Rogue Plate Carrier Review
Editor’s Conclusion
There comes a time in every weight training journey where basic bodyweight exercises lose their magic. Squats, burpees, sit-ups, chin-ups, and push-ups just don’t engage your muscles the way they used to. The Rogue Plate Carrier is a tactical-style vest that is designed to bump up the intensity of your bodyweight workouts to bring that magic back! What l love most about this vest is that it doesn’t get lost in extra bells and whistles.
It boasts a simple design that hugs a weight plate close to your chest without digging into your skin. It comes in a wide variety of neutral color options and has a shorter cut that allows you to hit the treadmill or knock out a few hundred squats without the plate knocking against your thighs.
Below, I want to dive into all of the features of the Rogue Plate Carrier that makes it a great addition to your home gym.
It boasts a simple design that hugs a weight plate close to your chest without digging into your skin. It comes in a wide variety of neutral color options and has a shorter cut that allows you to hit the treadmill or knock out a few hundred squats without the plate knocking against your thighs.
Below, I want to dive into all of the features of the Rogue Plate Carrier that makes it a great addition to your home gym.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Fits close to your chest with little movement
Potion of all sales go to the Operator Foundation
Tear-resistant
Comfortable padded strap pads
Offered in a variety of colors
Cons
Only compatible with Rogue vest plates
Plates not included
Expensive
Hand-wash only
Key Features
MATERIALS
The materials used on this weighted vest are made to pretty much stand the test of time. It is composed of 1000D and 500D Cordura. The 1000D Cordua is found in areas of the vest that carry the bulk of the weight and need a heavy and resilient fabric that won’t rip, tear, or lose strength over time. This style of Cordua is incredibly thick and not very flexible, which is why Rogue includes 500D Cordua in key areas.
The 500D Cordura fabric is much more breathable and flexible than 1000D. It works to wick away sweat and promote airflow to keep you from overheating. It is placed on key areas of the body that need a little more air circulation and doesn’t hold the brunt of the weight. I love the best of these too fabrics because it ensures that your vest is insanely tough without feeling too hot or bulky.
To fasten to your body, it uses velcro straps instead of buckles. I noticed that there are a lot of plate vests out on the market that use buckles to hold the plate in place. I prefer Velcro straps over buckles because they feel a lot more secure, and it makes it easy to rip off your vest when you are done with your workout.
WEIGHT CAPACITY
The max weight capacity for this vest maxes out at 20 pounds. What I have learned from my quest for the best plate carrier is that most of the vests out there on the market max out at around 10 pounds. Of course, these vests also allow you to adjust your weight increments but 1-2 pounds. This plate carrier may have a much heavier weight limit than similar designs out there on the market, but making adjustments to the overall weight is a little more difficult.
If you want to change the weight in your vest, you need to completely swap out the plate inside of the vest for a new one. Plate increments range from 5, 10, and 20 pounds plates which don’t give you all that much room to play with as far as adjustability is concerned.
WASH INSTRUCTIONS
The downside to this vest is that it isn’t exactly washing machine-friendly. To care for your vest, you need to hand wash it in cool water with mild detergent and hang it in a well-ventilated area to dry completely. While the fabric is water-resistant, the high level of sweat that it creates when working out may make it start to smell a little funky over time.
Washing it in a washing machine even on a gentle cycle will not only hinder the strength of the Velcro (which is the most important part!), but it will also affect the strength of the fabric. Hand-washing your gear is a pain, but it helps to make it hold its strength for years to come. You can always skip washing it if you are ok being the smelly person at the gym!
PLATE COMPATIBILITY
One of the biggest downsides to this plate carrier is that it is only compatible with specific plates made for this vest. This means that you cannot throw your standard Olympic-sized plates into this vest. This vest is designed to feel as comfortable and natural as possible, and rounded plates will feel a little big and bulky. The plates for this vest are oval-shaped to accommodate the natural shape of your torso. That allows for more natural movements without a bulky plate getting in the way.
Plate options are available in 5, 10, and 20 pounds designs. As with any piece of rogue equipment, shipping is free if you purchase more than three items. I suggest purchasing the vest as well as 2-3 different compatible plate options to get the biggest bang for your buck. Additional plates are sold in pairs, and some of the higher weights will set you back about the same you paid for your plate carrier! While the price tag is daunting, it is well worth the extra cost for something that will stand the test of time!
