UKH

Over the years I've run various distances and used different types of hydration packs. On long ultras though, I've usually had some kind of pack with a bladder and hose - I'm currently using one of the Salomon s-lab ones - generally its great, extremely comfortable but along with the lack of space and awkward pocket access, I find I just can't monitor my fluid intake properly using a hydration bladder and I think I've come unstuck on a few races this way.

I'm thinking the solution would be a couple of chest mounted bottles, and I've been looking around at various options as these seem to be getting more popular. Thoughts include:

1. Salomon with the softflashs - my wife has got one of these - not bad but I still think its a bit low on pockets (I'm obsessed)


2. Raidlight Olmo (5 or 12l) - I really like the look of these - I tried one on in a local running shop yesterday though on not sure if the straws from the bottles will get bugging after a while. Probably with some adjustment I can get them to sit less in my face. I also like that you can get softflask versions and I like the pole storage and headphone jack idea - plus it has pockets galore.


3. Ultimate Direction SJ - again this looked great and then I was put of by some reviews. Especially around fit and comfort.

Anyone tried one or more of the above? I'm particularly keen on firsthand feedback on the Raidlight packs - I can't find many reviews but I saw a lot of them being used in UTMB this year.

In reply to yorkshireman:
I've got the 12l Salomon, really like it, very comfortable and stable, much better than the others I tried. Pocket situation is fine, more than I need and found accessing kit on the move easy.

You can drink from the soft flasks without taking them out of the vest.

In reply to yorkshireman:

The other models I tried were from UD and Nathan.

In reply to yorkshireman:

I run with the UD AK vest, fits me quite well, I'm a skinny fella. Doesn't move at all, only really minor chafing at the neckline from the straps next to the skin. I took out the normal bottles and bought a couple of the soft flasks, pros and cons, can drink with craning neck down and supping, no sloshing as they empty. But I find it hard to gauge how much is left between water stations/checkpoints, I can tell there's 'some' left but not exactly how much. I use a handheld bottle sometimes and food in one of the chest pockets (so I can see how much water I've got left easier).

In reply to yorkshireman:

Also have a look at the Montane Fang (5L) and Jaws (10L). I have a Fang and really like it, the way the bottles hook onto the shoulder straps is simple but effective.

In reply to yorkshireman:
I've got both SJ Ultra Vest and Fastpack 20 (for mountain days when I want to carry more) from UD and reviewed them on my blog while still new to me...
http://www.petestack.com/blog/ultimate-direction-sj-ultra-vest-2-0.html
http://www.petestack.com/blog/november-fastpacking.html

To which I might just add that I ordered one of the larger Salomon Packs (Skin Pro 14 + 3) between getting my SJ and Fastpack but sent it back because I thought it flimsier and not as well arranged for my needs, and also quickly reverted from the UD soft bottles mentioned in my blog piece to the regular ones for my Fastpack. Which is now my regular lightweight hill pack, with the SJ still coming out for runs with less kit.

In reply to yorkshireman:

It took me bit of a leap of faith to go from pack to vest and thereafter to think about dealing with bottles jiggling about on the front but the bladder is too much of a pain to refill on ultras etc so I gave it a go. I'm a convert. Using a Salomon S Lab 12 I've evolved to a combo of one old fashioned firm 500ml drinks bottle and a 600ml Raidlight soft flask type thing with a massive valved straw like the end of a bladder system. It works like this: I can use the firm bottle for things like tea/coffee/soup carried from CPs as well as for energy drinks whilst using the soft one for water + Nuun. The soft one is 600ml so I can make the Nuun slightly dilute if I want and the straw thing means I can sup without removing the flask from the pocket. I'm finding it spot on, YMMV

In reply to r0b:

Mr TC has just got the Montane Jaws, and is very impressed with it so far. The bottles are more rigid, like 'normal' drinks bottles, than the squishy Salomon ones, which offers the benefit of easy filling from streams. He was a bit suspicious of how the bottles attached at first, but said it's surprisingly effective.

He tried on the Salomon and Inov8 equivalents, and found both seemed like they'd chafe round the underarms - for context, he's 6'3, skinny, but with broad shoulders and some lingering lats from years of swimming, but he couldn't be described as bulky!

In reply to yorkshireman:

Thanks for the ideas - more confused than ever now. Think I'll continue trying stuff on in shops where possible.

In reply to yorkshireman:

I have the UD SJ nice enough, not used many modern vests so hard to compare. Not sure which I prefer, but certainly fit for purpose. My main issue is accessing the pockets when running