TRX HexGrip Review

The TRX HexGrip is a highly adjustable and very well-balanced weight vest, which makes it a fantastic training tool to help take your workouts to the next level. Not only is the vest available in 10, 20, and 40 pound options, but its weight comes from individual one pound, or two pound for the heaviest model, removable metal bars. This means you can completely customize not only the weight of the vest, but also where the weight sits. Our testers found the vest to perform very well across most workouts, and highly recommend it if you're in the market for an adjustable weight vest.

Performance

The TRX is a high-performance machine, excelling at almost every exercise we threw at it during our testing. It is fantastic for cardio and high-impact exercises, holding very steady and stable during movement. It's also almost unnoticeable for exercises like push-ups and squats, although we struggled during overhead movements due to the large shoulder straps and buckles.

Our testers wore the TRX across a variety of different bodyweight exercises like pushups, squats, pull-ups, and more. The TRX sat nicely on the body for all the exercises, thanks in part to its unique design that disperses the weight evenly across your torso. This means that for exercises like push-ups, you can complete a full range of motion repetition, without feeling like a weight is sitting right on your back! Our lead tester was very impressed, noting, “I loved that the vest was high enough on my torso to allow hinging easily at the hip, and didn't have a heavy weight sitting right on my chest. Unfortunately, I did notice that the wider shoulder straps cut into my neck during overhead movements like pull-ups.” The design of the straps and buckles is quite large, and they dig in when our arms are raised overhead. If you plan to use a vest for exercises like pull-ups frequently, we issue a caution here.

Previous Next

The TRX shone brightly during cardio workouts; the full coverage and wrap-around design hugs the body like a glove. We were pleased to note almost no noticeable bouncing during jogging and all-out sprints.

Comfort

The TRX HexGrip is an incredibly comfortable vest. Across all of our comfort tests, such as weight distribution, fit adjustment, chafing, and breathability, it scored well above average, outperforming most other vests in our lineup.

The small weight bars distribute the weight across the entire vest. That is unique to the pocket style design of this vest, whereas plate style vests tend to hold the load more centrally. This dispersed weight is great for dynamic movements and lessens the perceived weight of the vest, according to our lead tester. It's important to note that if you want to customize the weight by adding or removing bars, you should do so in a way that keeps the weight balanced between the front, back, left, and right sides of the vest.

The plush neoprene padding of the TRX is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it keeps the vest almost floating on your body, and reduces any pressure points. On the other hand, it is a lot of material, and can run very warm, especially in the summertime. We didn't notice any chafing from the vest, and while we could still take deep breaths, it didn't allow our body to breathe and cool as easily.

Previous Next

Features

For a weight vest, the TRX is packed full of helpful features. From highly adjustable weight ranges, to well-designed padding and waist belt, the TRX is great for a variety of people with their own unique workout goals.

The best feature of the TRX is the adjustability of the vest. When purchasing one, it's important to note the total weight you'd like to include. The TRX is available in 10, 20, and 40-pound options. The bulk of the weight comes from individual metal bars; they weigh one pound each for the 10-pound and 20-pound models, and two pounds each for the 40-pound model. The empty base weight of the vest is approximately one and a half pounds.

The comfortable neoprene helps support the weight of the vest on your body, and the large waist belt allows you to cinch the vest securely, without cutting off your breathing. We did note that even though the shoulder straps are adjustable, they don't cinch quite as tightly as you might like, especially if you have a smaller torso. The shoulder straps didn't chafe our neck at all, but the buckles did dig in sharply when our testers hung from a pull-up bar, causing noticeable discomfort.

Previous Next

Ease of Use

Our last test metric evaluated how easy a vest was to use. As part of that test, we considered factors such as the construction quality and durability to make sure it will be usable for years into the future, how easy it is to put on and adjust, and lastly, how easy it is to change the weight. Overall, the TRX is perfectly easy to use, and durable enough to last a long time.

The build quality of the TRX is superb. Reinforced seams, quality materials, and an overall solid design lead to a pleasant use. The waist and shoulder straps are easy to adjust, even while wearing the vest.

Adjusting the weight of the TRX is easy. According to our test team, “This is one of the best adjustment features out of every vest we tested.” It's quick and allows you to customize the weight within one to two pounds, depending on the model. Each weight bar slips into a neoprene pocket, holding it securely while still being simple to remove and replace.

Putting on the vest is easy, even with the weight dialed up. It will require a bit of overhead lifting, since the TRX goes on over your head first. From there, the waist straps velcro around the outside easily. One thing we liked about the waist straps was their width — it helped to prevent the straps from twisting or becoming unreachable behind our backs!

Previous Next

Should You Buy the TRX HexGrip Weight Vest?

If you prioritize the ability to customize your vest weight, then we recommend the TRX HexGrip Weight Vest as your best bet. With a variety of weight options and customization down to the pound, this is a vest that can grow with you. Though this outstanding vest comes at a high cost, it is comfortable, durable, and performs well across any type of workout and is worth the investment.

What Other Weight Vests Should You Consider?

If you're looking to save a little money but still want a durable, quality vest, the MIR Air Flow is a solid performer. The fabric isn't quite as comfortable as others, but it keeps the weight high on your body, and still offers adjustable weight ranges from 20 to 60 pounds at a much more affordable price point. Another option to consider for the ultimate vest is the Rogue Plate Carrier. Though you'll need to buy the weight plates separately, this vest offers elite performance and is highly breathable to keep you cool during the hardest workouts.