TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

OK, I have to be honest: I hate wearing or carrying things while running.  The longer the distance, the more it bugs me.  The first time I tried carrying hand-bottles I wanted to throw them in the woods after 5 miles.  I tried my old Camelbak and it felt like I was giving a piggy-back ride to a fidgety 5-year-old child that had filled up on Slurpees.   I put up with a waist-belt on long runs because it seems like the lesser of a few evils.  However, prompted by a solo 30-mile run I was planning for last weekend, I finally broke down and blew $80 on a Nathan HPL #020 hydration vest.  I have to say that this little pack has changed my mind about hydration packs.

First and foremost, this thing is darn comfortable.  Even when the bladder is full (2 liters) and the pack is crammed with PowerBars, the suspension system makes the load almost unnoticeable.  Honestly.  I didn't believe it either, until the end of the 30-miler when I realized that I had absolutely no chafing or discomfort from this pack.  One major reason for this is that the straps are highly adjustable for the perfect fit.  Also, the chest strap has just enough elastic built in such that the strap expands with your breathing.  You don't feel confined or "strapped in." 

Now here's the really cool part.  The front of the pack is a full-fledged Nathan running vest.  It has very useful pockets and pouches that are easily accessible while running.  Although the little pockets look small, I was easily able to fit the following: 1 Blackberry smartphone, 3 GU's, and 2 PowerBars.  (This is in addition to the storage in the rear pack.)  Also, the drinking tube clips in to the chest strap when not in use so you don't have to deal with the mouthpiece banging against your chest the entire run.  Speaking of the drinking tube, another nice feature is that you can route the tube over either shoulder, in order to customize the pack for your liking.

One thing I should note: There is not that much storage capacity in this pack.  If you want to carry along a change of clothes, extra pair of shoes, and a Subway footlong, this pack is not for you.  However, Nathan now has a complete line of packs, from tiny minimal packs to larger daypacks.

Overall I highly recommend this pack if you are looking for a new accessory to extend your runs.  For more information, visit: www.nathansports.com.