Weight vest plates…what to day about weight vest plates…
…well, if you take a quick glance at the line-up below, you may be surprised to find that there is a bit more variety to these plates than you may have thought. Weird shapes, sizes, materials…who knew that something that you stick inside your vest could get so…niche.
The good news (for us, at least!) is that these differences gave us an opportunity to test and assess a bunch of different options in order to determine which are the best weight vest plates.
Whether you’re looking for plates that’ll work in your vest and in your ruck, those that are the most stable, or if you just wanna go heavy, today we’re going to look at…
Table of Contents
…the 5 Best Weight Vest Plates
Best “Tie-down”
85
Best Heavy
91
Best Soft
77
Best Multipurpose
90
Best Budget
88
The 5 Best Ruck Plates
- 5.11 Tactical Weight Plate Pair – Best “Tie-down” Plates
- Rogue Echo Weight Vest Plates – Best Heavy Weight Vest Plates
- 5.11 Tactical PT-R Flex Weight Plates – Best Soft Weight Vest Plates
- GORUCK Ruck Plates – Best Multipurpose Weight Vest Plates
- Yes4All Weight Vest Plate (Laser Cut) – Best Budget Weight Vest Plates
5.11 Tactical Weight Plate Pair
⭐️ Best “Tie-down” Plates: 85/100
The 5.11 Tactical Weight Plate Pair is comprised of two, powder-coated weight vest plates (which can easily double as ruck plate) that are designed in the style of ESAPI ballistic plates.
With superior abrasion and chipping resistance, the Weight Plate Pair will likely last longer than those with inferior coating finishes while the “tie down slots” ensure better in-vest stability than other contenders.
The Weight Plate Pair isn’t the most compatible plate option and are on the pricier end, but their longevity potential and included “extras” make them worth a hard look, regardless.
Pros
Powder coated and very precisely cut
Handles provide superior internal stability and additional functionality
Curved design is more comfortable for many users
Cons
Not inexpensive
Not overly compatible
Lightest weight option is…orange…
The first of the 5.11 Tactical vest plates on this list also happen to top our rankings of the best vest plates on the market today. Their unique “tie-down slots”, which add large degrees of stability to the plates when they’re in use, and superior coating (even if you end up with an orange pair) set them apart from most other options.
With their classic, quasi-hexagonal, quasi-pyramid shape (those are the correct shapes…right?), the Weight Plate Pair fit pretty well, but not perfectly in many non-branded vests and they aren’t the most inexpensive vest plate options, but for those looking for a very stable vest plate that is likely to last, you can’t do much better.
Rogue Echo Weight Vest Plates
Best Heavy Weight Vest Plates: 91/100
Rogue’s Echo Weight Vest Plates are specialty plates designed to fit into standard-sized ruck plate pockets/sleeves and weighted vest pockets.
As their “title” implies, the Echo Weight Vest Plates can be used to symmetrically align both front and back plate vest pockets and, depending on the bag, can be “doubled up” to provide extra resistance in a rucksack.
The Echo Weight Vest Plates are Rogue’s “lesser” weight vest plate option and some may prefer powder-coated plates, but their E-coating is likely a better choice for most people, considering what their likely plate usage looks like…
Pros
Perfectly compatible with “standard”-sized ruck/vest plate pockets
Corrosive-resistant E-coating
Not as expensive as other “premium” options
Cons
Always sold in pairs
Some may prefer powder-coated plates
Not “cheap”
Rogue actually offers a few different vest plates/ruck plates with its Echo Weight Vest Plates and Cast Weight Vest Plates (actually being their more “premium” offerings). Despite the latter of these two, as their name suggests, being marketed as vest plates, their Echo Weight Vest plates are in many cases your best bets, particularly if you have the Rogue Echo Weight Vest…the best weight vest out there.
The top and bottom “tie-down lots” aren’t as necessary with these plates as most vests that accommodate them don’t have the associated straps. However, the plates’ curved shape keeps them off the chest during run, facilitating easier breathing, but their 20-pound (40-pound total) is most appealing for those who like to go heavy, whether in a metcon or during a ruck outing.
5.11 Tactical PT-R Flex Weight Plates
⭐️ Best Soft Weight Vest Plates: 77/100
The 5.11 Tactical PT-R Flex Weight Plates are unique training options, offering a legitimate alternative “classic” vest and ruck plate options that are usually solely comprised of some type of metal or steel.
