As a seasoned ultrarunner, I’ve explored various race vests, and for Tahoe 200 (which I ran in July 2023) I decided to try out both the UltrAspire Zygos and the Big Bronco Vest. The Zygos 5.0 stood out for me as a high-capacity vest designed for the long haul, I’m talking 100miles+.

Comfort and Stability: 4.5/5

The lightweight and comfortable wrap-around design, coupled with the ErgoFit Harness, creates a stable and hindrance-free experience. The MaxO2 Form adjustable closure system is a game-changer, allowing the pack to conform to the body with a single pull. This was pretty handy especially during training when I had the vest packed at various levels, sometimes with anything barely in it so I did a lot of adjusting. Even during intense runs, this vest remains secure without affecting my natural breathing.

Lucia wearing the Zygos during the Tahoe 200

Pockets Galore: 5/5

One of the standout features is the impressive array of on-the-go pockets. The 2 zippered shoulder pockets, dual 4-way stretch mesh pocket, pair of stretch mesh pockets (including a zippered one for a large cell phone), a zippered side pocket, and a magnetically closed side pocket offer unparalleled organization. The main back compartment, reinforced with XT fabric means its super durable.

Versatility and Functionality: 4.8/5

The UltrAspire Zygos 5.0 proved its mettle during my recent challenge, the Tahoe 200 in July 2023. The ability to separate my kit in various pockets was a lifesaver when fatigue set in. The inclusion of bungee cords allowed me to secure a jacket when my pack was full, showcasing the vest’s adaptability to dynamic race conditions.

UltrAspire Zygos front

Reservoir and Size Options: 5/5

The 2-liter reservoir is neatly housed in the removable insulated bladder compartment, should you need to use a bladder. I used the bag with 2 soft flasks with straw attachments. This set up took a bit of trial & error I ultimately went with the soft flasks with straws using the mag clips as an additional support to stop the straws flapping around.

With three size options, UltrAspire has made it easy to find the perfect fit for any body type.

Personal Experience: 4/5

Personally, I found the UltrAspire Zygos 5.0 to be super functional, earning its spot as my go-to bag for the Tahoe 200. However, I experienced some chafing on my mid-back area and sides (love handles), which is worth noting for fellow runners. It’s a reminder that even the best gear may require some trial and error to find the perfect fit.

Final Verdict

The UltrAspire Zygos 5.0 is a standout in the world of high-capacity race vests. Its thoughtful design, plethora of pockets, and comfort make it an ideal choice for ultrarunners tackling challenging races. While personal comfort experiences may vary, the UltrAspire Zygos 5.0 is undoubtedly a reliable companion for those seeking a balance of capacity and functionality.

Zygos Rear

UltrAspire Big Bronco Race Vest Review

As an avid ultramarathoner, finding the perfect race vest that combines capacity, accessibility, and comfort is crucial. The UltrAspire Big Bronco Race Vest, a collaboration with ultramarathon champion Jeff Browning, is a stellar addition to the world of ultrarunning gear. I decided to try this vest alongside the Zygos 5 in preparation for Tahoe 200 which I ran in July 2023.

Capacity and Accessibility: 5/5

The 12-liter pack boasts an impressive 7 accessible pockets, ensuring that all your essentials are within easy reach. With the capability to carry 4 bottles and a 2-liter reservoir, there’s plenty of options for hydration. The innovative Fluidic Holster System allows for intuitive access to rear pockets, making on-the-go refueling a breeze. I was skeptical of my ability to reach into the rear pockets but it actually works!

Organization and Flexibility: 4/5

The rear pockets with dividers mean it’s pretty easy to organise your kit, and the 2 large gussets add extra capacity without compromising comfort. The main back compartment lays flat when empty and expands with the 4-way stretch mesh, accommodating a substantial load. Z-pole attachments, accessible on the go, add versatility, doubling as compression for the Fluidic Holster compartments. It took me a bit of practice to do this on the go but once I got the hang of it I was away.

Comfort and Fit: 4/5

UltrAspire’s ErgoFit design ensures long-term comfort, a crucial factor for any distance but in particular for 100miles+. The MaxO2 Form adjustable closure system on the front harness allows for a pretty good fit, I still found I had a bit of chafing on my mid back area and on my sides (think lovehandles!)

Innovative Design: 4.8/5

The thoughtful design elements, such as the soft foam flare on the back for easy rear compartment access, showcase the attention to detail put into this vest. Left or right-handed accessibility for the Z-pole attachments is super helpful, I’m right handed but sometimes I found myself attaching the poles from my left side too.

Final Verdict

The UltrAspire Big Bronco Race Vest (RRP $149.95/£115) is a wonderful choice for ultrarunners seeking a balance of capacity, accessibility, and comfort. Whether you’re conquering steep mountains, technical terrain, or pushing your limits in a race, this vest delivers on all fronts. Jeff Browning’s collaboration with Ultraspire has resulted in a vest that truly understands the needs of ultrarunners. I ended up going with the Zygos 5 for Tahoe 200 due to the extra options of more compartments to separate my gear even more distinctly and the bungee chord on the back which I find super handy to shove my puffy/rain jacket into without needing to repack the entire bag. You carry so much stuff for a 200!

If you’re serious about your ultrarunning journey, the Big Bronco Race Vest should be at the top of your gear list.

UlraAspire can be found in the US here and in various stores in the UK

Big Bronco Score:

• Design – 8/10
• Features 7/10
• Value 8/10
• Performance 8/10

Zygos score:

• Design 9/10
• Features 9/10
• Value 9/10
• Performance 9/10

About Lucja Leonard: Dutch-Aussie-Brit ultra runner currently USA based. I’ve been running ultras for 12 years now from 50km to multistage, 100 milers and most recently embracing the 200+ mile non stop distance. I’m a globe trotter, love experiencing new locations & can be found hanging out with my husband Dion & my two fur-babies Gobi & Lara.

Have you tried the UltrAspire Zygos or Big Bronco vests? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment to this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.

Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community and share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.

We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown

The post UltrAspire Zygos and Big Bronco Vest Reviews appeared first on Run Ultra.

As a Peak District local and an eager, but distinctly amateur, fell and ultra-runner, I’m no stranger to spending a British winter of training, racing, and more often than not, sliding around in the muddy stuff. Which is why as the nights have drawn in and the weather worsened, I was extremely excited to put to the test inov8’s latest mud-conquering offering, the inov8 MUDTALON SPEED. 

Promoted by the lakes-based company as the outcome of a 20-year journey from MUDROC to MUDCLAW and X-TALON, the MUDTALON SPEED is inov8’s first shoe to launch from their rebranded 2024 footwear collection. The shoe comes boasting new enhancements in grip, cushioning, protection, durability, shape and fit according to their website description. My previous experience in using the inov8 X-TALON 212 to battle against a number of local mud-strewn fell races has always been positive, especially in regards to grip, therefore I was keen to see how the new inov8 MUDTALON SPEED performed.

