Single vs Double Ply Belt

I am planning to buy a new belt and figured I would purchase a Starting Strength belt; it seems to be the highest quality belt. I was wondering if a single or double ply belt would be better for me. I have been training a few years and am well passed the novice phase. I have been using a belt like below and have been able to get by with it, but know its time to get something that will last and give me better performance. I would think my current belt is similar to a single ply in function which would make a double seem better, but I have no way to be sure because I have not used another belt.

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You'll really like the double-ply SS belt. If you don't, I'll buy it from you. We need another one at the gym anyway.

You can't go wrong with the double-ply, especially with Rip's offer.

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Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe

You'll really like the double-ply SS belt. If you don't, I'll buy it from you. We need another one at the gym anyway.

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Rip made the exact same offer to me. Sorry, Rip, you can't have my SS belt. And Kempton, I guarantee you won't want to sell him yours either.

I own both. I think they're on sale for black Friday. I like the single ply for deadlifts. I think it feels better but it's probably just in my head. I use the double for squat/bench/press.
At first, either belt will probably be uncomfortable for you because they are actually sturdy so don't be surprised if you get some pinching in your fat rolls, but it goes away.

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Originally Posted by JJ23

I own both. I think they're on sale for black Friday. I like the single ply for deadlifts. I think it feels better but it's probably just in my head. I use the double for squat/bench/press.
At first, either belt will probably be uncomfortable for you because they are actually sturdy so don't be surprised if you get some pinching in your fat rolls, but it goes away.

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I use my double-ply for both squats and deadlifts, but when pulling, I swing the buckle around to my back because otherwise, yeah, it's a bit too bulky to allow me to get in the correct starting position.

Belts came on Wednesday. Girlfriend tried hers yesterday and I tried mine today. This was a huge game changer for me, especially on deadlift. My girlfriend complained that it dug into her upper ribs when deadlifting, any idea on how to correct this? I assume it is just not broken in properly yet.

It's possible it's too wide for her, what's her size? Having a real high quality belt will definitely dig in compared to that Velcro junk or cheaper leather. This goes away as it breaks in.

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Originally Posted by JJ23

I own both. I think they're on sale for black Friday. I like the single ply for deadlifts. I think it feels better but it's probably just in my head. I use the double for squat/bench/press.

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Same here, minus the bench. I use a 3" single ply for deadlifting - I find that it's thin enough to not interfere with setting my back. I've tried pulling without a belt but just can't seem to get tight enough to properly brace with a heavy weight. I have a 4" double ply for squatting and pressing. My torso is long enough that I have enough room to use without digging into the ribs. I like the single ply, but boy do I love my double ply...

Belting for a bench is the same thing as taking a placebo...