Are you a female athlete looking to take your training to the next level? Do you want precise data about your performance metrics while ensuring comfort during intense workouts? The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest might be the game-changing gear you need.
This revolutionary performance monitoring vest has been specifically designed for female athletes, addressing the unique challenges women face with traditional tracking equipment.
In this comprehensive review, we will dive deep into everything you need to know about this innovative product that’s transforming how female athletes train and perform.
Key Takeaways
- The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest is specifically designed for female athletes to provide accurate performance tracking
- This vest is worn over a sports bra and features extended length to ensure heart rate sensors make proper contact with the skin
- The vest includes integrated ECG heart rate monitoring technology that eliminates the need for separate heart rate straps
- Improved comfort features include a slimline Velcro fastener and adjusted cut to better fit female athletes
- The vest provides real-time performance data including heart rate, speed, distance, and other crucial metrics
- Optimized sensor placement ensures reliable data collection even during intense training sessions
- The garment is part of Catapult’s Female Athlete initiative aimed at making performance tracking technology more suitable for women
- Material is durable and lightweight to minimize interference with athletic movements
- Proper sizing is crucial with measurement of underbust and bust circumference recommended for optimal fit
- The vest is used by professional female athletes and teams across various sports for performance optimization
What Is the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest?
The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest is not your typical sports bra. It is a high-tech performance monitoring garment specifically engineered for female athletes. This vest serves as a carrier for Catapult’s Vector tracking devices which collect and analyze performance data during training and competitions. Unlike previous versions that were essentially modified men’s vests, this product was developed from the ground up with female athletes in mind.
The vest houses advanced sensors that track various performance metrics. These include heart rate, distance covered, sprint distance, acceleration, deceleration, and player load. The collected data helps coaches and athletes make informed decisions about training intensity, recovery needs, and performance optimization.
What sets this vest apart is its integrated heart rate monitoring system. The vest features embedded ECG sensors strategically positioned to maintain contact with the skin even when worn over a sports bra. This eliminates the need for additional heart rate straps or modules that can cause discomfort during intense physical activity.
Design Features Tailored for Female Athletes
The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest represents a significant advancement in female athletic wear design. The development team recognized that women have different anatomical needs than men when it comes to performance wear. This realization led to several key design modifications that make this vest stand out.
First, the vest features an extended length that ensures the ECG sensors sit below the sports bra. This design choice resolves the common problem of heart rate sensors being blocked by sports bras, which previously resulted in unreliable data collection for female athletes.
Second, the cut of the vest has been completely redesigned to better accommodate female body shapes. The amount of material in the armpit area and around the top has been reduced to prevent chafing and discomfort during movement. This adjusted fit ensures that the vest stays in place during various activities without restricting motion.
Third, the vest incorporates a slimline Velcro fastener on the sides. This thinner fastening system reduces irritation while still allowing for adjustability to find the perfect fit. The fastener also makes it easier to put on and take off the vest without stretching the fabric, which helps extend the garment’s lifespan.
Comfort and Wearability
Comfort is a critical factor for any athletic wear, and the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest delivers in this aspect. The vest is designed to be worn over a sports bra rather than replacing it. This approach allows athletes to maintain their preferred sports bra choice while benefiting from the performance tracking capabilities of the vest.
The fabric used in the vest is lightweight and breathable, minimizing additional heat retention during workouts. The material also wicks away moisture to keep the body dry during intense training sessions. These properties help prevent skin irritation and discomfort that can distract athletes from their performance.
Many athletes report that the vest feels virtually unnoticeable once they begin their training or competition. The slim profile and strategic design elements ensure that it does not interfere with arm movements or breathing. This is particularly important for sports that require a full range of motion such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
Performance Tracking Capabilities
The primary function of the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest is to facilitate accurate performance tracking, and it excels in this area. The vest serves as the carrier for Catapult’s Vector S7 or G7 tracking devices, which provide comprehensive performance analytics.
The integrated heart rate monitoring system is one of the vest’s standout features. The ECG sensors have been optimally positioned to improve heart rate signal quality and reliability. This positioning ensures consistent contact with the skin, resulting in fewer data dropouts and more accurate heart rate readings throughout training sessions.
Beyond heart rate monitoring, the vest enables tracking of:
- Total distance covered
- Sprint distance and count
- Top speed
- Acceleration and deceleration metrics
- Player load (a measure of physical exertion)
- Movement patterns and intensity zones
- Positional data
This wealth of information allows coaches and athletes to analyze performance objectively and make data-driven decisions about training modifications, recovery strategies, and injury prevention protocols.
Sizing and Fit
Finding the right size for the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest is crucial for both comfort and data accuracy. Catapult recommends measuring the underbust and bust circumference to determine the optimal size. The underbust measurement is particularly important as it ensures proper positioning of the heart rate sensors.
The vest comes in multiple sizes to accommodate different body types. The side Velcro fasteners allow for further adjustment to achieve a snug but comfortable fit. A properly fitted vest should feel secure enough to keep the sensors in place without restricting breathing or movement.
It’s worth noting that the fit should be somewhat tight to maintain sensor contact with the skin. However, it should not be so tight that it causes discomfort or restricts normal breathing patterns. First-time users may need a brief adjustment period to get used to the feeling of wearing the vest during activities.
Durability and Maintenance
Athletic gear undergoes significant stress during training and competitions, so durability is an important consideration. The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest is constructed with high-quality materials designed to withstand the rigors of regular athletic use.
