. $79.95. While this category still goes hand-in-hand with the one below, pockets, it allows for a more objective assessment of a pack's carrying capabilities given its size and weight, taking more of the pack's intended design into play, be it short race or long fastpack. Amelia Boone Vest. Mounting the hydration system on the chest is becoming increasingly common for running packs. At 13.4L storage capacity and up to 4 liters of hydration, the Mountain Vest 5.0 is an excellent choice for longer, single day, and ultra-light trail adventures. Trekking poles have grown in popularity for ultra runners and casual runners on a mountain adventure. However, heat and climate are always factors to consider, too. Got feedback? A zippered phone pocket just barely fits our testers iPhone 12, it would be very challenging to get a larger phone to stay in. Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40. Never Miss Out. Read our full review to learn more about how we suggest addressing these drawbacks, as well as why we rave about this vest. The vest includes elastic bands to secure it in place so the flasks dont fall down once theyre partially empty. Ultra Vest 6.0. MEN'S. View at REI View at Amazon View at Ultimate Direction WOMEN'S. View at REI The most comfortable models we tested are the ADV Skin 12 Set and the Black Diamond Distance 15 both are larger packs that really hone in on suspension and gear-carrying ability. The disadvantages are that you can only have one liquid, and bladders usually don't work well with anything besides water as the hose is much harder to clean. A large rear pocket and a highly compressible elastic strap with tightening hooks ensure the Ultra Vest is balanced whether full or empty. New Mountain Vest 6.0. This stowable, fully-removable sheath can be clipped diagonally to the vest, and cinched in tight to your back to avoid bouncing around while running. Running Vests Home Running Vests ( 17) Filter New Mountain Vest 6.0 $169.95 New Mountain Vesta 6.0 $169.95 New Adventure Vest 6.0 $179.95 New Adventure Vesta 6.0 $179.95 Trail Vest $99.95 Highland Vest $119.95 Ultra Vest 6.0 $149.95 Race Vest 6.0 $129.95 Ultra Vesta 6.0 $149.95 Race Vesta 6.0 $129.95 Sale Dog Vest - Prior Year $79.95 $51.97 If youre in the mountains, are there any opportunities to fill up water from natural sources? GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. To get such a secure system, Salomon has implemented many different pockets to maintain tension. OK. . With breathable mesh, a durable exterior, and multiple fit solutions, this vest is as ready as you are for the next adventure. Performance running vests can look like a lot of different things. Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 If you enjoy running far or need to carry a lot of gear on your next long-distance run, then the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 is a top choice. Another point is that your selection of a hydration system will free up a respective pocket or pockets. The number of pockets is one thing, but the side-accessed kangaroo pockets are immense, and one of them is also accessible from the back of the pack for more rapid access at aid stations or when you're taking a break. Someone whose average run is a 5-mile road run will have different needs than someone whose average run is a 20-mile mountain run. If youre trying on running vests, add some weight to them (water, layers, etc) and run or bounce up and down to mimic running. Based in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chris Carter is a Senior Editor for GearJunkie, while squeezing in side gigs as an adventure filmmaker and content creator in the outdoor industry. Both our male and female testers were able to get a comfortable, no-bounce fit thanks to the variety of adjustment straps. The Salomon Advanced Skin 5 , Ultimate Direction Mountain Vest 5.0 and the UltrAspire Momentum 2.0 also took top spots with high scores in all categories. We wanted to know how their storage capabilities compared in terms of both size and design. Our favorite thing about this vest is the intuitive design; at no point do you need to contort your body or undergo an unnatural movement to tighten or adjust a strap. Trail Vest. The vest is easy to adjust, and the main compartment can accommodate a surprising amount of gear. In the front, there is space for a bottle (not included), a stretch mesh pocket, and a zipper pocket. In regard to water-carrying capacity, theRace Elite Proaccommodates a 2 L bladder and comes with two 500mL flasks and a speed cup. At a weight of 345 g and a price point of $190, this is an amazing multiuse pack for all your adventures. Ultimate Direction Ultra and Mountain vests. The number-one most important metric to consider when picking a hydration pack for running is comfort. New Dog Vest V2. This category is aimed at runners, and each pack keeps the specific needs of runners in mind throughout its design. Highland Vest. New Ultra Pants . While the VaporAir 2.0 seems to have a pocket for everything, it doesn't justify the significant added weight. Its light and comfortable and barely noticeable when on. But I quickly figured out I don't like sucking on a tube coming from a