Features

• Launch date: January 2024
• RRP: £130 | $140 | €150
• Weight: 260g (average weight across all sizes and fits)
• Lug depth: 8mm
• Total stack heights (floor to foot): 26mm heel / 22mm forefoot
• Midsole depth: 11mm heel / 7mm forefoot
• Drop: 4mm
• Fit options: Precision and Wide
• Launch colours: Black/Yellow (Men) | Burgundy/Coral (Women)

First Impressions

Straight out the box initial impressions are it’s a good looking shoe, coming in two distinct colourways; a men’s black and yellow and a women’s burgundy and coral. Another stand-out first impression is the change from the classic inov8 name and logo, to a simpler and more subtle branding coming as a result of a “refreshed design direction”, and likely to feature on all future inov8 products. In my opinion, the old logo and branding looked better, although I’m much more interested in how this new offering performs on the Peak District trails than how it looks. Before we get to that however, it’s worth highlighting some key facts and features of the MUDTALON SPEED.

The first new feature of this shoe its shape, which inov8 state has been completely redesigned to hug the natural contours of your foot, whilst providing a roomier toe box, to “ensure comfort and unhindered performance”. The MUDTALON SPEED also features two new fits, precision for a closer, racier option, and wide for a more relaxed feel and comfort over longer distances. Being a men’s UK size 10, I initially tried a size 10 in the wide fit, but this was way too big around the toe box, so instead opted for a UK size 10.5 in the precision fit, which ended up being spot on. 

Notable other features are the newly shaped 8mm lugs comprised of STICKYGRIP rubber on the outsole, which are designed to provide traction even in the muddiest and wettest conditions, alongside a META-SHANK rock plate for protection and stability. Added to this is a brand new POWERFLOW PRO foam midsole and 6mm BOOMERANG footbed, coupled with a new upper made of flexible ripstop material designed to enhance breathability and drainage. 

Mud Test

After testing this shoe on a number of Peak District runs of between 3 to 10 miles, and in the varying classic British winter conditions of wet, muddy and icy and trails, I can safely say that invo-8 got the naming right with this one, mainly the SPEED bit. This shoe is FAST. Weighing in at 260g, it feels light and responsive on the trails, whilst the aggressive lugs provided me with grip on even the most mud-drenched of local trails. The weight of the shoe and lug length encourages you to go faster, and the grip gave me the confidence to really send it on the downhill sections of my runs. Surprisingly on the rockier stuff, the shoe performed well in the grip department also, and the 4mm drop ensured I could actually feel the trail underneath my feet.

The new midsole and foot shape is also evident out on the trails, the shoe feels springy and more supportive than my X-TALON 212’s, and the wider toe box is definitely a noticeable improvement from earlier inov8 mud-slaying models. Despite this, this is definitely not an ultra-distance shoe for me, and probably why inov8 haven’t marketed it as such, the overall lightness and large 8mm lugs underfoot mean it’s much more suited to the shorter and racier muddy stuff. I did have issues however with the shape of the shoe at the rear rubbing against my heel, as it seems much higher and more angular than other inov8 models, and this isn’t something I’ve experienced with their shoes before. 

The new “geodesic” structured material of the upper is a great addition, remaining flexible underfoot whilst also being extremely good at drainage when wet, having run through many puddles and crossed a few bogs and streams, with the MUDTALON SPEED taking them all in its stride. With an RRP of £130, is not exactly a cheap shoe which, with its light minimalist design, and the omission of an ‘G’ (inov8’s graphene enhanced rubber) infused midsole or outsole, one wonders exactly why its been given this price tag. The laces too, feel thin and cheap in comparison to some other inov8 models, and are difficult to properly cinch and tighten when wearing gloves.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a great shoe for tackling shorter muddier runs and races, and the MUDTALON SPEED really comes into its own when going fast over uneven and wet terrain. The shoe is light, responsive and provides truly excellent grip, definitely making it a fine companion to UK based fell races, although some might not get on with the new shape of the shoe, especially on longer runs. For me, the shoe is an excellent upgrade to my X-TALON 212’s, and I’ll be continuing to use it as my weapon of choice to battle the elements over the wet winter period. 

Find out more and buy the men’s here and the women’s shoes here.

Have you tried the inov8 MUDTALON SPEED? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment to this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.

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We are a professional review site and we test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown.

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When the wonderful people at RunUltra sent me a Veil to test I thought they had lost their minds. It appears they haven’t, neither had the clever people at Rab.  

Who are Rab?

For Rab, the Veil 6L and 2L and the 1L belt are a new venture into the running pack/vest world.

The Veil is built around what Rab calls a Multi-Directional Mono Mesh chassis. It’s a translucent mesh that’s both super strong and breathable. Rab claims the Mono Mesh absorbs 70% less water and weighs 50% less than a typical air mesh that many other running vests are made from, it’s hydrophobic!!  The Mesh is also responsible for the Veil’s bounce less ride, lots of nerds have done lots of work with the designers and created some specialised cuts and angles around specific friction and bounce points to make this vest a less bouncing rubbing thing. 

I, like many others, have a love hate relationship with running vests, an absolute necessity but goodness me can they suck the fun out of long-distance running, chaffing, rubbing, pockets in all the wrong places.  

The Mono mesh system

Ventilation is the name of the game, and it works.  Ventilation to a sweaty back is improved and moisture is wicked away better than any pack I’ve previously worn.

Pockets, lots of pockets

The most used (for me anyway) were the pockets at the front of the bottles, sorry, “hydro pack soft flask” holders. These pockets are big enough to store gels etc. Speaking of the hydro pack soft flask pockets, finally a brand that puts them in the right place without the need to remove the flask to drink it, bend your head at some weird angle or use a long straw that has your eye out at every opportunity.  Oh, and these pockets have little bungy cords to tighten so the bottles don’t bounce around.

At the rear, the Veil has the usual 2 big storage areas, one for a bladder, but I’ve never used a bladder as I would prefer to drink puddle water than warm sweaty back water. And the other, the largest compartment, where you put all that stuff on mandatory kit lists that you’ll never need.  The final pocket on the back is the lumbar pocket, A thin pocket that stretches across the low part of the vest. Where you store your larger items that you may need quick access to, like a waterproof. 

Just when you thought we were all out of trail running marketing speak, straight in at the top of the charts is the adjustable and customisable “sternum fit system”, beautiful.  All joking aside it’s pretty darn effective.  It’s easy to use and allows for micro adjustments.  