COMFORT
When compared to more budget-friendly designs, this plate carrier from Rogue really shines. The biggest complaint that users have when wearing a weighted vest is that they often dig into their shoulders. Rogue works to fix that problem with expertly crafted shoulder pads. These pads measure to be about 7 inches long, 3 inches wide, and ⅜ on an inch thick and pop on and off with ease thanks to the Velcro fasteners.
The padding inside of these shoulder straps is incredibly comfortable and won’t flatten out over time. They are composed of a durable foam core that is surrounded by Cordura fabrics. They are accented with mesh materials that help air circulate to keep you cool and dry, and well as comfortable. Even after a brutal workout, these shoulder straps won’t draw blood like some of the more budget-friendly versions out there on the market! I know from experience that it is hard to focus on your workout when all you can think about is the pain generating from your shoulders!
STYLE
It seems peculiar to talk about the style of a function piece of gear, but there was a lot of thought put into the styling of this vest. You more than likely put some thought into the style of your workout clothes, so why not your plate carrier? What I love most about this design is that it comes in a wide variety of colors that include military green and beige, as well as black, grey, and olive green.
Users also love that this style includes velcro faceplates to pop on a few decorative patches. The Rogue store has quite a few patches that sell for 5 bucks a pop to place on your vest, but it is also compatible with various other patches that you collected through your travels.
PRICE
When you take into consideration the vest as well as the special compatible plates needed to adjust the weight in this vest, the price tag is pretty expensive. However, if you are dedicated to simple bodyweight exercises in your home gym and are on the hunt for a simple way to amp up the intensity, this is a great tool to have on hand. From what I have found, some of the plate sets cost as much as the actual plate carrier!
If you are looking to save a bit of money, I suggest opting for the 5-pound plate set. Also, be sure that you load up your cart with at least 3 items to save on shipping! It may seem pretty expensive, but when you take into consideration the durability, comfort, and overall style of this vest, it’s actually a pretty fantastic value!
The materials used on this weighted vest are made to pretty much stand the test of time. It is composed of 1000D and 500D Cordura. The 1000D Cordua is found in areas of the vest that carry the bulk of the weight and need a heavy and resilient fabric that won’t rip, tear, or lose strength over time. This style of Cordua is incredibly thick and not very flexible, which is why Rogue includes 500D Cordua in key areas.
The 500D Cordura fabric is much more breathable and flexible than 1000D. It works to wick away sweat and promote airflow to keep you from overheating. It is placed on key areas of the body that need a little more air circulation and doesn’t hold the brunt of the weight. I love the best of these too fabrics because it ensures that your vest is insanely tough without feeling too hot or bulky.
To fasten to your body, it uses velcro straps instead of buckles. I noticed that there are a lot of plate vests out on the market that use buckles to hold the plate in place. I prefer Velcro straps over buckles because they feel a lot more secure, and it makes it easy to rip off your vest when you are done with your workout.
WEIGHT CAPACITY
The max weight capacity for this vest maxes out at 20 pounds. What I have learned from my quest for the best plate carrier is that most of the vests out there on the market max out at around 10 pounds. Of course, these vests also allow you to adjust your weight increments but 1-2 pounds. This plate carrier may have a much heavier weight limit than similar designs out there on the market, but making adjustments to the overall weight is a little more difficult.
If you want to change the weight in your vest, you need to completely swap out the plate inside of the vest for a new one. Plate increments range from 5, 10, and 20 pounds plates which don’t give you all that much room to play with as far as adjustability is concerned.
WASH INSTRUCTIONS
The downside to this vest is that it isn’t exactly washing machine-friendly. To care for your vest, you need to hand wash it in cool water with mild detergent and hang it in a well-ventilated area to dry completely. While the fabric is water-resistant, the high level of sweat that it creates when working out may make it start to smell a little funky over time.
Washing it in a washing machine even on a gentle cycle will not only hinder the strength of the Velcro (which is the most important part!), but it will also affect the strength of the fabric. Hand-washing your gear is a pain, but it helps to make it hold its strength for years to come. You can always skip washing it if you are ok being the smelly person at the gym!
