Does anyone have a recommendation for a hydration pack vest thingy. I've done really well over the last year at breaking my reliance on carrying a water bottle on every run but do need something when running more than 5 miles especially as it's got warmer.I'd like something as light and unobtrusive as possible but with capacity to keep me hydrated up to half marathon.
Thanks in advance of your recommendations 😊
Written by
LadyGault
Half Marathon
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I’ve got a Salomon Advanced Skin 5 (women’s fit) and I absolutely love it. It’s really comfortable and has loads of pockets! It came with soft bottles with very long straws which I switched for bite valve tops instead. It was reduced last year so there might be a new model out now.
I have a cheap and cheerful Aoniji hydration vest, bought off Amazon. No complaints with it at all, and I could barely tell I was wearing it on training runs. It has plenty of pockets too.
However it became very annoying towards the end of the one HM race I did with it. I was very aware of it on my shoulders, something I’d never felt before. So never again; I prefer to run unencumbered in races and now I make full use of water stations, or carry just a small amount for emergencies in my belt.
Not trying to put you off as they’re great, but something to consider. 😀
I also have a Aoniji hydration vest too (with soft flasks) but in all honesty I have used it only once! I just prefer a belt and have a fab collection now depending on how far I am running! I agree with cheekychipmunks that it just feels more ‘free’ running with a belt.
Thank you. I wear a belt for my phone and a key and find the pocket on my leggings is big enough for the clif bloks and revives I use. It's just water I need to find a better solution for than carrying a bottle 🤔
My belt is great as it holds 2 little bottles and the zip pocket is big enough for snacks, phone, keys etc. I don’t like my hand held bottle for long distances as that gets annoying too ….. takes a lot to not get me annoyed doesn’t it?! 😅
Hope you don't mind me asking but which belt do you have? I have a Salomon Agile belt which takes a small soft bottle, it's really comfy but it's a right a faff to get the bottle out! That could be me though!!
Sorry Jackapoodle , just noticed this. I didn’t get a notification for some reason. 🤔
Of course I don’t mind you asking. In all honesty I can’t remember what brand it is, but it’s simply a clip-on webbing belt with a central zip pocket and two net “pockets” either side of that for the flasks. I tend to wear it with the zip pocket in front for easy access, and it’s easy as anything to get the flasks out. I carry one with plain water and the other with Tailwind. I got it off Amazon.
I’ve got a hydration vest but rarely use it. I use the Naked running band. It’s so light, doesn’t bounce or move at all & you can carry enough fuel & soft flasks to run a half marathon 😍
I use a flipbelt with flipbottle for mid length runs. So long as I'm good with 300ml it's a comfy option. But for a HM training run I need more. I too have the cheap and cheerful Aoniji vest with a 1.5l bladder, which I would happily recommend. I can drink from that on the run without spillage and it stays put. I find it very comfortable to wear and use the pockets for other bits. It does get warm though - I suspect any vest with a bladder pack has to make your back warm! In races, where drink is available, I will always leave it behind and opt for the flipbelt for chews and keys - less weight and freely ventilated back 😊
I have the same as MissUnderstanding ... she has said it all... so comfy...mine has bite valve straws, and is slightly different than the newer models... Loads and loads of pockets... ! I got mine from Amazon, in 2019, when on offer... flagged up by ju-ju- !
Depending on how much you want to carry; I use a 250ml soft flask which I tuck into my bra for 5 to miles. A Salomon unisex "set 2" I think they call it, which has 2 x 500ml soft flasks up front and a rear pocket which I can either use a 1ltr bladder in or a couple more bottles for up to 20 miles I have a Salomon Adv Skin 12 which I can load up with up to 5.5l for serious days.
They're useful for carrying an extra layer, gloves etc in cooler weather, snacks, that kind of thing. You probably won't need the bladder at this stage but try it out if it comes with one as it's different having the weight at the front in bottles or back in the bladder, and you don't need to fill it all the way up either.
I have a belt and it does me fine. Took a little running rucksack when we did the 3 peaks and it was ok, but I'm happy to stick with the belt. It holds a variety of things including one of my small drink bottles.
Hi LadyGault , so much depends on personal preference and where you're running.
I mostly run trails, and for going off-road for 10 miles plus I use the 1L Decathlon pack. Also have a cheapy flipbelt, but it's not particularly comfortable and it can't hold much. I don't get on with the belt style ones either, for the same reasons.
I got this from Amazon, it was £8 when I got it! I've used it a lot, it holds 2L, and fts quite comfortably. The only draw back is most f the pockets are inside, loads of those, but there are none on the front, so if you want to access your stuff you need to take it off. For me that wasn't a problem considering the price, and I only use it on longer runs.
Thank you. That does look good. I've ordered an ultimate direction ladies race vest. Hoping it will be what I want considering the price. Hydrating isn't cheap 🤔
The salomon one recommended is over £100. I've got an ultimate direction one coming for £60 which is also a ladies fit (I am rather busty) I'm wondering if I should just keep carrying my Karrimor water bottle which I think was about £7.50 😄
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