Definitely a premium belt. After a bit of Reddit research, I decided to go with Pioneer—and I’m glad I did. I love the design and craftsmanship. The PAL 2.0 lever is impressive but can be a little finicky; it needs to be perfectly aligned to lock in securely. Trying to get it set while keeping your core tight (and avoiding a pinch) can be tricky, and sometimes it pops out instead of locking. That’s my only gripe with an otherwise top-tier belt. The material quality is outstanding—this thing will probably outlast me and end up being passed down to my son without even being fully broken in. That says a lot. Big thanks to Pioneer for supporting the military and producing such a quality product.

Best lever belt on the market

So where do i start?. First, day 1 it felt soft and broken in.. Comfortable fit, the new lever is the best part though. Not only is it very secure, its extremely adjustable without needing a damn screwdriver every time.. This one wil be with me a long time!

I've owned and used several high-end lever belts over the years, but this was my first time trying a Pioneer belt. In Korea, most premium belts are available with domestic shipping, but Pioneer is only accessible through international orders. That made this purchase feel even more special — I’d heard the hype for so long, and finally decided to see it for myself. Let me just say — this belt absolutely delivers. After assembling the PAL 2.0 lever (which was super straightforward), I put the belt on, and instantly felt like my waist was being hugged — not just tightly, but warmly. It felt like my mom was giving me a gentle hug — secure, comforting, and incredibly natural. There was zero stiffness, no break-in period needed. The belt molded to my body immediately and locked in tight, filling every gap and creating amazing intra-abdominal pressure. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to feel this good right out of the box. The design? Absolutely stunning. But the real star here is the PAL 2.0 lever. It’s not just an improvement — it’s a whole evolution of what a lever belt can be. Some people say it’s a bit heavy, but seriously… we lift heavy things. A solid lever is a plus. The locking strength, micro-adjustability, and overall ease of use make this lever unmatched. There are plenty of imitation adjustable levers popping up lately, but once you experience the PAL 2.0, you’ll understand why it stands alone at the top. I’m not a competitive powerlifter — just a regular guy who trains seriously. Even so, the 10mm version is more than enough in both support and performance. I can’t imagine anyone trying this belt and thinking it’s lacking. And if someone does think that, I’d guess they’d find any 4-inch 10mm belt uncomfortable. To me, this belt sets the standard for what a lever belt should be. If you're on the fence — just try it. And if you still think I'm wrong, you're welcome to leave something unpleasant on my doorstep, and I’ll clean it up with a smile. Looking forward to trying a custom one someday... maybe even the 13mm.

Love this belt. Easy assembly. Excellent quality. Would buy again.