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5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier vs Rogue echo plate carrier

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Oct 1, 2020 9:00:00 AM

5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier vs Rogue echo plate carrier

This is a comparison between the of the 5.11 TacTec plate carrier and the Rogue echo plate carrier 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 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 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.