I’ll prefrace this by saying that I absolutely hate to carry anything when I run. A gel in my hand is about the limit and even then I’m happy when I finally use it and don’t have to tote it around anymore. I tried a Fuelbelt many years ago and left it on the side of the road during a long run - RIP. I’ve carried a small water bottle in my hand on occasion during runs off the bike in summer but only because It was so blazing hot and humid that it was necessary for my safety. So, who has a minimalist running vest I should try?
I’m doing a lot more running right now training for a 60k and all of my usual water fountasin stops get turned off for a few months during the winter. I’d like to carry a small amount of fluids (16-24oz) and maybe a few gels and my car key. MAYBE my phone if I venture off on a long excursion away from civilization. I’m not looking to pack mule a bunch of extra gear. I don’t now if I’d prefer a small bladder on my back or something with double colapsable flasks on the front but so far I’ve come across the nathan VaporKrar 4L and Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 2 Set. I haven’t actually laid my hands on either but they both seem to be decent candidates. I’d say I’m most concerned about 1) bouncing around and 2) feeling too constrictive.
It’s not a vest, but maybe take a look at the Naked Running Band? I’ve used it occasionally when I needed to carry a minimal amount of stuff. You can actually shove a lot of things in it if needed. The compression-type fabric can hold a lot without bouncing around. For me it rides better lower on my hips than my waist. It isn’t the same as the fuel belt, flip-belt, or amphipod options.
I use the Salomon Advanced Skin- no rubbing or chaffing, holds two soft bottles on the front and has room for a bladder if you need one. I have the 12 and it holds more than enough and doesn’t billow about if you don’t fill it up with stuff. I’m 6’2", about 180 lbs and I have the xl. I usually try to carry as little as possible but have when needed carried: headlamp, 3 EFS flasks, handful of picky bars, rain jacket, aquaphor, some duct tape, spare socks and a hat for a 70 K.
Like you, I hate carrying stuff. I use the Nathan triangle waist pack. Water and place to store keys and a bit of nutrition. It’s worked great on long trail runs and races
Is that bottle collapsible as you drink? My biggest problem when I’ve carried a bottle in my hand is the fluid sloshing around with the empty air space.
Like you, I hate carrying stuff. I use the Nathan triangle waist pack. Water and place to store keys and a bit of nutrition. It’s worked great on long trail runs and races
I saw those as well - there is a smaller 5 Set version. I assumed the S/Lab Sense 2 Set would be even smaller but maybe the “Skin” line fits more like a garment than a vest? I’m stopping by REI this weekend but I don’t expect them to have all the versions on hand.
I use the Salomon Advanced Skin- no rubbing or chaffing, holds two soft bottles on the front and has room for a bladder if you need one. I have the 12 and it holds more than enough and doesn’t billow about if you don’t fill it up with stuff. I’m 6’2", about 180 lbs and I have the xl. I usually try to carry as little as possible but have when needed carried: headlamp, 3 EFS flasks, handful of picky bars, rain jacket, aquaphor, some duct tape, spare socks and a hat for a 70 K.
No, it doesn’t collapse but it doesn’t seem to slosh around much with less fluid. At least I haven’t noticed any. It rests pretty firmly on the small of your back. I’m happy with it.
I have the Salomon and it’s really really good. I bought mainly to use it in the summer months and it breathes very well (I sweat A LOT) and will hold all the items you mentioned plus a wind breaker in the little Kangaroo pouch. There’s the typical slushing at first but it goes away once you drink some water.
it’s so good that I hardly ever use the vapor cloud that I also have.
I’d say I’m most concerned about 1) bouncing around and 2) feeling too constrictive.
I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum and run with a vest/pack every day, even if it’s just a couple miles. I have used a few over the years and keep going back to Nathan products. It’s hard to go wrong with them, but I haven’t owned a Salomon to say whether or not they are good. I’m not interested in bashing any of the other half dozen I have had…except GoMotion. What a joke. I haven’t tried Orange Mud either and they seem to be picking up some steam. Nathan’s customer service is just as good as or better than anybody else as well.
