We Tried Omorpho’s New Weighted Vest Collaboration with Hyrox — Read Our Honest Review

Omorpho’s newest weighted vest is built specifically for Hyrox-style training, with a close-to-body fit and distributed resistance designed for running, burpees, sled work and more

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Weighted vests have become one of the more visible fitness accessories over the past year. Athletech News has tested over a dozen, with each serving a different audience. Many are better suited to walking or slow strength work than the fast, dynamic training required for Hyrox.

I previously tested Omorpho’s weighted apparel and liked how much less cumbersome it felt than a traditional vest. Now the brand is bringing that concept directly to one of the fastest-growing areas of competitive fitness.

The new G-Vest Icon Hyrox was developed in partnership with Hyrox and is the only weighted vest officially licensed by the race series. I tested the new vest during HIIT workouts and runs to see how well Omorpho’s MicroLoad design translates to running and Hyrox-style training.

The Pros

The biggest advantage of the G-Vest remains Omorpho’s approach to weight distribution.

Rather than placing one large weight on the front and another on the back, the brand’s MicroLoad design spreads small weights across the torso. The women’s G-Vest starts at six pounds while the men’s starts at 10 pounds. Additional G-Pack inserts can bring those totals to 12 and 20 pounds, respectively.

The G-Vest has a front zipper, ventilated mesh back and adjustable sizing cords designed to keep it close to the body. There are laces on the side of the vest to tighten and loosen the fit, which made it feel much more natural against the body. During even the most rigorous workouts, with squat jumps, burpees and swings, the vest stayed in place.

The Cons

The G-Vest Icon Hyrox costs $279 for women and $299 for men, putting it well above many weighted vests on the market. Whether that premium is worthwhile will largely come down to how you plan to use it. If you are only going to wear a weighted vest for slow, controlled movements, some of Omorpho’s advantages become less meaningful. If you want to run, do burpees or move through a high-intensity circuit for a Hyrox race, the difference is easier to appreciate.

Built With Hyrox Training in Mind

Omorpho worked with members of the Hyrox performance community on training protocols and testing for the vest. Dr. Adam Storey, a member of the Hyrox Sports Science Advisory Council, developed beginner, intermediate and pro training programs incorporating the G-Vest.

The company also put the vest through race simulations at the Hyrox Performance Center in California with coach Jake Shaw.

Hyrox365 Head of Performance Ralph Wentz developed a R.A.M.P. warm-up framework using the vest, with exercises intended to raise body temperature, activate muscles, mobilize joints and potentiate the nervous system before training. For a Hyrox athlete, there is potentially more value in selectively adding resistance while maintaining the same movement patterns and pace demands that matter on race day.

“Hyrox requires a unique blend of aerobic endurance and functional strength,” Omorpho founder and CEO Stefan Olander said. “The G-Vest Icon Hyrox seamlessly integrates into an athlete’s Hyrox training plan, adding the right amount of resistance to build stamina and speed without altering natural movement patterns.”

Overall

What I have always liked about Omorpho is that its products do not feel like traditional weighted vests. Hybrid training asks athletes to move quickly between running and strength work, which is exactly where a bulky vest becomes most annoying.

After using the G-Vest for a week, I found the vest leveled up my existing workouts and provided extra resistance that was easy to incorporate into my everyday routine.

At nearly $300, I would not recommend it simply because someone wants to experiment with weighted walking. Instead, it makes more sense for athletes who want to level up their training, particularly those training for a Hyrox race.

The Omorpho G-Vest Icon Hyrox launched this month exclusively through Omorpho. The women’s version costs $279 and the men’s version costs $299.

Buy It: Omorpho G-Vest Icon Hyrox