Best for adaptability

For under £40, this is the perfect bag for beginners making their first forays 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, plus a one-litre bladder included, you have all you need to go long-distance.

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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.

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.

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.

The same, best-selling design as the Adv Skin (above), but with capacity up to 12L, this vest is better suited to longer distances where you need to carry more kit and fuel. Think, single-day or multi-day ultras.

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.

Nathan’s close-fitting hydration vest is deceptively roomy. This versatile packhorse is light and compact enough for shorter runs but the 12-litre capacity and impressive 13-pockets provide excellent storage and organisation for mission-critical kit on longer days, too. The large main compartment’s easy-access diagonal zipper makes it simple to stow and retrieve in a hurry.

Water-resistant chest pockets and a zippered pill pocket – with integrated whistle – add to the functional stash space. The included 1.6-litre insulated bladder has magnets to fix your hydration tube in place and substantial, height adjustable chest and sternum straps provide a fine-tuned fit.

A minimal lightweight vest for short runs or races where you’d like to carry some water, snacks and a spare layer or two if the temperature is set to change. Sling it on on your way out the door and you will barely tell it’s on your back. Seven pockets are more than enough to stash gels and whatnot and the rear section can hold 3L and a bladder.

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Ideal for any runners who may be thinking about taking on a longer race at some point in the future, this inov-8 running bag has a removable 10-litre pocket that you fix onto the back for multi-day adventures. Without the pocket, the race pack is ideal for ultra races or marathon training – it’s lightweight, holds two flasks in the front straps and is so dependable Damian Hall used it during the UTMB.

If you’re considering a multi-day race, this is the bag for you. The ‘20’ in the model name refers to the fact it can hold around 20L – more than enough room for multi-day events’ mandatory kit list. The heavier weight (325g) reflects this, but the stretchy, wraparound design hugs your body tight so remains comfortable to run in, even when rammed with kit. One of our testers used this during a marathon in Kenya and said the pockets were spacious enough to store all of her fuel, and the overall fit of the pack was snug and bounce-free.

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.

A budget option for shorter races RW team, this 5L pack is ideal for longer races or the commute where carrying that bit more is needed. It’s got a multitude of storage options and pockets; the flask pockets are nice and high (and the Harrier flasks are decent too), with plenty of room for supplies at the front of the pack (lots of stash pockets and zipped side pockets), plus loads of room for more at the back and for poles.

You can move the front straps to achieve the best fit, but sizing was the only issue we had; one tester found the pack true to size, whereas one found sizing down was needed to get a snug, bounce-free fit. The vest material is stretchy, so if you find yourself between sizes, then it might be best to choose the smaller.