In this article, review the MIR Weighted Vests and provide our recommendations. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot or you can scroll down for detailed reviews.
Contents
Have you ever felt that your workouts are becoming increasingly less effective? It is common for the body and muscles to get used to your training workout with time, and they don’t strain enough after that.
For example, if you are used to running a marathon every month, you may quickly realize your times don’t improve after a point, despite training faster or longer.
This problem can be sorted by performing the same set of workouts with additional weights on your body. However, it would be highly uncomfortable to exercise while carrying weights in your hands.
This is where weighted vests are helpful. Weighted vests are apparatus that can be used to load your body with additional weights while leaving your hands free. These are vests that come with pockets to load small weights and can be worn over a layer of clothing.
Weighted vests come in many types, and can be used while performing a variety of workout routines, like CrossFit training, or running. They are also immensely helpful to people with osteoporosis, enabling them to strengthen their bones and slow down the progression of the disease.
Apart from enhancing workouts, they are also used to treat developmental disorders in children, like autism and ADHD.
Weighted vests come in many sizes, and weight limits. This is to provide for all kinds of users, from kids and women to large men. MIR Weighted Vests are highly rated in the market.
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Overview of MIR Weighted Vests
MIR offers you 4 types of weighted vests, to suit different body frames and purposes-
- MIR Pro Weighted Vest (45-90 lbs)
- MIR Short Weighted Vest (20-60 lbs)
- MIR Weighted Vest for Women (20-60 lbs)
- MIR Air Flow Weighted Vest (20-60 lbs)
We shall discuss the features of each of these in detail later in the article. However, the main advantages and disadvantages of MIR Weighted Vests are given below-
Pros of MIR Weighted Vests:
- They come in a wide range of weight-limits
- The vests are made of highly durable reinforced polyester material
- The Weights are solid iron bars, and not sandbags, making them long-lasting
- MIR has 4 types of vests, to suit varying body contours, and preferences
- You have the option of buying these vests with zippers
Cons of MIR Weighted Vests:
- The Velcro straps fasten at the back, making them difficult to use without help
- All the vests are one-size-fits-all. This may make them unsuitable for people with very large or very small frames.
- The zippers may not be very durable
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Buyers Guide: Weighted Vests
Though weighted vests are suitable for most people of all age groups, it is imperative that you acquaint yourself with the basic features that make up a weighted vest.
The Material
Weighted vests are made from high-quality and durable materials, like canvas, neoprene, or polyester. Since they are usually used during high-intensity workouts, they must withstand wear and tear over extended periods of time.
The straps of the vest must be padded, since your shoulders bear the weight, and may suffer from chaffs and bruises otherwise.
Since the vests are like an additional layer of clothing, wearing them makes you perspire more and increase your body temperature. For this reason, they must be made of breathable material and must ensure air circulation.
The weight pockets are usually the first places where weighted vests give away. Weighted vests must hence be reinforced with multiple layers to avoid this.
The Fit
A weighted vest must fit snuggly around the contours of your body at all times. They must not sag, or wobble while you work out. If the weights in the vest move around as your exercise, they may lead to a loss of balance, and result in injury.
An ideal weighted vest must be loadable uniformly in the front and the back. The weight-pockets must be present at chest level, and must not hang down in the lower part of the body.
Weighted vests almost always come with adjustable straps, to tighten or loosen the vests around the body. These straps are usually made of Velcro to ensure adhesion.
The Weights
Most vests come with multiple small weights which can be loaded onto the vests. These weights, ranging from 2 to 5 pounds, when used in varying combinations, allow you to vary your workout intensity.
Weighted vests also come in a variety of weight ranges, from 4 lbs to 120 lbs. You must pick a vest with a weight range that is suitable for you, and as per the advice of your healthcare professional or physical trainer.
These weights are either made of iron filings (called sandbags) or are solid iron bars. Though the former is most prevalent, it is very common for the sang bags to develop holes, leading to leakage of the filings.
However, solid iron bars have no such drawbacks and are a characteristic of high-quality weighted vests.
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Features and Benefits
#1 MIR Pro Weighted Vest (45-90 lbs)
The Material
This vest is a rugged product from MIR, that is made of 1200D reinforced polyester, with double padding. Many users have reported that the vest withstands the rigors of many intense workout sessions without coming apart.
It also comes with an adjustable Velcro belt, which can be used to fasten the vest tightly to your body. Since all the subsequent vests discussed in this article too are made from double-padded polyester, we shall refrain from discussing this aspect of each model separately.
The Fit
This is a one-size-fits-all vest that measures 15 inches in width, and 15 inches in length. It is also 0.25 inches thick. The padded shoulders make the vest very comfortable even for intense workouts like martial arts.
Though there are no complaints from users about the quality of the product, quite a few have something to say about its fit. While the vest can fit small and medium-sized men and women quite well, it is not very comfortable for those with large frames.
