GORUCK Training Weight Vest

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GORUCK is dropping a new product soon – the Training Weight Vest.

Are you tired of doing the same workout routine every day? Then try adding a new layer to your training with a weight vest. Weight vests add resistance and cardio conditioning to your workout by putting different pressure on your body.

GORUCK Training Weight Vest coyote brown front
The soon to e released GORUCK Training Weight Vest in Coyote Brown. Fit up to 2 x 30 lb plates in this bad boy.

How is this different than the recently re-vamped Ruck Plate Carrier? This Training Weight Vest can hold up to two plates. And it’ll work with Ruck Plates and other plates that simulate body armor.

Here are some of the styles we are going to look at:

GORUCK Training Weight Vest (Black) GORUCK Training Weight Vest in Black. This vest uses GORUCK's padded straps that are lined with 210D material on the inside - it won't rub you raw.
GORUCK Training Weight Vest (Coyote Brown) The GORUCK Training Weight Vest in Coyote Brown. It fits a plate up front, or in the back. It's made to fit big 30lb Ruck plates, but should work with plates that simulate body armor too.
GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier (Multicam Black) The GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier holds a plate on your back only. (This is a view of the back.) Shown here in Multicam Black, but you can get less tacticool color options too.
GORUCK Ruck Plate 30 Lb (Black) What can you put into the GORUCK Training Weight Vest? The GORUCK Ruck Plates are a natural choice. These are available in 10lb, 20lb, and 30lb sizes. Shown here is a 20lb plate.
USA Cast Weight Vest Plate (Black) What can you put into the GORUCK Training Weight Vest? How about the USA Cast Weight Vest Plates from Rogue? These are available in 3 different weights. These are lighter overall than the GORUCK plates - after all - 2 x 30lbs is a LOT of weight!

Training Weight Vest – Overview

Weighted vests are wearable weights and are worn during exercises for enhanced resistance and cardio conditioning. Most weighted vests can also carry more bars or plates for added weight. The more weight you utilize, the more resistance you’ll receive. They help increase muscle size and strength, boost running endurance, and stimulate weight loss.

GORUCK Training Weight Vest black running
The Training Weight Vest can keep heavy weight stable – even when sprinting.

They can be an exhilarating, powerful, and enjoyable addition to your training routine. Wearing a weight vest during any workouts, whether cardio or strength, sets an increased load on your muscles, pushing all of the muscles in your body to work even more. Here are some weight vests from GORUCK, maker of the best and the toughest rucking gear.

GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier black multicam pushup
Here’s the GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier in action. It only holds one plate, but 30 lbs is probably enough resistance for most purposes…

GORUCK Training Weight Vest

GORUCK Training Weight Vest is made to be comfortable to the skin, even when worn shirtless. It is built compatible with Ruck Plates up to 2x 30 LBS and other training plates while keeping the weight secure even while running. It has a notably simplistic design with no extra straps, no zippers, or extra MOLLE. It has shoulder straps that have added padded to support heavier loads more efficiently and has an extra-secure hook and loop closure.

GORUCK Training Weight Vest black plates
GORUCK Training Weight Vest black plates

The primary material used in this weight vest is 500D CORDURA, while the interior material is made of 210D CORDURA and the back flap material uses 330D CORDURA. The Velcro plate closure that holds the plate in place is made of 1050 Ballistic Nylon. It weighs 1.65 LBS with dimensions of 17.5″ x 10.5″. The two waist belt straps measure 19.5″ each, while the plate pocket measures 9.5″W x 11.6″H.

GORUCK Training Weight Vest coyote brown strap
GORUCK Training Weight Vest coyote brown strap

GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier

The Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 is the most streamlined and practical way to add weight to your workouts. The new RPC 2.0 incorporates more padding, ergonomic lumbar support, and an all-new, less cutting fabric used on the back panel and bottom of the shoulder straps. The extension of the 210d HT CORDURA to the back and interior of the shoulder straps is what makes the RPC 2.0 noticeable and makes running shirtless possible.

GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier black multicam push up
GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier black multicam push up

A 10mm of EVA foam padding is also added along the bottom section of the back panel to support the natural curve of your back. The training sternum strap is removable and adjustable, keeping the RPC 2.0 secure without compressing breath or movement. There’s no spacer mesh on the RPC, so it doesn’t absorb all the stink, making it easy to clean. Just spray it down with a hose and scrub it with soapy water if needed.

Ruck Plate Carrier with 30 lb Ruck Plate inside
Ruck Plate Carrier with 30 lb Ruck Plate inside
Ruck Plate Carrier with Snug Fit Plate
The 30 Lb Ruck plate is a snug fit. That’s good – you don’t want it moving around.

Difference Between GORUCK Training Weight Vest and GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier

Both are weight vests with comfortable straps that can be worn even shirtless. While the Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 can only hold a plate on the back, the GORUCK Training Weight Vest can hold plates both front and back. After you mastered training with the RPC, level it up with the Training Weight Vest. This gives more resistance to your muscles that stimulate increases in muscular size, strength, and endurance.

USA Cast Weight Vest Plate

Rogue’s USA Cast Weight Vest Plates are cast with a double-curved ergonomic shape. They give a level of comfort and freedom of movement not attainable with most conventional flat metal vest plates. USA Cast Weight Vest Plates are available in three sizes and sold in pairs (5.75LB, 8.75LB, 13.75LB), each measuring 11.25″ in length and 9.25″ in width. They are compatible with the Condor Sentry Plate Carrier, 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier, Rogue Plate Carrier, and other similar weight vests on the market. When added to a standard 2.5LB vest, the three plate size pairs have total weights of 14LB, 20LB, and 30LB, individually.

Rogue USA Cast Weight Vest Plates main photo
Rogue USA Cast Weight Vest Plates main photo

The key reference point for these cast plates is the armor / ballistic plates used in today’s advanced bulletproof vests. This custom ergonomic design helps to hold the plate fixed to the user’s chest while lessening uneasiness and allowing clearer breathing as you train. A black powder-coat finish produces a firm grip and refined look, and exclusive Rogue branding is cast directly into each mold, along with the weight measurement.

Rogue USA Cast Weight Vest Plates worn
Rogue USA Cast Weight Vest Plates worn

Training Weight Vest Review – In Summary

That’s our first look at the Training Weight Vest.

Wearing weight vests can add quality and variety to your workouts, and you can mix up the pressures placed on your muscles throughout your session. Whether you are doing running, pushups, sit-ups, deadlifts, squats, skipping rope, rowing, or cycling, a weighted vest will significantly increase the difficulty giving you more benefits. But as with any fitness tool, take some precautionary measures and consider your fitness level before using weight vests.

Need more options? Check out Weight Vests Versus Plate Carriers – and we’ll explain the difference in depth.

GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier black multicam squats
GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier black multicam squats

Photo Credits

Product photos on this page are property of GORUCK.

This website is not affiliated or associated with CrossFit, Inc. CrossFit is a registered trademark of CrossFit, Inc.

GORUCK Training Weight Vest coyote brown front
GORUCK Training Weight Vest coyote brown front

Affiliate Disclaimer

We are an affiliate of GORUCK and others that sell this training gear. If you buy clothing or other training gear after clicking the links in this article, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us to bring you in-depth information and content on these great training products.