The 5 Best Running Hydration Vests

When I go on a long run in the woods or mountains or if I’m racing in something longer than 20 km, I always take my phone, water, some gels or chews, and my Patagonia Houdini Jacket if I know I’m going to reach elevations where it gets pretty chilly and windy up there. If it’s not summertime, I’ll also take along a Smartwool baselayer if I’m not already wearing it on me. Then, if I plan to stop at the top and enjoy the view with a light little lunch, I might pack along some form of a sandwich or bars. Sounds like a lot to take on a run, doesn’t it? The best way to comfortably lug all these things without everything bouncing up and down your back is with a running vest, sometimes called a hydration vest.

Nowadays, running hydration vests are all the rage not just for trail runners, but also for day hikers who want something superlight on their back for a quicker pace. All running vests have a way to store water, some have bladders that fit in the sleeve that sits against your back while others have bottles or soft flasks that sit in the front pockets of the shoulder straps. I prefer to have soft flasks in the front because I’ve found that the water stays cooler in the front. Plus, during a race, it’s easier to pull out the flasks for water refills at the water stations along the course without having to remove the backpack.

As for the capacity of a running hydration vest, you can find vests that usually range from as little as 1.5 liters to 20 liters. I use a vest that holds 5 liters and it’s plenty for races and long day runs. However, if you plan to do multi-day runs, sleeping in mountain huts, for example, you’ll probably need something bigger to hold more essentials.

Another important aspect to consider when looking to buy a running vest is the fit. The vest should fit snugly around your upper back, chest, and shoulders to eliminate any bouncing of the pack. There are also vests that are specifically designed for women where the chest and shoulder straps can accommodate a more feminine figure. I’m 5’2’’ and weight 100 pounds with zero ‘busti-ness’ and I wear a unisex running vests with the all the straps pulled tight all the way. Different vests will fit differently, so make sure you’ve adjusted all the straps while trying one on to have a better idea of its fit.

With that said, we’ve looked at the top performing running vests on the market and narrowed them down to our best 5.

The Best Running Hydration Vest is:

Top 5 Products

Fit

The most important aspect of a running vest is its fit and comfort. If the vest doesn’t fit well or things bounce around, it will be difficult to run in and incredibly annoying. All of the running vests selected here are bounce-free and provide that snug fit we all are looking in a running hydration vest. Fit and comfort can come from highly adjustable configurations with straps or the way the vest is shaped to contour around the shoulders. Also, the material of the vest contributes greatly to the comfort, so we liked light stretchy material that also proved breathable.

Feature-rich

Although we want to be as minimalist as possible when we’re out running, we also like things to be convenient. So features like many pockets, whether there are pockets in the front, or if the pockets in the back are easily accessible are things we considered when we made our top 5 selection. We also liked things to be customizable. Some people prefer carrying reservoirs while others prefer soft flasks in the front. The vests here allow various combinations to suit you.

Weight

As with most outdoor gear, weight matters. Every gram we can shave off is one gram less we have to run with. We selected vests that are super light and streamlined with material and technology that prioritized being just as lightweight as it is comfortable.