Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.

LIGHT GRAY

Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.

$90.00

(22)

Item # 767745

REI Members get back an estimated $ 9.00 on this item as part of their annual member refund.

The REI Member Dividend

The REI dividend is a unique benefit of membership in the REI co-op. It's comprised of your member refund—typically 10% back on eligible purchases—and/or your REI Visa® card rebates.

Each March, active REI members and REI Visa cardholders who earned a rebate receive a refund in the form of an annual dividend notice.

Only active members receive annual dividend notices. To maintain your active status as an REI member, you need to make net merchandise or shipping purchases of at least $10 per year, unless you joined that year. Member numbers are issued in one name and only that person receives the member refund. Your number can be used by others in your family, but it cannot be transferred to someone else.

Questions? Call us at 1-800-426-4840 for more about your dividend or its redemption.

Learn more

This item may be available in your local REI store.

FREE U.S. STANDARD SHIPPING Through February 20. No minimum purchase! Learn more

More videos

To view videos or use the zoom feature on REI's websites, please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

NOW PLAYING

Think of it as a hydration jetpack! Nathan Human Propulsion Laboratories 020 Race Hydration Vest is engineered to enhance your maximum velocity.

Propulsion Harness™ moves in harmony with your shoulder and upper-back movements, reducing wasted energy
Wall Mesh™ shoulder straps and backpanel channel air across your skin and wick moisture away to improve overall comfort
Insulated reservoir compartment zips open and provides quick, easy access to 2-liter reservoir
Bite Me™ valve is bent at a 90° angle; can be easily shut off with a quick twist
Zippered front pocket secures keys, ID or cash; opposite side stashes energy gels in a stretchy mesh pocket
Two zippered rear compartments organize additional items

Imported.

Item 767745

View all Nathan products

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz. Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.

4.5

(based on 22 reviews)

91%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Comfortable (21)
Stable (21)
Highly adjustable (15)
Easy to refill (14)
Good water flow (13)

Cons

Best Uses

Running (20)
Extended trips (8)
Day trip (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (12), Casual/ recreational (7)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort driven (14), Survivalist / minimalist (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (14)

Reviewed by 22 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »

Apr

2009

(17 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

No Bounce Hydration

By Tom from the land of pigs and corn

from Flyover country

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Plenty of Storage
Stable

Cons

Expensive

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

I use my Nathan hydration pack on long training runs and in ultra marathons. The suspension system virtually eliminates bounce and swaying. There is plenty of storage on the front for gels, electrolyte replacement, MP3 player, cell phone, etc. My pack does not have internal toggles to support the bladder as it is drained, so it tends to bunch up in the bottom of the pack. I noticed on the newer models, Nathan has added this feature. I purchased one (women's version) for my wife as well (she kept borrowing it and leaving the straps adjusted for her smaller frame).

Dec

2009

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Hey Bob...NO BOB!

By Pajing

from York, PA - Prescott, AZ

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Refill
Good Water Flow
Highly Adjustable
No bob
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

I just got home from my first run using this pack. I did a ten mile trail run and I have to say this is one amazing hydration system!!!

I can't stand the feeling of bob in a hydration system, and I have tried several. I have yet to find a perfect way to stay hydrated, until today that is. I have tried waist packs with bottles and the belt systems with mini bottles, both had BOB! I have also tried other hydration backpacks, plenty of bob! I can honesty say that while running the trails (up hills, down hills, around trees, jumping logs, and hopping over patches of snow and ice) I forgot this was on. I only took a few drinks from it because I forgot I had it with me. That is a testimony to just how amazing this pack is. I wish I had bought one of these a year ago!

I am not reviewing the features (although there are several pockets of gu's, mp3 player, keys, gloves, etc.) nor am I reviewing the durability of this pack. I know that there have been some questions about the bladder and leaking. To be honest, I don't care! I will replace the bladder as needed to enjoy the pure comfort this hydration pack provides.

If you run distances and hate the BOB effect, buy this now!! Happy running!

Aug

2008

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Love it!

By CWW

from Washington, DC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Refill
Good Water Flow
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Running
Travel

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

Easy to fill and throw on. Pockets provide ample room to put personal items and other things in.

Service and delivery comments:

Everything came quick and packaged neatly.

Aug

2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Good pack, poor bladder & drink valve

By Todd in Detroit

from Royal Oak, MI

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Refill
Stable

Cons

Leaks
Not reflective
Poor Construction

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

I want to like this product. The pack portion is well designed and comfortable to run in. I don't see any reflective piping on the pack which seems like a no brainer thing to add.

However, the bladder and drink system are of poor design and construction. The bladder leaks -- mine leaks around the fill hole. In reading reviews elsewhere, this is apparently common. I would be hesitant to use this during cold weather events, since getting wet from your pack is not a good thing.

