5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier vs box weighted vest

This is a comparison between the of the 5.11 TacTec plate carrier and the box weighted vest including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.

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.

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 of the 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier

This is an overview of the Rogue 5.111 TacTec plate carrier including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.

Overview of the Tactec Plate Carrier

Price: $199.99

The Tactec Plate carrier is a repurposed military body armor for fitness purposes. The maximum weight that can be added to this vest is 30lb. You multiple options with a front and backplate and six different weight plate options from Rogue. The Velcro in the front and back also makes it possible to add patches and individualize your vest even further. Compared to other models you have fewer straps to secure the weight and extra padding on the shoulder where you feel the most of the weight. The full specifications of this vest are:

500D Nylon Construction
Water-Resistant Coating
Vest Weight: 2.5LB
Fits all Rogue Weight Vest Plates and any 24MM wide Medium (12.5" H x 9.5" L x 2" W) or Large (13.25" x 10.25" x 2.25") SAPI plates
Back yoke shoulder pads for even weight distribution
Adjustable weight and tensional bands
Extendable GrabDrag handle for emergency exfiltration
Oversized airflow channel padding
One-handed Quick Release
Duraflex® hardware
Web ID Loop
Standard cummerbunds will accommodate a 52" circumference with the elastic relaxed, and up to 57" when fully extended
Color: Black, Navy, Tac OD, Sandstone, Camo (+$30), Terrain, Night, and Storm

This is the vest to get if you mainly do sprints, will take it through a lot of abuse and you are not planning on tumbles and cartwheels while wearing your vest.

Pros of the TacTec Pate carrier

The pros of the Tactec plate carrier are:

Many color options
Many weight options
Durability

This vest can be washed, thrown into the dirt, rubber against a tree, and will still come back strong. If you want to break it you need to cut it or intentionally rip it at the seams. With the six plate weights rogue provides and the two pouches, one in front and on in the back, you have many options to add resistance and move around. This vest is fun to wear, you can make it your own and challenge yourself. This is the option for anyone who likes spending money on good tools that can be used in many scenarios.

The cons of the Tactec carrier

The cons of the Tactec carrier are:

Price
Design
Weight limitations

For a vest that only goes up to 30lb, the price is on the high side. You can get cheaper vests in the market that give you the same amount of resistance. Will you look as cool? Probably not? Can you put those into the washing machine with some bricks? Definitely not. Still, $200 for one vest without any weights is a big ask. The design is also not for everyone. If you love the military, good for you, you found your match. If you live in the suburbs and do not want the neighbors to worry, this might not be the best pick.

Alternatives to the Tactec Plate carrier

Alternatives to the Tactec plate carrier are

The box 100lb straightjacket is the maximum amount of weight you can strap to your body without using a carabiner, chain, or metal pin. The original box vest was the start in CrossFit gyms for resistance on the bodyweight WODs and this vest takes it to the extreme. Not just on weight, but also on price. If you have outgrown the vests up to 50lbs, because you are such a beast, then this is the next challenge to tackle. Downsides of this model are a less nug fit and that you have no customization options. You can still throw a rock on it and it will be fine.

The Hyper vest elite is the right option for any athlete who wants to add resistance to prolonged exercise. If you are a long-distance runner, a hiker who wants to keep their backpack for food but still make it more challenging or someone who wants to do tumbles and cartwheels while having a vest on, than this is your best bet. The only downsides of this model are that it only goes up to 20lbs and that it is only available in black. If you are worried about what the neighbors think and you do not like the military design of most vests Rogue provides, then this is a good alternative.

The Rogue Plate carrier is the budget option of the Tactec vest from Rogue. On some of their most successful products, Rogue likes to provide a clone that has been stripped to the bare minimum to save cost. The Rogue Plate carrier is the stripped-down version of the Tactec plate carrier which comes in at $125. You will get a little bet less padding and additional material, while the design mainly focuses on strapping two carrier plates to you in the least expensive, yet functional way. The Rogue plate carrier is available in 4 colors.

Conclusion for the Tactec plate carrier

If some turned around to me and said "Hey, which weighted vest should i buy" and was not allowed to ask any questions, then it would recommend the 5.11 Tactec. This vest can be used by all ages and sizes and can be applied to many scenarios.If not abused in a horrible way it will also last a lifetime. There are 100s of positive reviews for this vest on the Rogue website and that is for a reason. The only turn off is the military design, but if no one sees you exercising in it, who cares.