11 best hydration packs and vests for marathon training, ultras and beyond

The North Face’s Summit Run Vest was re-vamped earlier this year and the updates seriously impressed our editors, earning it the coveted number one spot.

‘This is the best fitting hydration pack I've ever worn,’ declared e-commerce editor Ali Ball, who wore it for the Transgrancanaria Marathon (47km) in February and Race to the King 100km in June.

Gone are the rigid sternum straps from the previous iteration in favour of bungee cords that allow for a comfortable and more precise fit across the chest. The new design also features side compression straps which mean you can adjust the tension around the rib cage, creating one of the most body-hugging fits we’ve experienced with absolutely no bounce.

The pack itself feels premium, lightweight and supremely moisture-wicking, with minimal seams to prevent chafing (though with the excellent fit, there's slim chance of that happening). Elastic loops hold the soft flasks in place, the rear compartment is deceptively spacious — with a drawstring opening and weather flap — and there’s a sleeve for your walking poles.

The downsides we've found are that if you're wearing a sleeveless top or vest, the meshy material can chafe a little bit on the shoulder. It's also one of the costliest picks on our list. However, if your pockets are deep enough, it's a truly premium piece of kit that can go the distance.

You’ll see this pack on a lot of pro ultra-runners’ backs, and with good reason: it’s so comfortable and snug-fitting you forget it’s there almost instantly. In testing, there was zero bounce (so zero risk of chafing) and a deceptive amount of space for your kit that you can cram in like Mary Poppins' bag. It also features six stretchy mesh pockets, giving you plenty of room to stash valuables.

The elastic lace-like fastening at the front feels strange at first but soon you realise all bags should do it, as it's secure and quick to undo. It comes with Salomon’s own 500ml flasks, which are longer and thinner than others in order to fit in the front pockets.

While it could use a smidge better ventilation, for our money, this is the best hydration pack out there.

An excellent adjustable pack for race day or unsupported excursions, Camelbak’s running vest covers all your big-adventure bases. Two front-holstered soft flasks and an optional 2-litre bladder in the back handle the business of hydration, while there’s almost endless storage for all your other essential fuel and kit. The RECCO safety technology also helps rescue professionals to find you, should something go wrong.

Osprey knows its stuff when it comes to running packs, and the Duro 6 is perfect for marathon training or longer ultras. It’s lightweight, comfortable to run in, hugs your body and comes with a pair of 500ml soft flasks with handy extension hoses so all you have to do is tilt your head down to drink. The latest model has upped its eco credentials and is made with bluesign-approved fabrics and is PFC-free, as well as – like all Osprey products – eligible for Osprey’s free pack repair service.

Founded in the Lake District, arguably home to some of the UK's best trails, Inov8 produces some excellent trail shoes and apparel, including its RacePac, boasting excellent quality and value.

It comes in three different capacities: 4L, 8L and 20L. We tested the 8L pack, which is best suited to marathon training runs and ultras. It's big enough to fit two 500ml soft flasks in its front pockets and, while you'll need to purchase these separately, we found that they were very easy to remove and replace, even with a full pack.

The main rear compartment can hold all the kit and nutrition you need for a day on the trails. Plus, there’s four quick-access pockets on the front for easy stashing, including one zipped pocket to keep your phone secure. There's also two pole attachments.

The material feels a little thicker and more robust than the likes of Salomon or The North Face, so this perhaps isn’t the vest for front-of-the-pack runners looking to minimise every gram. However, comfort is still fantastic, and what you’re getting for the price here is brilliant value.

Our only other criticism is that we wish it came in a broader range of sizes, especially as it runs on the large side. For example, if you usually wear a M in top or bottoms, you'll want an S in the RacePac. Smaller runners who usually opt for a XS might find that the S isn't secure enough.

Montane’s Gecko VP hydration vest comes in a few different capacities, but the 5L is our top pick for single day races (for anything that requires carrying more gear, look to the 12L or 20L versions).

The stretchy, velcro, wraparound design hugs your body tight, while two additional chest straps offer multiple attachment points so you can find a fit that’s secure but not restrictive. While the pack is bounce free, it’s worth noting that the opening system is quite hard to take off/put on while running.

