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.

Review : Nathan HPL #020 Hydration Vest

• Gear type : Hydration
• Use : Endurance running
• Price : 120$

Introduction

Nathan’s line of hydration vests are a frequent sight in ultra running events. Their clever design, lightweight build and versatility have made many adepts over the years. All vests use the same bladder type and patented bite-valve that is highly functional and, an important matter for its durability, easy to clean and maintain.

The HPL#020 is Nathan’s original vest. Now with a broader offering of hydration solutions, it sits between the Minimist, an ultralight stripped-down model, and the Endurance, a full-featured vest with plenty of additional storage.

Field test

I have been using an Endurance model for a number of seasons now and I’m very pleased with it. This is a very well-conceived piece of equipment, obviously made by runners. No matter what size you are, it will adjust to your torso and sit lightly on your shoulders, won’t swing around and offer minimal slushing (the effect seems to be more obvious when the bladder is really full).

The HPL #020 is similar in almost every point to the Endurance, save for an extra couple shoulder strap pockets that count for an ounce of added overall weight and the positioning of the back storage compartment, that sits on top of the vest rather than at the bottom.

Like its bigger brother, the HPL #020 offers a rubbery gizmo that might not look like much at first, but that is very useful to stash a lightweight extra layer you were wearing in the morning (say, a vest). Just squeeze it in between the gizmo and the bag, pull the shock cord and you’re done. I have used it several times while running in the Copper Canyons, as can be seen in this video (at 1:05, 2:26, 2:48) and it never failed me. 

Another noteworthy test, although involuntary, is a pretty bad spill I took while running the trails above Creel one morning, crashing on rocks and rolling over. My vest, its bladder and even the tube came out of it unscathed, which for me speaks volumes about their toughness. The bladder itself is surprisingly sturdy; you can flip it inside out to dry and the material stays floppy like new.

Conclusion

The HPL #020 is a very good hydration vest. Personally, I have to say that I prefer the Endurance model because it has more front pockets, but I’m known as a runner who brings a lot of “stuff” on the trails. Like all the other models, the HPL #020 offers very good balance, sturdiness, breathable fabric and ease of maintenance. Nathan vests are widespread among ultra runners, both on trail and road.

High points

• Lightweight and breathable material
• Very adjustable
• Front pockets on the shoulder straps
• Extra storage in the back compartment + shock cord
• Sturdy bladder system
• Easy cleaning and maintenance

Low points

• Not as many front compartments
• Higher back pocket raises the center of gravity
• Kinda sits in-between the Minimist and Endurance

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

Review : Nathan Endurance Hydration Vest

• Gear type : hydration
• Use : Road / trail distance events
• Price : 120$

Introduction
Some runners swear by their hydration packs, others resent the concept. I am one of the former, ever since I started running marathons and ultras. The reasons are multiple, but mostly because it gives you great autonomy over long distances and lets you sip your drink whenever you want, not just at water stations. Well-designed packs also feature most of the storage in the front, because you don’t want to take them off while running to access your stuff! In my opinion, packs are awesome in hot weather, “autonomy” races (without aid stations) and on very long runs.

I started running with a Camelbak SnoBlast, a hydration pack designed for winter activities and not specifically for running. Although I think it’s an awesome running backpack and I still use it on my run commutes on a daily basis, I decided it was time for an upgrade.

Field test
In comes the Nathan vest. At a featherlight 15.2 oz, it feels like you are wearing basically nothing. Any noticeable weight comes from the amount of liquid you will choose to put in it, which is up to 2 liters. The Endurance features a back pocket for storage of stuff you won’t want to access while running, 3 large main compartments (one zipped, one slip-in pocket and one with a bungee-cord closure) and 2 small other compartments, one with a Velcro flap for pills (electrolytes, ibuprofen or ecstasy - I’m not the judgmental type) and the other one with a stretchy fabric, just big enough for a gel or very small bottle (such as a “Five Hours of Energy” taurine drink).

The bladder itself is of the slide-top closure type and is held in place by a little hook-and-loop at the top. You can place the drink tube on your left or your right shoulder. The tube’s drinking end is a bite-valve that can clip onto the sternum strap.

Analysis
After wearing the vest for a marathon and several long-distance trail runs, I would never go out with anything else. The pockets are very well designed and allow you to easily carry up to 8-10 gel pouches, a cell phone (useful if you use its GPS features to track your run), folded money bills (ya know, in case you run by a sushi shop) and still get room for a couple other small items. The back pocket will fit a light jacket, arm warmers and a hat.

The stabilization system looks very weird and weak at first. Since it doesn’t feature a belt strap, you really wonder how your pack is going to sit still on your back while swinging around trail bends. Turns out it’s not an issue at all. The underarm straps are adjustable and hold the pack perfectly in place. The only strap you have to close when you put your vest on is the front chest strap. The Nathan vest doesn’t swing or slush around, it sits right where it needs to and sticks with you, not on you. The breathable fabrics of the shoulder straps and the back panel make sure of that.

One extra interesting feature is that you don’t need to take out the bladder to refill it (a non-issue, until you start running endurance events). Simply undo the Velcro top at the back, pull down 2 little zippers and you get access to the bladder’s top. Slide out the closure and it’s ready to refill. Quick, efficient and dump proof, even after hours of running.

When your pack gets dirty, simply get the bladder out and throw it (the bag, not the bladder… unless you like the taste of detergent in the morning) in the washing machine. My pack kept a couple stains from opened gel pouches I refuse to trash on the trails, but it doesn’t bother me.

Conclusion
If you’re going to opt for a hydration solution that sits on your back, dish the extra cash and get a specialized hydration vest like the Nathan Endurance. Its light weight and the quality of its design are worth every single dollar. The Endurance vest is stable, roomy for its size and very easy to maintain. One thing I specifically appreciated is the design of the bite-valve, which is easy to clean and doesn’t get moldy like other, sometimes expensive, hydration alternatives out there (FuelBelt, anyone?).

High points

• Feather light
• Breathable
• Lots of front storage pockets
• Stable on your back
• Fast and easy access to the bladder

Low points

• A bit on the expensive side
• Stuff falls off of the slip-in pocket
• Rubber gizmo under the back pocket is pretty useless

The Endurance vest on Nathan's official site