How to Choose a Running Hydration Vest

Carry all your essentials with the highly breathable Ultimate Direction Xodus Vesta women's hydration vest. It's loaded with pockets—including hydration storage—to prepare you for the trail ahead.
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Imported.
View all Ultimate Direction Running Hydration VestsBest Use | Trail Running |
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Gear Capacity (L) | 6 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 366 cubic inches |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Reservoir Included | No |
Bottle(s) Included | 2 bottles |
Liquid Capacity (L) | 1 liters |
Liquid Capacity (fl. oz.) | 34 fluid ounces |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 8 + main compartment |
Weight | 7.8 ounces |
Material(s) | Polyester |
Fits Chest | XS: 21-36 inches S: 24-40 inches M: 28-43 inches L: 38-46 inches |
BPA Free | Yes |
Dimensions | 16 x 15 x 1 inches |
Gender | Women's |
S | M | L | |
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Rib Cage Circumference | 21–36 | 24–40 | 28–42 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated.
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Ran with this vest for the first time last week and it was an absolute game changer. I've previously run with osprey and Salomon, and while I love the fit and feel of Salomon, I struggle to get what I need out of the pockets and it becomes like a purse where the nutrition I need sinks to the bottom and I can't find it unless I stop running and pull the vest off. Not so with the Xodus Vesta. Front pockets FINALLY. How has it taken this long to to take a cue for the military/LE where they load everything right up front where it is actually accessible!? Love this vest more than I can say. Sizing - bought a small and I am 5'4'' 126 lbs 34b. Size XS is in Salomon ADV Skin 12 for reference.
So happy to have front access pockets! Super easy storage for phone, water, fuel. Not much room in the back, but enough to fit thin layers as you pull them off. 5’2 147 and purchased medium based on the size chart - wish I had sized down, the bottom band is pretty loose. Had some chafing at the bottom of the zipper, but didn’t notice it until the end of a half marathon - I think some KT tape might solve this problem, as the rub spot was pretty small. Lots of long strings flopping around…probably because I’m not using all the features of the vest, but the strings are pretty annoying until you find somewhere to tuck them away (and hope they stay). All in all happy with the purchase, and thankful for enough front storage to hold everything I need for a back of the pack marathon!
Love the idea of this vest. Full wrap around with tons of storage. Let's start with the pro's: lightweight, pockets everywhere. There is a stash pocket on the back and behind that is space for a 1.5 L bladder. The vest comes with two 500ml soft bottles by HydraPack. It has the ability to hold the longer 600ml HydraPacks too. With three zippered pockets on the chest and another 6 open pockets on the chest, it really does have everything you need right in front so you don't have to search for anything. There are smaller zip and pull open pockets near the shoulders for smaller items too (SPF/Ibuprofen etc). The vest also comes with hiking pole loop attachments, which can be easily removed. I took it on a 14.5 mile trail run and it did not bounce around whatsoever. The sides cinch so you can adjust the fit. Now let's talk about the cons: the vest isn't as breathable as open chest vests. The zipper on the side is very difficult to close once the vest is fully loaded. The flask pockets are so deep that even though the vest does not bounce around, it bruised the top of my ribs at abut the 4 mile mark, just from the pressure of the bottles on my chest. I have reached out to ultimate direction, but they have yet to respond to my inquiry about how to remedy this. I also wish it came in lighter colors because black in the summer is just too hot to wear. $$$ it is pricy.
I had really high hopes for this vest, I love seeing the evolution of hydration vests and how they continually improve. This vest is a great idea but as a first round for this product it definitely needs major improvement. I have worn this vest with just bottles, bottles and a hydration reservoir, and just a reservoir, in both hot/humid and rainy conditions. It was tested from 6-15 miles and used in a race. I love that everything is very accessible in the front pockets and the zippered pocket is big enough for a cell phone, but that is where the positives end. Pulling it over your head as you come up on the last aid station in an ultra is time consuming and cumbersome. The rear pouch is not big enough for a 1.5 L reservoir as stated. It really doesn't have room to carry very much at all. The bottom portion of the zipper wore a hole in my side several times and after about 5 runs over the course of a few months (rotating in other packs to let the holes in my side heal) I just gave up. Interested in how they might improve this product in the future.