Hyper Vest Pro vs box weighted vest

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

Overview and review of the box weighted vest

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

Overview of the Box weighted vest

Price $125 - $195

The box weighted vest is where it all started for Rogue. This was one of the first weighted vests on their website and the go-to vest in the Crossfit community for a considerable time. Since Rogue is working closely with the military for product ideas other products have gained in popularity and have overtaken the box weighted vest in numbers sold. Still, this is a very solid vest that goes up to 45lb in load. It is easy to get on and off and will take a beating. The full specifications are:

Made in the USA
Weighted Tac Vest (for Gym Use / Resistance Bodyweight Training only)
One Size Fits All: Compact design with natural contouring (Dimensions: 10.5" width x 8.5" length x 2.5" depth)
Narrow 3.25” wide shoulders for a greater range of motion
Fully Padded body and shoulders
Moisture-Resistant
Weight Available in 2.5LB increments (4.25" x 1.875" x 1.5" dimensions)
Max Weight Capacity: 45LB
Unloaded Vest Weight: 2.815LBS
Easy-adjust kipping-proof BOX belt system with military-grade webbing and hook-and-loop attachment
All weights and belts are removable
Durable military-grade construction backed by Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
Applications: Resistance weighted vest training - Pull-ups, Climbing, CrossFit exercises, Dragging, Chopping, Punching, Crawling, etc.
Color: Black

This is a great budget option for a vest that can be loaded in 2.5lbs increments. If that is what you are looking for than the Box weighted vest is your best bet.

Pros of the box weighted vest

The pros of the box weighted vest are:

Price
Made in America
Robust design

This vest has a great price point and a robust design that will not break. The one size fits all approach helps to come up with a structure that is hard to break. For $125 this vest is also at the lower end of vests which are decent and still loadable in 2.5 lbs increments. There is a reason for the box was popular for so long before everything went a bit more down the military design lane.

Cons of the box weighted vest

Cons of the box weighted vest are:

Quick changes in weight are hard
One size fits all
Only available in black

The plate carrier designs are easier to manage when you want to change weights quickly. While they deliver fewer increments, you only have to change two or even one plate to get a completely different experience. One size fits all can also be a problem as this usually ends up being one size fits the norm. If you are too tall, small, broad or thin, the box vest will shave more. The last point that in our age of individualization and customization you might think that black as the only option is a bit boring for something that you wear regularly when you work out.

Alternatives to the box weighted vest

Alternatives to the box weighted vest are:

The Rogue plate carrier vest comes in at the same price as the box vest and delivers more mobility and easier change of weight at a slightly lower maximum weight. The Rogue plate carrier scales up to 30lb compared to the 45lb of the Box vest. In return, you get a design you can customize with batches and lends itself to more mobility.

The women's box vest has been adjusted to give women a bit more freedom around the chest to make the vest more comfortable to wear. This is the right choice when you are worried about the one size fits all approach of the original box vest.

The MiR short vest is a small powerhouse that packs up to 90lb in a short vest design. If you go for the full enchilada it is fair to see that the price $289 and therefore not fully comparable to the $195 upper end of the box vest. In return, you get double the weight in almost the same amount of vest.

Conclusion for the box weighted vest

The box weighted vest is classic and no-nonsense design. If you want a robust vest that can carry up to 45lbs this is the one to get a good price point. Overall, it might have outlived its best days as a product and needs a revisit for color options and quicker loading/reloading.

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.