Quick Overview
The Rogue Plate Carrier is a high-quality USA-made weight vest with a compact design. Capable of holding up to 40 lbs, this vest is a great choice for all types of training ranging from lifting to conditioning. It’s also well-priced with a strong reputation.
Who It’s Right For
Things to Consider
The Rogue Plate Carrier is one of the best weighted vests because of its minimalist design, build quality, and versatility.
It’s not the most feature-rich weight vest on the market, but its simplicity makes for an effective, easy-to-use plate carrier with an excellent reputation.
I’ve been using weighted vests for years, and I’ve tested dozens of them here at Garage Gym Lab.
This is the one I gravitate to the most.
In this review, we’ll take a close look at the Rogue Plate Carrier. I’ll share the pros and cons and compare it to other popular options, including the 5.11 TacTec and Sentry Condor plate carriers.
Let’s dig in.
Rogue Plate Carrier
The Rogue Plate Carrier is a compact, durable, and versatile weight vest. It's well-priced, made in the USA, and comes in several colors.
Key Specs
- Type: Plate Carrier
- Weight Options: Up to 40 lbs
- Material: Cordura
- Size Range: Small, Medium, and Large
- Color: Multiple
Rogue is one of, if not the biggest, retailers of weight vests on the market. In addition to offering their own vest, they sell numerous others, including those from 5.11 Tactical, Condor, MiR, Box, Hyperwear, and more. By the way, I’ve tested them all.
It’s safe to say that Rogue knows a thing or two when it comes to designing a weighted vest.
I’ve been using this plate carrier since the beginning of 2021 as one of my go-to vests.
Its minimalist design increases range of motion and makes it one of the most versatile options, allowing you to perform a variety of exercises.
Let’s look at the specs and get into the review.
Specs
- Base Weight: 1.1 lbs (Medium)
- Weight Options: Up to 40lbs
- Plate Pocket Dimensions: 10.25″ W x 12.25″ H
- Material: Cordura
- Size Range: Small, Medium, Large
- Patch Options: Front & Back
- Enclosure Type: Velcro
- Color Options: Black, Brown, Gray, Green
Build Quality
I’m impressed with the overall build quality of this vest. From the construction to the materials, it’s one of the most durable and well-made plate carriers available. It’s also made in the USA for those that want to support American-made.
The Rogue Plate Carrier uses a combination of 500D and 1000D Cordura fabric. Cordura is the gold standard for weight vests and sandbags because of its durability, abrasion resistance, and rugged looks.
The “D”, which stands for “Denier”, measures the thickness of the fabric. Higher values indicate thicker, more durable material. The Rogue Carrier uses 1000D for the weight pockets and 500D on the exterior for a softer texture.
In addition to high-quality Cordura, Rogue uses USA-made Velcro to enclose the plates and secure the straps. It’s strong, durable, and easy to operate. I can feel a difference between name-brand Velcro and generic “hook and loop” enclosures.
Still, I recommend minimizing adjustment frequency and leaving them attached when not in use to reduce dirt and debris. This will extend the life and “stick” of any hook and loop system, including Velcro.
Just as important, the stitching is excellent throughout the vest. You’ll find reinforced seams on the velcro patches and all connection points, including Box-X stitching.
Weight Options
The Rogue Plate Carrier uses pockets on the front and back to hold up to 40 lbs of combined weight. Each pocket measures 10.25″ W x 12.25″ H (outside dimensions), making them compatible with cast plates.
You can buy cast iron plates from Rogue in two variations: USA Cast Plates and Echo Cast Plates. Both options have a double-curved design to increase comfort, but the USA cast plates are more expensive. They have a black powder-coated finish (vs. e-coat on the Echo plates) and are fractionally smaller. Both sets range from 5-20 lbs, but you get a 15 lb option with the USA plates. They’re each sold in pairs.
Warning
Laser-cut weight vest plates will not fit the Rogue Plate Carrier. Check plate dimensions before purchasing plates to ensure they fit.
I own and recommend the Echo plates. Unless you need a 15lb variation, the benefits of the USA cast plates don’t justify the extra cost, in my opinion.
You secure the plates in pouches located at the bottom of the vest. Simply add the plates, fold the bottom flap around, and fasten the velcro. Once in position, the plates sit tightly inside the pouch.
Comfort & Sizing
Thanks to its minimalist design, the Rogue Plate Carrier is one of the most comfortable weight vests you’ll find. Where some vests are big and bulky, Rogue designed this one to be as compact as possible. There’s no unnecessary excess anywhere – the dimensions are the same as the pockets referenced above.
You’ll find padded interior linings on the front and back of the vest to soften the feel of the weight plates. Coupled with the curved plate design, it makes a big difference.
