I decided to make this my first gear review because I just saw that (at the time of this posting) Amazon has a great sale .  Only $67 instead of the regular $90-100.

Nathan HPL 020 Hydration Vest

Grade: A- / B+

This was one of the first pieces of running gear I purchased after moving to Utah last June. I had never carried water before while running, but the combination of heat and desire to go longer distance up on remote mountain trails convinced me otherwise.  Oh, that and disastrous trip up Flag Rock in 90 degree + heat with no water. I spoke with a couple people, and although it was pricey, bought it on amazon. I took it for its first spin on my hike up Baer Canyon a couple weeks later and was in love.  Seriously.  I have continued using it on longer runs and have very little to no complaints.  On shorter runs I have started using a Nathan Trail Mix Hydration Belt, that is, when my wife isn’t stealing it for her runs.

Pros:

• 2 liter capacity.
  • If I am going to head up miles into the mountains on trails, especially in summer heat, I don’t feel comfortable with just a hand-held water bottle. (Nathan makes a number of those – as do others –  and I have heard very good things and see people with them all the time). Not yet at least.  I current err on the side of caution, bringing more water than I need. Better safe than sorry.
• Comfort
  • I have worn this vest with and without a shirt and had no problem with chaffing.  Even when loaded to capacity it doesn’t bounce when I run and fits nice and snug to my back. The straps are all adjustable so I assume it can accommodate various sizes.  I’m quite small and some gear won’t size down small enough for me – but this gets quite snug.
• Pockets
  • Along the two main chest straps there are pockets – one with a zipper – to carry supplies, food, gels, a phone, camera, etc… things you need to access without taking the vest off.  Very handy. On the back there is a much larger top pocket, divided into 2 compartments, and containing a plastic clip to hook keys to. This top compartment can fit quite a lot – especially if you haven’t filled the bladder to a full 2 liters. You can also store things in the main bladder compartment – but obviously nothing that may puncture it. I once took an entire bottle of Mtn. Dew up the mtn with me and it fit in there with the bladder. In short – LOTS of cargo space. It will start to feel heavy when loaded up, but still rides comfortably and doesn’t bounce around when running.
• Bladder Seal
  • The bladder has a nifty seal on the top – a beveled section of plastic you fold over and then lock shut with an attached piece of plastic that slides across. No leaks. I was worried about this and have had zero problems.
• Straps
  • On the back of the main compartment there are some straps you can use to tie something on.  I have used these a number of time when I go out for a run wearing a shirt, but quickly overheat and want to take it off.  I can quickly secured it to the back and be on my way. I have never had anything come lose – even an entire bag of sunflower seeds once. Don’t ask why I was carrying an entire bag of seeds up the mtn.

Cons

• Pocket size
  • I love the pockets but wish that they were a little bit bigger. My iPhone – which I use for GPS tracking with the Strava app – fits in the zipper pocket, but barely. Enlarging this pocket just a smidge would really help.  (Its an even tighter fit on my Nathan Trail Mix Hydration Belt…but that’s a review for another day).
• Bladder Tube
  • The tube that runs from the bladder comes out a hole in the top of the vest, and can run down either strap with a loop to secure it. There is a clip built into the chest buckle that can secure the end of the tube, but it is kind of a stretch to make it reach.  Also, every once in a while water will drip out of the tube, but not often. You can twist it to lock it shut, so not a big deal.
• Interior Bladder Hook
  • The top of the bladder seal has a little hook that loops around a fabric hook on the top inside of the main compartment.  The idea being that it will hang the bladder inside of the compartment instead of letting it just sag and flop around in the bottom.  Mine never stays hooked.  This isn’t a big deal, and actually has zero impact on performance…it just bugs me that it does it.