Useful review. I have one but have never used it. Use a Flip belt and bottles and stuff it full of gehs if going far. It looks like I'm wearing a rubber ring under my shirt at the start of an ultra but I prefer it to a vest bouncing around and making my back sweat also easier to pull. Out bottles. I will be trying the vest this weekend as an experiment as it's forcast bad weather and I can carry a jacket in it I guess.
It’s been a great vest for me and saw me through my 50 mile ultra with the only addition of a handheld bottle for extra fluid (on top of the flasks). I’ve worn my waterproof over the top of it without issue as well. The only thing I may have done differently was to get the next size up so that it fit a little better once it was packed (only applicable in race conditions)
@@DanRuns I tried it out today on my run to work. It's a 10 mile run so obviously doesn't require any hydration or sustanance but I filled both bottles and the pockets with some gels to see how it would feel? Felt OK, not as distracting or claustrophobic as I thought. More noticeable than the running band and possibly less comfortable but it has the trade off of space in the back for spare clothes. I paid £35 for it in a sale, I wouldn't want to pay more than that. My experience of event running is that most aid stations have enough to replenish, that it's unnecessary to carry too much. Thanks for the reply, appreciate it.
Great review Dan, I have recently bought the CamelBak Ultra Pro Vest. Like you I have found the straps are quite annoying flapping about and hitting in the face at times, they need to be tied back some how. I have noticed that the vest does bounce quite a bit with the two water bottles that come with it. The only thing so far that I have done is to put my windproof jacket in the rear pocket that seems to fill the vest out enough to stop it bouncing. The problem with that is I can fill the folded jacket pressing in my back giving me some discomfort there. The other problem I have noticed, is that the vest rests on my heart rate strap. As the vest moves, it in turn moves that strap as well resulting in no bpm being recorded or even having the wrong value due to the strap falling down a bit too much. Otherwise the vest does free up my hands from holding a water bottle for my longer runs of 10-13 miles. How are you getting on with the vest?
Hi Graham, thanks for your kind words about the review. Since training for my ultra i've had it packed pretty full with waterproof jacket, first aid kit and a bundle of nutrition bars. Like you, I can feel the contents of the pack against my back and it gets pretty warm I have to say! Regarding bounce, I actually swapped out the Camelbak bottles in the end due to continued leaking and now use a different brand which seem to fit a lot better in the vest. I do however have to pull the straps tighter as the water bottles reduce in size (and therefore weight). Overall it performs a lot better when there is less in it. I was planning to start using a heart rate strap in the coming weeks so your insight is valuable as i'd need to explore how suitable it would be alongside the vest. I agree also that it gives freedom from holding during longer runs, however when it comes to running in a lightweight manner, I hang it up and grab a handheld! Thanks again for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. I hope you're doing well during this time.
@@DanRuns Thanks for replying Dan. I do like how the vest has been constructed, there is clearly a lot of thought and research that has gone into the design. I have not noticed any leaking from the bottles yet, but I have found them difficult at times to drink from while running. I have put this down to never having a vest before, so a lack of experience. Although, it would be interesting to hear what bottles you have gone for and how they fit better than the CamelBak bottles. As for the problem I have with the vest rubbing against my heart rate strap. From what I can feel, its the bottles pressing against the strap, puckering the strap making the strap lift and move downwards. The front of the Garmin strap has a module on, and either side of the module are plastic pads that take you heart rate. The plastic pads are not as malleable as the elastic strap that goes around your back. If you train to your heart rate zone then this will become a bit of an issue. I do push the bottles completely in the pockets, to stop them from coming out and me having to keep pushing them back into the pockets. So this may have something to do with it, I am wondering if having a bladder in the back would be a better choice, and would that also bounce. Then would I be able to fit a windproof jacket in the back as well, but surely CamelBak would have though of what you need to carry on an Ultra on hot and cold days.
Graham Day I did have a second bottle (replacement) sent to me by camelbak which has a different design - more sturdy and ridged down either edge. It seems to slide in far better rather than the ones with the vest that I often feel the need to force. I also partly inflate by ‘blowing’ into the bottle to keep it far more balanced. A workaround of sorts. That said I’ve recently invested in two ‘Harrier Trail Running’ flasks which fit perfectly and have extended straws
I'm interested to know how you clean your running vests. I've looked on the camelbak website and haven't found anything other than them saying not to wash it in the washing machine. I saw on a forum somewhere that washing it with a bit of vinegar and water in a bucket/sink can take the sweaty smell out. I'm going to try that on Saturday after my long run.
I put all of mine in the washing machine at 40c, no issues (Salomon ones), just be careful if they have lots of cords etc that hang out that they don't get stuck somewhere, so we put ours in net bags. and the vinegar thing works, done that also :)))))))) (Sorry dan for jumping in :)))) )
That's one of the nicest reviews ive seen on this vest.
Very comprehensive and it kept me interested from start to finish
Thanks Peter. I hoped it may bring value to someone. I appreciate the kind words
very comprehensive review. Thanks.
I’m glad it was of some help
that Camelback looks pretty good, I been using nathan 5 years now, no complaints
Sadly I couldn’t find any Nathan packs to try in store :(
Useful review. I have one but have never used it. Use a Flip belt and bottles and stuff it full of gehs if going far. It looks like I'm wearing a rubber ring under my shirt at the start of an ultra but I prefer it to a vest bouncing around and making my back sweat also easier to pull. Out bottles.
I will be trying the vest this weekend as an experiment as it's forcast bad weather and I can carry a jacket in it I guess.
