(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
I'm a big fan of efficiency, so I've been wanting to try a weighted vest for a while now. Exactly as they sound, these fabric vests can be loaded with custom metal plates to make you instantly heavier. Once you strap one on, your typical hikes become more like strength workouts, and you'll — hopefully — find your strength and endurance improving over time.There are several different weighted vests to choose from, but I was fortunate enough to be sent one by GoRuck, the Florida-based company that started out making backpacks for rucking. Cost is something of a factor with weighted vests (we'll get to that later), but the design is durable and utilitarian. The GORUCK Rucking Weight Vest recently got the nod in our Tom's Guide Fitness Awards and, as you'd expect for a company with military ties, looks like a tactical accessory you'd see on a SWAT officer.I sit pretty comfortably around 70kg (154lbs), and the GoRuck Rucking Weight Vest added a total of 8.4kg (18.5lbs) to that. It does this through two curved weight plates, each weighing 4.2kg (9.25lbs), that sit in slots on the front and back of the vest. The plates aren't solid — they're effectively cut-outs with a hole in the middle, so your diaphragm isn't restricted while you're wearing the vest. What's great is that, unlike a backpack, the weight is evenly distributed across your torso. If you want to, you can go right up to 27kg (60lbs) to really dial up the intensity. Talk about heavy metal.The vest I wore comes with adjustable straps to fit different torso sizes and a wide stretchable waistband that cinches nicely thanks to some tough Velcro. GoRuck has put padding under the straps so — despite the weight — it's pretty comfortable to wear for long periods.How I used it