Not bouncing and not constrictive are kind of at odds with each other. More of one equals less of the other from my singular experience. The newer ones that have fabric/pockets on the sides instead of straps (like older or less expensive models) feel more constrictive to me. Not worse, not claustrophobic, just something to keep in mind. The more fabric stretched around you/touching you might make you feel more constricted. I can’t tell you what you will like, but that’s just a thought seeing as you mentioned two that have a lot of body contact. My current Nathan VaporAir is noticeably warmer and more snug than my old Nathan Zealot that used straps instead.
I have the Salomon and it’s really really good. I bought mainly to use it in the summer months and it breathes very well (I sweat A LOT) and will hold all the items you mentioned plus a wind breaker in the little Kangaroo pouch. There’s the typical slushing at first but it goes away once you drink some water.
it’s so good that I hardly ever use the vapor cloud that I also have.
+1. I have a gear vest with a 1L bladder, it’s great. I hate running with water bottles, I can’t stand the sloshing, and this doesn’t at all. It’ll bounce on my back a little bit at first, then settle into the rhythm, doesn’t bother me at all. There is definitely more storage than you’re looking for, but it’s not cumbersome. I find it useful to be able to stick a dry hat, dry gloves or socks in there running in the winter. The shoulder pockets also fit a phone very easily.
Sorry., I have the Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 2. My brother has the Salomon advanced skin 5. The advanced is a more substantial pack, more akin to a Nathan Vapor Cloud in terms of carrying capacity but in a tight to the skin construction. Not as breatheable IMO
the sense Ultra 2 is as minimalist as it gets
The S/Lab Sense or the Advanced Skin?
I have the Salomon and it’s really really good. I bought mainly to use it in the summer months and it breathes very well (I sweat A LOT) and will hold all the items you mentioned plus a wind breaker in the little Kangaroo pouch. There’s the typical slushing at first but it goes away once you drink some water.
it’s so good that I hardly ever use the vapor cloud that I also have.
I ran my first trail 50K this December and needed to carry hydration (which I never like to do). Looked online at similar packs mentioned, saw the prices, then went to Walmart and bought a hydration pack for $10. It worked fine for the 50K!
I’ve been surprised that pretty much all of the hydration vests I tried, work fine. No chafing, no irritation no weirdo bouncing. This is in contrast to the waist hydration kits all of which sucked for me - bounced, rotated on my waist like crazy, felt asymmetric weighted after drinking, etc. Hydration packs have worked amazingly well and consistently for me for run hydration.
I will add that I have been surprised how well a big-bladder pack works for long runs in the no-water stop long runs. I used a 2L Camelbak (I don’t think it’s particularly amazing, I’m sure most other pack would be as good) to do 22-26 mile runs in 85+F heat in the Santa Monica mountain back trails. The pack weighed literally 9 pounds fully loaded with water and gear, dropped down to 3.5 pounds after I drank all the water in it. It definitely was noticeable weight at 9lbs,but it’s always a treat to feel faster and lighter as you drink more fluid, kinda like a free boost when you need it late in the game.
I have a ultraleightweight no-name Chinese brand one that also works fine, but I’ve come to prefer the heavier and more built up Camelbak. I can carry a lot more stuff in it like phones, emergency stuff, lots of nutrition (I can barely fit anything in the ultralight ones - even stuffing gels in there is hard) . and it’s easier to refill and clean. I use the ultralight one for racelike time trials to gauge race day pace like 14 mile at MP, but for all my other training the bigger pack was a lot more useful and easier to deal with.
I’d say give it a try - I know you want ultralight stuff,but you’d be surprised at how many cool run trails become available to you once you have a big water pack that lets you go long and far with both food and hydration.
I think you’re on track with the Salomon 2 set, if you don’t go for a waist belt. Personally I’d bump up to the ultra 5 set (which I own); the extra 50 grams buys a bunch more pockets for just in case. The salomon ultra vests can’t take a bladder though, just the front flasks. The vaporkrar is made out of an unusual, almost felt-like material that to me felt thick, warm, and soaks up moisture.