The PT-R Flex Weight Plates are largely constructed of flexible EVA Foam, making them easier to manipulate into plate pockets and softer against the body during training.
The Flex Weight Plates are solidly on the more expensive side and aren’t as compatible in non-5.11 Tactical vests. However, they do stand out as truly unique options in a somewhat crowded field.
Pros
Fit perfectly into 5.11 Tactical’s “flagship” vests
More malleable and softer, yet as robust as other vest/ruck plates
EVA foam/metal combination maximizes durability
Cons
Expensive
Not overly compatible with non-5.11 Tactical vests
Only sold in lighter (8.75 pounds and under) sizes
5.11 Tactical’s other entry on this list is offers a very different take on the “traditional” vest plate design, being significantly more malleable (they are flex plates after all) than just about any other option. The substantial EVA foam outer material not only makes these plates easier to insert and to remove from vests, but also slightly more comfortable against the body.
The PT-R Flex Weight Plates are certainly not inexpensive options, but their unique attributes may be particularly desirable to certain athletes and/or ruckers who appreciate how easy they are to “double up” in decently large plate pockets. Also, despite the EVA being significantly softer than other ruck plate material, it is incredibly durable, ensuring plate longevity.
GORUCK Ruck Plates
⭐️ Best Multipurpose Vest Plates: 90/100
GORUCK Ruck Plates are designed and engineered to fit perfectly into the company’s large selection of bags and training accessories such as plate carriers and weighted vests.
The precise proportions and high-quality powder coating put them in a league of their own in the surprisingly small market of plates/weights to stash in your ruck.
In recent months, the GORUCK Ruck Plates have been reduced in price. Also, intangibles such as the company’s warranty policies, return policies, and customer service marks help to justify the small premium paid.
Pros
Fit perfectly into GORUCK bags/gear
Resilient and beautiful powder coating
“Handles” allow for non-ruck strength work
Cons
Not inexpensive
Plates do not have any advantage in non-GORUCK bags/gear
Shipping policies are different than from all other GORUCK items
GORUCK’s Ruck Plates aren’t your classic weight vest plates (something you probably already figured out), but nevertheless are solid options for this task, if you have the “right” weight vest or plate carrier. Thankfully, these plates’ relatively “neutral”, square-like shape allows them to fit pretty well in most, not-overly-specific vests (and perfectly into GORUCK’s own weight vest and plate carrier options).
These plates’ coating combines elements of quality and aesthetics with its powder coating and are not easily scuffed or cracked. In recent months, GORUCK has actually dropped the price of these plates (rather substantially, at that), making them much more attractive options for those not looking to drop a ton of money on square pieces of metal.
Yes4All Weight Vest Plate (Laser Cut)
Best Budget Weight Vest Plates: 88/100
Yes4All’s Laser Cut Weight Vest Plates, as their name suggests, fall into the category of laser cut ruck/weight vest plates. albeit serving as more affordable options than others in this category.
The more precisely cut plates are preferred by many due to their more rounded corners and, in the case of Yes4All’s offering, their curved design.
The design of laser cut plates, particularly curved ones, can take some getting used to for those not familiar with them and “long” options are difficult, if not impossible, to find.
Pros
More rounded edges than other ruck plates
Fit vests and rucks
Less expensive than many other laser cut options
Cons
Not as inexpensive as other Yes4All options
Curved ruck/weight vest plates can have a learning “curve”(!)
No “long” options
Yes4All’s (laser cut) Weight Vest Plates combine elements of the “classic” weight vest shape (allowing them to fit many weight vest plate pockets) while also possessing both curved edges and a curved base for maximum comfort. It is possible to purchase these at higher weights than most other options, making them another option for those looking to work with more than ~20 pounds.
The laser cut plates aren’t nearly as possible as Yes4All’s “flag-bearer” ruck plate options and aren’t nearly as inexpensive either, but for those who nevertheless want an affordable vest plate with a number of a size/weight options, these may be the best picks of the bunch.
What we look for in Weight Vest Plates
You know those different shades of green (with a little bit of red thrown in) on the right side of each plate review? Well, if you couldn’t figure it out, each of these lines represents how each set of vest plates scores for each category area. There are a number of specific areas we use to measure how “good” a vest plate is…and now we’re going to tell you all about ’em.
Please note that we look at about twice as many variables when we review items individually and are only focusing on 4 category areas when determining which plates are the best weight vest plates. If you want to check out how well these plates hold up across 7 or 8 measured areas, be sure to check out our full reviews of each vest plate.
