Donnie Thompson Formal Bowtie

Name: Donnie Thompson Formal Bowtie
Brand: Spud Inc.
Rating: 4.17 (8 reviews)

Developed by powerlifting legend Donnie Thompson with Spud Inc., the Formal Bowtie is a posture-training accessory, not a rigid brace: it applies firm compression across the pectoral tendons and the muscles behind the shoulders, encouraging the humeral head to sit further back. Worn during warm-ups or while moving through squats, bench, and deadlifts, it’s meant to both relieve shoulder aches in the moment and retrain posture over time as the body adapts to the corrected position.

The Formal version uses a heavier, stiffer webbing than Spud Inc.’s Casual Bowtie, trading some all-day wearability for stronger compression aimed at serious training loads. It’s sold direct from Spud Inc. in sizes from XS to 4XL, sized by chest/shoulder/back measurement rather than by garment size.

Sizes	XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL (100 lbs to 310+ lbs bodyweight)
Designer	Donnie Thompson
Material	Heavier, stiffer webbing than the Casual Bowtie
Made in usa	No
Manufacturer	Spud Inc.
Sizing method	Measure around the widest part of chest/shoulders/back, divide by two

What is a Miscellaneou?

What’s in Miscellaneous

This is the catch-all for the conditioning tools and accessories that don’t fit a single equipment class — weighted vests and plate carriers, medicine and slam balls, plyo boxes, ab mats, and the odds and ends that round out a garage gym. Items land here because their job (loaded carries, jumps, core work) cuts across the categories rather than sitting neatly inside one.

Who it’s for

Anyone filling in the gaps around the big pieces. If you already have a rack, bar, and plates, this is where you find the vest for rucking and weighted push-ups, the ball for slams and wall throws, or the box for step-ups and box jumps. Match the tool to the training you actually do — a plate carrier for conditioning and rucking, plyo boxes for explosive work — rather than buying the whole shelf.

How it compares

	Donnie Thompson Formal Bowtie	EZ-Vest® V2	TrakHandle Sport Replacement Grips	Trigger Point Foam Roller
GymRadar rating	4.17/5	4.17/5	4.17/5	4.16/5
Price	$59.99			$39.99
Sizes	XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL (100 lbs to 310+ lbs bodyweight)
Designer	Donnie Thompson
Material	Heavier, stiffer webbing than the Casual Bowtie
Made in usa	No
Manufacturer	Spud Inc.
Sizing method	Measure around the widest part of chest/shoulders/back, divide by two

4.2/5 · 8 GymRadar reviews

Reviews by source

Expert	4.17/5	8 reviews
Retailer	4.1/5	73 reviews

A simple, well-made compression brace that lifters and desk-bound athletes both credit with an almost-immediate posture fix — independent site Massenomics gave it an editorial “seal of approval,” calling the shoulder-position change noticeable within seconds. Build quality stands out: stiffer, heavier webbing than the companion Casual Bowtie and careful stitching hold up to serious training loads. The weak spot is durability and fit — several buyers call the sizing chart inaccurate and report irritation from the nylon edges, and the only independent review tested it for just a few weeks, so long-term wear isn’t documented.

+Functionality: noticeable posture and shoulder-position improvement within seconds of putting it on, confirmed by an independent reviewer (Massenomics)
+Build quality: careful stitching and stiffer, heavier-duty webbing than the Casual Bowtie, built for serious training loads (Massenomics, Rogue Fitness)
+Functionality: customers report relief from shoulder and bicep-tendon pain during lifting (Rogue Fitness customer reviews)
+Value: consistent ~4.1-4.2/5 rating across GymRadar (8 reviews) and Rogue's on-site reviews (73 reviews)

−Durability: the only independent review tested it for just a few weeks, so long-term wear isn't documented (Massenomics)
−Build quality: nylon edges reported as irritating, with discomfort under the armpit from the rougher material (Rogue Fitness customer reviews)
−Value: sizing chart called "way off" by multiple buyers, undermining the compression fit the product depends on (Rogue Fitness customer reviews)
−Versatility: not built for extended all-day wear like the Casual Bowtie — comfortable use is capped at short intervals, roughly 15 minutes up to an hour as you adapt (Massenomics)

$59.99

Buy Now