Nathan HPL #020 Race Vest

I read all the reviews here before buying this pack and after using this pack on a long run this weekend, I couldn't agree more with all the positive reviews. It is functional and comfortable. I'm thrilled to have found a pack that holds a lot of water without an aggravating bounce. And I love the small pockets in the front - not for chapstick or gels but for quickly storing trash that I pick up on the trails.

I'm 5'2'' 118 pounds and it fits great.

I looooove this pack, and have recommended it to many trail running friends. The fit is so incredibly comfortable and snug that it really does feel like it's hugging you, and when I run with it I forget it's there (always a good thing!). It doesn't bounce, move, chafe, or any of the other bad things my old pack did.
Another selling point for me (which few of the other brands have) is the front pockets. There's nothing worse than having to take off your pack at 40k just to get more gels out... with this, I can fit lots of gels in the front. Also super easy to fill without taking the bladder out.
Someone below mentioned that the bladder sags as it empties--I avoid this with a couple of safety pins at the top to keep it standing.
While I love the wide opening of the bladder for easy refill, the bladder is quite hard to dry out because it collapses on itself. Also, I find the mouthpiece really difficult to open and close, especially if it's cold out and my fingers aren't as nimble as usual. Aside from those minor issues, this pack is by far my favourite and worth every penny!

Purchased this for trail runs and races after realizing that I didn't need to have 100oz of water contained in a very heavy and hot camelbak. Go to any Ultra and you will see mostly Nathan packs for a good reason. Rides higher and doesn't bounce at all when snugged up. Doesn't restrict movement or breathing and has plenty of easy accessible storage on the front for gels and salt capsules. The shoulder straps are a very thin material with a comfortable/soft brushed texture towards your skin. They seem fragile to me, but I haven't experienced any problems with them after a lot of miles.

From start to finish the pack doesn't move. Easily adjustable as the bladder drains to keep it tight on your back. The padding on the back is designed to ventilate so you don't get as sweaty as with other hydration packs.
I have a 1st gen HPL 020 and after about a year of use it developed a leak near the top, on the weld. I suspect the reason the leak develops is a combination of "saggy bladder syndrome" and the material the bladder is made of. Unlike the camelbaks which are held in place at the top, the nathan bladders are not held in place so it sags as it is emptied, bending in the same spots each time creating the leak. IMO a simple design flaw.

If you're as cheap as I am it can be fixed with a simple bike tire patch kit (vulcanizing kind) for $2 to $3 and a small plastic clip sewn into the top that holds the bladder in place, preventing the dreaded saggy bladder syndrome. It's worth noting that I made no attempt what so ever to contact Nathan about the leak.

This pack is outstanding for a long run when lots of water is needed. The 2L bladder provides plenty of water and the slide top design is very easy to fill and to dry out afterwards. The pack keeps the bladder from bouncing around. Sometimes the pack pulls my shirt up in the back but as soon as I sweat a bit it the shirt stays in place. The pockets on the front are very convenient for some snacks or chapstick with room to spare. The clasp across your chest is easily adjustable but I find it could use two straps - one higher and one lower on my chest to really keep it all in place. It is a minor concern though. I have not had any rubbing at all from the pack and have taken it on several runs of 20+ miles. Overall a great water pack when my water belt just isn't enough.

I've had my HPL #020 for about a year and it's been perfect for spring through fall long runs. Very light and enough space for gels, a cellphone, and other misc. items. I hardly feel it on as there is no bouncing or sloshing.

Nathan got everything right with this one. It is highly adjustable for a perfect fit, the straps are soft and can even be worn on bare skin, the front pockets hold enough food for a few hours, and the pack is just large enough for what you need for a long day on the trail. This pack is great for long training runs and races when you need to have to either be self contained or won't have an aid station for 3 or more hours. I have used numerous other hydration packs and this is the only pack that I turn to for running.

This water system rocks.. If all you need is a room for a light shell and some food then this pack is for you. The pack rides high and tight to your body to minimize movement. I run a lot including ultra races and have tried all systems. This is the best one. Less resticting than others and allows you to breath...

