Nathan Trail Mix Plus 0.5L Lumbar Pack

Bought this for a friends birthday and here is her feedback-

This is the second Trail Mix Lumbar pack I’ve owned. The updated version to fit larger smart phones is nice however the pocket is now big enough that my phone bounces a bit which doesn’t bother me physically but it is a bit noisy. The bottle nozzle is updated as well which is a bonus, as the previous version tended to leak if you weren’t super careful about closing it completely.

The waist belt is updated as well. As much as I like have adjustments on both the right and the left of the center buckle I miss the single action adjustment of my original model. Additionally the new elastics to hold the excess waist belt webbing are not as nice as the previous permanent Velcro catch.

A huge bonus is the weight. The Trail Mix Plus is significantly lighter with much nicer materials than the older version. I’m not one for flashy colors and was able to get one in a more subdued color palate.

Overall I like this one just as much as my original, I think it will just take some time for me to get used to the changes. I’ve tried a few other waist hydration systems and this one is my go-to. I can tighten it down enough so it stays in place on my hips. Most other ones that I’ve tried eventually work their way up and bounce too much.

Two thumbs up!

This was my first hydration pack. I've had it for years now and it's still in decent shape - Nathan builds stuff that lasts.

This is a super basic belt in form and function. The included bottles get the job done but tend to drip a bit from the nozzles which can get a bit sticky when you've got sports drink in them. It's got room for some gels or chews and your phone, ID, and keys in the zippered pocket. The elastic on the sides can be used to secure gloves, a beanie, or even an ultralight jacket like a Patagonia Houdini - although the more stuff you strap on, the more awkward it is when you're running.

I find that this belt, like most waist belts, does end up bouncing around a bit while you're running especially once the bottles are half empty. It's not unbearable but it can get a bit obnoxious if you think about it too much.

This is a good option for shorter runs if you don't like carrying handhelds. I generally like the fit and carry of a vest much more these days and would recommend stepping up to the Firecatcher vest from Nathan if you're doing a lot of trail running.