The Best Running Hydration Vests: Tested

The "Holy Grail of running vests"—that's what we've taken to calling the Nathan Pinnacle 12L for its unparalleled comfort, performance and capacity. Testers raved that this REI Co-op Editors' Choice Award winner feels light and carries weight well, making it perfect for big-mileage days. "I wore it on every run, logging anywhere from two to 10 miles per jaunt," reported one tester after her first month in the Pinnacle. "It slips on like a T-shirt, even when I'm loaded down with bladders and layers." Another perk: Tapered back panels help encourage moisture away from your skin. So while all the running vests we tried got sweaty, this one allowed the occasional breeze.

The Pinnacle is the only vest on our list that comes with an insulated bladder to help keep water cool on hot days. It holds 1.6 liters of liquid, but runners looking to go farther can also stash two additional 20-ounce soft flasks (not included) on the water-resistant chest straps. Eight exterior pockets include two kangaroo stash pockets on the back, one vertical pocket for trekking poles and one full-zip pocket with an angled entry for easy access on the move. Two smaller zippered pockets on the front stow small yet valuable items like car keys and cash. "I packed a bladder, snacks and a rain jacket with plenty of space left over," says another tester.

Fit is noteworthy, too. The longer-than-average back panel helps disperse weight, reducing bouncing and chafing under heavy loads. But the vest also stayed put on shorter jaunts when testers carried nothing more than a set of car keys and a cellphone. Tradeoff: The longer cut sits lower in the front, especially on women with shorter torsos. [Editor's note 3/1/2023: We've included the updated version of the Pinnacle 12L here, as the previous version is discontinued.]

Everything you need, but nothing extra—that's the mantra behind the SalomonAdvanced Skin 5 Vest, a sleek option for runners looking to move fast with minimal weight. A nylon-elastane construction contributes to a snug fit and helps reduce dreaded bouncing. "It didn't matter how many layers I wore, or if I was in a tank top," reports one tester. "It stayed put and never chafed." The slim design also features bungee-cord-like chest straps that offer a more secure fit when compared with traditional clip straps. Tradeoff: Some felt the close fit rested too high on the back of their neck.

The Advanced Skin has six pockets plus the main compartment, fewer pockets than other vests on this list. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Our testers reported ample stowage for runs lasting anywhere from 2 to 14 miles. That's thanks to the careful design, which includes four front stretch pockets; one large, open-topped main back compartment with a smaller phone-sized pocket; and one kangaroo-style pocket on the lower back.

The pockets are easy to access. "I could reach back and stuff my windbreaker into the main compartment without breaking my stride," reported one tester after a 13-mile day in Golden, Colorado. A compartment on the back can accommodate a 1.5-liter hydration bladder, which is not included. That said, two front pockets easily stash the included pair of 500-milliliter soft flasks, comfortably positioned to sip on the go.

Go long with the Ultimate Direction Mountain Vest 5.0 (the women's version is called the Vesta), built specifically for endurance adventures that last all day, all night and into the next morning. A whopping 12 exterior pockets including one clamshell-type main pocket, two lateral pockets, and eight front pockets (one with a zipper), mean you can carry all you need for an ultra and access your gear on the go. "I packed in three liters of water plus the two soft flasks, a cellphone, two trail bars, car keys, and I cinched my jacket with the stretchy cord on the outside that held everything together while I ran," reported one tester following a sustained effort in California's High Sierra. "No bouncing and there was still room for more gear."

While the Mountain Vest holds a two-liter bladder, it isn't included with purchase. Ultimate Direction does include two 500-milliliter soft flasks that sit in the cinched pockets on the front chest straps. Our testers found them easy to locate but tricky to use: "They don't come with a straw so you can't really drink while running," reports one tester. Our recommendation: Slow to a walk before trying to hydrate or swap in flasks with straws.

Two sliding sternum chest straps combine with the four-way stretch nylon fabric for a snug-yet-comfortable fit. But breathability received mixed reviews as one tester felt "grossly sweaty" by the end of a bluebird day with the sun beating down in California's San Bruno Mountain State and CountyPark.

If the thought of carrying a vest makes your shoulders ache, the UltrAspireMomentum 2.0 may be for you. This vest ditches the hydration bladder in favor of two bottles positioned in a V-shape on your lower back—a game-changing innovation that shifts the water weight to your hips. Magnetic clasps in the pockets prevent the bottles from shaking out while you jitterbug on the trail. "I wondered when the bottles would pop out, but I never lost one," reports one tester. "Fully loaded, it released tension on my back during longer runs." The bottles are relatively easy to grab on the go, though the setup took some getting used to for testers used to running with a hydration bladder.

Testers agree the Momentum 2.0 is "supremely comfy," thanks to its S-shape strap system with a wide fit at the neck and a taper in the mid-torso to help reduce underarm chafing. Nine pockets (including one shoulder pocket designed to fit a phone) swallow gear for any run under three hours. Going farther might be pushing it, though: Our New York-based tester wished for one more large, zippered pocket on a challenging self-supported long run.

The Momentum 2.0 is the only vest on our list that isn't compatible with a bladder. It does hold four water bottles—two 550-milliliter hybrid bottles slide into the back holsters and two of the brand's UltraFlask soft flasks can sit up front. (The brand recommends using its own flasks and we agree, as other soft flasks seemed to jostle out). None of the bottles are included, but we still think the Momentum is a killer value.

Weekend warriors who aren't out to set a personal record should take a flyer on the REI Co-op Swiftland Hydro. Two adjustable sternum straps promote a snug, comfy fit that yields minimal sloshing, while six pockets combine with the main back compartment to allow ample storage. The vest comes with a A 1.5-liter bladder that tucks into the reservoir pocket, though runners can also use two 500-milliliter soft flasks in the front cinched pockets (not included but most flasks fit).

"It carried weight well," says one Wisconsin-based tester. "It felt as comfortable at the end of the run as it did at the beginning." There aren't a ton of features—no trekking pole holsters or on-the-go access pockets—but the price point is lower than most of the other vests we tested. Another major perk: The Swiftland Hydro is the only vest on this list that comes in extended sizing—up to 3x in women's and XXL in men's.

More options: An updated version, the REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest, is available now. Buy men's or women's.

Newer to running with a vest? The Osprey Dyna (or Duro for men) is a near-perfect trail companion. The Dyna features perks like a magnetic bladder tube that secures the bite valve to the sternum strap for minimal annoying swinging and a durable nylon exterior that stands up to big adventures. "My arms were destroyed with scratches but the vest didn't show a snag," one tester reported after picking her way through a brushy meadow.

Storage received high marks, too. The Dyna's seven exterior pockets stow essentials without feeling bulky, while the main compartment comfortably houses a 1.5-liter bladder (included) and enough space to stash snacks and an extra layer. That said, runners who want to carry more gear should choose a larger size (like the women's Dyna 6 or Dyna 15; or the men's Duro 6 or Duro 15). Adjustable sternum straps led one tester to call the fit "just snug enough," though some testers reported underarm chafing when wearing a tank top (longer sleeves fixed the issue).

More options: A newer version of the Osprey Dyna 1.5 Hydration Vest - Women's is available. Buy now.