5.11 Tactical Unisex TacTec Trainer Weight Vest, Breathable Mesh Pads, Style 56693ABR, Black, One Size

After putting on some weight from being fed at work, I realized I need to make a lifestyle change. Getting back into working out was difficult but wearing this vest has helped. Strengthen my legs and core. Easily holds a 10 x 12 plate without issues. Secure straps inside grip the plate and then a Velcro closure snaps it tight. Can hold regular armor plates or standard Sized training plates as well. Curved or flat it doesn’t matter.There is a space for attachments all over using MOLLE wedding on the front and back. You can add a pouch for phone keys or water bottle if needed. Maybe a bladder if you plan on doing anything long where you’ll be outdoors. The small Velcro pocket on the top will hold a small set of keys or maybe a phone but a key card will surely fit. It’s not meant to hold much and I wouldn’t trust it with $1000 phone.Straps for the shoulders are adjusted by undoing the Velcro on each shoulder and then ripping the shoulder strap off of the Velcro and moving it to your needed height. Then press it back down flip the tab over and your set. The side pouches are adjustable by flipping the back Open and moving the wedding around to fit. You’ll have to undo a knot and retire it but it’s secure and won’t come undone. You can also quickly take this on and off by lifting the front pocket and pulling the Velcro tabs for the side straps once you’ve got it adjusted to your needs. There are two pockets on the side for small items. You can put a go or bar in there if needed, but anything rigid may dig into your side.Plenty of breathability with the hexagon shaped padding that does allow airflow. It has picked up some odors, but throwing it in the wash with the plates out hasn’t shown any detrimental effects yet. I use gentle soap and a gentle cycle and it seems to be holding up fine. I do not dry it in the dryer. I let it air dry.This is by no means a vest you would wear it while on duty or heading into battle. It is missing a lot of features needed for that, but it doesn’t claim to be that and don’t treat it as such.

I am having a real love hate relationship with this vest. First the quality of the materials and construction is exceptional. No question. The velcro used is outstanding and very grippy and secure. The design though is confusing at best to me. So much so I almost think you need a manual to understand how to adjust it and how to mount and secure the plates in it. No question it has adjustably but getting it figured out is a major headache to say the least. price is on the high side and suspect it will be compared against the GoRuck carrier which itself is on the expensive side yet still less expensive to this. Value may be challenged. Padding is again exceptional. Very comfortable with load. The other odd thing is the plates are loaded in from the bottom of this carrier and then sealed up with velcro straps and seams. Odd choice with the opening at the bottom. Un-nerving actually but saved by the fact the velcro is exceptional. Still an odd choice imo. Really torn. has a ton of great and a few odd choices leaving me scratching my head. You may find loading the plates, securing and wearability all easy and if so you won't be at all disappointed. I suspect if you have a kit out that doesn't change much you are in business but if you fidget and adjust and add/subtract weights often it may give you second thoughts.

Expensive, not worth the money for what it doesn't do. The weight pocket is tiny, and I can't find a way to put plates into it. There is no way to open the vest, you have to snake into it from the bottom, or step into it from above and pull it on while trying to get your arms into the holes. It lacks quick-release buckles or velcro strap to make it easy to get on/off. That alone makes me want to return it.

I am a big fan of 5.11 products. I own several different plate carriers now that I use for Airsoft load outs. A few of the ones I have are cheap knock offs, but this one is awesome. It is noticeably better quality than all the other ones I own. My previous plate carriers kind of made me want to only use smaller chest rigs (non-plate carriers), because they didn't fit me very well and didn't distribute the weight in a way I was comfortable with. I was very happy to find that this plate carrier was very easily adjustable to my body size (6'4" and only 160lbs). It will work for larger sized people as well and has some elasticity in the cummerbund for a little extra flexibility, which I really like. This plate carrier feels so much more comfortable than my other plate carriers and it seems to stay in place really well and distribute the weight properly so that I don't have any discomfort. There's a bunch of molle webbing on this plate carrier, so you can pretty much set it up however you want. It is primarily a weigh training vest, so it doesn't have built in mag pouches or rigid molle cummerbund straps, but I actually prefer it this way. Overall, I really like this setup and have no complaints about it.

This is my first time reviewing an item like this, but it did have 5.11's name on it and thus, caught my interest.Comfort-wise, this is very comfortable to wear. Simply pull off the velcro off the front bottom panel and reattach after you've put it over your head.Mesh is breathable, allows good airflow.Plenty of attachments on this vest, which has been good for the range and increasing variety in workouts.I would have liked to have a quick release on this rather than velcro, but this does confer a little more of a stronger connection/secure locking in of the vest.To address the other reviewer's comments, there is a place to put the weight plate. Flip the vest upside down and on the back panel, rip open the bottom. There is enough space for a proper weight plate.Overall, this is a decent weight training vest.

Excellent construction and materials. Good craftsmanship. Thick sturdy nylon. A very nicely made plate carrier. Plenty of attachment points and reinforced stiching. Very good quality. Adjustable size range fits most men pretty well. Excellent for training,