If there’s anywhere Rogue can improve the comfort of this vest, it’s the shoulder straps. Out of the box, they don’t include any padding, which causes some discomfort over longer training sessions. Shoulder pads are available when you purchase the vest, but they cost extra. You can also look at premium options like those from HSGI.
Unlike many vests that are one-size-fits-most, the Rogue Plate Carrier has three sizes:
- Small: <34″
- Medium: 34″ – 42″
- Large: 42″ – 50″
Measure around your torso 12″ below your sternal notch to find your size. Having multiple sizes is a great benefit because it ensures a tight fit, reduces bounce, and increases overall comfort.
I recommend sizing down if you’re between sizes. I’m 5’8 and measured on the line for a small or medium. I picked the small, which provides a great all-around fit.
Quick Tip
I recommend sizing down if you’re between sizes. I’m 5’8 and measured on the line for a small or medium. I picked the small, which provides a great all-around fit.
Working Out with the Rogue Plate Carrier
Because this vest is so compact, I’ve found that it’s one of the most versatile for training. The extra range of motion is great for core movements, and it feels out of the way when performing squats, etc.
I also like it for push-ups, pull-ups, and lunges.
With a 40 lb capacity, it’s plenty of weight for most people. Throwing a pair of 10 lb plates and walking is one of my favorite ways to use the vest.
If you’re looking to train more dynamic movements, having a tighter-fitting vest like this is also useful.
Aesthetics
With a minimalist vest comes a minimalist look. If you like the tactical look of vests like the 5.11 TacTec Carrier, the Rogue Plate Carrier may leave you wanting more.
I prefer the tactical look, so there’s a slight tradeoff with the aesthetics of the vest. That said, Rogue offers four colors: black, coyote brown, gray, and ranger green. I have the ranger green, which I think looks great.
This vest also has 6″ x 3″ and 6″ x 2″ sections on the front and back for velcro patches. You can buy a variety of patches from Rogue or add your own. This is a great way to level up the look of the vest.
Price
The Rogue Plate Carrier isn’t the most expensive vest, but it’s also not the cheapest. At $145, it’s reasonably priced for a USA-made, high-quality weight vest. Keep in mind that with plate carriers, you need to purchase the plates separately, adding to the overall cost.
User Reviews
This is one of the most popular and well-reviewed plate carriers on the market. With an average rating of 4.8/5 at Rogue, owners are happy with the vest. The most common positive comments center around comfort, durability, and mobility. The most common complaint is that the shoulder strap does not come with pad as standard.
Rogue Plate Carrier vs. 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier
The 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier is the official weight vest of CrossFit, making it one of the most popular options.
The biggest difference between these two plate carriers is their size. The 5.11 vest is noticeably bigger than the Rogue vest. As a full-size vest, the TacTec carrier has more features, but it’s a bit more cumbersome to use.
One benefit of the TacTec vest over Rogue is that it accommodates cast iron and laser-cut plates. Another is that it has more comfortable and thickly padded shoulder straps. Other features include a drag handle, air channels, and a protected velcro area to limit dirt and debris.
Aesthetically, I also have to give the nod to the 5.11 carrier. In addition to looking “cooler,” it’s available in more colors, including navy and camo options.
However, I find the Rogue Plate Carrier more comfortable and functional overall. The smaller design increases range of motion and feels more natural on the body.
Pricewise, the Rogue carrier is $70 less expensive than the 5.11 carrier. Both vests are great options. If you’re a competitive CrossFitter or someone who likes the idea of a full-size vest, I recommend the 5.11 TacTec. Otherwise, I think the Rogue Plate Carrier is the better option.
Rogue Plate Carrier vs. Condor Sentry Plate Carrier
The Condor Sentry Plate Carrier is another popular option, mainly because of its amazing price.
The Condor vest is a mid-size vest that falls between the Rogue and 5.11 carriers. It has more features than Rogue, including a drag handle and shoulder loops for routing hydration systems.
Despite the padded shoulders, the Condor vest is less comfortable than the Rogue. This is primarily because it fits more loosely, causing bouncing. The adjustment mechanism uses buckle clips instead of velcro, making it more difficult to adjust to certain body types.
Durability is also a concern with the Condor vest relative to Rogue. It uses heavy-duty nylon, but it’s not Cordura, and several reviews have pointed to the fabric fraying or ripping over time.
Aesthetically, these are similar carriers with four color options each. However, the Condor vest is the clear winner in price at nearly $100 less. If you’re shopping on a budget, the Condor Sentry Plate Carrier is a solid buy. Otherwise, I recommend the Rogue Plate Carrier.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts
The Rogue Plate Carrier is a top-flight weight vest with a compact and effective design. It’s great for a variety of exercises, especially with the smaller profile.
This vest is durable, well-priced, and has an excellent reputation. Given its functionality and value, it’s one of the best weight vests on the market.