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SBD Lever Belt vs Bay Gear Co. Lever Belt: Honest Comparison
SBD Lever Belt vs Bay Gear Co. Lever Belt: Honest Comparison
Quick answer: SBD's 13mm and 10mm lever belts are $310, IPF-approved, made of British cowhide in Sheffield, Great Britain, and use a patented lever that SBD says adjusts in seconds. The Bay Gear Co. Black Lever Belt is 10mm thick and $129.99, which is $180.01 less than either SBD belt. It's genuine leather suede with a black stainless steel lever, made by a veteran-owned brand, with free shipping from $49 and a prepaid return label. Pick SBD if you compete, want a 13mm belt, or want the most proven name in powerlifting belts. Pick Bay Gear Co. if you want a versatile 10mm lever belt for training at well under half the price, or a full belt-and-gear bundle for less than one SBD belt.
Searching "SBD lever belt" or "SBD belt alternative"? SBD is one of the best-known names in powerlifting gear, and its lever belt is a common sight at meets. We're Bay Gear Co., a veteran-owned brand that also sells a lever belt, so we get asked how ours compares.
This post compares the two using only what each brand lists on its own website, including where SBD is the better choice.
Bay Gear Co. isn't affiliated with SBD Apparel. "SBD" is used here only to identify their products. All SBD details come from us.sbdapparel.com (SBD's U.S. store), checked October 11, 2026.
SBD vs Bay Gear Co. Lever Belt at a Glance
Prices checked Oct 11, 2026; may change.
| SBD 13mm Lever Belt | Bay Gear Co. Black Lever Belt | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (listed) | $310 (the 10mm Lever Belt is also $310) | $129.99 |
| Thickness | 13mm, 10 cm wide (10mm version also sold) | 10mm |
| Material | Four layers of British cowhide and suede; black oiled leather with a red suede interior | Genuine leather suede with reinforced stitching, all black |
| Lever | Patented "gliding" lever; SBD says it adjusts like a prong belt | Black stainless steel lever |
| Sizes | XS to 5XL (22.5 to 59 in) | XS to 3XL on our size chart (22 to 65 in); |
| Federation | IPF approved; USAPL and USPA compliant, per SBD | IPF approved; USAPL and USPA compliant, |
| Reviews | 4.97 average, 350 reviews (13mm page) | 4.62 average, 21 Judge.me reviews |
| Free U.S. shipping | Orders $150+ (otherwise $5 flat rate) | Orders $49+ |
| Returns | 30 days from delivery, as new and not used for a workout; you pay return postage | 30 days on unused items, with a Free prepaid return label emailed to you |
| Warranty | Guaranteed against manufacturing defects (no time period listed) | We arrange a replacement for damaged or defective items |
| Who makes it | Handcrafted in Sheffield, Great Britain, since 2013 | Veteran-owned; founded by a U.S. Marine in 2017 |
Sources: SBD's 13mm Lever Belt and 10mm Lever Belt pages, shipping policy and refund policy. For Bay Gear Co., our Black Lever Belt page and size chart, and our shipping and refund policies.
Where SBD Is the Better Pick
- You compete, especially in the IPF. SBD lists its lever belts as IPF approved and USAPL and USPA compliant. The IPF only allows belts from approved manufacturers. We don't list federation approval for our belt, so if you're buying a belt for meet day, SBD is the clearer choice. Always check your federation's current rules before a meet.
- You want a 13mm belt. 13mm is the standard in competitive powerlifting and the thickest a belt can be under IPF rules. SBD makes both 13mm and 10mm. Our lever belt comes in 10mm only.
- You want to change your fit without tools. SBD says its patented lever gives you the adjustability of a prong belt with the tightness of a lever belt. Our lever is set to one size at a time. To change it, you move the lever with a screwdriver, like most standard lever belts.
- Reputation and reviews. SBD has been making gear in Sheffield since 2013, and its 13mm page shows 350 reviews averaging 4.97.
- You need a larger size. SBD goes up to 5XL. Our 2XL and 3XL were sold out when we checked.
Where Bay Gear Co. Stands Out
- Price. Our Black Lever Belt is $129.99, versus $310 for either SBD lever belt. That's $180.01 less, enough to cover a lot of other gear.
- A versatile 10mm thickness. Our belt is 10mm, the same thickness as SBD's 10mm Lever Belt. Many lifters choose 10mm because it's rigid enough for heavy squats and deadlifts but more flexible and quicker to break in than 13mm.
- Bundles. The Heavy Hitter Bundle packs our lever belt with 7mm knee sleeves, wrist wraps and lifting straps for $204.96 (regularly $234.96). That's less than one SBD belt. Our deals also include a lever belt plus knee sleeves at 50% off ($158.98) and a full wrap set with the lever belt for $49.99 ($173.95 total).