There is an enclosed key clip and emergency whistle in an upper front stretch pocket, like every other integrated whistle it’s of very little use, but you’ll pass kit check with it.

I’ve never used poles but there are bungee holders on each side, for quick access. Other reviews have mentioned that when stored the poles can block a couple of pockets.

No need to worry if the driving population have eaten their quota of carrots, the clever people at Rab have put reflective panels on the front and rear of the pack.

Sizing and Weight

Small 34-37″, medium 37-40″, or large 40-44″, there’s a sizing system on the Rab website.  The Veil is also adjustable from each side and has grippy little dots which stop it from riding up, nice touch!!!

The Veil 2 weighs 0.27kg with flasks included or 0.19kg without the flasks (for size medium)

Sustainability

All the fabric elements of the Veil 2 are fluorocarbon free. Have a look here for more info.

Summary

I’ve really enjoyed using the Veil, it’s an excellent bit of kit and the designers have done a really good job of improving on the standard vest that so many brands flood the market with, the attention to detail really shone through. It’s a minutia that matters when things get tough, chaffing, awkward pockets, frustrating bottle position, these things can add up and send really affect your mental state when tired. Rab have done a great job.

Buy the Rab Veil 2L Vest here

About the author

Stuart Leaney is the current course record holder at Centurion Wendover Woods 50 and 100 mile races and a regular winner at Centurion Running events.

Have you tried the Rab Veil 2? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment to this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.

Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community and share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.

We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown

Other vests you might be interested in:

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Earlier in the year, I reviewed the Ultimate Direction (UD) Adventure Vest 6.0. With a very generous 17 litre capacity, I made the comment that it’s likely more suited to longer races/days out. Here I’m reviewing a pack at the other end of the scale in the UD Signature Series: The Race Vest 6.0 with a capacity of 6.1 litres. Other vests available in the series are the Mountain Vest 6.0 (13.5 litres) and Ultra Vest (10.3 litres), so UD really have provided a pack for every occasion! Equivalent packs are also available specifically designed for women (the Vestra).

One of my comments in the Adventure Vest review was that the pack has an abundance of zipped pockets. The designers at UD have taken a very different approach for the smallest pack of the range, as the Race Vest is equipped with a single zipped pocket, located at the front of the pack on the left hand-side behind one of the bottle pouches. It seems relatively standard on packs nowadays to have an easily accessible secure phone pocket for grabbing those photos on the move (or social media posting if you’re so inclined). My phone measures 16.5cm x 8cm and the pocket would struggle to accommodate anything much bigger.

The Race Vest has the same cinch system as the other packs that is operated by pulling two cords at the base of the pack (which you can easily do whilst wearing it). These cords attach to a small network of cords hidden at the base of the pack and pull everything together nicely. Whilst it works, the pack seemed to fit me nicely whether I used the cinch system or not, just by making sure the straps at the front were well adjusted.

At the rear of the pack, the main compartment is backed with mesh and contains a hoop to hang a 2l bladder. However, if you do use this option then there’s nothing to keep the hose in place of your shoulder or keep secure at the front – a simple loop on the shoulder strap could have really helped here.

This main back pocket comfortably holds basic fell running kit (without a bladder) and inside the top of this is a relatively shallow pocket (around 12cm deep) without a zip of fastener. It was useful to hold gloves or hat and, whilst nothing ever fell out in use, I wouldn’t feel particularly comfortable storing anything of significant value in there.

There is another pocket at the bottom of the main pack that can be accessed from both sides and was useful to store a few gels or stuff a lightweight jacket.

What about up front? The Race Vest is relatively minimal and comprises two bottle pockets with a simple pull cord system to keep the bottles in place, the aforementioned zipped phone pocket and two open pockets below the bottle pockets leading around the side of the pack, ideal for storing those regularly needed items or food. The left-hand side shoulder strap includes a small pouch containing a little whistle.

The pack clips together simply at the front with two clipped adjustable straps.

Features

• 6.1l storage capacity
• 174g (without bottles)
• Zippered, rain resistant phone pocket
• Cinch system for a closer fit
• Pole storage
• Cost: Around £110

What’s good about the Race Vest 6.0

As per the Adventure Vest, I opted for a size “large” which fitted me perfectly with the bottom of the pack lining up with my lower ribs (I’m 5’11” with a 38/40” chest). All of the seams have really nice, soft edging which no doubt helps with the overall comfort. The pack material itself is 82% nylon and 12% spandex which almost feels luxurious and adds to the general high-quality look of the pack. The shoulder straps are made of the same mesh material as the back panel keeping a lightweight and airy feel.

The cinch system pulls the pack snugly around your body and when properly fitted the Race Vest keeps your gear steady and secure without any noticeable bounce and didn’t rub at all on long days out. The inner mesh seemed breathable and worked well even when fully loaded.

What’s not so good about the Race Vest 6.0 

I was initially concerned about the lack of different pockets, not the actual capacity (the range gives plenty of choice) and it felt like a couple of other storage options would be useful – particularly a small, secure, zipped pocket for keys or similar, either inside the pack or on one of the shoulder straps above the bottle pockets where there’s plenty of space. 

The UD product specs state that the back pockets are accessible whilst wearing the pack (potentially influencing the design to limit the zips). Whilst you may be able to grab something at the top of the pack I still think it’s quite a stretch to reach anything else.

Conclusion

I have to admit my initial view when I received the pack was “where are all the pockets?”, but for short runs/races or where only the basic kit is needed, the Race Vest 6.0 ticks all the boxes. It’s stylish, comfortable and fits securely (enhanced by the cinch system). 

This is a great pack that I’ve really enjoyed using and will be my “go-to” for races requiring FRA kit. Whatever your kit requirements, the Signature Series has it covered with the complete range (17, 13.5, 10.3 and 6 litres). 

Find out more here.

Dan Stinton is a former Editor of RunUltra. He’s a Peak District based runner collecting mud and scrapes in and around Glossop, and he likes nothing more than escaping into the Dark Peak and then writing about how difficult it was.

The post Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.0 (Signature Series) Review appeared first on Run Ultra.

The holy grail of the perfect trail running vest is a quest I have embarked on for some time now.  I juggle running with my dog over 5-10 km to running longer distances (42km ish) in the mountains and as such am ever after the bag that suits all.  I have never used Camelbak before yet I’m well aware of the brand due to their hydration solutions over the years.  I have been trying to find the perfect vest for some time so I was very keen to give this Camelbak Zephyr Pro Vest a go and try it out.

Pre run impressions

• Love the lightweight nature of the bag.
• The material feels incredible, easy clean and soft to touch.
• Plenty of stash places and happy to see zips for securing my car keys!
• I couldn’t hide my glee when I saw the pole quiver, I hadn’t anticipated using one as often I carry my poles in hand and was quite excited to try this feature out.