Another problem is the bite valve. It is difficult to open. I wore the pack during a recent 100-mile race and the valve became less and less operable. Eventually it simply fell off. It's still not working properly and I expect to return it.

In summary, it's a good pack design, but the drink system is simply unreliable.

Jun

2009

(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Light and adjustable

By Raramuri

from Flagstaff AZ

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Refill
Good Water Flow
Highly Adjustable
Stable

Cons

None

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

The Nathan HPL 020 has been great and i have not had any issues using this hydro pack. I have used it in extended runs such as 12 miles or more and i have not had any weight or lack of water issues. The adjustable features allows the Nathan pack to fit my body.

Jun

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great vest for road and trail runs

By arcticgogo

from Irvine CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Refill
Good Water Flow
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

Great hydration vest, no bouncing and no leaking problems. I've used it for runs between 8 and 12 miles on roads and trails; great stability. Hydration tube has a push/pull valve on the end, I left it open during my runs and didn't have any leaks.

Jan

2012

4.0

Nice product for longer runs

By Harry Plopper

from Boston, MA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Refill
Highly Adjustable
Large Capacity
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Sternum strap comes loose
Water tastes funny

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

I'm a 50+ mile per week runner and have done 6 marathons. I am a water-hog and need a lot of fluids on my runs. During the winter in the Northeast there are a limited number of places to refill the hand-held bottles and during the summer they sometimes don't come often enough.

I've been waiting a long time for a large capacity hydration pack for running and was interested given that the pack is made for running and the positive reviews.

The pack delivers on its promise to be designed for runners. Its 70oz reservoir is enough for a 20+ mile run, but might need to be refilled on really hot days.

It has plenty of room for holding gels, keys, ID, money, phone, gloves, etc. in the front two pockets. If anything the pockets are a little too big for my liking, but I'm a minimalist.

The pack is very comfortable and there isn't much, if any, bouncing or swaying when its full. I don't even notice I'm wearing it and haven't had any problems with chaffing or rubbing. I'm still tweaking the adjustment so that it fits just right.

My only complaints are: 1) the water still tastes like plastic after several uses and I've tried to wash it out to no avail AND 2) the sternum strap tends to loosen up over the run. All the other straps on the pack have an additional hold that keeps the strap secure and snug.

Minor improvements in subsequent models would make this product go from great to excellent.

Jan

2012

5.0

Best Running Backpack

By Scat

from Sarasota, FL

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Customer Support
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Extended Hikes
Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

This is the best hydration pack I have ever used/owned. I have had it for over a year and a half. I have used it on everything from a short couple mile jog to a Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim 45 mile ultra run. The pack does not bounce like most backpacks I have tried and is very comfortable. It is a pleasure to wear and allows me to run longer and further in the hot FL summer when hydration is a must. I did have an issue with the mouthpiece leaking, but have had a great experience with customer support from Nathan Sports. They sent me their redesigned mouthpiece right away and I am hopeful that this will correct all of the problems.

Dec

2011

5.0

Front Pockets on a Hydration Vest!!

By Kip99k2

from Palm Springs, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy To Refill
FRONT Pockets
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Day Trips
Extended Hikes

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

I LOVE this vest. Comfortable, adequate storage space, and FRONT pockets!! The only thing I'd like Nathan to add is another pocket or two on the front of the vest straps. There's nothing more annoying to me than to have to stop on the trail and remove my vest to get access to small items stored in the rear pockets. Currently I carry my GPS in the front zipper pocket and my digital point-and-shoot in the little mesh pocket. Would love at least one more for my iPhone/MP3....
Did I already say I LOVE this vest?!!

Sep

2011

2.0

Not my favorite!

By Big Jim Mac

from Jefferson City, MO

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Highly Adjustable

Cons

Unstable

Best Uses

Running

Comments about Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest - 70 oz.:

I had high hopes for this pack as it is highly recommended and used by ultra trail runners. I have several Camelback packs for mountain biking so that is what I have for comparison. I bought this as I got into the high mileage training for a 50-miler. From the start, I felt this pack sits too high on the back, which made me unstable twisting and turning on the technical trails I run. It's a little hard to get into because the straps want to twist and turn inside out. I do not like the Nathan bite valve at all. It takes two hands to open, something you don't have to do at all on the Camelback. The tube is heavy and hurts when it flops around if you don't secure it. But securing it also takes two hands. I can live with all this and this pack has been my faithful companion for 2 years. However on a recent run I started feeling my back and legs getting wet, found the seams on the bladder had separated rendering it useless, a real problem on a hot day for from the trailhead. I'm scrapping the Nathan bladder and ordering a Camelback, that should make this a much better pack. One more thing, my pack does not have a hanger for the bladder, so as it gets low it bunches up and sometimes stops the flow. Understand they may have fixed this on new versions. I think this will be a fine pack with the new bladder.