bladder and I like having a bunch of pockets in front of . Salomon's soft flasks are our favorite their slim design provides easy entry and exit. Test Location: Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, Colorado. For one, now that sloshing water is front and center, it can be a lot more aggravating if the fit isn't right. As thelightest vest($150) on this list, its a great option when every ounce matters. It's worth noting that if a vest did not include a hydration system, we weighed it as is and automatically docked the score by one point. The tee has strategically placed panels of thinner weave mesh to allow for greater airflow. The removable hip strap was nice to remove when not fully weighted, but would be great to have for a fastpacking mission. How much capacity you need will depend on what your runs typically look like. $169.95 (2) 2 reviews with an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. Four season durability? Sale Comfort Belt - Prior Year. For anyone considering trying out a hydration pack for running, but also considering using it for biking, hiking, rafting trips, or staying hydrated at festivals, look no further. Read more: Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 review. Ultimate Direction Race Vest 5.0. Hydration packs are available with various reservoir capacities. We wanted to give each hydration pack for running a fair trial, so we spent months upon months doing a lot of running. They also include side panels or straps that connect the front to the back to keep it tight on your body. It features multiple stash front pockets for gels, snacks, and water, however, it did feel like things could fall out of these pockets in the right situation. From sunny beaches to high alpine trails, our experts evaluated the best mens running shorts for fit, comfort, mobility, moisture-wicking, and more. I have an Ultimate Direction running vest in size S/M.sounds like S/M in this is a bit small for big . It's critical that hydration packs find the balance between a rich feature set and the functionality of those features. Bottom line, you couldn't find a better team to have put these hydration packs through the paces, pushing their limits so you can find the best match for your specific needs. The solid breathability, thoughtful storage options, and overall comfort make this a great choice for pretty much any run you find yourself on. Remember that the more water you put in your pack, the heavier it will be. We were surprised to see that the capacity is similar to theSalomon Sense Pro 10 they both have around 10 L of space. A pack may be cheap and crappy, or it may be a great deal that functions nearly as well as the most expensive pack. The Sense Pro includes space for a hydration reservoir (not included), although it does not have any way to hold it up that we could tell. Best Overall Running Hydration Vest 1. The two adjustment points allowed us to get a custom fit, which minimizes the dreaded pack bounce. Regardless, if you are buying your first vest and it comes with a bladder, also referred to as a reservoir, consider buying two soft flasks as well for extra water storage and to try out a different system for preference. No ads. The Salomon ADV Skin 12 continues to be our favorite for massive days in the mountains or when you need to carry more layers. If a system wasn't included with the pack, we went with what we thought worked best. Whether youre training for an ultra or heading out on a casual jog, the right running hydration pack will carry all the gear and water you need for a successful run. Its important to consider how well a running vest or pack breathes, especially if you know you sweat a lot. The back material on the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 is a lightweight and ultra-breathable micro-mesh. Pockets as a category can be either straightforward, in the case of more traditional pack designs with isolated pockets, or more complex with modern vest designs that are a continuous landscape of pockets. Initially, we were critical of only having the option for one bottle in the front but quickly realized with similar vests, we would often replace one bottle with food and add a . Comfort, features, hydration systems, storage options, and each pack's volume-to-weight ratio are key elements of what we think makes the ultimate running companion. A stretch-conforming fit that is lightweight does have some tradeoffs. Shop all Trail Running Vets, Mens, Womens Running Apparel by Ultimate Direction. Read more: Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set review. $94 at Amazon. It's good to have options! How long is the furthest distance between them? Fastpacking is distance trail running and backpacking at the same time. Ideally, you shouldnt feel it move when youre running. The compressible fabric allows the vest to confirm and expand while maintaining a snug, secure fit no matter the load. To properly test value, if a pack made a claim, we tried to test it. Thisrunning pack($150) is the perfect choice for long mountain runs or even overnight trips. The REI Co-op Swiftland 5 redefines the standard of introductory running vests. . 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