Features

• Pole quiver which is removable and can be easily adjusted.
• Knit mesh back to help reduce heat on your back.
• Secure pockets on front straps, easy access and sizeable for even the most robust mobile phone.
• Adjustable chest straps
• Stretch overflow pockets
• Main storage for kit and gear
• Reflective sections for the dark
• Built in whistle
• 2 compression straps on each side of the vest
• Tube Trap For using a water reservoir
• 2 water flasks which fit into front pockets
• Several bungee type cords which can be moved easily
• Material: N40D Ripstop with C0 DWR
• Capacity: 11L
• Weight: 210g
• RRP £140 (as at 1/12/23 £98)

My first adventure with the Camelbak Zephyr Pro Vest was taking it on a double Munro run in the North of Scotland.  The first Munro, Ben Hope, is steep and short in distance so a good test as I used poles on the ascent and stowed them away on a fast descent.  The second of the day was Ben Kilbreck which had a rougher terrain with less challenge in steep climbing.  For an autumnal mountain day I didn’t skimp on kit and I certainly challenged this vest to squeeze in what I consider minimum kit for a safe day out.  In the main compartment I fitted the following;

• First aid kit
• Bivvy bag
• Waterproof trousers (I was wearing my paramo jacket so didn’t carry a spare waterproof top)
• Pertex long sleeve top
• 2 pairs of gloves
• Hat
• Buff
• A cheese sandwich.  

In the mesh outer compartment I stashed some chocolate brazil nuts and my thin gloves. I had 500ml of water in one of the flasks that came with the bag and I must say I really like that you can lock the nozzle to prevent leaking.  On one side of the pockets I had my map and compass along with a whistle (I prefer my own to the one on the bag but that’s a very personal thing, I do value having an attached whistle in case I forget one).   

On the other side I stowed my keys and money, there are 2 features here that are great, a mesh inner bag stops keys etc jingling about and there is an attachment (like a plastic carabiner) to keep keys super secure, having lost keys on the mountain more than once this is a great feature.  Having the opportunity to zip these away is a huge benefit and I love that there are 2 large zipped pockets at the front.  I had several snacks in various pockets which I felt worked well and were handy to grab and go.

The bag was successfully filled to capacity and although it was a bit of a push to get my headtorch squeezed in at the last minute the bag felt ok when on which was a surprise.  I am used to over packing bags and have in the past been frustrated with how uncomfortable they feel when running, this pack was the exception and was superb.  My only issue was that I had to remove my jacket early in the day and there was no chance of squeezing it in but this was to be expected from an 11L vest!

I am prone to chafing on my shoulders and quickly into the run I could feel rubbing however I am impressed with the fastenings, as a slim built runner it can be difficult to get small packs small enough and I am happy to report that there is a high degree of adjustment from this vest which is a bonus.  Once I faffed with the side fastenings it held for the duration of the day and I haven’t needed to tighten it again. 

Ascending is a slow beast for me and as such the vest didn’t get tested for movement as it was about to be on the downhill section.  Ben Hope gives the opportunity to feel like you are flying on the descent and I knew the vest would be challenged appropriately at this point.  The bag coped well but half way I put my poles into the quiver. It is secured with 2 poppers which kept coming undone. After trying a few times I gave up and used the bungee to attach it to the strap, this worked well and as such was an easy fix on the move.  I’m not used to using a quiver and it felt quite strange but the poles stayed put and even during 2 falls all stayed intact.  I think the poppers may have been more secure if I had not crammed so much kit in the bag but I certainly found them the only disappointing feature.

On my 2nd outing my poles were used throughout the entire route and as such I could have removed the quiver.  I didn’t and it didn’t cause any issue.  I must say I found the vest great and mostly didn’t feel like I was wearing one!  The faff was minimal and no drama was encountered.

Pros!

• Great fit and feel! No chafing!
• Lots of pockets and secure places to hold kit, very generous sized pockets which was helpful for phones, maps etc
• Love the colour, it was cleaned quickly (there were a couple of bog falls!)
• I like the water bottle nozzles.

Cons!

• The quiver didn’t feel terribly secure and the poppers didn’t work on this occasion.
• The main compartment was quite inflexible and it was difficult to squash in the kit I felt I needed, maybe a bigger size is required for mountain days.

Conclusion

I actually really rate the Camelbak Zephyr Pro Vest.  It’s been a while since I tried a new (to me) brand and I found this bag a great choice for trail running.  I do think the 11L version is quite small for a big day out in the hills if you are like me and like to carry kit and safety gear for all eventualities.  I very much appreciated the variety of pockets as I do like to have easy access to kit.  The colour (which I know shouldn’t be a thing, but it really is) is very pleasing as it’s easy to see and the reflective banding makes it a great addition to a winter run.  Living in a particularly dark part of the world during winter there’s a lot to love about this vest.  It lends itself well to easy trails and ultra distance events that are well supported and don’t require you to carry the kitchen sink.  If you are looking for a big mountain day vest then this is not the biggest option. I’m still not sold on pole quivers but I did enjoy using it and unleashed my Robin Hood vibe with gusto… till I face planted the bog.  Value for money this bag certainly is and I feel it is a fantastic vest for (at time of writing from the official website) less than £100!  It is a very lightweight bag which I am looking forward to using through the summer.

8/10 from me! If it was 20L it would get 9/10, then add on a more secure attachment for the quiver 10/10!

About the writer: Jeni Rees-Jenkins is a mum of 2 teenage girls and a secondary school biology teacher with a passion for mountains. Running is where she finds peace from a chaotic world and loves to run long distance up high. With over 100 races of marathon and ultra distance she is now setting her sights on bagging all the Scottish Munros and Lake District Wainwright’s in an attempt to get fit for a Bob Graham Round one day.

The post Camelbak Zephyr™ Pro Vest Review appeared first on Run Ultra.

I once spent a week of my life trudging up a wintery Pennine Way on the Spine Race, and part of the layering system I used was a hoodie made from PRIMALOFT® ACTIVE. For those of you not familiar with this fabric it is, in its most basic form, like a modern day string vest. Rather than being a full closely formed fleece it is knitted in rows. Gaps in the rows allow more air to be trapped which body heat warms meaning it has excellent thermal properties. 

However, unlike traditional fleeces which struggle to vent excess heat, this fabric will allow heat to escape easily. The hoodie I wore undoubtedly helped saved me from perishing in the elements, but to get its full benefit in those conditions the hoodie required another layer over the top to keep warmth in and this shell needed unzipping or removal to exhaust excess heat. 