Several large men and women have complained that the side-straps are too tight to fasten around their bodies. If you are 6 feet tall or more, this vest may not fit you well.
They are two variants of this vest, one with a zipper running down the middle, and the other without. The zipper comes in handy when the vest when it is fully loaded. It can be worn or removed like a shirt, which is much easier than pulling it over the head like a tee.
The Weights
The MIR Pro Weighted Vest comes in 5 weight limits (45 lbs, 50 lbs, 60 lbs, 75 lbs & 90 lbs). Each vest comes with solid iron bars weighing 3 lbs each.
For example, if you purchased the 45 lbs vest, you will get 15 iron weights of 3 lbs each, which you can fill the pockets with.
The pockets are evenly distributed in the front and the back of the vest, in three rows. Each row has 5 pockets.
#2 MIR Short Weighted Vest (20-60 lbs)
One big drawback of one-size-fits-all weighted vests is that some users, especially ones with very large or very small frames would find it a tad too uncomfortable using them. MIR offers a solution to this problem through its Short Vest.
The Fit
For users with small and medium frames, standard weighted vests would come down to their stomachs, restricting mobility. Mir Short Weighted Vest addresses this issue.
This highly compact vest is only 11 inches in height and ends at chest level without constricting you while you exercise. The vest also has a narrow-shoulder design for added comfort, which is adjustable.
There are two adjustable Velcro straps, one on each side, to fit the vest snuggly over your torso. However, users have reported that it is difficult for the vest to stay in place while doing horizontal movements like planks or push-ups.
The Weights
This vest comes in 6 weight limits-20 lbs, 30 lbs, 40 lbs, 45 lbs, 50 lbs, and 60 lbs. The vest has evenly spaced pockets in the front and the back, enabling you to concentrate the weights on your upper chest and back regions.
The vest comes with multiple 3 lbs solid iron weights, which are of very good quality and are long-lasting. The advantage of having solid metal weights instead of sandbags is that they don’t tear with use and leak any fillings.
Since the Vest only comes to your chest, all the weights are loaded high up and allows for a wide range of movements.
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#3 MIR Weighted Vest for Women (20-60 lbs)
Another category of people for whom standard-sized and shaped vests do not fit well is women. Their body contour is very different from men’s, and it would be very difficult for them to wear unisex vests. MIR brings out this product exclusively for women users.
The Fit
The vest is stated to be 13 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 3 inches thick.
Unlike the MIR Pro and the MIR Short vests, the MIR Women’s Weighted Vest is X-shaped. This ensures that the wearer’s chest is not squished. For very short women, this vest may extend until the stomach.
As with other vests, this one too comes with Velcro straps to be fastened at the waist. However, users have reported that the straps are a tad too long, and are difficult to fasten without help.
The Weights
This vest comes in 6 weight-limits- 10 lbs, 20 lbs, 30, lbs, 40lbs, 45 lbs, and 50 lbs. The solid iron bar weights are slightly larger than bars of soap.
Another big difference between this vest and the previous ones is that the weight pockets in the are placed differently. They are concentrated on the lower part of the vest, in the front and the back. This may make the vest feel bottom-heavy.
#4 MIR Air Flow Weighted Vest (20-60 lbs)
Do you find yourself sweating uncomfortably while wearing a weighted vest? Well, fret no more. MIR offers you a product that can make your life better.
The Material
MIR boasts that this vest is breathable. Made of a hybrid design to promote air circulation to your body, this vest will keep you cool during your workout.
Have you ever found your weighted vest becoming dirty and smelly because of all the sweat it has had to come across? Well, this vest is machine washable. Just remove all the weights, throw it in the washer, and voila, your vest comes out clean and fresh-smelling.
The Fit
The vest is padded well all through, even at the shoulders. However, users have pointed out a big design flaw with this vest. The Velcro straps fasten at the back.
This makes them very inconvenient to use without help, especially for people who have restricted shoulder mobility. The vest comes with a reflective strip at the back, making it safe to use even outdoors in the dark.
The Weights
This is a relatively lightweight vest, with weight limits ranging from 20 lbs to 60 lbs. Given this, there are only two rows of weight pockets, and not three. There are 9 weight pockets in the front, and 10 at the back.
Together, these can hold up to 57 lbs of weight, while the vest itself weights another 3 lbs. All the solid iron weights are removable, giving you the flexibility you need for your workouts.
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Conclusion
MIR possibly offers the most comprehensive set of weighted vests to suit every kind of customer. They are strongly built, adjustable, and come with solid iron weights.
While we make every effort to provide updated and correct information, the advice given in this article and website should not be construed as “medical advice.” Please consult with your physician or medical practitioner before using any MIR weighted vest. Everyone may have his or her unique issues, and your medical practitioner is the best person to decide if you can wear a MIR weighted.