Nathan makes some of the best endurance packs out there. They are light and tuff. When I picked up my first pack (Nathan 020 and carries 70 fl oz of liquid) I was worried about the construction of the pack as it appears that it won't take the beating of all day riding/racing. I used the pack all fall on long rides and raced with it this winter without flaw. The pack still feels and looks new. Excellent front stash pockets making gels and electrolyte accessibility easy. The pack is kind of like a fishing vest that is fit for your body with the adjustment straps to cinch down the play in the pack. The pack sits nice and snug without any play or sway. The Synergy pack is a bit big for most of my endeavors but built for the trail. If you are looking for a smaller tighter pack look at the Nathan 020 and 008. The 020 is a smidge bigger than the 008. These are perfect for 6 hour rides/tours/crust cruising and races. Ride On.

I have been eyeballing this thing for months, wanting to try it out. On my way out of town for the calico 50k I stopped at a local running store to pick up some body glide. While there I saw they had these packs and impulsively bought one. I wasn't so sure that testing out new gear on a such a big race was such a good idea, but I decided to run with it anyways. Man is it comfortable. I only ever filled it to 30 oz cause there were enough aid stations that I didn't need to lug around the full amount. 30 oz didn't really feel like anything. Barely bounced at all, though I like to think that i have a pretty smooth stride. The best thing about it is all the pockets and the drawstring. Midway through the race I took off my shirt, it was nice to cinch it down to my pack instead of tying it around my waist or holding it. Also the pockets in the front are amazing. I was able to put my phone (it is my music and camera) in one pocket and some treats in the other. Very easy to get to stuff when it's on the front. I will deffinately be wearing this for all my longer runs and for any long race where there is not an aid station every couple miles.

I'm a weensy little 5'1" runner with a short torso. This pack is the most comfortable I've ever tried. The wide but whisper-light shoulder straps distribute the weight of the pack beautifully so it doesn't put pressure on my neck or shoulders; the body of the pack swings a little side to side, but it swings *with* your body motion, rather than sloshing against it. The pockets on the front are well designed for holding gels and lip balm and electrolytes and all the little things you need for several hours on the trail. My only issue is that the water bladder really does sag as it empties. The bulge of that bag hits my lower back and chafes after a while; the solution is to clip the bag to the top seam on the inside of the pack.

I've tried handheld bottles, hip packs and several hydration packs in an attempt to find a comfortable way to carry water and a few essentials on long runs and fast hikes. The Nathan is by far my new favorite. It doesn't bounce, is lightweight, and the front pockets provide immediate access to snacks, lip balm, phone/GPS, etc without having to take off the pack.
Two things make it less than perfect for me. Fisrt, the drinking valve allows air to flow back into the tube unless you keep it in the closed position, and it's not that easy to open/close on the run. I swapped out the hose for one off an old CamelBak with a bite valve-probelem solved. The other nit pick is that this pack only comes in one size. I'm small (5' 2", 102 lbs) with a short torso and the sternum strap goes from just below my bra line at the highest adjustment point to my waist line at the lowest adjustment point. This actually works fine and is amazingly comfortable, with only downside being that it puts the hose clip in a pretty useless spot. Not a huge deal--I just put the hose across my chest and tuck it into the little strap.

I love this pack. I was introduced to Nathan while crewing for Karl Meltzer in his speed record attempt of the Appalachian Trail. I borrowed one of his packs to run with him on a few 20-mile sections and was hooked. I just recently got this vest and have been so psyched with it. It fits perfectly with the strap adjustments. I've never experienced any chaffing, discomfort, ride or slipping. I love the thoughtful design of the front pockets - room for a cell phone or camera in a zip pocket, with bungee-secured mesh pockets for gels, a flask or bars. The back pocket is a nice size for extra fuel, a light jacket, and keys. Plus there's room in the main compartment for an extra shirt or socks if you're going out for a long time and want to be prepared. The Nathan reservoirs are great. The material is supple and strong, so you don't have to worry about damaging it when yanking it around or cleaning it. They're well marked liters/ounces. They open all the way across the top for easy cleaning, and close securely with a fold and a barette-like sliding clasp. I love the hook inside the pack that keeps the reservoir from slouching down in the pack as you empty its contents. You can clean the reservoirs really well too, so you don't have to taste berry nuun in your water for weeks after you decide you need a little flavor in your hydration. Even with everything you need for a long run, the pack is light and fits well. I highly recommend it!

This pack has just what you need. It sits high on your back and is very comfortable. It has a hook for the bladder so it doesn't sag. Some people complained about that, but they must have changed the design. If you have a very large chest, it might be a little snug, but you'll probably still be okay.