As I was dragging myself northward on that event, I mused that it would be really useful if the PRIMALOFT® ACTIVE fabric could be bonded to its own shell so that you didn’t need to fiddle with zips to regulate temperature.  Low and behold, my visit to inov8 revealed that they had attempted to do just that, a PRIMALOFT® ACTIVE lining in a Pertex® Quantum Air shell. So, the question then remained whether my theory born in the depths of sleep deprivation and the inov8 design team were right.

My main area of interest was whether having an integrated outer shell would either positively or negatively affect the ability of the PRIMALOFT® ACTIVE to retain and vent heat. Any outer shell would need to be breathable enough to allow heat out, but not so breathable that it didn’t retain much needed warmth. 

It’s worth looking at the advertising brief on the inov8 website to gauge where they are pitching this garment. It’s claimed to be for “walking, hiking, running and outdoor activities on cooler days” and “worn on its own as an outer garment or layered under a waterproof jacket”. So how does it fair? 

I should imagine trying to design a jacket for multiple sports is quite a challenge, the amount of heat you generate when running is obviously greater than that you would when you are hiking and therefore to work out a garment that meets these basic requirements takes some thinking about. 

The Performance Hybrid Jacket manages to address these by having the fleece panels strategically “mapped” to areas of need across the body and hood. The torso, back and upper arms all receive PRIMALOFT® ACTIVE coverage and the rest of the areas have just the Pertex ® covering. The hood can be neatly rolled down and secured by a popper and strap which adds additional warmth to the neck area.  

Pertex® Quantum Air is a stretchy fabric that adds an added element of comfort, and the back of the jacket extends down over your bum which eliminates any gaps around your waist where the top of your legwear (waterproof or otherwise) meets your base layer, meaning no cold midriff. Cuffs are comfortable and tightly secure over the wrists and, if you’re wearing gloves there’s a snug seal here. If you’re not, then don’t worry there are thumb holes to shield your hands from the elements. This is just one of a couple of nice touches which indicate the inov8 Performance Hybrid jacket has been designed by people who know what it’s like to be in the great outdoors. 

I have already mentioned the hood storage, but there is also a separate compartment inside the front pockets which mean you can store your small items separately without losing them when you remove your favourite woolly hat. Top tip though, lay your phone sideways in this compartment to avoid bounce. As you would expect from inov8 it retains the same quality as all of their jackets and compresses into its own pocket for easy storage, very handy indeed when packing for long expeds when bag space is at a premium; oh and it’s light too 337g (men’s medium).

Warmth wise the jacket performs even better than my hoodie and separate shell combo I experimented with on the Spine. I tend to “run hot” so when running at zero degrees Celsius I only needed a long-sleeved tee shirt under the jacket. Hiking above the snow line at -2 degrees a thermal base layer and just the jacket were all that I required. In short, it’s a toasty bit of kit, but as discussed that’s only one part of the equation, does it allow heat to escape with the same effectiveness as the fleece on its own? 

Surprisingly it does, although unsurprisingly it does take a little while longer. Heat escapes through the Pertex ® fabric really rather nicely. However, PRIMALOFT® ACTIVE® on its own, when exposed to the elements, loses warmth quite quickly. Sometimes this is required, sometimes it’s not and you then have to add your layers back on. With the Performance Hybrid it’s a more gradual process, which once you’re accustomed to is very easy to manage by opening or closing a zip.

One look at the Pertex ® website shows how the combination of the Quantum Air fabric with the PRIMALOFT® ACTIVE lining is a match made in heaven. It’s designed to be more air permeable, exactly what the lining needs to regulate temperature and is wind resistant to ensure the cold air doesn’t get in. The shell is shower proof so venturing out in a light rain or snow will cause no issues. However, if you’re out in a monsoon, then pull on your full wets over the top and you’ve got a very, very effective layering solution indeed.

Looks wise, I think this jacket is actually quite understated, it only comes in black and doesn’t have any of inov8’s bright coloured detailing on the zips, but you know what? I like that about it. In fact, I like this jacket a lot, priced at £175 (November 2023) it’s going to be valuable addition to your outdoor wardrobe. 

Robin Bush is the co-owner of RunUltra. He’s an experienced mountain runner, who has run many of the classics including the Dragon’s Back and The Spine.

Have you tried the inov8 Performance Hybrid Jacket? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment to this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.

Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community and share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.

We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown.

The post inov8 Performance Hybrid Jacket Review appeared first on Run Ultra.

I was sent the Apple & Blackcurrant flavour which tasted nice but there is also a neutral flavour too which could combat flavour fatigue or be handy to mix with other drink. 

The Carbs 

Cluster Dextrin: Also known as Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin, this is a fast-absorbing carbohydrate source that is known for its rapid gastric emptying. This means it moves from the stomach to the small intestine more quickly and it is absorbed more quickly, which reduces the risk of bloating and the discomfort often associated with high-carb intake.

Maltodextrin: used as a thickener or filler in many processed foods, it can rapidly spike blood sugar and is a quick source of energy.

Fruit Fructose: A natural sugar found in fruits. It provides energy and sweetness but is metabolized differently than glucose. In combination with other carb sources, it can offer a more sustained energy release.

The Vitamins

Beyond the carb content, Voom Nutrition Fusion Fuel is fortified with b-vitamins, glutamine, and electrolytes. B-vitamins play a vital role in energy metabolism, while glutamine aids in muscle recovery, and electrolytes help maintain hydration and muscle function. This ensures that not only do you get an immediate energy boost, but you also support your body’s recovery and hydration processes.

Many high-carb drinks can cause stomach upset, especially when consumed during rigorous physical activities. The addition of cluster-dextrin addresses this, making the drink suitable even during high-intensity workouts or races.

The Test

I was sent four Voom Fusion sachets and I used two in training and took two to race the 50 mile ultra Lakes in a Day at the beginning of October. For the start, I filled a 500ml bottle of Fusion Fuel and packed the last one to use at the half way point. 

During training, I was caught out initially by the larger quantity of powder. I filled my soft flask as normal with water and then went to tip the contents in. As powder quickly went everywhere, I realised that such a large amount wasn’t going to be absorbed in time as I tipped it in. Top tip! Half fill your flask, empty the contents of the sachet in and then top up with water!

I’m not a fast runner – I’m back of the pack and I don’t need to take on 90g of fuel in an hour. Breakfast before an ultra is always tricky for me – my stomach is tense with nerves and nothing goes down well. Having the Voom Nutrition Fusion Fuel really helped me to feel I was getting some energy in, despite only nibbling on some breakfast. I planned on sipping the Fusion Fuel gradually over the next couple of hours until I felt able to start taking on solid food. 

Unfortunately my race didn’t go to plan and I turned my ankle about 8 miles in. It then took me a long time to hobble up the back of Blencathra and meet the safety team. By this time I was well and truly last of course, so they walked with me back to the cars, and then on to the next checkpoint. It took me nearly 6 hours to do 12 miles! However, in this time, all I took onboard was the Fusion fuel. Eating was the last thing on my mind, but when I eventually got to the checkpoint, I wasn’t hungry. At all. This stuff packs a punch.

