Nathan HPL #028 Race Vest - 2008

the race vest is a great piece of gear for trail runners. if you prefer to carry handheld water bottles this vest is perfect for you. the vest is lighter and more simple than a backpack. if you don't need to carry a water bladder then you don't need all that comes with a backpack... enter the race vest. you can fit a rain jacket, gloves and hat in the pouch on the back. the front pockets allow you take a lot of food with you. this works for adventure runs where there is a lot of water available on the route. it fits great and i use it all the time. i put a just in case rain jacket, gloves and a hat in the back often. to two front pockets are big, but well designed so they don't bounce even when they are full of my gels, my camera, my iphone, some nuun.

This vest is great for the hottest days of summer and you don't want to carry a heavy sweaty pack.

Excells in the heat and humidity. Super lightweight, wicking and breathable. Most of my day-to-day runs are in the rainforest that is my backyard. If I am linking networks of trails, I may need a bit more water and will use a bladder to supplement my bottles. Otherwise this vest is perfect for gels, lytes, a ziplock of fuel, and a torch for an underestimated distance or overestimated pace. Many of the HURT crew are wearing this vest on training and adventure runs throughout the islands and elsewhere.

I'm all about the minimalist approach. This vest was just what I was looking for. Carried it several times now, even during a recent 50 miler. I am able to transport enough food (gel) in the front pouches along with a water bottle and light jacket in the back pouch. I can't stand sucking from typical hydration pack tubes, so I carry another bottle in my hand. This pack is all I need.