3 weight vest comparison: Tone Fitness, CFFIT, MIR I'm on day 3 of the pink model, 10lbs heavier than the blue one. As some of you know, I wore each of my children in carriers—even tandem until the combined weight was 50% my body weight (at which time I decided that that was fine for short term fitness, bad for me long term). Then September 2015, and my workout partners were both in school. For Christmas that year, we bought the 30lb MIR vest. The difference between lifting 30-40lbs of child with 2 hands vs 1? Well, I couldn't easily do it. Then I looked at myself in the mirror—were I blonde and hazel eyed, like my youngest, no problem! Dark hair, eyes, and a non-European immigrant mother myself? Let's just say that these vests have pockets to insert the weights—similar to the ones that terrorists use. Since I'm tested for bomb making residue 100% of the time at the airports—randomly, of course—not a good vest for me. I kept it because mailing 30+lbs back would cost $50. Maybe my daughter can use it when she gets older? Or my spouse, even though it's shaped for a female? It was comfortable, but it took 25 minutes to put on and adjust. It's still collecting dust in our bedroom. (note: now that I have a nearly 40lb son I need to dead-lift out of the library, lifting 22-30 lb vests over my head is child's play) Having already spent so much, I went for the Tone Fitness 12lb vest; early 2016, it was $20 (currently $30). PROS: -Blue! -Fixed weight -Mesh pocket for purse (coach wristlet clipped to vest and stuffed in pocket) -Reflective tape -3 seconds to put on & adjust -easy to adjust to because it weighs slightly more than a newborn -cheap -good for walking/hiking, nothing which requires bouncing any higher than a standard walk -the "wrist weights", btw, I added a few months ago to move from 12-15lbs. Last week, one of the seams split & beads started coming out. I have narrow wrists, so had to put these on my forearms. I prefer ankle & wrist weights with Velcro and hooks, but these were poorly made & designed. CONS: -not a tight enough fit—would slide/rub, pulling up shirts to my bra line in back -fixed weight -lighter than either kid -there's already a hole in the fabric after less than a year -too loose of a fit for running, dancing, any aerobic activity On to #3: CFFIT pink 22lb, adjustable For the record, no, it can not hold the weights from the MIR vest. Because it is pink, it is $30 more than the men's version, but I need bright colours for my own safety. No instructions were included, but I figured out the back and front straps. For small to medium, only use 2 of the 3 straps. Differences from the blue one: 1. 10.2lbs heavier 2. Shaped like a ninja vest, so I look like Subzero's Barbie sister (if you ever played Mortal Kombat) 3. My shoulders hurt, but I think that's from the nylon having not yet softened 4. I'm sweaty—much tighter fit, so if you are a runner or cyclist, this will work 5. As it's a tight fit, finding the balance between close and I AM WINDED ALREADY is a challenge 6. No place for my wallet (thankfully, I have transitioned to pockets) 7. $66 more, but you can start with at little as 2.2lbs and work your way up to 22 (10 separate weights) 8. PINK! 9. Bulky, but I can rest my wrist on the side while holding my Starbucks cup 10. Unlike the MIR vest, you can not adjust the neck or arm holes. I'm of average height, but my under 5' friends and over 5'10" friends, plus anyone plus-sized, might have a problem with fit, even with the additional belt CONCLUSION: The Tone Fitness vest is best for beginners. If you have worn your children regularly, the CFFIT is a much better value. The MIR is like the CFFIT, but unless you're a natural blonde or have freckles, don't risk it. Disclaimer: as usual, I spent my own money on these products. CFFIT pink 22lb (adjustable/2.2lb inserts) vest $96 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CQ77VMA/ref=yo_ii_img Tone fitness blue 12lb vest $30 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0040XF2RE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1 Tone Fitness blue 3lb (1.5lb each) wrist weights $10 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003P90KU8/ref=mp_s_a_1_8 MIR black 30lb (adjustable/3lb inserts) $139 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002AULILS/ref=mp_s_a_1_4
