Rogue Load Trainer vs Rogue Echo plate carrier

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

Overview and review of the Rogue Echo plate carrier

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

Overview of the Rogue Plate carrier

Price $125 - $250

The Rogue plate carrier is the result of Rogue observing the weighted vest products which they are selling, taking the best of everything, and stripping it off any fat to save cost. The Rogue plate carrier does the job you need it to do for up to 40lb in resistance. It comes in three sizes and four color variations. It reliable and you will not be overcharged. In my opinion, this is the best vest to get from rogue to buy in bulk for your unit or gym to run classes. The full specifications are:

Made In USA
Patent Pending Design - Co-Developed with Dave Castro
Material Type 1000D & 500D Cordura
Weight (Unloaded): 1.12 LB (Medium Size)
Size Options: Small, Medium, Large
Plate Pocket Width: 10.25" (outside width)
Height Plate Pocket: 12.25" (outside height)
Compatible with Rogue USA Cast Vest Plates and Rogue Echo Vest Plates
Color Options: Black / Ranger Green / Coyote Brown / Gray
Care Instructions: Hand Wash, Line Dry
USA Velcro fasteners and front/back loops for patches

This is a solid design where someone had a hard look at the Tactec vest and where to get rid of things that are not necessary for fitness training.

Pros of the Rogue plate carrier

The pros of the Rogue plate carrier are:

Good value for money
Fast weight changes
Good mobility

This is a good value for money vest that goes up to 40lb. Compared to the box vest it leaves you with a little more mobility to run on an obstacle course or other cardio workouts. With the plate system, you can change weight quickly. You also get a few options for color and velcro to get patches on. With a set of 4 - 10 of these, you save quite a bit of money compared to the Tactec vest while still running a professional ship with some fun thrown in there.

Cons of the Rogue plate carrier

Cons of the rogue plate carrier are:

No extra padding and loops
Limited maximum weight
Less sturdy

While the Rogue plate carrier is a very good option and better than most weighted vests offered on Amazon, it still has some shortcomings. In its price category, the MiR short vest offers more maximum weight in the same price category. Compared to the Tactec vest you will also get less material in the form of padding and therefore the lifetime will be shorter.

Alternatives to the Rogue plate carrier

Alternatives to the Rogue Plate carrier are:

The Rogue Tactec vest has a few more bells and whistles and is overall made from more material. The resistance options are the same, but if you are buying a weighted vest for yourself or a loved one, the extra money is worth it as you will not kill this vest. If you are buying for an occasional user, teenager, or in bulk, go for the Rogue Plate carrier as you save money and get nearly the same result.

The MiR short vest is in the same price range when you have the same weight of about 50lbs. The extra option for the MiR vest is that it can scale up to 90lb which makes it an interesting budget option for hardcore freaks. Just keep in mind that the price for a fully equipped escalates to $289 and you end up in a bit of an apples and oranges situation when you compare it to the Rogue plate carrier.

The women's box vest is a great alternative for women who do not like the vest designs which fully cover your chest. If that is what you are after then this vest is a great alternative that can go up to 25lb.

Conclusion for the Rogue Plate carrier

The Rogue plate carrier is probably the best weighted vest option in the Rogue store to buy in bulk. The quality is good and there thought put into what it is used for based on years of experience at CrossFit events, It is not the heaviest or most stylish vest you can get, but the best balance between dollars and outcome. without being cheap.

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.