Compatibility
We’ve talked about the importance of this before in our review of the best ruck plates, but I would argue that this is an even more important question/topic with weight vest plates. Ruck plate pockets come in different shapes and sizes, but for the most part, you can make most plates work in most pockets (even if they’re a tad uncomfortable).
Now vest plates….yeah…if these don’t fit right, they don’t fit right…and they’re ain’t nuthin’ you can do about it.
All of that is to say that compatibility is a really important characteristic for these plates.
To be blunt, we’re not able to research every ruck plate/weight vest combination and, as a result, can’t give a definitive answer to how well every plate fits every vest. You’re definitely going to want to do your own research before hitting “buy!”
We were able to test most of these plates in a number of our own vests while making pretty educated inferences based off of our own observations and gear specs when it comes to popular vest we don’t own.
Worst case, you play it safe; Rogue plates for a Rogue vest, 5.11 plates for a 5.11 vest and so on…
Coating
To be honest, outside of its (at times, pretty limited) protective capabilities, vest plate coating isn’t something we really pay that close of attention to. I mean, we understand that many people want a nice-looking (and sometimes even nice-feeling) plate, but being that they spend the vast majority of their time…ya know…inside the vest…well…out of sight, out of mind…
With that being said, there are definitely differences to vest plate coating and, in some ways, these difference can impact overall longevity and durability. For example, powdercoated plates (like the GORUCK Ruck Plates) look excellent and are very difficult to scuff, yet alone chip.
E-coated plates, (like the Rogue Echo Weight Vest Plates) don’t look quite as “sleek” as powdercoated plates, but in many cases actually possess more corrosion-resistant properties than their more expensive brethren do.
“Hybrid” plates like the 5.11 Tactical PT-R Flex Weight Plates are kinda “wild cards” with unique coating and characteristics that make them difficult to classify (don’t worry; these ones are legit).
We wouldn’t put too much stock in vest plate coating for the reasons outlined above, but do understand that this characteristic can and does factor into the next, objectively more important category…
Price
Aside from discussing size and fit of ruck plates, I don’t think there is a topic that receives more attention in places like Reddit groups than plate pricing…and for good measure. It can take some serious convincing to justify dropping a chunk of change on a (reasonably) square piece of metal.
As you can imagine, a good amount of what goes into pricing for the best weight plates is name recognition. Like anything else, a more recognizable brand name garners more attention…and a higher price point. However, a number of other factors also have their say/influence on price.
We already discussed how coating, whether we like it or care about it or not, impacts price, but also, things like an ensured perfect fit are priced into certain products. This can’t be discounted.
A lot of people are attracted to Yes4All ruck plate’s very affordable price point, without being aware that there is a very good chance that these plates are not going to fit very well into whatever vest or bag they have. Perfectly-fitting GORUCK plates (for GORUCK gear) and 5.11 plates (for 5.11 gear) are more expensive…but are they too much more expensive to make your daily vest workout/activity that much more enjoyable/comfortable?
Only you can answer that…
Customer Reviews
Most of the time, we save Lavar for the end of this section because we’re generally strong believers that as much as we/I know about gear…
…but in this case, we’re deviating (slightly) from this (sorry, Lavar). Don’t blindly trust the reviews you read (especially those touting the greatness of Yes4All plates) from people who have rucked, like, 3 times ever and don’t know the difference between a good (i.e. properly-fitting) and not as good/not so good (i.e. improperly fitting) ruck plate.
Don’t get us wrong; it’s still worth checking user reviews before hitting “buy”…but remember what you’ve read here today, too…
The Best Weight Vest Plates…
Of all of the “best of” articles out there, this is the one that we honestly did not see coming. I mean…they’re weight vest plates, after all…
…but as we’ve seen today, there is a lot more going on with these than one would think on first glance, and some are definitely more appropriate for certain ventures (and for certain vests) than others.
With that being said, at the end of the day, your best bet for “commercial” vest plates are pretty much always going to be some of the most expected, “usual suspects”….your Rogues, GORUCKs, 5.11 Tacticals, and Yes4Alls.
You may have been hoping to discover some hidden gem, but these really are the best of the bunch. If you’ve been holding off on picking up a pair (or even just a single) of one these bad boys, do so in confidence…you ain’t gonna find much better out there!
…the 5 Best Weight Vest Plates
Best “Tie-down”
85
Best Heavy
91
Best Soft
77
Best Multipurpose
90
Best Budget
88
