Review : Camelbak Marathoner Vest

• Type : Hydration
• Use : Road / trail running 
• Price : $100

Introduction
As I try and test more hydration vests, I come to realize that more isn’t necessarily better. In the increasingly crowded space of hydration products, it seems like every company out there has come with a solution of their own. Don’t get me wrong, some of them are really good, especially if your budget is unlimited, but I’ve come to find it’s not the exotic, fancy features that make a really good hydration vest.

I’ve said it before, my usual point of reference when testing a vest is the Nathan Endurance, which I about wore to shreds. It convinced me that a good vest needs to fulfill certain imperatives, such as:

• Quick, no-hassle bladder management (filling, fitting, cleaning)
• No or minimal swinging and sloshing
• Leak-proof
• Lightweight
• Optimal storage

Even though Camelbak's Marathoner vest felt, at first glance, like the little brother of the Ultra LR, I gave it a good couple long-distance runs in various environments to see if it was up for the task.

Road and trail test
The first obvious difference between the Marathoner and the Ultra LR is bulk. At two-thirds of the weight, the Marathoner actually feels like less than half of the bigger, more backpack-like Ultra. It uses the simplest of designs; two shoulder pads connected to the bladder by a single v-shaped adjustment strap. The 2-liter (70 oz) pouch itself is also a standard, upright design, with the signature huge screw-in cap that makes all Camelbak bladders instantly recognizable.

Adjusting the vest is key to making sure it stays comfortable and won’t swing around. This is done by removing the bladder and sliding the shoulder pads in or out, then securing them with Velcro bands. The double frontal straps can be adjusted by sliding them along most of the length of the shoulder pads, then adjusting the clips. I think there is enough room here to fit any chest type, a feature female runners of all sizes should very much enjoy.

Even though the Marathoner sheds the two belt pockets found on the Ultra, it offers ample storage space with its two very large chest pockets, which can easily accommodate extra bottles if needed. The genius of the Marathoner resides in the mesh fabric that covers the shoulder straps. A slit in the fabric allows you to slide anything you want inside the shoulder pads, from extra gels to arm warmers to a set of keys (and they won’t jiggle).

Analysis
Wearing and using the Marathoner on the run is a breeze. It sits very lightly on the shoulders and doesn’t swing around. It features two clips to hold the drinking tube along the right shoulder pad, but I prefer to use only the upper clip, then run the tube across my chest and hold the bite-valve with the bungee cord on the left pad.

I never suffered any shortage of storage space, even in longer runs up to 20-25 miles. The mesh pocket on the back can even carry an extra piece of clothing if needed, which makes it suitable for trail runs in changing environments. When running in the city at night, I also appreciated the multiple reflective bands in the front and the back of the vest.

Where the Marathoner really shines, in my opinion, is in the bladder management. I’ve said it before, the proprietary Antidote system is probably the best in the industry, with its click-valve to remove the drinking tube without any spills and its huge screw cap that anyone, even an exhausted ultra runner in their darkest hour, can easily operate. Furthermore, since the Marathoner’s bladder is the standard, vertical type, it’s even easier to remove and replace than the “lumbar” version of the Ultra LR, which is sometimes too exotic for aid station helpers to quickly figure out and can prove a hassle.

Conclusion
I have come to like the Marathoner better than the Ultra LR, as it is simpler, lighter and offers plenty of storage for my needs, with the added benefit of being significantly cheaper. Whereas the Ultra LR is somewhat unique as a mix between a vest and a pack, I think that runners who have the luxury of owning both a vest and a running backpack will appreciate the lighter weight and simplicity of the Marathoner on their long runs, whether on the roads or trails.

High points

• Simple, efficient no-frills design
• Excellent bladder and click-valve system
• Multiple adjustments for an optimal fit
• Clever mesh pockets along the shoulder pads
• Very appealing price at around $100

Low points

• Maybe not as roomy as other, larger vests

The equipment for this personal review was supplied by Camelbak free of charge, without any conditions.

