84 kg lifter with short legs and longer torso. I prefer the 13mm for Squat and the 10mm for bench and deadlifts. with the 13mm for Deadlifts I can't get into start position and hitch really bad above 130 kg

[@khailephd]

I feel the most support from a Valero belt

[@Lucas-tg3hv]

10mm is more comfortable but as someone who is required to use faux leather i still opt for 13mm for rhe extra support

[@grandadmiralthrawn66]

I'd just get the 13mm. Normally other brands discount the 10mm version of their belts due to using less leather, but since SBD makes them the same price you might as well get the 13mm.

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

My understanding is that SBD used a a different leather on the 10mm than the 13 to get the stiffness that they want, and that the margins are a good bit lower on the 10. That’s why the SBD 10 feels a good bit stiffer than other 10s. So you are getting a discount here in what it cost to produce. There are also many other points in the video as to why many people will probably prefer the 10mm.

[@aeirou2787]

Im prolly gonna go for it and byu the 10mm sbd as im more of a smaller lifter with wide hips. I was wondering should i go for the M (72.5-90cm) or L (80-100cm) size when my waist is around 83-84cm when relaxed and around 87cm when braced. I like to have the belt real tight so i dont know what to do🥲 Someone please help me

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

You shouldn’t be measuring braced. I would make the choice if you are going up or down in body weight. Sounds like the large would be better long term. Also, you might want to take a look at how you are bracing. “Real tight” usually isn’t better. You want to be able to expand into it and not be constricted.

[@jordaneggers7289]

Define ‘small lifter’ I’m 6’3, fluctuate between 260-270ish and am looking for my first belt (started lifting 4 and a half years ago) All the research I’ve done points me towards the SBD, it has a lot of features I love and I’m trying to get longevity out of putting that much money into it. Being taller and thicker, to your point, I’m thinking 13mm just by default because I’m a bigger guy. Should I instead look more seriously at the 10mm? I feel I’d be big enough that the belt ‘wouldn’t get in my way’ 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@jeremiahcrowley8178]

Interesting dilemma, i had bought a sbd 13 in the past but had to return because it was suffocating and stuck with my inzer 13, wondering if 10mm sbd would work perfectly for me being 90kg

[@zillox2241]

At 90 I would stay with a 13 unless you’re pretty lean for ur class and have a solid midsection

[@mavic9000]

I am 1.79 cm and 82kg, I have tried both the 13mm and the 10mm and personally like the 10mm a lot better.

[@King-sd5vg]

I've used a 10mm better cause it's been my only option for a while, and weirdly the onyl issue I've ever had is when I squat down at the bottom it pinches my stomach and makes it impossible to squat if I don't get it in the perfect spot, I've tried sbd the original sbd belt and it's weird that a thicker belt didn't feel worse on squat

[@kbroluffy2038]

Modula tan bien que KZbin lo traduce a la perfección automáticamente

[@bradevans8714]

I'm 6'1" and about 210-215 lbs. I own a single prong bodybuilding style belt that is not as tall in the front as it is in the back. Looking to buy my first powerlifting style lever belt. Thinking of training for a local meet in the fall. If I understand correctly, you recommend 10mm as a better "all around" belt than 13mm? I can't afford to buy both

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

For most people, they would never notice the benefits of the 13mm over the 10mm if they had never used the 13. The 10mm could very easily be the lifetime belt for you. If you have no experience with a thicker belt, I would 100% go the 10mm and I think you will be very happy.

[@Ask-Ali]

Any anecdotes from someone’s who’s on the lighter side? I’m around 66kg (145 lbs) 5”8’. I’ve always used the 13 but considering switching to the 10.

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

I think almost all smaller lifters I know are very excited on the 10 and most have stayed with a 10 their whole life. I just focused on larger lifters in the video because they felt like more of a “surprise” to me. But yea, smaller lifters probably will be more comfortable in a 10.

[@Ask-Ali]

@@BrazosValleyStrength for both lifts? I’m excited to try out this 10 then. Just curious, what would constitute a larger lifter then? Like, where’s the cutoff?

[@disturbingpete]

Personally I have a short distance between my rib cage and hips and find difficulty using a 4” belt regardless of thickness

[@nikkolitesla]

pioneer makes a 3 in

[@topzozzle5642]

Your overal size matters less than just the size of your torso, because that's where you put the belt...hopefully. Its also important to understand how having suede on your belt interferes with the thickness of the leather. Regardless if you decide to go with a 10 or 13mm, i recommend always going full leather. You can have a 13mm belt, but if both sides are covered in suede you're going to end up with maybe 9mm of actual leather at best. This means that a 10mm belt can be thicker than a 13mm one, this also means that if you have a 10mm belt with two or more pieces of suede you're not getting a lot of support. we need to learn to look beyond 10 and 13mm. Obviously 13mm full leather gives you the most support and i think what Dave is saying here is ''how much is too much?'', purely personal preference imo. its also important to understand that your belt will concave when you brace, putting more tension towards the middle of the belt and decreasing the surface area that actually provides support. full leather does this a little, leather with suede does it a lot and it gets worse over time.

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

10mm and 13mm are the actual measurements of thickness of the belt with calipers.

[@z3emalz3ma28]

I need some help right here! I am about to buy my first SBD belt, but I doubt, should I go for 13 or 10mm...... can anyone help me with this ?

[@z3emalz3ma28]

I am somewhere between 174cm and 180 cm and weight 108kg

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

If you have never used a 13 then I would recommend the 10 and I don’t think you would miss the 13 at all.

[@toady5426]

i just got a 13mm belt from sbd, and im wondering if i shouldve got the 10mm insted

[@stevo946]

Any thoughts now?

[@asianlikesboba]

what r ur thoughts now

[@padalox2518]

Was looking for a belt…

[@Metalmachine18]

Dammit David I wanted you to say it doesn’t matter. Lucky Christmas is coming I guess

[@BrazosValleyStrength]

Woulda said it a month ago probably.

[@YuvrajSingh-xf5gw]

The belt looks dope

[@GoodEnough030]

4:26

[@stevo946]

10mm is fine

[@stefang.291]

Support Comment

[@6packonlyripped604]

Bro squatting sumo lol

[@NayomiPennant]

Couldn't justify having £400 worth of belts To be honest if I was going to go for a second belt, I'd want something with a bigger point of difference to the belt I already had.

[@thugwafflebro8062]

You’re hot.

[@kevinfu-qw1gh]

Can u just get straight to the point and stop yapping 😂

[@hairyape_8103]

We are talking about 3mm here 😂. Power lifters are funny creatures

[@videofocus2010]

1000% 😁

[@wilsonman8661]

Maybe you don't care about a 3mm difference, but do you care about a 30% difference?

[@snorlaxcom]

Overpriced SBD products... Knee sleeves were a big indication that SBD passes off lower quality at S prices. They went cheap on the later neoprene formulas and had to correct it because Inzer called them out with the next age of neoprene. They lost my confidence.