Trail Running Vest Packs

Find Your Feet athletes on our Gone Running Tour to Alpine Tasmania

Not sure where to start when it comes to selecting a vest pack for trail running? This advice is here to support your decision making.

What is a Vest Pack?

A vest pack is a pack that clasps around your chest without a waistband. This ensures there is no bounce in the pack when you run and helps prevent any chaffing or discomfort from the waist strap. There are a variety of trail running vest packs on the market.

How to choose a Vest Pack?

When choosing your vest pack, it is essential to keep in mind a number of factors:

The distance of your event
How much mandatory gear or storage is required for your event
The hydration capacity required to complete your run
Whether you prefer soft flasks or bladders/reservoirs

Use our comparison chart to help you select your Vest Pack:

This is our list of the best vest packs available on the market. We have described:

What race distance they are suitable for
The hydration capacity of the vest pack
What we feel are their best features

Our list is ranked by mandatory gear storage size of the vest pack, from the LARGEST storage size to the SMALLEST storage size. Please note, storage size is not a reflection of fluid carrying capacity, but rather a reflection of how much gear the vest pack can hold.

ITEM	SUITABILITY	HYDRATION OPTIONS	BEST FEATURES
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 35	This is NOT a race appropriate pack. A vest pack most suited to longer adventures such as multi-day missions. Storage capacity - 35L	Plenty of space for your own bottles and even an Ultimate Direction 2-3L Reservoir. Total Capacity - >4L	Largest volume vest pack on the market. It has an adjustable waistbelt for heavier loads.
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 25	This is NOT a race appropriate pack. A vest pack most suited to longer adventures such as long single day or very light multi-day missions. Storage capacity - 25L	Plenty of space for your own bottles and even an Ultimate Direction 2-3L Reservoir. Total Capacity - >4L	Large volume vest pack for longer personal missions, including running, cycling & hiking
Salomon S-LAB Peak 20	This is the largest vest pack made by Salomon. It is NOT a race appropriate pack. A vest pack most suited to longer adventures such as long single day or very light multi-day missions. Storage capacity - 20L	2 front hydration elastic pockets, compatible with 500ml Salomon Soft Flasks with side space for extra Soft Flasks. Total capacity - up to 2L	Stretchy, customised fit for long adventures.
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 15	The best run commute pack ever! With laptop storage and plenty of space for clothing & accessories. Storage capacity - >20L	Comes with 2x 500ml Ultimate Direction Body Bottles (1L total) and can an Ultimate Direction 2L Reservoir. Total capacity - up to 3L	The best run commute pack ever! We love the laptop sleeve and front pockets for all your personal items.
Salomon Advanced Skin 12 Set (2017)	Largest pack available for racing. Ideal for 80km - 100 miler distances which have larger mandatory gear requirements. Storage capacity- 12L	Comes with 2x 500ml Salomon Soft Flasks (1L total) and can store a 1.5L Salomon Soft Reservoir. Total Capacity - 2.5L	Ideal size for longer races and the fabric is soft against skin.
Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT	Ideal for 80km - 100 miler distances which have larger mandatory gear requirements. Storage capacity- 11.6L	Comes with 2x 600ml Flex Form Bottles (1.2L total) and can store an Ultimate Direction 2L Reservoir. Total Capacity 3.2L	This pack is an evolution of the immensely popular SJ Ultra Vest. New ergonmic bottles too. Front access pole holders for steep terrain.
Ultimate Direction AK Mountain Vest	Ideal for 80km - 100 miler distances which have larger mandatory gear requirements. Storage capacity- 11.5L	Comes with 2x 500ml Ultimate Direction Body Bottles (1L total) and the ability to carry Ultimate Direction 2-3L Reservoir. Total Capacity - up to 4L	Perfect pack size for longer distance races. Easily accessed storage of bulky items and large fluid capacity. Plenty of pockets on the front of the pack.
Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta (Women's Specific)	Ideal for 80km - 100 miler distances which have larger mandatory gear requirements. Storage capacity- 11.2L	Comes with 2x 500ml Ultimate Direction Body Bottles (1L total) and the ability to carry an Ultimate Direction 2-3L Reservoir. Total Capacity - up to 4L	One of the only women's specific trail running race vest packs on the market. Ultimate Direction have used softer fabrics and tailored to the women's body shape.
Ultimate Direction PB Adventure 3.0	This pack holds 10L of storage so will easily fit all your mandatory gear in it for the longer ultra distance races.	Comes with 2x 500ml Ultimate Direction Body Bottles (1L total) and the ability to carry an Ultimate Direction 2L Reservoir. Total Capacity - 3L	Perfect pack size for longer races when you stil want to keep things to a minimum. Plenty of pockets and softer seams next to your skin.
CamelBak Ultra 10 (2017)	Large pack suited to 80km - 100 miler distances or races with large mandatory gear requirements. Storage capacity - 10L	Bladder only (2L). Can add 2x500ml Quick Stow Soft Flasks. Total Capacity - up to 3L	Highly versatile pack. Setup would be ideal for mountain biking too. Very durable fabrics (makes it a little heavier though).
Salomon S-LAB Sense Ultra 8 Set	The perfect vest pack for individuals who can pack very light for a 80-100km distance or a great 'normal' option for the 25-50km distances. Storage capacity - 8L	Comes with 2x 500ml Speed Soft Flasks. Total Capacity - 1L	Perfect for very light weight racing or training where you don't want a bladder. Easy to wash in the washing machine and non-chaffing light-weight fabrics!
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 3.0 (Women's Specific)	For light weight 100km events or events such as the Ultra Trail Australia 50km which have larger mandatory gear requirements. Storage capacity - 7.2L	Comes with 2x 500ml Ultimate Direction Body Bottles (1L total) and the ability to carry an Ultimate Direction 2-3L Reservoir. Total Capacity - up to 4L	This vest pack is lighter weight, uses softer fabrics, has a phone compatible pocket and adequate front-of-body storage for race fuel & valuables.
Salomon Advanced Skin3 5 Set	Ideal for events under 50km or as a training vest. Storage capacity- 5L	Comes with 2x 500ml Salomon Soft Flasks (1L total) and can store a 1.5L Salomon Soft Reservoir. Total Capacity - 2.5L	Ideal size for shorter races where you still would like a bladder.
Salomon S-LAB Sense Ultra 5 Set	Very light-weight pack for racing. Ideal for 50km distances or races which do not require large amounts of mandatory gear. Storage capacity- 5L	Comes with 2x 500ml Speed Soft Flasks (1L total). Total capacity is 1L	Really great, less-abrasive fabrics. Light weight. Easy to clean in the washing machine.
CamelBak Ultra Pro	Small pack carrying a 2L bladder and 2L volume for gear. Ideal for short trail races up to 40km where minimal gear is required. Storage capacity - 4L	2x500ml Quick Stow Soft Flasks. Total capacity - 1L	Ideal as a multi-use vest pack such as utilizing it for mountain biking too.
Salomon S-LAB Sense 2 Set	Lightest pack on the market. Designed for races where no mandatory gear is required. Ideal for road races and short trail events. Storage capacity - 2L (in pockets on chest area and a very small back pocket)	2x 500ml Speed Soft Flasks. Total capacity - 1L	Ideal for marathons and events where you just need to carry fluids, nutrition or personal essentials such as, keys & phone. The extra 1L capacity is really helpful to carry more nutrition too.