Recently, the most popular design for running vests focuses on designs where the water is stored in two soft, collapsible flasks (and, less common, even a hard-sided bottle). Storage capacity Working with variable conditions is a constant in Trey’s outdoor life — from trail outings starting and ending on NYC trains; to Colorado multi-sport front door-to-door outings that might start with cycling and lead to trail running; to long-distance thru-hikes (on trails like the CDT, PCT, and Long Trail). What we liked: Light, vents among the best of any vest, intuitive to use, made with recycled silver for a more sustainable silver anti-odor treatment, trekking pole attachment Depending on the capacity of your hydration vest and how much water you need to take, you could even take a hydration bladder as well as a bottle or two. When thinking about how much water you need, consider if you will have any opportunities to refill. If you’re running a race, how many aid stations are there? How long is the furthest distance between them? It’s not worth bringing too much more water than you need, since that will just weigh you down. However, it’s a fine line to run since water is a necessity while on the move.

Trekking pole attachments:If you like running with poles, it’s great to have a way to stash them if you get tired of using them, or get to a section of trail you don’t need them. Like all clothing and gear, the perfect running vest depends on your body shape, and your needs. There is no one “most comfortable” vest, since what fits our testers well might not fit your body as well. But look for something that fits tightly, with no bouncing or rubbing. The Zephyr Pro is a versatile vest that would be a great companion for long weekend runs, or 100-mile adventure races. The solid breathability, thoughtful storage options, and overall comfort make this a great choice for pretty much any run you find yourself on. Before we get into the nitty gritty, it’s important to note that even the lightest, softest, and best-fitting vests will still be a slight burden on your stride. In fact, one of our gear testers resisted wearing a vest for so long that she ran her first ultra (a 41-mile race) with handheld bottles and gels stuffed down her shirt. But she’s since changed her ways (and so have we), and the good news is that today’s vests are more comfortable than ever.It’s up to you how much you ask of your running vest. A minimal vest may only work for short runs with lots of places to grab food and water nearby. A vest designed for racing may not carry your phone, Personal Locator Beacon like a Garmin InReach Mini, or two liters of water the most comfortably, but may excel in providing easy access to nutrition and lightweight clothing layers.

The REI Co-op Swiftland 5 redefines the standard of introductory running vests. At an affordable price, it's easy to use, highly adjustable, and capable of carrying a decent load. 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. We love that the amount of storage permits you to get out for full-day adventures with the necessary gear and some additional layers or medical supplies if need be. Compatibility with both a hydration bladder and soft flasks (not included) add to the versatility of this do-it-all vest.Designed by and for the fastest trail runners in the world, this vest has the fit and features to race fast How much capacity you need will depend on what your runs typically look like. 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. Some running companies understand that unisex just doesn’t cut it for everyone. Often women’s running vests are designed with the assumptions that women generally have shorter torsos, will have different places prone to chafing, require differently tapered vest straps for different chest sizes, and may want an alternative bottle design. The ideal running vest is not distracting while on a run. If you’re trying on running vests, add some weight to them (water, layers, etc) and run or bounce up and down to mimic running. See if you notice the running vest. If you do, it will probably distract you, or even worse, chafe while on a long run.

Running vests are designed to carry a range of items comfortably, but they aren’t limited to running. Some are designed for running a few miles from home on city streets, and others are built for all-day outings in the mountains.

A comfortable reliable hydration vest is key for staying fueled and motivated on a long run or race; (photo/Conor Hayden) Why You Should Trust Us For women, you need to not only make sure the length and torso circumference is correct, but also be sure to take bust size into account. The women’s-specific V aporAiressoffers two adjustment points for an easy fit, and our female testers were pleased with the overall fit. Organizational Features Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. The majority of vests come in at least two sizes, with some available in up to five for both men and women. But as is common in outdoor gear, it can be difficult to find options beyond the small-to-large spectrum. For larger body sizes, the REI Co-op Swiftland 5 is the only vest we reviewed that offers both XL/1X and 2X/3X sizing. The Nathan VaporAir 3.0 comes in a 1X to 3X option, and a few others here have XL offerings. We hope that this is a sign of things to come, and look forward to seeing more manufacturers expand their size ranges.

Bottles range in size from about 250 to 600 milliliters and are a popular form of hydration for supported races, short runs, and routes near lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water where you can replenish your supply throughout the day. The advantages over hydration reservoirs are clear: Bottles are much easier to refill and don’t require that you take off your vest to do so, and they allow you to monitor how much remaining liquid you have far better than a reservoir. Finally, most runners carry two bottles (one on each shoulder strap), which allows them to drink two different liquids—often water and an electrolyte fluid—and balance the weight. The Salomon ADV Skin's HydraPak bottle Try and go for softer materials, padding, and adjustability. These are all things that will help you be more comfortable, and thus run better, while out on the trail. Visibility The verdict: The overall best running vest for trail running distances from 10km to 50 mile ultras.

Extra features can make the difference between an OK vest and an awesome one. There are so many additional organizational features on different running vests. Here are a few we see a lot: Regardless of this variable, many of the larger vests we tested are notably lightweight, while some of the smaller vests tested were included as price-point options and are built with heavier materials. What we didn’t like: Bottles supplied get complaints about rib discomfort. Price high for problematic bottles. What we like: More than double the storage of the ADV Skin 5 for ultras, long unsupported efforts, and winter running.