Review : Camelbak Ultra LR Running Vest

• Type : Hydration
• Use : Long-distance running
• Price : $130

Introduction
Camelbak and I go way back. When I started to run-commute, I opted for a SnoBlast bag to carry my stuff around and hydrate at the same time. Since it’s a downhill skiing / snowboarding bag, it seemed like an odd choice and many runners commented on it. When I wore it for my first ultra, people started telling me I needed a vest. I thought my SnoBlast did an awesome job, and although I still wear this bag every day for other purposes, I have to admit my world changed when I tried a hydration vest.

My model of reference for hydration vests is the Nathan Endurance, which I have worn so much it’s half-torn apart. I have tried a couple other alternatives, but never found anything I liked. When Camelbak sent me a Marathoner and an Ultra LR, my eyes got set on the latter in an instant.

Trail test
I took the Ultra LR out for a first unforgiving test on a cold winter afternoon. Frankly, I didn’t think it would last more than 10 minutes in the sub-zero weather. I was very pleased to discover it didn’t freeze, as long as I blew back some air in the drinking tube. The vest itself felt comfortable and barely-there. The weight distribution at the very bottom of the vest makes it feel very light.

Road test
I took the Ultra LR on several long winter runs, but was curious to see how it would perform when warm weather would settle in and I’d ditch the extra layers of clothing. So when spring came, I made sure to bring it to all my longer races. I ran two half-marathons, a couple long runs on my own, a full marathon and a 50K ultra wearing it.

Quick Link Tube Assembly System

Analysis
Definitely, the best part about Camelbak vests is the tube assembly. It starts with a coupling at the bladder that you only need to push the tube in to connect. When the tube is disassembled, the bladder will not spill or leak. This means you don’t have to undo the whole vest to get the bladder out and rince / dry it after your runs. It also means you can carry more than one bladder (say, in a drop bag) and swap them with a simple click of the drinking tube. Pretty awesome. But it doesn’t stop there. The bite valve is also very well-conceived, with a simple slit that opens up when you bite it. If you’re worried it might drip or get squeezed-open when transporting the vest, there is also a cut-off valve to ensure liquid flows only when you want it.

The Ultra LR is the roomiest vest I’ve ran in, with multiple front pockets and accessible mesh stashes over the straps where you can easily slip half a dozen gels, a Clif bar or two, your keys, a pair of arm warmers and a couple other small items. The belt portion also features two large waist pockets for even more storage that’s accessible while you run. The back of the vest offers a large mesh stash that will easily contain a light windbreaker or other pieces of gear you might need. It has a built-in whistle, which is an obvious safety feature, but moreover will allow you to tick a mandatory item off the equipment list of many mountain ultras.

Bite valve with cut-off mechnism

The shoulder harness and waist straps are fully adjustable and will fit runners of almost any size. Although there are neat “compression straps” for the bladder, I’ve never used them and question their purpose. The belt goes all the way from your right to buckle on your left side, which felt a bit awkward. Why not use double adjustments like everyone else?

Space also comes at the price of weight. The Ultra LR is also the bulkiest vest I’ve ran in, and that difference is way more noticeable when running in warm weather, where it almost feels like a backpack with a lot of fabric touching your skin. It weighs in at over a pound, too.

Conclusion
The Ultra LR brings a lot of innovation to hydration vests with the unique lumbar bladder, the awesome valve and tubing system and the creative use of space for storage. I think it offers very interesting features, but would benefit to undergo a drastic weight and bulk reduction effort, which would bring lighter and more breathable fabrics, and reduce the contact points with the runner’s body. Overall, this is definitely a piece of gear I will use in my running.

High points

• Possibly the industry’s best valve and tubing system
• Clever lumbar bladder puts the weight on your waist, not your shoulders
• Extra roomy
• Fully adjustable

Low points

• Feels bulky, more so in warm weather
• Heavy at 1.15 lbs

The equipment for this personal review was supplied by Camelbak free of charge, without any conditions.