Box 100 lb straitjacket vs MiR short weighted vest
This is a comparison between the of the Box 100lb straitjacket and the MiR short weighted vest including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.
Overview and review of the MiR short weighted vest
This is an overview of the MiR short weighted vest including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.
Overview of the MiR short weighted vest
Price: $99 - $289
The
MiR short weighted vest is the vest with a maximum of 90lbs in a compact amount of space. This makes it an interesting option for anyone who wants to save a little money while still going heavy on the pull-ups. The full specifications of the
MiR short vest read:
- Super Compact Design (11” length) for maximum mobility and secure fit
- 1200D Reinforced Nylon Construction
- Double Padding and lining throughout body and shoulder, ventilation for airflow
- Solid Iron Weights Included - 90 LBS Max Weight capacity in increments of 3LB (see price range based on weights ordered)
- One Hook and Loop Fastening Belt included
- Mid-chest Belt for maximum hold: no bouncing and no shifting
- Weights are loaded at front & back for even weight distribution
- Adjustable Straps - One Size Fits Most Men
- Color: Black
This is the best vest if you want to start all and scale to 90lbs while not breaking the bank. With that, there comes a flaw in the design, as it also has to be closed at the back for a snug fit.
Pros of the MiR short weighted vest
- A low-cost entry point
- Great scalability to 90lbs
With an entry point of under $100, this vest is one of the cheapest of the higher quality weighted vests out there. It also scales up to 90lbs, which is hard to beat in a compact design like this.
Cons of the MiR short weighted vest
The cons of the MiR weighted vest are:
- Time-consuming weight changes
- Strap at the back
As with all weighted vests which scale in increments of 2.5lbs to 3lbs, it can be annoying to switch weights around between different workouts or users. The plate system from the
TacTec or
Rogue plate carrier vests is more convenient for this purpose. A major design flaw of this vest is the strap in the back. You can not put this on by yourself properly.
Alternatives to the MiR short weighted vest
The
100lb straightjacket is a double
box vest. While the price for this vest is about $100 higher, the design is better as it does not need to be closed at the back when you put it on.
The
Rogue plate carrier is an excellent alternative if you want to stay under 50lbs in weight. This design will provide more mobility and hold up better on an obstacle course.
The MiR women's vest is an alternative for women with less fabric in the front for quite obvious reasons.
Conclusion for the MiR
The
MiR short vest is a great option if you want a lot of weight in a compact vest and have someone else to tie it up for you at the back.
Overview and review of the Box 100 lb straitjacket
This is an overview of the Rogue Box 100 lb straitjacket including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.
Overview of the Box 100lb Straitjacket 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 Straitjacket
- 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 Straitjacket
- 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 Straitjacket
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 straitjacket
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.