Going forward, my plan to use the last sachet at the halfway point I think was sound. I think it will really boost your carb intake in the latter stages of a race when eating becomes hard. This is the stuff to have in one flask as your back up, while you have your normal hydration in another flask. 

Sustainability

I am gratified to see the packaging is recyclable from home and the fact it is made in Britain is always a huge plus in reducing carbon. Voom Nutrition Fusion Fuel is also vegan and gluten free.

Conclusion

At £3.00 a pack, this is a pricey product at twice the price of it’s hydration counterpart. However, it also packs way more carbs in and lasts much longer over a long distance event so I think it’s worth adding a few of these to your usual order. Voom Nutrition Fusion Fuel is a great option to have in your arsenal for a reliable and sustained energy boost with quality ingredients.

Find out more and buy here

Kate Allen is Editor and co-owner of RunUltra and in her spare time can be found running and racing with her dog Mac around the hills of the Peak and Lake District.

The post Voom Nutrition Fusion Fuel appeared first on Run Ultra.

First Impressions

• Looks good
• Lightweight
• How many zips?!

Features

• Large zipped main compartment
• Zipped 3 litre bladder compartment (bladder not supplied)
• Water resistant roll top compartment
• Clip on (removable) rear pouch with mesh and zipped compartments
• Small zipped pocket on outside of main compartment
• 2 small vertical zipped pockets on front shoulders
• 2 large mesh soft-flask pockets
• 3 mesh front pockets
• 2 large zipped front pockets
• 2 large horizontal lower rear mesh pockets
• Lower rear strap and clip (to carry tent etc)
• 2 chest straps
• 1 elasticated abdomen strap
• Elasticated tensioners to adjust fit
• Several elastic bungees for poles, axes etc.
• Cordura© Nylon 6.6 ripstop fabric with 3mm EVA padding
• Weight – 620g
• Capacity 20 – 24 litres
• RRP – €255 including 2 x 600ml soft-bottles

The two 600ml soft-bottles are optional extras. The rear compartment has capacity for a 3 litre bladder (not supplied).

Fit

The XX20-24 is a one size unisex pack. 

On Test

I tested the pack for 4 weeks both fully loaded for overnight “fastpacking”, carrying tent and camping kit and also partially loaded for trail running. 

Initially I found the storage options a bit overwhelming; the pack has no fewer than 8 zips! When I used it for my first overnight camp it took me a while to find everything as my equipment was spread out in the multiple pockets. Over time I developed a system, remembering which pockets I’d put which items in, but to be honest I prefer a simpler bag with fewer places to put things.

The main compartment unzips all the way round rather like a suitcase to allow easy access. This means that you can get to everything and nothing is hidden underneath anything else. Within this compartment there are also 3 flat mesh pockets. I didn’t really find a need to use these. On the outside of the compartment there is another zipped pocket that could be used if you wanted to store something easily accessible, such as a small first aid kit or torch.

With the main compartment filled up the pack feels like a large race vest. However further storage capacity is achieved via a roll top pocket at the top of the pack. I used this when fastpacking and needed more storage, then simply rolled it down when carrying less kit. Both of these compartments are constructed of water resistant material, but you would still need to pack your kit in dry bags if you wanted to guarantee it stayed dry.

An additional pouch can be attached to the upper rear of the pack with 4 clip buckles. I used this for my toiletry kit and head torch when camping, but found it surplus to requirements when running so took it off the pack when not used.

At the top of the pack a zip gives access to storage for a 3 litre bladder with hose openings on both left and right shoulders. I didn’t use a bladder but used the compartment to carry my folded air mat instead. A full 3 litre bladder would slightly restrict the space in the main compartment of the pack.

My pack came with two 600ml soft-bottles which fit easily into the top, front mesh pockets. I was pleased that I didn’t need to struggle to get the bottles in as is the case with some packs. The bottles did slip down into their pockets as they became empty but I found a way of tensioning the elastic to stop this happening. The two lower pockets can also hold soft-flasks so it would be possible to carry more than 2 litres of liquid on the front of the pack if you wished. 

The zipped front pockets are large enough to fit a reasonably sized phone whilst map, compass, hat, gloves and food can all be stored in the other front pockets. I was a little sceptical of the usefulness of the two zipped pockets on the shoulders, thinking that whatever you carried in them would dig into you. However, the 3mm foam padding on the shoulder straps gave adequate protection and I actually used the pockets as a secure place for my keys without feeling any discomfort.

The rear, horizontal mesh pockets were useful. When fastpacking I used them for my tent footprint to keep it apart from other items once it was wet / muddy. When not carrying a tent I used the pockets to carry my waterproof jacket to enable easy access to it. It is harder (although not impossible) to access these pockets if using the rear straps to carry a tent. I don’t tend to use trekking poles but I did use the attachment cords to carry the pole for my tarp. 

The pack is one size fits all. Across the front there are three straps with adjustable clip fastenings. The top two are non stretch whilst the lower one is elastic and all three can be moved up or down to get the best fit. The front and rear sections of the pack are attached to each other with elastic cord. This, along with the lower elasticated strap across the front, allows the pack to be worn snugly whilst not being too restrictive as the elastic allows for stretch.

There is plenty of scope for adjustment but I found that once tightened the spare elastic cords dangled and annoyed me whilst I ran. I resorted to tying knots in them to prevent this, but that then meant that I couldn’t loosen the cord. It may seem like a minor irritation but if I was paying a lot of money for a pack I wouldn’t want any irritations!

I’m sometimes reluctant to comment on fit and comfort of products because it is subjective and dependent on individual body shape. I’m small and slim for a male and occasionally I find items too big on me. However there were no such problems with the Instinct pack. The design makes it more of a race vest than a backpack and the elasticated cord that allows the pack to be tensioned meant it felt like I was wearing it rather than carrying it on my back.

The pack has straps on either side that allow the main compartment and roll-top pocket to be compressed if not full. This reduces the volume and means that it doesn’t feel like you are running with an empty pack on your back. I found the pack stable, so even fully loaded with tent and overnight kit it was possible to jog without things bouncing around. The pack has a 3mm EVA foam back panel that helps prevent items digging into your back, although it would still be best to pack items such as pot and stove thoughtfully to minimise discomfort.

The pack looks and feels well made but that means it isn’t cheap, coming in at over £200 including two 600ml flasks. As such it isn’t the sort of item that you’d want to mis-treat and so you’d need to be careful, particularly in terms of caring for the zips, keeping them clean and avoiding over stressing them.

Pros

• Lots of storage options.
• Versatile
• Easily adjustable.

