For context, I rate products on a simple scale: 5 stars means I love it, 4 stars means I like it, 3 stars is okay, 2 stars means I did not like it, and 1 star means I hated it or think it is unsafe. This 45 lb Amstaff vest surprised me in a good way. I own a Box 45 lb vest that I paid $168.95 for several years ago, so that is my direct comparison point. The Amstaff costs $74.99 and the value is undeniable. The Amstaff has 10 pockets in the front and 10 in the back. The Box has 9 on each side. The reason the Amstaff has more is because its iron weight bars are slightly smaller and come in 2 lb increments, while the Box uses 2.5 lb bars. Both fill out well, but the extra pockets give the Amstaff more flexibility in distribution. The underside of the Amstaff uses the same material as its outer shell. The Box vest uses a much smoother, slick nylon underneath, which makes it easier to wipe down and puts less friction on shirts. I wear a shirt under both vests so the difference is small, but the Box is definitely gentler on fabric over time. The buckle systems are very different. The Box uses strong plastic cam belt latches on each side. They are extremely comfortable and have never failed me. The Amstaff uses a seat belt style buckle in the front and metal loop rings on the sides that the belt threads through. These feel durable but those metal rings can dig into the rib area a bit during movement. Not a huge deal, but the Box system is more comfortable. All that said, the Amstaff vest offers a lot of quality at more than half the price of the Box. It feels sturdy, well made, and the price makes it a fantastic deal. I also own Amstaff nylon locking Olympic collars and those have been excellent too, so the brand seems consistent. My true rating is 4.5 stars because of the buckle comfort, but given the value and performance, I am rating it as 5 stars on the visual scale. Read more
Amazon invited me to review this as part of the Vine program. Each of the 20 iron bricks weighs 34oz/952gm. They can all be removed. The vest weighs a bit as well. The design is robust, able to sustain the weight of these bricks. The fit is approximate. My packs fit better, but it does work and is well-padded while maintaining freedom of movement in the arms. My son is laughing at me for ordering a package that I cannot easily pick up. (I think I needed a weight-lifting belt, but that's another review.) He can pick it up so I asked him if he had used one. He said, no, but he knew several people who had hurt their back by carrying too much weight with one. My wife says she doesn't need 20 2 lb/1 kg weights because she can only carry about 10 lbs total. I figured I could use it with less weight and that works just fine. Keeping my son's counsel in mind, I immediately unloaded all of the weights and then added a few back in. Point of fact, son: You don't have to carry all the weight just because you put on the weight vest. The closure, using hook and loop as well as a quick release buckle, works well, but please don't overload your back. The limit I hear is 75% of your capacity max, less for endurance training. AI suggests starting with 5-10% of body weight with a goal of 10-15% and never exceeding 20%, no more than three times a week. Let's see that would be 4 bricks for me, maxing at 10 and never exceeding 14 bricks. That sounds about right! Are you wondering about value for money? At the current price, that's about $1.67/lb or $3.75/kg. It would be a lot easier to just carry around a few bills, but this is probably better for me, right?! Read more
This is a pretty nice weight vest that offers a wide range of weight adjustments due to the 2.07lb weights. I like that these are cast iron weights and not canvas pouches full of iron dust like some cheaper options out there. Something about breathing that in, doesnt sit right with me. The vest itself is pretty comfortable, moreso than my ruck bag as the weight is dispersed front and back. I am using this during the winter as I can put it on under my winter coat. The vest seems well made and I can move around in it quite easily. The only thing missing form this were some instructions regarding the strap though it doesnt take much to figure it out. Just velcro the included strap through the back and then loop it over the D rings on the buckle pieces. Looking at picture may help. Overall, very happy with the vest and a great option for someone not wanting to go above the included 45lbs. Read more
This vest from Amstaff is a great pickup for my home gym. The material is thick, both the seams and the shoulder padding. It feels very sturdy and secure, even with the weight it supports. The design is top notch, with thick velcro that allows for easy access to weights, hut also keeps them secure. There are D rings on each shoulder, though I have not tested them for hanging the vest or weight off of them, they seem durable enough. The vest is very adjustable. The wrap around belt hold on via velcro in the back and each side can be customized in length. Once you bring it around yourself and attach the the front velcro, there is a metal quick release buckle to ensure it stays fully secure. This can be tightened and loosened as needed also. The blocks are coated, so there are no remnants of iron or dark streaks on your hands when handling. This is a huge plus! I had pictured atraigh iron blocks which leave residue and can rust easily. The coating seems to prevent this. An overall awesome vest, that sits perfectly on me. Absolutely recommend! Read more
