5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier vs Hyper vest Pro

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

Overview and review of the Hyper Vest Pro

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

Overview of the Hyper vest Pro

Price: $199.99

The hyper vest pro was the first generation of the new design from hyper vest aimed at a good fit weighted vest with an evenly distributed load. The design was a success while it had some issues with durability on the fabric and for the straps on the side. This is a good vest if you want to maximize weight with a snug fit. Compared to the Hyper vest elite you have more weight options, but poorer execution on the materials.

Pros of the Hyper vest Pro

The pros of the Hyper vest pro are:

Design
Even distribution
Price

The design of the hyper vest pro is great compared to more traditional vests, which usually have the weight unevenly distributed on your body or restrict body movement quite a bit. This was the intent of the design, which it successfully delivers. Compared to the Hyper Vest elite the pro is also slightly cheaper and offers more options to add resistance.

Cons of the Hyper vest Pro

The cons of the Hyper vest pro are:

Durability
No reflective fabric
Low maximum resistance

While the new corset-like design was a great idea for a weighted vest, the first iteration of the Hyper vest did not great on the selection of material for production. This vest has a higher likelihood to come apart at the seams or for the straps to lose elasticity and make the vest not work the right way. This does not always happen, but these design flaws have been addressed and improved on for the Hyper vest elite, which is not that much more expensive. The Hyper vest pro is also limited to 48lb maximum resistance which can be gotten more of or more robustly with other vests.

Alternatives to the hyper vest pro

Alternatives to the hyper vest pro are:

The 100lb straightjacket is the option for the maniac who wants to strap the equivalent of a small woman to their body to do exercises. This is the maximum weight you can get from a vest. If you want more you usually need chains, carabiners or other heavy-duty equipment to make it happen which severely hampers mobility. While this is not the greatest vest to move around in, it is best to add maximum weight to your body.

The Tactec plate carrier is the best all-around weighted vest fir all situations from Rogue. This vest has many color options, weight options, and withstands almost anything. If you have $200 to spend on a weighted vest and you do not mind military design and only use it fr sprints rather than gymnastics and long-distance running, than this is home.

If you want a weighted vest that is well made, balanced, and does not make you look like a stormtrooper, then the Hyper vest elite is the right choice for you. Some of the design flaws from the pro have been addressed and improved on with this vest. The only downsides are that it is only available in black and only goes up to 20lbs in weight. In return, you have a balanced vest that you can use for gymnastics or long- distance runs.

Conclusion for the Hyper vest Pro

A Hyper vest pro is a good option if you can get it at a sale or just can't bring yourself to spend more than $200 on a weighted vest that does not look like you are about to go to war. However, if you can get past the $200 and want a well-balanced vest for running, then the Hyper vest Elite is the better option as it addresses these needs in a superior way with not a lot of extra money to left on the table. If you do not want to use the vest for long-distance runs, then get the Tactec instead.

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.