OutdoorGearLab

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 &#40;not included&#41; add to the versatility of this do-it-all vest.  
For anyone considering trying out a hydration pack for running, but also considering using it for biking, hiking, rafting trips, or staying hydrated at festivals, look no further. With 5 liters of usable storage between the main blitz pocket, an external quick-stow pocket, and front chest pockets, you can bring almost anything you need with you with this model. Vests as feature-rich as this one normally don't have such accommodating fits, as they are designed for race-oriented ultrarunners. The Swiftland 5 is different &mdash; it has many high-end functional features for a fraction of the price.  
Read more: REI Co-op Swiftland 5 review

Best for Most

The Nathan Pinnacle 12L is one of the most comfortable hydration packs available on the market today. Its abundant size options, contour-hugging female-specific fit, and ample storage capacity make it one of our favorites. This hydration pack for running has more pockets than you ever think you'd need &#40;15!&#41;, which makes it an exceptional choice for your longest, neediest days in the backcountry. You'll find yourself wanting to get out and run with the Pinnacle on your team. 
The only drawback to the Pinnacle is its hefty price tag. Ultimately, the sheer number of features and comfortable assets makes the price worth it, but we totally understand that it's a lot of money to cough up upfront. Still, if you are on the hunt for a long-lasting, high-capacity vest with a cozy profile, we think the investment is well worth it. Endurance runners of all kinds will find the Pinnacle to be the perfect attribute to their running ensemble. 

The Nathan Pinnacle 12L is one of the most comfortable hydration packs available on the market today. Its abundant size options, contour-hugging female-specific fit, and ample storage capacity make it one of our favorites. This hydration pack for running has more pockets than you ever think you'd need &#40;15!&#41;, which makes it an exceptional choice for your longest, neediest days in the backcountry. You'll find yourself wanting to get out and run with the Pinnacle on your team. 
The only drawback to the Pinnacle is its hefty price tag. Ultimately, the sheer number of features and comfortable assets makes the price worth it, but we totally understand that it's a lot of money to cough up upfront. Still, if you are on the hunt for a long-lasting, high-capacity vest with a cozy profile, we think the investment is well worth it. Endurance runners of all kinds will find the Pinnacle to be the perfect attribute to their running ensemble. 
Read more: Nathan Pinnacle 12L review

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Nathan Pinnacle Vest Review - Ultra Running Magazine

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Nathan Pinnacle 12L Race Vest | Blister

With the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0, everything just clicked. It's more durable and rugged than the other top-performing vests, can still carry lots of gear, and is comfortable. A simple design with thoughtfully integrated features translates into a pack that is as intuitive as it is useful. Waterproof pockets and tough material choices will keep both gear and this vest running for many years to come. Soft trim along all edges and a fine micro mesh interior are comfortable against exposed skin. Add in a top-notch hydration system, and it's clear to see why we reached for the Ultra Vest 6.0 over and over again. 
Dual fit systems provide enough adjustments to work for a wide variety of body types as well as varying assortments of gear and layers. We found the medium vest slightly larger than some other mediums, so if you are between sizes, we recommend trying on the vest if you have the opportunity. Compared to some of the other top-performing vests, the approachable price adds appeal for a wider audience. If you are a top mountain athlete competing in full-day events, this vest will perform. If you like getting out on hikes with your dog and need to carry extra supplies, this pack is easy to use and comfortable. 
Read more: Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 review

Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 Review - Active Gear Review

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The Nathan Pinnacle 12 is unmatched in the amount of accessible gear it can carry. For this reason, amongst others, it is the best pack we tested. The field of hydration packs for running is only getting stronger, and this pack still stood out amongst stiff competition. Twelve pockets and a hydration sleeve for a bladder provide extensive storage options for this vest, and the compatibility with soft flasks adds versatility for the user. The number of pockets is one thing, but the side-accessed kangaroo pockets are immense, and one of them is also accessible from the back of the pack for more rapid access at aid stations or when you're taking a break.
While this vest is pricy and made of lightweight, highly stretchable fabric, we still see value in a 12-liter vest that allows a runner to chug along without having to stop to access some of the main storage pockets across the back of the pack. At this point in time, no vest has a great trekking pole solution because poles are 15" long when collapsed, and most vests are barely this size. With all the movement of running, poles are bound to be a point of high friction if stored in any manner. If you store trekking poles in the vertical kangaroo pocket as intended, you can technically draw them from the pack while moving through the flank access to this pocket, but it's not a well-tuned system. We don't count it against any vest that you have to take it off to store the poles because the few vests with front storage options were also quite uncomfortable. We had very few slights to throw at the Pinnacle 12 &mdash; sure, it is heavier than some other vests, and the sternum straps are a bit stiffer, but we know this vest is reliable, and the user experience is refined to feel innate. 

The Nathan Pinnacle 12L is unmatched in the amount of accessible gear it can carry. The field of hydration packs for running is only getting stronger, and this pack still stood out amongst stiff competition. Twelve pockets and a hydration sleeve for a bladder provide extensive storage options for this vest, and the compatibility with soft flasks adds versatility for the user. The number of pockets is one thing, but the side-accessed kangaroo pockets are immense, and one of them is also accessible from the back of the pack for more rapid access at aid stations or when you're taking a break.
While this vest is pricy and made of lightweight, highly stretchable fabric, we still see value in a 12-liter vest that allows a runner to chug along without having to stop to access some of the main storage pockets across the back of the pack. At this point in time, no vest has a great trekking pole solution because poles are 15" long when collapsed, and most vests are barely this size. With all the movement of running, poles are bound to be a point of high friction if stored in any manner. If you store trekking poles in the vertical kangaroo pocket as intended, you can technically draw them from the pack while moving through the flank access to this pocket, but it's not a well-tuned system. We don't count it against any vest that you have to take it off to store the poles because the few vests with front storage options were also quite uncomfortable. We had very few slights to throw at the Pinnacle 12 &mdash; sure, it is heavier than some other vests, and the sternum straps are a bit stiffer, but we know this vest is reliable, and the user experience is refined to feel innate. 
Read more: Nathan Pinnacle 12 review

Hydration Vest Comparison