PLATE COMPATIBILITY
One of the biggest downsides to this plate carrier is that it is only compatible with specific plates made for this vest. This means that you cannot throw your standard Olympic-sized plates into this vest. This vest is designed to feel as comfortable and natural as possible, and rounded plates will feel a little big and bulky. The plates for this vest are oval-shaped to accommodate the natural shape of your torso. That allows for more natural movements without a bulky plate getting in the way.
Plate options are available in 5, 10, and 20 pounds designs. As with any piece of rogue equipment, shipping is free if you purchase more than three items. I suggest purchasing the vest as well as 2-3 different compatible plate options to get the biggest bang for your buck. Additional plates are sold in pairs, and some of the higher weights will set you back about the same you paid for your plate carrier! While the price tag is daunting, it is well worth the extra cost for something that will stand the test of time!
COMFORT
When compared to more budget-friendly designs, this plate carrier from Rogue really shines. The biggest complaint that users have when wearing a weighted vest is that they often dig into their shoulders. Rogue works to fix that problem with expertly crafted shoulder pads. These pads measure to be about 7 inches long, 3 inches wide, and ⅜ on an inch thick and pop on and off with ease thanks to the Velcro fasteners.
The padding inside of these shoulder straps is incredibly comfortable and won’t flatten out over time. They are composed of a durable foam core that is surrounded by Cordura fabrics. They are accented with mesh materials that help air circulate to keep you cool and dry, and well as comfortable. Even after a brutal workout, these shoulder straps won’t draw blood like some of the more budget-friendly versions out there on the market! I know from experience that it is hard to focus on your workout when all you can think about is the pain generating from your shoulders!
STYLE
It seems peculiar to talk about the style of a function piece of gear, but there was a lot of thought put into the styling of this vest. You more than likely put some thought into the style of your workout clothes, so why not your plate carrier? What I love most about this design is that it comes in a wide variety of colors that include military green and beige, as well as black, grey, and olive green.
Users also love that this style includes velcro faceplates to pop on a few decorative patches. The Rogue store has quite a few patches that sell for 5 bucks a pop to place on your vest, but it is also compatible with various other patches that you collected through your travels.
PRICE
When you take into consideration the vest as well as the special compatible plates needed to adjust the weight in this vest, the price tag is pretty expensive. However, if you are dedicated to simple bodyweight exercises in your home gym and are on the hunt for a simple way to amp up the intensity, this is a great tool to have on hand. From what I have found, some of the plate sets cost as much as the actual plate carrier!
If you are looking to save a bit of money, I suggest opting for the 5-pound plate set. Also, be sure that you load up your cart with at least 3 items to save on shipping! It may seem pretty expensive, but when you take into consideration the durability, comfort, and overall style of this vest, it’s actually a pretty fantastic value!
Verdict
For a gym that is set up for primarily bodyweight exercises, the Rogue Plate Carrier is an excellent investment. There will come a point where simple movements (such as chin-ups) become too easy once you start to really build strength. You would be surprised at how strapping just 5 extra pounds to your chest makes even the most simple movements incredibly difficult.
What I love most about this design from Rogue is that it provides a pop of style without sacrificing durability. The Cordura construction is resistant to ripping and tearing and ensures that this vest is the last one that you will ever need to buy.
It’s a bit of a bummer that it only accommodates very specific shaped Rogue plates, which means that you will not only have to invest in the base plate carrier but the plates as well. However, these styles of weights are designed to contour to the shape of your body, which makes engaging in a wide variety of movements just a little bit easier (as opposed to strapping an awkward Olympic-sized plate to your body!).
What I love most about this design from Rogue is that it provides a pop of style without sacrificing durability. The Cordura construction is resistant to ripping and tearing and ensures that this vest is the last one that you will ever need to buy.
It’s a bit of a bummer that it only accommodates very specific shaped Rogue plates, which means that you will not only have to invest in the base plate carrier but the plates as well. However, these styles of weights are designed to contour to the shape of your body, which makes engaging in a wide variety of movements just a little bit easier (as opposed to strapping an awkward Olympic-sized plate to your body!).
$135.00See Deal