- Free shipping from $49. Both brands ship a belt free in the U.S. (SBD's minimum is $150). With us, the rest of your gear ships free too once you hit $49, and orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same day.
- A prepaid return label. Return unused items within 30 days, and we email you a prepaid label. SBD's policy has you pay return postage.
- Veteran-owned. Brian Young founded Bay Gear Co. in 2017 as an active-duty U.S. Marine, working out of his barracks room at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. We're veteran-owned and operated.
10mm vs 13mm: Which Thickness Do You Need?
Our belt is 10mm. SBD sells 13mm and 10mm at the same price. So the real question is which thickness suits the way you train.
- 10mm is the more common choice for many lifters. It's rigid enough for heavy squats and deadlifts, a little more flexible, and breaks in faster. That makes it a versatile pick for everything from powerlifting-style training to general strength work. Bay Gear Co. and SBD both make a 10mm lever belt.
- 13mm is the competition powerlifting standard and the thickest a belt can be under IPF rules. It's the stiffest option and takes longer to break in. Lifters who compete often prefer it. Only SBD offers 13mm here.
- Same thickness, different price. If you've settled on 10mm, our belt is $129.99 and SBD's is $310. SBD's 10mm belt is IPF approved; ours doesn't list federation approval.
Our best weightlifting belt guide covers thickness, width and sizing in more detail. If you're still deciding on the buckle, read Lever vs Prong vs Quick-Locking Lifting Belts.
Sizing: Measure Where the Belt Sits
Both brands tell you to measure around your midsection where the belt sits, not your pant size.
- SBD recommends measuring around your waist just above your belly button, with your abs braced, and picking a size where you land in the middle of the range.
- Bay Gear Co. says to measure around your core with clothes on, and not to use your waist or pant size. Our chart runs XS (22 to 29 in) to 3XL (56 to 65 in).
For a full walkthrough, see How to Wear a Weightlifting Belt.
Which Should You Buy?
- Buy SBD if you compete, want a 13mm belt or an IPF-approved 10mm, want to adjust your fit without a screwdriver, or need a size above 3XL.
- Buy Bay Gear Co. if you want a 10mm leather lever belt for training at $129.99, a full kit through our bundles, free shipping from $49 and a prepaid return label, and to support a veteran-owned brand.
- Not sure you need a belt yet? Start with Should I Wear a Lifting Belt? and How Much Does a Lifting Belt Add?
- Getting ready for a meet? Our powerlifting meet checklist covers what to pack.
- Comparing other brands? Read our Gymreapers vs Bay Gear Co. and Tuffwraps vs Bay Gear Co. wrist wrap comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the SBD lever belt?
When we checked on October 11, 2026, both the SBD 13mm Lever Belt and the 10mm Lever Belt were $310 on SBD's U.S. store. Prices may change.
Is the SBD lever belt IPF approved?
Yes. SBD lists both its 13mm and 10mm lever belts as IPF approved, and USAPL and USPA compliant.
What's the difference between the SBD 13mm and 10mm lever belts?
Both are 10 cm wide and $310. SBD describes the 13mm as four layers of British leather and suede, at the maximum thickness allowed in competitive powerlifting. The 10mm uses two cuts of hide and a low-profile buckle with rounded edges.
How do SBD lever belts fit?
SBD sells XS to 5XL, covering about 22.5 to 59 inches. They recommend measuring just above your belly button with your abs braced and picking the size where you land in the middle of the range.
Is the Bay Gear Co. lever belt competition legal?
We don't list federation approval for our lever belt. Some federations, including the IPF, only allow belts from approved manufacturers, so check your federation's current rulebook before you use any belt at a meet. Our belt is built for training.
How thick is the Bay Gear Co. lever belt?
The Bay Gear Co. Black Lever Belt is 10mm thick. That's the same thickness as SBD's 10mm Lever Belt and one step below the 13mm belts many competitive powerlifters use.
Is the SBD belt worth it?
If you compete or want a 13mm IPF-approved belt, it's hard to beat, and its 4.97 average across 350 reviews shows most buyers are happy with it. If you mostly train and want a 10mm leather lever belt for less, the Bay Gear Co. Black Lever Belt is $129.99.
Veteran-Owned, Built for Heavy Days
Brian Young started Bay Gear Co. in 2017 as an active-duty Marine at Camp Lejeune. We're still veteran-owned and operated, now based in Sebastian, Florida, and we pack and ship every order ourselves.
Find Your Belt
- Lever belt: Shop lever belts, $129.99
- Full kit: Heavy Hitter Bundle, $204.96
- More bundle deals: Shop deals
Free shipping on orders $49+, orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same day, and unused items can be returned within 30 days.