It’s been a great vest for me and saw me through my 50 mile ultra with the only addition of a handheld bottle for extra fluid (on top of the flasks). I’ve worn my waterproof over the top of it without issue as well. The only thing I may have done differently was to get the next size up so that it fit a little better once it was packed (only applicable in race conditions)
@@DanRuns I tried it out today on my run to work. It's a 10 mile run so obviously doesn't require any hydration or sustanance but I filled both bottles and the pockets with some gels to see how it would feel?
Felt OK, not as distracting or claustrophobic as I thought.
More noticeable than the running band and possibly less comfortable but it has the trade off of space in the back for spare clothes.
I paid £35 for it in a sale, I wouldn't want to pay more than that. My experience of event running is that most aid stations have enough to replenish, that it's unnecessary to carry too much.
Thanks for the reply, appreciate it.
Nice review Dan and good to see you've found a pack that you'll be happy with during your ultra.
I’m hopeful it will do me proud!
I have a nathan Camelback. They are expensive but after two years it still looks like new
I really love it. I do have a leaky bottle but I’m in the process of getting it exchanged (hopefully!)
Great review Dan, I have recently bought the CamelBak Ultra Pro Vest. Like you I have found the straps are quite annoying flapping about and hitting in the face at times, they need to be tied back some how.
I have noticed that the vest does bounce quite a bit with the two water bottles that come with it. The only thing so far that I have done is to put my windproof jacket in the rear pocket that seems to fill the vest out enough to stop it bouncing. The problem with that is I can fill the folded jacket pressing in my back giving me some discomfort there.
The other problem I have noticed, is that the vest rests on my heart rate strap. As the vest moves, it in turn moves that strap as well resulting in no bpm being recorded or even having the wrong value due to the strap falling down a bit too much.
Otherwise the vest does free up my hands from holding a water bottle for my longer runs of 10-13 miles.
How are you getting on with the vest?
Hi Graham, thanks for your kind words about the review. Since training for my ultra i've had it packed pretty full with waterproof jacket, first aid kit and a bundle of nutrition bars. Like you, I can feel the contents of the pack against my back and it gets pretty warm I have to say! Regarding bounce, I actually swapped out the Camelbak bottles in the end due to continued leaking and now use a different brand which seem to fit a lot better in the vest. I do however have to pull the straps tighter as the water bottles reduce in size (and therefore weight). Overall it performs a lot better when there is less in it. I was planning to start using a heart rate strap in the coming weeks so your insight is valuable as i'd need to explore how suitable it would be alongside the vest. I agree also that it gives freedom from holding during longer runs, however when it comes to running in a lightweight manner, I hang it up and grab a handheld! Thanks again for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. I hope you're doing well during this time.
@@DanRuns Thanks for replying Dan.
I do like how the vest has been constructed, there is clearly a lot of thought and research that has gone into the design. I have not noticed any leaking from the bottles yet, but I have found them difficult at times to drink from while running. I have put this down to never having a vest before, so a lack of experience. Although, it would be interesting to hear what bottles you have gone for and how they fit better than the CamelBak bottles.
As for the problem I have with the vest rubbing against my heart rate strap. From what I can feel, its the bottles pressing against the strap, puckering the strap making the strap lift and move downwards. The front of the Garmin strap has a module on, and either side of the module are plastic pads that take you heart rate. The plastic pads are not as malleable as the elastic strap that goes around your back. If you train to your heart rate zone then this will become a bit of an issue.
I do push the bottles completely in the pockets, to stop them from coming out and me having to keep pushing them back into the pockets. So this may have something to do with it, I am wondering if having a bladder in the back would be a better choice, and would that also bounce. Then would I be able to fit a windproof jacket in the back as well, but surely CamelBak would have though of what you need to carry on an Ultra on hot and cold days.
Graham Day I did have a second bottle (replacement) sent to me by camelbak which has a different design - more sturdy and ridged down either edge. It seems to slide in far better rather than the ones with the vest that I often feel the need to force. I also partly inflate by ‘blowing’ into the bottle to keep it far more balanced. A workaround of sorts. That said I’ve recently invested in two ‘Harrier Trail Running’ flasks which fit perfectly and have extended straws
Nice Review Dan
Thanks!
Hi does this vest come with a bladder pack?
Not as standard, but it can be purchased separately. There may well be bundle deals that include it however
I'm interested to know how you clean your running vests. I've looked on the camelbak website and haven't found anything other than them saying not to wash it in the washing machine. I saw on a forum somewhere that washing it with a bit of vinegar and water in a bucket/sink can take the sweaty smell out. I'm going to try that on Saturday after my long run.
I put all of mine in the washing machine at 40c, no issues (Salomon ones), just be careful if they have lots of cords etc that hang out that they don't get stuck somewhere, so we put ours in net bags. and the vinegar thing works, done that also :)))))))) (Sorry dan for jumping in :)))) )
@@runningwithmarc thanks so much!
Running with Marc thanks for the tips Marc as I haven’t had enough experience washing them!
Karen Jennings use Marc’s advice :)
I thought it was going to be a magic trick at 7:39 !!!!!!
I do need a glamorous assistant if you’re free
@@DanRuns I'm not quite Debbie Mcghee, but I'll pop round sure.
Hey there! Can you fit a large sized phone on taht zip pocket?
My iPhone 6 fits in with space
Noted! Thank you!
@@janatanaciovillegas7233 I have an iPhone 7 (smaller version) that fits.
My iphone xs max wont fit the pocket.