Box 100 lb straightjacket vs Hyper vest elite

This is a comparison between the of the Box 100lb straight jacket and the Hyper Vest elite including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.

Overview and review of the Hyper vest elite

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

Overview of the Hyper vest elite

Price $219-$283

The Hyper vest elite is the next generation of the Hyper Vest Pro. Compared to the Hyper vest pro this vest comes pre-packed and with less resistance. In return, you get a better system to get a tight fit, better finish, and reflective parts. This vest was aimed at runners who want to add resistance to their workouts but did not find the right model with other vendors. The full specifications are:

Specifications

Unisex patented design for exceptional comfort
Breathable, odor-resistant, wicking Cordura® fabric
Open side panels provide superior ventilation
Thin profile allows for full range of motion
Reflective, flexible side lacing for highly-adjustable fit
Small available in 10LB or 15LB - M,L, and XL available in 10LB or 20LB

SIZE CHART

Vest Size	S	M	L	XL
Weight Range	90LB - 130LB	130LB - 170LB	170LB - 210LB	210+LB
Height Range	4'10"-5'4"	5'4"-5'9"	5'9"-6'4"	6'4" +

The Hyper vest elite is the right model for you if you want to run fast, change directions often or even want to do gymnastics or acrobatics with added weight.

Pros of the Hyper vest elite

The pros of the Hyper vest elite are:

Snug fit
Reflective design
Smaller weight plates

This vest excels in having a design that is all about fitting onto your body like a glove. For this, you have straps at the sides to make the vest tighter. Think of it like a corset that has weight woven into it. With the reflective design, you can go out at nights and wear this vest over your usual dym clothes to be seen when on the road. The weight plates for this model also have been designed with the goal of even distribution in mind, rather than maximizing weight. This gives the vest a great feel, but not the maximum resistance compared to other vests on the market.

Cons of the Hyper vest elite

The cons of the Hyper vest elite are:

Only available in three weights
Only available in black
Prone to break

The cons of the Hyper vest elite are the limited option of weight ranges, the only color it is available in, and, most importantly, that it is prone to error. While the design is great for being snug it has two main weak points which are the straps at the sides. This is great for getting a tight fit that gives you maximum freedom to move, but if you lose or damage one of these elastic bands, the vest doe not work anymore. This vest has not been designed for scenarios where you crawl through the mud, run through the underbrush or other challenging scenarios. It was designed for controlled indoor or outdoor scenarios without a lot of dirt and rubbing.

Alternatives to the Hyper vest elite

Alternatives to the hyper vest elite are:

The 100lb straightjacket is the ultimate weight option for weighted vests. If you still want to wear a vest and have a maximum of weight on your body, this is the option to get. What you gain in weight, you lose in mobility. You do not want to do gymnastics in a vest that has two layers of mini weights in it.

The hyper vest pro is the original hyper vest product. You will save on money and also gain more flexibility in weight options. The downside is that the design is not reflective, the straps are even more prone to error, as they are of lower quality and that the seams on the weights are not as good as with the elite.

The 5.11 Tactec Plate carrier vest is a great versatile option, offers a lot of mobility, and is slightly cheaper than the hyper vest pro. You have many weight configurations to choose from and also can choose from eight different color options. This design will also hold when used under extreme conditions outdoor. The design might not be to everyone's liking as it is very military, where the hyper vest elite has more of a fitness/gym look about it.

Conclusion of the Hyper vest elite

The hyper vest elite is probably the best choice in the market for runners, acrobats, and martial artists. It adds a reasonable weight to your exercises to make you go the full length, while still providing that extra resistance. It has not been designed with military applications in mind and will suffer a great deal when dragged through the mud or over an obstacle course. The resistance is also low compared to other models.

Overview and review of the Box 100 lb straightjacket

This is an overview of the Rogue Box 100 lb straightjacket including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.

