Why a running vest works better than a backpack

A regular backpack hangs from your shoulders and sloshes with every step. A running vest fits around your upper body like a second layer. The weight is distributed across your chest and back, so that nothing shifts back and forth, even on descents. Your bottles are at the front: you drink without stopping and see exactly how much you have left. You can grab gels, your phone and a jacket without taking off the vest.

How many liters do you need?

3 to 6 liters: fast runs and races up to about 30 km.
There is room for two softflasks, a few gels, your phone and a Wind jacket. Such a vest is light and compact, and you hardly feel it. Popular are the Salomon Adv Skin 5 and Active Skin 4, the NNormal Race Vest and the Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.

10 to 12 liters: long endurance runs, marathons on the trail and ultras.
The Mandatory gear of most trail races: a rain jacket, a thermal layer, a headlamp, a first aid kit and Nutrition for hours. This is the favorite for most Trail runners as it can do everything from a 2 hour run to a mountain ultra. Think of the Salomon Adv Skin 12, the Osprey Duro/Dyna Pro 10 and the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest.

15 liters and more: long mountain days, fastpacking and trips without supplies.
You have extra space for warm layers, food for a whole day or stuff for an overnight stay, and it still remains a vest that you can run. For example, look at the Salomon Adv Skin Cross Season 15, the OMM MtnFire 15 or the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest.

Fit: the difference between nice and annoying

A vest that does not fit properly will chafe under your armpits or bounce on your chest. Therefore, pay attention to three things:

• The size: most cardigans come in sizes from XS to XL, measured around your chest. When in doubt, choose the size in which the vest fits tightly, with empty bottles.
• Women or unisex: Womenvests, such as the Salomon Adv Skin Women and the Osprey Dyna, have a shorter torso and bottle compartments that sit higher and wider. This provides more comfort around the chest.
• Adjustability: chest straps and side cords allow the vest to grow with your layers in the winter.

Preferably, come and try it on in our store on Maasstraat. There we fill the vest With flasks and weight, so that you feel what it feels like when you actually walk.

Bottles or a drinking bag?

Soft flasks at the front are the most popular. You see how much you drink, they shrink when they become empty and they are easy to refill at an aid station. A drinking bag in the backpack is useful if you need to carry a lot of water without stopping much. Many vests work with both. Please note: some vests are supplied Without flasks , and this is stated in the product name.

Frequently asked questions

Which vest do I need for a trail race with Mandatory gear?
For most races up to 50 km, a 5 to 6 liter vest is enough, if you have a compact jacket have. For ultras and competitions in the mountains, choose 10 to 12 liters, so that a thermal layer and extra Nutrition also fit.

Will a running vest not chafe?
A vest in the right size, that fits tightly, hardly chafes. Chafing mainly occurs if the vest is too loose or if the bottles hang too low. If in doubt, we will help you find the right size in the store.

Can I also use a running vest for short runs?
Certainly. A light vest of 3 to 5 liters is ideal for training with a phone, keys and a bottle, without it bothering you.

How do I wash my vest?
Rinse it by hand in lukewarm water with mild soap and let it air dry. Wash the soft flasks separately.