The vest features reinforced stitching at key stress points to prevent tearing and extend its lifespan. The pocket that holds the tracking device is securely integrated into the vest to ensure the device stays in place even during high-impact activities.
Maintenance of the vest is straightforward but important for preserving its functionality. Catapult recommends:
- Hand washing with mild detergent
- Air drying away from direct heat sources
- Avoiding fabric softeners that can interfere with the conductive materials
- Regular inspection of the sensor areas for wear and tear
- Proper storage in a dry, cool environment when not in use
Following these care instructions helps maintain the conductive properties of the vest and ensures reliable performance tracking over time.
Real-World Performance and User Feedback
The true test of any athletic gear is how it performs in real-world situations. The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest has received positive feedback from female athletes across various sports disciplines.
Professional soccer players report that the vest stays in place during running, cutting, and jumping movements without causing discomfort. Basketball players appreciate the unrestricted range of motion that allows them to perform shooting and rebounding actions naturally. Rugby and field hockey players note that the vest withstands the physical contact inherent in their sports while continuing to provide reliable data.
Coaches and sports scientists have also praised the vest for the quality and consistency of data it helps collect. The improved heart rate monitoring capability has been particularly highlighted as a significant advancement for female athlete performance analysis.
Some users have noted a brief adjustment period when first using the vest, but most report that they quickly adapt to wearing it during training and competitions. The consensus is that the performance insights gained significantly outweigh any initial adaptation required.
Comparison with Previous Models
The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest represents a substantial improvement over previous tracking garments used by female athletes. Prior to this female-specific design, women athletes typically used modified men’s vests or other workarounds that compromised either comfort or data accuracy.
The most significant advancement is the redesigned placement of heart rate sensors. Previous models had sensors positioned in areas that would be covered by sports bras, resulting in unreliable heart rate data. The extended length and repositioned sensors in the 2.2 Vest solve this problem by ensuring consistent skin contact below the sports bra line.
The adjusted cut specifically for female body types also addresses comfort issues that were common with earlier models. Reduced material in the armpit area minimizes chafing during arm movements, and the overall fit better accommodates female body contours.
The slimline Velcro fastener is another improvement that enhances comfort while maintaining adjustability. Previous models often had wider, more rigid fasteners that could cause irritation during extended wear.
Applications Across Different Sports
The versatility of the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest makes it suitable for a wide range of sports and training environments. While it was initially developed with team sports in mind, its applications extend to virtually any athletic activity where performance tracking is beneficial.
In team sports like soccer, basketball, rugby, and field hockey, the vest provides valuable insights into player workloads, positional play, and physical exertion. This information helps coaches balance training intensity and develop sport-specific conditioning programs.
Individual athletes in sports such as tennis, track and field, and cross-country running can also benefit from the detailed performance analytics the vest facilitates. The ability to track heart rate zones, work-to-rest ratios, and recovery patterns is invaluable for optimizing training programs and competition strategies.
The vest is also finding applications in strength and conditioning settings, where trainers use the data to design more effective workout routines and monitor athlete responses to different training stimuli.
Value for Money and Investment Considerations
The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest represents a significant investment in performance technology. The vest itself is only one component of the Catapult system, which also requires the Vector tracking device and software subscription for data analysis.
For professional teams and elite athletic programs, the comprehensive performance insights justify the investment. The ability to monitor athlete workloads accurately helps prevent overtraining and reduce injury risks, potentially saving substantial costs associated with athlete rehabilitation and missed competitions.
Individual athletes and smaller programs may find the cost more challenging to justify. However, many report that the precise data and performance improvements ultimately provide good value. Some teams have also found creative solutions such as sharing devices among athletes or focusing on using the system during specific training phases.
It’s worth noting that while the initial investment is substantial, the durability of the vest and the ongoing improvements to the software platform continue to add value over time.
Conclusion: Is the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest Right for You?
The Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest represents a significant advancement in performance tracking technology for female athletes. Its female-specific design addresses the unique challenges women have faced with traditional tracking garments, particularly regarding heart rate monitoring and comfort.
For serious female athletes and teams looking to optimize performance through data-driven insights, this vest offers substantial benefits. The combination of comfort, durability, and accurate performance tracking makes it a valuable tool for training and competition preparation.
The vest is particularly well-suited for:
- Professional and elite amateur teams in various sports
- Individual athletes serious about performance optimization
- Sports science researchers studying female athletic performance
- Training programs focused on precision in workout planning and recovery
While the investment is significant, the potential performance benefits and injury prevention aspects provide meaningful returns for committed athletes. As sports continue to embrace data analytics for performance enhancement, tools like the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest will likely become increasingly standard equipment for serious female athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Catapult Vector Elite 2.2 Vest a sports bra?
No it is worn over your regular sports bra.
How does the vest track heart rate?
It uses embedded ECG sensors that contact the skin below the sports bra.
Can I wash the vest in a washing machine?
Hand washing with mild detergent is recommended.
Do I need to buy the tracking device separately?
Yes the vest is designed to hold Vector S7 or G7 devices sold separately.
How long does the battery of the tracking device last?
Typically 5-6 hours of continuous use.
Will the vest work for high-impact sports?
Yes it is designed for all types of athletic activities.
How do I access the data collected by the vest?
Through Catapult’s dedicated software platform.
Can the vest be worn during competitions?
Yes many professional leagues permit its use.
Does the vest come with a warranty?
Contact Catapult directly for warranty information.
How often should I replace the vest?
With proper care it can last 1-2 seasons of regular use.
