Choosing the right trail running hydration vest
Trail running packs, hydration vests or running belts all have their pros and cons, and their own limitations to carry the equipment you need on your runs. While some are lightweight and guarantee a good range of motion, others are bigger, allowing to carry numerous items for long days of adventures and ultra-trail running for example. So, how to choose your trail running backpack? Here are some elements to answer this question!
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Choosing a running vest depending on the distance
There’s a whole world between short trail runs and ultra-trail running. Training sessions, nutrition, recovery are elements that are approached differently depending on your distance goals and the time you’re aiming for. On D Day, your trail running backpack can have as much to do with your success as your poles and shoes. Depending on the distance, you’ll need a hydration vest with the right capacity and features.
5 to 40 km: a belt or a vest for a short trail run?
On a short distance trail run, the goal is often to run fast. The most competitive runners won’t carry anything or be satisfied by a simple running belt, others, not as fast will prefer to be safe and choose a trail running backpack. For this situation, you can find minimalist vests such as the Oxsitis Atom 6 or Salomon Active Skin 4. Very lightweight, it offers great freedom of movement. It allows you to carry the essentials. Phone, water bottle and folding poles will be stored easily and available in a pinch.
40 to 80 km: which pack for a long trail run?
On longer distances, your hydration vest should offer a larger capacity. If you are specific about your nutrition and don’t rely on feed zones to fuel yourself, you need to carry food such as cereal bars and a significant quantity of liquid. Without being too bulky to remain pleasant to wear while running, your hydration pack should feature a water bladder compartment and be able to store some waterproof clothes in case the weather deteriorates. This is the case of the Norrona Senja Econy 7L which fits the bill!
Over 80 km: which backpack for an ultra-race such as the UTMB?
If your goal is finishing an ultra-trail, the race organisation will ask you to carry a list of mandatory items in your backpack, for your own safety. Ultra-running means you’ll spend long hours in the mountains. In addition, you’ll often encounter significant altitude differences and go from warm valleys to cold peaks. A hydration vest such as the Oxsitis Enduro 30 Ultra will be your companion for beautiful adventures.
Choosing the right hydration vest
While being initially designed for trail running, these packs can work well for other activities. For instance, hiking. Rather than bringing a rugged but heavier hiking pack, a trail running backpack with a reasonable capacity can carry your food, snacks and some lightweight hiking clothes. In addition, hydration vests are used by cross-country skiers who don’t feel comfortable wearing a waist belt and want to bring more than just some water and a bar!
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