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Rogue Load Trainer vs box weighted vest

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Oct 20, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Rogue Load Trainer vs box weighted vest

This is a comparison between the of the Rogue load trainer and the box weighted vest including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.

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Overview and review of the box weighted vest

This is an overview of the Box weighted vest including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.

 

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Overview of the Box weighted vest

Price $125 - $195
 
The box weighted vest is where it all started for Rogue. This was one of the first weighted vests on their website and the go-to vest in the Crossfit community for a considerable time. Since Rogue is working closely with the military for product ideas other products have gained in popularity and have overtaken the box weighted vest in numbers sold. Still, this is a very solid vest that goes up to 45lb in load. It is easy to get on and off and will take a beating. The full specifications are:
 
  • Made in the USA
  • Weighted Tac Vest (for Gym Use / Resistance Bodyweight Training only)
  • One Size Fits All: Compact design with natural contouring (Dimensions: 10.5" width x 8.5" length x 2.5" depth)
  • Narrow 3.25” wide shoulders for a greater range of motion
  • Fully Padded body and shoulders
  • Moisture-Resistant
  • Weight Available in 2.5LB increments (4.25" x 1.875" x 1.5" dimensions)
  • Max Weight Capacity: 45LB
  • Unloaded Vest Weight: 2.815LBS
  • Easy-adjust kipping-proof BOX belt system with military-grade webbing and hook-and-loop attachment
  • All weights and belts are removable
  • Durable military-grade construction backed by Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
  • Applications: Resistance weighted vest training - Pull-ups, Climbing, CrossFit exercises, Dragging, Chopping, Punching, Crawling, etc.
  • Color: Black
This is a great budget option for a vest that can be loaded in 2.5lbs increments. If that is what you are looking for than the Box weighted vest is your best bet.
 

Pros of the box weighted vest

 
The pros of the box weighted vest are:
 
  • Price
  • Made in America
  • Robust design
 
This vest has a great price point and a robust design that will not break. The one size fits all approach helps to come up with a structure that is hard to break. For $125 this vest is also at the lower end of vests which are decent and still loadable in 2.5 lbs increments. There is a reason for the box was popular for so long before everything went a bit more down the military design lane. 
 

Cons of the box weighted vest

 
Cons of the box weighted vest are:
 
  • Quick changes in weight are hard
  • One size fits all
  • Only available in black
The plate carrier designs are easier to manage when you want to change weights quickly. While they deliver fewer increments, you only have to change two or even one plate to get a completely different experience. One size fits all can also be a problem as this usually ends up being one size fits the norm. If you are too tall, small, broad or thin, the box vest will shave more. The last point that in our age of individualization and customization you might think that black as the only option is a bit boring for something that you wear regularly when you work out. 
 

Alternatives to the box weighted vest

 
Alternatives to the box weighted vest are:
 
The Rogue plate carrier vest comes in at the same price as the box vest and delivers more mobility and easier change of weight at a slightly lower maximum weight. The Rogue plate carrier scales up to 30lb compared to the 45lb of the Box vest. In return, you get a design you can customize with batches and lends itself to more mobility. 
 
The women's box vest has been adjusted to give women a bit more freedom around the chest to make the vest more comfortable to wear. This is the right choice when you are worried about the one size fits all approach of the original box vest. 
 
The MiR short vest is a small powerhouse that packs up to 90lb in a short vest design. If you go for the full enchilada it is fair to see that the price $289 and therefore not fully comparable to the $195 upper end of the box vest. In return, you get double the weight in almost the same amount of vest. 
 

Conclusion for the box weighted vest

 
The box weighted vest is classic and no-nonsense design. If you want a robust vest that can carry up to 45lbs this is the one to get a good price point. Overall, it might have outlived its best days as a product and needs a revisit for color options and quicker loading/reloading. 

Overview and review for the Rogue Load Trainer

This is an overview of the Rogue Load trainer including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.

 

Overview of the load trainer

Price: $199.50
 
The load trainer is a metal frame with a plate pin that you can strap to your back. This makes it a great tool to train with very specific weights for marches without putting all of that expensive equipment into your backpack. It also enables micro loading and limits the amount of cheating in tests, as it is visible, how much weight someone is carrying around. The full specs of the load trainer read as followed:
 
  • Made in the USA
  • Designed by Naval Special Warfare Operator (SWCC)
  • Olympic Plate Compatible Weight Pin
  • Weight of Load Trainer: 6.5LB (10LB when mounted to ALICE Frame)
  • Hitch Pin for securing plates
  • Mounting Hardware included (need only a 7/16” or 11MM wrench)
  • Loading Pin Length: Plate to the center of first hole = 4.5", Plate to the center of the second hole = 5.5". The overall length of the pin is 6.5"
  • Color: Black
This is a great tool to train marches with the additional load. Especially if the heavy equipment that will be transported is very expensive and should stay where it is unless necessary. This is also the best option from Rogue to maximize the training weight. 
 

Pros of the load trainer

 
The pros os the load trainer are:
 
  • Simple to use
  • Virtually indestructible 
  • High maximum weight
This is as easy as 1,2,3 go. No complex pouches to fill, no velcros to close that open during exercise, no elaborate bags that only fit into a certain slot. Just a pin and as many plates as you want to throw onto your own, or some poor devil's back. As this is a metal frame with straps, you will also not destroy it, unless you drive over it with a tank. All of this makes the Load trainer a great tool if you want to add a challenge to a hike or march. 
 

The cons of the load trainer

 
The cons of the load trainer are:
 
  • Cumbersome design
  • High injury risk
  • Unbalanced load
What you get with this product is a backpack that you can make ludicrously heavy without breaking it or having to fiddle about when getting read. The problem of the design is that you are strapping weight plates to your back to do exercises that have not been designed to fit with your body. If you fall on your back with the load trainer, it will hurt or maybe even injure you permanently. While this is a good tool to simulate any kind of heavy backpack for a march, it is not recommended for obstacle courses or Crossfit like exercises. Of course, there are always some nutters out there, but this is not recommended. 
 

Alternatives to the Load trainer

 
Alternatives to the load trainer are:
 
 
The MiR Pro weighted vest is the maximum weight vest in the Rogue shop at the time of writing. It goes up to 120lb and therefore has 20lbs over the 100lb straightjacket. If maximum weight is what you want and you want to be more mobile and balanced than with the load trainer than this is a good option.
 
The 100lb Straightjacket is the heaviest option out of the box vest assortment. This vest gets to 100lbs by stacking two layers of weights on top of each other at the back and the front. Compared to the MiR this makes this vest shorter for more mobility, but less balanced. Compared to the load trainer you will have an easier time moving and climb. 
 
The Tactec plate carrier is the best option from Rogue for all purposes. You get plenty of color and individualization options for a vest that can go up to 30lb. It will also withstand any abuse you put it through. The plates which can be used with this vest are ergonomic and made out of one cut. No need to load many mini plates up to train. 
 
The Hyper vest elite is the most balanced vest option from Rogue that can go up to 20lbs. This vest has been designed with gym athletes and runners in mind. Comfort to wear and mobility is maximized at the expense if maximum load. If you want to do backflips and long-distance runs with resistance, this is the vest to get. 
 

Conclusion for the Load trainer

 
The load trainer has a very specific application for very heavy rucksack training. I do not see a lot of applications apart from training to march long distances with a ton of stuff on your back. While useful for these scenarios it is not the best option for most gym owners. 

Topics: Rogue