GORUCK Training Weight Vest Versus GORUCK Plate Carrier

Let’s compare and contrast the GORUCK Training Weight Vest Versus the Ruck Plate Carrier.

The Training Weight Vest and the Plate Carrier both provide a way to have additional resistance to a diversity of exercises. Both give benefits when used correctly, and they also look identical, but what differs one from the other?

Here are some of the gear from GORUCK we are going to look at:

Training Weight Vest (Coyote Brown) Training Weight Vest - It's a vest - similar to a plate carrier (as in body-armor.) This lets you have a plate in the front and the back. Therefore the load is balanced - but a full vest makes it harder to breath.

Click to See Price (GORUCK)

Training Weight Vest (Black) Training Weight Vest - Also available in Black. The GORUCK Training Weight Vest has very comfortable straps and is compatible with a variety of training plates and GORUCK's own Ruck Plates.

Click to See Price (GORUCK)

Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 (Coyote Brown) Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 - This is your streamlined option. It only carries one plate in the back - but it's cheaper and it's going to be easier to breathe. It also looks less tactical - which will be a factor for many people.

Click to See Price (GORUCK)

Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 (Black) Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 - also available in Black. The Ruck Plate Carrier is available for just about any body type too.

Click to See Price (GORUCK)

Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 (Black Multicam) Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0. Here it is in Black Multicam - it's a more aggressive look, but still pretty subtle.

Click to See Price (GORUCK)

Training Weight Vest Versus Plate Carrier – Overview

Before using a weight vest and a ruck plate carrier, there are things to be considered to avoid injury, and so you can get all the benefits they provide. You should first know your fitness level and body type and never use a weight that hinders you from having the proper posture. Make sure they don’t move around your body and observe how they affect your form. Gradually add small amounts of weight, around three pounds at a time, to your training sessions. Once you get yourself familiar with a weight vest and a ruck plate carrier, you can now do different kinds of exercises with them and enjoy some benefits that will help you become healthier and stronger.

Training Weight Vest and Plate Carrier both add weight and heighten the intensity of exercises like walking, running, bodyweight exercises, hiking, and any speed or agility drills. But what differentiates the Training Weight Vest from the Plate Carrier is that the former can be worn both on the front and the back, while the latter can only hold a plate on the back. The Plate Carrier is cheaper, and breathing is made easier because it’s only on the back. The Training Weight Vest, on the other hand, can be used as body armor and is worn by the military and police.

Training Weight Vest

One of the most significant features of the GORUCK Training Weight Vest is its shoulder straps. Some use nylon as straps that dig into your shoulders deeper with every movement making it very uncomfortable. To solve this problem, GORUCK used the very comfortable shoulder straps from its Rucker, sized, and contoured them to the Training Weight Vest. It’s so comfortable that you can even wear it without wearing a shirt.

It is compatible with Ruck Plates up to 2x 30 LBS and other training plates while holding the weight secure and steady even while running. Using a weight vest on your workout helps increase speed and power, promotes stamina and endurance, strengthens and tones muscle, increases metabolism, and aids in weight loss. The Training Weight Vest uses 500D CORDURA® as its primary material, 210D CORDURA® for its interior material, and 330D CORDURA® for the back flap material. The Velcro plate closure, which holds the plate in place, uses 1050 ballistic nylon. It weighs 1.65 lbs and measures 17.5″ x 10.5″W.

Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0

To better disperse heavy loads, the Ruck Plate Carrier 2.0 now comes with a newly redesigned, broader, and sturdier Training Sternum Strap. It is the sleekest and most efficient way to add weights to your workouts. You can wear it shirtless with no painful burn because it has more padding, ergonomic lumbar support, and an all-new, less coarse fabric used on the back panel and underside of the shoulder straps. It also has an extra 10mm of EVA foam padding along the bottom section of the rear panel, so the natural curve of your back is supported.

The quantity of foam is doubled (now 1″ thick) on the top lid to give full protection while doing Bear Crawls and burpees. It is streamlined and straightforward with no extra straps, no zippers, or extra MOLLE. It uses 1000D CORDURA® as the primary material and 210D HT CORDURA® for the back panel and shoulder strap underside material.

Training Weight Vest Versus Plate Carrier Review – In Summary

That’s our review of Training Weight Vest Versus Plate Carrier.

GORUCK specializes in creating the best and the most rigid rucking gear used by veterans and acquaint civilians. Their training Weight Vest and Plate Carrier are no exemption from this excellence. If you are confident enough and want a vest that can hold plates both on the front and back, the Training Weight Vest is for you. Or, if you want a more straightforward and easier way to carry weights, the Plate Carrier will suit you better.

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.

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.