Box 100 lb straitjacket vs Rogue load trainer
This is a comparison between the of the Box 100lb straitjacket and the Rogue load trainer including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.
Overview and review for the Rogue Load Trainer
This is an overview of the Rogue Load trainer including pros, cons, and alternatives. This was originally posted in which weighted vest to get from Rogue.
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Overview of the load trainer
Price: $199.50
The
load trainer is a metal frame with a plate pin that you can strap to your back. This makes it a great tool to train with very specific weights for marches without putting all of that expensive equipment into your backpack. It also enables micro loading and limits the amount of cheating in tests, as it is visible, how much weight someone is carrying around. The full specs of the
load trainer read as followed:
- Made in the USA
- Designed by Naval Special Warfare Operator (SWCC)
- Olympic Plate Compatible Weight Pin
- Weight of Load Trainer: 6.5LB (10LB when mounted to ALICE Frame)
- Hitch Pin for securing plates
- Mounting Hardware included (need only a 7/16” or 11MM wrench)
- Loading Pin Length: Plate to the center of first hole = 4.5", Plate to the center of the second hole = 5.5". The overall length of the pin is 6.5"
- Color: Black
This is a great tool to train marches with the additional load. Especially if the heavy equipment that will be transported is very expensive and should stay where it is unless necessary. This is also the best option from
Rogue to maximize the training weight.
Pros of the load trainer
- Simple to use
- Virtually indestructible
- High maximum weight
This is as easy as 1,2,3 go. No complex pouches to fill, no velcros to close that open during exercise, no elaborate bags that only fit into a certain slot. Just a pin and as many plates as you want to throw onto your own, or some poor devil's back. As this is a metal frame with straps, you will also not destroy it, unless you drive over it with a tank. All of this makes the
Load trainer a great tool if you want to add a challenge to a hike or march.
The cons of the load trainer
- Cumbersome design
- High injury risk
- Unbalanced load
What you get with this product is a backpack that you can make ludicrously heavy without breaking it or having to fiddle about when getting read. The problem of the design is that you are strapping weight plates to your back to do exercises that have not been designed to fit with your body. If you fall on your back with the
load trainer, it will hurt or maybe even injure you permanently. While this is a good tool to simulate any kind of heavy backpack for a march, it is not recommended for obstacle courses or Crossfit like exercises. Of course, there are always some nutters out there, but this is not recommended.
Alternatives to the Load trainer
The
MiR Pro weighted vest is the maximum weight vest in the
Rogue shop at the time of writing. It goes up to 120lb and therefore has 20lbs over the
100lb straightjacket. If maximum weight is what you want and you want to be more mobile and balanced than with the
load trainer than this is a good option.
The
100lb Straightjacket is the heaviest option out of the
box vest assortment. This vest gets to 100lbs by stacking two layers of weights on top of each other at the back and the front. Compared to the
MiR this makes this vest shorter for more mobility, but less balanced. Compared to the
load trainer you will have an easier time moving and climb.
The
Tactec plate carrier is the best option from
Rogue for all purposes. You get plenty of color and individualization options for a vest that can go up to 30lb. It will also withstand any abuse you put it through. The plates which can be used with this vest are ergonomic and made out of one cut. No need to load many mini plates up to train.
The
Hyper vest elite is the most balanced vest option from
Rogue that can go up to 20lbs. This vest has been designed with gym athletes and runners in mind. Comfort to wear and mobility is maximized at the expense if maximum load. If you want to do backflips and long-distance runs with resistance, this is the vest to get.
Conclusion for the Load trainer
The
load trainer has a very specific application for very heavy rucksack training. I do not see a lot of applications apart from training to march long distances with a ton of stuff on your back. While useful for these scenarios it is not the best option for most gym owners.
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.