Overview of the Box 100lb Straightjacket vest

Price: $292.99

The Box 100lb Straightjacket is the most expensive vest which Rogue currently stocks. In return, you also get the heaviest vest you can get. The design expands on the base box vest by having 50lb as an underlayer and adding another 50lb on top of this. Think about this one as two box vests on top of each other, were the vendor thought about how to attach them properly. The full specifications of the 100lb Straightjacket are:

Made in the USA
Adjustable by 2.5LB increments up to 100LB
Short length for better range of motion
Durable, tear-resistant nylon exterior
Double-padded shoulder base
Reliable, military-grade fasteners
Color: Black

This is a great tool for anyone who wants to maximize resistance on Crossfit exercises which involve short term sprints, pull-ups, and sit-ups. Still, this is an extreme option optimized for weight, not for fit and comfort.

Pros of the Box 100lb Straightjacket

The pros of the Box 100lb are:

100lb in total weight
Short design
Good pouches

This product does what it says on the tin. You get a military-grade vest that can take the 100lb as advertised. The short design is also a bonus compared to other vests that have 100lb. Rather than restricting your torso, you can still turn and bend. Other vests that go that high in weight often use a full torse approach where mobility suffers. You get what pay for with an excellent product that has been battle-tested in many gyms all over the country and in the CrossFit games.

The cons of the 100lb Straightjacket

The cons of the 100lb straightjacket are:

Misleading advertisement
Uneven weight distribution
Mobility constraints

This vest is a one size fits all approach so that you can get all of the 100lb somewhere on to our body. This means that for anyone who does not have the standard male model sizes, this vest will be a nightmare to wear. If you are 185cm tall and weigh 90kg, great. If you are bigger or smaller than that, you will not have a snug fit. So that you can still somewhat move, the design doubles up to around the shoulders and back. This leads to uneven weight distribution and makes this vest hard to work with on long-distance runs rows or prolonged rope skipping. On top of that, the advertising is a bit misleading. If you buy this vest you buy it for its maximum capacity. The full price is then roughly $380 rather than just below $300. This has a reason as the weighted vest market has a drop-off point at around $300 when people say "Are you insane".

Alternatives to the 100lb Straightjacket

Alternatives to the 100lb straightjacket are:

The MiR pro weighted vest is the only vest in Rogue's shop that goes over the 100lb of the straightjacket. The maximum weight option is 120lbs. For this, you will get a vest that severely constraints your movement as this is achieved with multiple straps and extra length instead of a double layer of weights like in the Box 100lb vest.

If you are only looking to add weight to your pull-ups and dips, then a dip belt might be the better option. It is a lot cheaper and can go to a lot more weight than 100lb. The only downside is that kipping pull-ups and any kind of sprinting/changing of exercises within the workout will demand that you take the dip belt on and off and lose the resistance. A dip belt is not a vest that you can just simply put on but is a lot easier to manage and cheaper if adding weight is all you want to do.

The Hyper Vest Pro would be the best alternative if you still want a heavy vest. This vest goes up to 42lb in its XL version as it is longer than the smaller versions. This provides extra space for plates. This vest has mainly been designed to have a snug fit and therefor be great for long time cardio workouts. It still only has half the capacity of the 100lb straight jacket.

The load trainer is the best option for maximum load, as you can simply put plates on your back like a donkey. This will feel a lot more like a rucksack and is especially good if you want to train to march long distances with a heavyweight, but do not necessarily carry weapons halfway through town. Pull-ups, sprints, and dips are also possible, but not at speed.

The original box vest is half the size of the straightjacket and goes up to 50lb. You get the same design and robustness, while the fit is not as snug as with the Hyper range. This model is more than enough for most mere mortals and also a lot more affordable.

Conclusion for the 100lb straightjacket

A 100lb straightjacket is a great tool for Crossfitters who have exhausted their options with the Original Box vest and want to push beyond the 50lb resistance. In my personal opinion, the market for that is very slim. If you are torn between the original box vest and the straightjacket, get the box vest. It will take a couple of years to grow into this resistance training if you are not already jumping up and down with no problem in a 50lbs vest. If you want to do long-distance running with a vest or acrobatics, the box vests are not the best choice.