Nathan HPL #020 Race Vest - 2008

For racing this pack is a little much. For the longer "fastpacking" trip, it's just right. All the exterior pockets are conveniently located to access gels and other random foods. This pack rides high enough to prevent bouncing too, something we all want in a hydration pack. It seemed to wick moisture away as well, making it cooler than most other "camelback" style hydration packs.

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.

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.

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.

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...

Pack is great. Fits snug and works well. The one improvement which could be made is the front harness slides down about every mile and needs to be adjusted back to it original position. Not a deal breaker, just annoying.

Took this to do the West Rim trail as a trail runner companion. Bladder leaks where the lid closure seals to the bladder. I filled it up to the 40 oz water mark and drank only 25 oz. The rest was a treat for the Horny Toad Lizards. PRETTY LAME!

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.