Cons

Expensive!
Dangly elastic cords.
Maybe over engineered with too many zips and clips.

Conclusion

The Instinct XX20-24L pack is well made and versatile with lots of storage options. It is roomy enough to carry the gear needed for a lightweight camp yet doesn’t feel too big if you are carrying less kit for trail running. The pack would make a good pack for multi-day events such as the Dragon’s Back or Summer Spine where you are required to carry more equipment than a normal trail race. It is also good for excursions where you want to travel fast and light whilst carrying enough kit to be safe and comfortable.

Although expensive, it could be that the pack fulfils the roles of both a smaller and larger pack meaning that you don’t need to buy both.

Personally, I would choose a simpler, less expensive pack, but if you can afford it and are the kind of person who is well organised and likes a place for everything then the Instinct XX20-24L pack is definitely worth considering. 

Instinct website You can purchase an Instinct vest from several UK suppliers, ranging in price from £187 to £220.
Link to video showing all the features

Have you tried the Instinct XX20-24 vest yet? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment below this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.

Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community. Share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.

We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. RunUltra tests each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. The opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown

About the author:

Dave Taylor is an experienced, competitive fell runner based in the Peak District and runs for Dark Peak Fell Runners. He is a UK Athletics coach specialising in fell and mountain running: Fell Running Guide

The post Instinct XX20-24 Trail Running Vest appeared first on Run Ultra.

Features

• Weight: 86g
• Available in sizes XS – XL
• 3 colour options
• Lightweight, 4-way stretch outer fabric
• Integrated briefs with easy-access storage
• Price: £55

These minimalist shorts are built with comfort and speed in mind. The lightweight stretch fabric provides freedom and comfort, whilst also offering the practicality of a small pocket between the integrated briefs and outer short – perfect for small items such as a key or an energy gel.

Pros: What’s good about the Sense Aero 3” Shorts?

My favourite thing about these shorts is the super-lightweight, quick-drying fabric. It feels lovely against your skin and is perfect for the hotter weather. On one of my test runs, I gave them a proper dunk in a stream (in an attempt to cool off) – they didn’t chafe when wet, and dried quickly in the sun as promised. They are also so lightweight that you barely realise you’re wearing them – certainly a good choice for when you’re travelling fast and light!

The shorts also look good! The racing cut is flattering and I’m a big fan of the “grape leaf” (or what I would describe as khaki green) colour. They fit nicely with the elasticated waist, without the need for a drawstring.

Cons: What’s not so good about the Sense Aero 3” Shorts?

For me there was only one shortcoming to these shorts… they are a bit too short! That said, they are exactly as short as described: with a 3” inseam. If you feel this is not too short, I would strongly encourage you to give them a try, as they otherwise perform excellently. For me personally, I did not feel especially comfortable wearing them, particularly if there was a gust of wind! The fabric is incredibly light and flaps up easily, even in the lightest of breezes, so I would have preferred an integrated tight short as opposed to an integrated brief.

Conclusion

Overall, these shorts look good and perform well, and you can hardly ask more from a short than that! The length is a little short for my personal preference, but it has certainly helped me to fade out the stark tan lines created by my 9” tights!

Join us!

Have you tried the Salomon Sense Aero 3″ Shorts yet? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment below this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.

Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community. Share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.

We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. RunUltra tests each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. The opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown

About the author: 

Imogen is a firefighter and Mountain Leader based in Glossop in the Peak District. She enjoys eating pizza before, during and after runs, and wears a woolly hat for 9 months of the year.

The post Salomon Sense Aero 3″ Shorts Review appeared first on Run Ultra.

Dan and Kate review the latest Ultimate Direction Adventure vest, each reviewing the male and female specific versions. Please scroll down for Kate’s review.

Vest Review by Dan Stinton

If you don’t like the word zip or, even more importantly, don’t like zips then I suggest you stop right now because the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest 6.0 has lots of them. Another thing it has lots of is storage capacity. Of course, that’s relative to what you need to carry but, as running vests go, this is up at the larger end with a generous 17 litre capacity spread throughout 13 exterior pockets.

Features

• Large 17l storage capacity
• Front bottle pocket and zippered rain resistant phone pocket
• Integrated rain cover
• Pole storage
• Cost: Around £130

Here’s what you get: starting at the rear of the pack there are two main zipped compartments. The one closest to your back contains a usual hoop to hang a bladder and whilst the manufacturer’s blurb suggests space for up to a 2.0 litre reservoir, I comfortably fitted a 2.5 litre (albeit by another manufacturer). This section of the pack also includes a built-in rain cover that stretches over the whole pack and is secured by two hooks at the bottom. The second rear zipped compartment is suitable for some of your larger, less frequently needed pieces of kit and contains a smaller internal zipped pocket with key clip. This is one of the things I want with any running pack: a completely secure area you can stow away your keys that you’re not generally accessing for anything else. 

Also on the back of the pack is a stretch mesh pocket where you could easily stuff a waterproof jacket. At the bottom of the main pack is a further pocket that can be accessed both sides (of course by zips!). By this I mean you can reach right through and then, on the left-hand side is a further small zipped pocket. Plenty of zips and plenty of pockets, and that’s just the back!

The Adventure Vest 6.0 came with one standard 500ml flex bottle designed to be stored on the right-hand side of the pack in a bottle pouch. Above this, on the shoulder strap, there’s quite a large/deep zipped pouch which I thought seemed a little strange, but it turns out this is designed for holding GPS location devices (there’s an aerial hole at the top of it). 

On the left-hand side shoulder strap is a smaller zipped pouch, and below this is a small whistle tucked away in a tiny little whistle pouch keeping it nicely in position, something I’ve not really seen before. The left-hand shoulder strap also houses a zipped water resistant “phone pocket”. My phone measures 16cm x 7cm and it held this comfortably. On both sides, underneath the bottle or phone pocket are, you guessed it, two more zipped pockets.

The main pack outer pack material is a non-stretch silicone coated nylon. The pack uses a cinch system operated by pulling two cords at the base of the pack (which you can easily do whilst wearing it). These cords attach to a small network of cords hidden at the base of the pack and pull everything together nicely.  The main pack can also be tightened using the zig zag elastic cords threaded across the rear of the pack.

The Adventure Vest 6.0 is part of the Signature Series that includes the Mountain Vest 6.0 (13.5 litres), Ultra Vest (10.3 litres) and the Race Vest (6.3 litres). Equivalent packs are also available specifically designed for women, called Vestas.

What’s good about the Adventure Vest 6.0

I’m 5’11” with a 38/40” chest and opted for a size “large” which fitted me perfectly with the bottom of the pack lining up with my lower ribs. All of the seams have really nice, soft edging which no doubt helps with the overall comfort. 