Storage wise, the 5L pack is able to carry a waterproof and an additional layer, plus there's multiple pole attachment points. The hydration and nutrition placements work well, too. Our only other criticism is that the zips on the pockets can become a bit stiff after a while (our tester has had this for around 18 months).

We’d recommend sizing down from your usual top size for the most body-hugging, bounce-free fit.

12L version

20L version

As minimalist as you can get with a hydration vest, this one might be the reserve of those looking to race fast up mountains, but it’s a great option for half marathoners and marathoners too who want to carry some fluids/gels but don’t like race belts.

It comes supplied with two, 250ml soft flasks, there are two front stash pockets, there’s neat back pocket at the top of the pack that can be reached when on the move and can hold a light layer, as well as a pocket at the base of the back that has room to carry a 500ml flask, a jacket or even some poles.

With 8L of expandable cargo storage, there’s room for a jacket, gloves, food, phone, keys and other essentials – plus a generous 2.5L of water in the Hydrapak bladder.

The women's-specific design provides a secure fit with the adjustable sternum strap sitting comfortably just above the breasts – keeping the bag secure against the body without feeling restrictive. The excellent ReTrakt magnetic hose return system snaps the water hose back in place after use, making drinking on the move fuss-free. Grabbing gels is also easy thanks to jersey-style pockets on each side. We also appreciated the soft-lined, quick-access front pocket keeping phone and sunglasses accessible but protected.

For under £40, this is the perfect bag for beginners making their first foray into running bags or packs. With room to hold two 500ml soft flasks on the front of the straps (you will need to buy these as an extra, however) and a roomy 5L of storage space in total, you have all you need to go long-distance.

The fit can be adjusted via three front straps and two side straps. They're a little bulkier than what you might find on a more premium pack, but they do allow you to get a tight, no-bounce fit, and the benefit of having side straps (something not all premium packs have) is that this should fit almost all body types.

No space for soft flasks as generous as some, but there's still a front pocket for your gels or fuel, plus a zipped pocket for your smartphone and keys.

All in all, a great pack for ultras or long marathon training runs alike.

A great vest for mountain runners and day trips on warmer days (and colder ones), the Rab Veil 6 feels unencumbered, stripped back and comfy.

The structure of the mono-mesh body of the vest offers very little stretch, especially compared with other packs, and can feel somewhat at odds with the thinner material used in other low-capacity vests, but it’s very breathable and feels reassuringly secure, offering no bounce at all, even when loaded with full bottles, food and kit.

The adjustability of the chest straps when on the run impressed too, plus little touches like silicone grippers on the hem to improve fit, a key hook tucked away on the shoulder and a bungee pole holder.

Mileoff is a women’s-only runwear brand which launched earlier this year and its signature (and sell-out!) Hydration Run Vest seriously impressed our tester.

‘If I wear a sleeveless top with a hydration vest, I almost always get chafing on the front of my shoulders,’ they said. ‘This is the only vest that doesn’t give me that issue, thanks to the lightweight, buttery-soft fabric (71% Nylon, 29% Spandex). It’s unlike anything I’ve ever worn before.’

The women’s specific fit contours the vest to your form perfectly. Plus, it packs in 10 (yes, 10) discreet pockets, including hidden zip pockets for your keys or headphones, two places to secure your phone safely, and a large back pocket to store an extra item of clothing.

A couple of things to note: while the vest can hold a 250ml soft flask on each side (you'll need to buy these separately), it’s not designed for larger 500ml soft flasks, which does limit it’s usability for longer, warmer races where carrying enough hydration is key. And while the vest itself feels breathable on the run, we've found that our extra layer can get a little bit sweaty in the rear compartment.

Otherwise, though, this is an excellent value product that offers solutions to many of the complaints women have with traditional hydration vests — and it looks great too.

Stock is limited, so if you want to get your hands on it, you’ll have to sign up for alerts to hear about the next re-stock. We'd also advise sizing down if you're between sizes.