The front buckle system is nothing fancy – simple adjustable clips that work without any drama. All of the zipped pockets have small cords attached so they’re not fiddly to open, although attempting to reach round to the “accessible” rear pockets was a stretch for me, almost resulting in shoulder dislocation (a slight exaggeration but not what I would call accessible).

The storage locations worked well for me, and with so much choice it’s very easy to organise your kit. There is plenty of storage upfront for those items you’ll need access to regularly and the spacious rear of the pack will accommodate all but the most demanding of days out.

When properly fitted and in use the pack kept the weight steady and secure without any noticeable bounce and didn’t rub at all on long days out. The inner mesh seemed breathable and worked well even when fully loaded.

What’s not so good about the Adventure Vest 6.0 

It’s hard to fault a pack because of its size, but it’s worth making the point that 17 litre is probably way more capacity than is needed for the mandatory kit on the majority of ultras, so it’s likely suited to unsupported days out or races requiring more than the usual equipment. 

Whilst the pole attachments work well, when stowing them through the loops at the base of the pack I found that this resulted in the poles swinging side to side and actually jabbing my running buddy on a few occasions which they understandably moaned about!

Dan’s Conclusion

Whether you prefer “stretch” type vests or a fixed material will be a matter of preference, with the Adventure Vest falling into the latter camp. You may get a little more versatility out of a stretchy material vest if you’re regularly carrying different loads, and Ultimate Direction have opted for a design that veers towards a more traditional rucksack with a non-stretch material and lots of secure zipped pockets. 

17l isn’t the kind of capacity I’d generally need, so I did find myself during the review period carrying much more than I would normally, but that’s probably good for my training. This is a great pack that I’ve really enjoyed using but will have its own place for certain types of races and requirements. With the other vests in the range also having decent sized storage capacity (13.5, 10.3 and 6.3 litres), I’d likely opt for one of those for the majority of events, reserving the 17-litre for a big day out.

Dan rated the vest a solid 9/10 for all aspects.

Vesta Review by Kate Allen

I was delighted to review this new, ladies-specific, vest from Ultimate Direction. I’ve tried many vests during 9 years of ultra running, and Ultimate Direction is a brand I have grown to love.

A vest is a very personal item of gear in the ultra runners arsenal and what each person looks for in one is individual to them. What they want to carry is dependent on the type and length of race or run they are undertaking. The items you need to carry for a trail marathon are different to what you need for a mountain ultra, for instance. What I personally rate about UD vests is the number of pockets on the front (snack access!!) and the lack of movement when running.

Features

• Weight (w/o Bottles): 279 g / 10.58 oz
• Volume: 16.5L / 1037 in³
• No. of Exterior Pockets: 13
• Reflectivity: Yes
• Reservoir Compatible: Yes
• Primary/Body: 100% silicone coated nylon
• Secondary: 82% nylon 12% spandex
• Type: Mono mesh with sil nylon woven and stretch woven pockets

What they say

The Adventure Vesta 6.0 delivers maximum capacity with dedicated pockets for trail essentials, GPS units, and a deployable rain fly that is ready for any kind of adventure. A narrower cut in the shoulder straps and back offers a more tailored fit for smaller frames than our vest version. 

The Vest

This vest is for the big stuff. As its name suggests, it’s for adventures. The Spine. Self-sufficient Rounds in the mountains. The only thing it doesn’t have room for is a tent, but someone could well argue that point with me!

At the front there are two large pockets on either side. One is specifically for a 500ml bottle (included with the vest) and one is multipurpose. I don’t use a bladder, so I would put another bottle in here. 

The phone pocket is hidden underneath the bottle pocket. There’s a whistle with it’s own pocket to tuck away into (try getting that back in when the pocket next to it is full!).

Below, there are elasticated and zipped pockets, to fill with snacks and items that you need regular access to. 

At the rear are two main compartment zippered pockets. One for your main gear, the other is designed for a bladder, but can hold anything else. There’s an elasticated outer pocket for you to stuff things into, plus bungee cords. There are the lateral zipped pockets, but like Dan I found them hard to reach while wearing. I’ve learned over the years that crew are always more than happy to grab something for you. 

This is a list of what I got in the Vesta

• Dry bag filled with:
  • Bivvy bag
  • Spare hat, gloves and buff
  • Medical kit
  • Head torch
  • Emergency food (a gel and a flapjack)
  • A gilet
• Waterproof coat and leggings
• Snacks
• Two 500ml soft flasks of water
• Spare battery pack and lead for phone
• Garmin 64s GPS unit
• Compass
• More snacks
• Poles

Fit

Ultimate Direction say the only difference to the men’s version are the shoulder straps and the back is more tailored. The “comfort cinch” system works so well in drawing the vest around your torso. It’s nice also to see it’s not just been “shrinked and pinked” (or should it be “shrunk and punked?). Colour options are Ice Blue and Onyx and it weighs just 300g.

Poles

Dan’s complaint about the poles swinging was something I wanted to avoid. I moved the elastic straps and retied them at the very bottom of the vest. If you double up the elastic, that provides a stronger hold around the poles. When cinched tight, they are pressed against the base of the outer vest compartment so they don’t swing at all. 

What’s good about the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 6.0

I’ve used this pack for several months now, including a few races and it’s definitely my go-to vest. There’s nothing I’d change about this vest. I had my original Ultimate Direction Mountain vest for 6 years before it grew so many holes in it I was at risk of leaving a trail of snacks behind me like Hansel and Gretal on an ultra. I have every expectation of using this vest for as long.

What’s not so good about the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 6.0

I don’t have a criticism of the vest, but more of Ultimate Direction. Please open a UK website! There are several UK shops and websites that you can find this vest in, but there’s no specific UK, or even European, website to go for information, help or support.

Conclusion

It’s worth noting Dan and I are at the opposite ends of the running field. He runs fast and light, while I run slow and, because I’m out for longer, my packs are necessarily heavier. As someone who regularly carries the kitchen sink, at the amusement of my friends, this vest is perfect for me. But even when one doesn’t want to carry everything, it’s flexible enough to fit well whatever is in it.

Join us!

Have you tried the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest or Vesta yet? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment below this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.

Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community. Share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.

We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. RunUltra tests each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. The opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown

About the authors: 

Kate Allen is co-owner and Editor of RunUltra. In her spare time she can be found running with her dog Mac around the hills of the Peak and Lake District.

Dan Stinton is a former Editor of RunUltra. He’s a Peak District based runner collecting mud and scrapes in and around Glossop, and he likes nothing more than escaping into the Dark Peak and then writing about how difficult it was.

Links

Other reviews similar to the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest/Vesta you might like: 

The post Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest/Vesta 6.0 RunUltra Review appeared first on Run Ultra.