These are our favorite running hydration vests for hot summer miles

Hydrate or die-drate

RENEE: Every run is an ultra run when you’re slow. Half marathon, 10k, 5k? I’ll wear a vest for anything. Maybe it’s because I receive several vests a year for review, or maybe it’s because I don’t care for belts. Either way, I wear a vest for almost every run.

Unlike shoes, I think vests can be a one-and-done purchase, at least for a few years. They aren’t cheap, so my best recommendation is to find one that will work for your longest training efforts and avoid purchasing a vest for multiple distances or race efforts. We’ll review a few recent options here, and I’ve added a few comparisons of older vests to consider if you find them on sale.

RENEE: The VaporAiress 4.0 is an improvement from the 3.0, thanks to the more secure front flask storage and a more flexible, comfortable material. I have the Nathan Pinnacle Pro 12L vest too, which I find to be the top-of-the-line Nathan option for ultra racing or distances. Consider the VaporAiress 4.0 8L as a more user-friendly, cheaper option. You won’t have the overall capacity, but unless you have recommended gear warranting 12L, the VaporAiress is a better buy.

The vest doesn’t come with 500ml front flasks, but I used flasks from a Salomon vest, and those fit great. The two other mesh front pockets work well for small storage items (gels, gloves), and my iPhone Pro Max fits into the left front zipper pocket. The back pull-through pocket has high access openings, so it’s not my preference for storing another 500ml flask, but it does work for that purpose. Otherwise, a jacket or extra fuel options fit there too.

The back has one large zipped pocket with a fabric divider to separate the bladder from any other items. With a full bladder, there’s not much extra room for items, though the bungee storage is an option if you don’t need to worry about rain/moisture. If you use a bladder and need more storage capacity in a zippered pocket, I suggest a higher-capacity vest.

RENEE: Having the VaporAiress and the Pinnacle Pro 12L, I find the QuickStart to be a better option for hiking than running. The 1.5L QuickStart bladder is much easier and quicker to refill on the go as compared to traditional access bladders, so if anyone struggles to refill traditional bladders, here’s your option. The expansive fit comes from adjustable straps on both sides and the two front clip straps.

For running, I don’t prefer side straps, though they can be helpful if you need a vest for winter running to accommodate thick layers. The front pockets can fit 500ml flasks (sold separately), but they don’t feel as secure in a vest with side straps, so my preference with this vest is to have hydration in the back bladder and use the front pockets for other items. The front zipper pockets hold my iPhone Pro Max without issue. Unlike the VaporAiress, the back zipper pocket can hold more than just the bladder, but it’s all in one pocket. The back also has an open storage area plus the bungee.

RENEE: Our resident badass trail runner, Reese, received this vest before I did, so I was aware it had a pocket specifically for lipstick. And I thought maybe it was a translation issue, as in the company meant Chapstick or lip balm, not actual lipstick. Nope. The image on the pocket is clearly lipstick. The Kailas Fuga Air 7 has a pocket specifically for lipstick. And I can’t get past that. I don’t even own lipstick; heck, I’m 99.99% sure the last time I bought lipstick was for a Halloween costume.

So, if you need quick access to lipstick while running, this is your vest. The material is very comfortable and high-quality, and the fit will be best for those who need width across the chest. The sizing is bra cup specific. The dial (BOA-like) tightens the front cords across the lower chest, but does not tighten enough across the top chest for me. I wore a size Medium A-B, and there’s no way someone with an A cup will get a tight enough fit here unless they run with a padded push-up bra. Even a C cup might have too much space, again, if not running with a push-up bra.

The vest comes with two front flasks that are specifically shaped to fit the high-sitting short-length front storage pockets. I tried using 500ml flasks from other vests, and they don’t fit well. You’ll need to use the vest-specific flasks. The vest has a back bladder drop area and two open-access pocket areas. There’s a low-sitting zipper pocket that might fit a small jacket at best.

Overall, I’d only recommend this vest for those who run without a compression bra and are busty. Or, if you really want a lipstick-specific pocket.

RENEE: After wearing the Kailas Fuga Air 7 Vest, which didn’t fit the way I prefer for running, the Osprey was a delight. The vest offers a variety of pocket options, so if you like compartmentalizing your storage, you’re in luck.

The vest comes with two 500ml soft flasks featuring Wingstay stabilizers that prevent them from flopping around. The stabilizers didn’t dig into my chest like some other “spine” options in flasks, which is great. The front has two zippered pockets large enough for a phone and two open pockets for small fuel options or other items. The back has a pull-through pocket that can store another 500ml flask or jacket. The opening sits a bit high, but it can be accessed while running. The back has several thoughtful storage areas, including a 1.5L bladder drop, a top-zip pocket, and another open-access pocket.

On the left side, the vest has another zipper pocket that extends the length of the vest. The two zipper pockets are a great way to separate storage. I prefer the top zipped pocket for storing a portable charger and the side zipped pocket for a rain jacket and dry socks. If you like rear storage with separate pockets, the vest is a good option, and I like it despite being 10L instead of 12L. If you need to carry many small items rather than larger ones, the vest might be better than some 12L capacity vests that have only one or two back pockets/storage areas.

RENEE: I wore the Terrex Xperior Trail Running Vest for the Lake Sonoma Half Marathon. No, I did not need a vest for this distance, but why not? At only 5L, the vest gives what you need for hydration and fuel without anything extra. I find it comparable to the much more expensive Salomon Sense Pro 6, which is a bit lighter. The Xperior Trail vest has a bit more form and structure, so while it feels heavier than the Sense Pro 6, it is less likely to move around as you drink from the front flasks.

My phone doesn’t fit in the front zipper pocket, so if you want phone access (at least for a Pro Max), I’d choose a different vest. The front open pockets are large enough for typical fuel items, small gloves, or similar items. The back pull-through pocket holds another 500ml nicely. There’s an open drop-in pocket for a jacket or other items back there, too. The vest holds 5L but provides what you need for carrying up to 1.5L of flask hydration and fuel for shorter distances or races when you have access to aid stations or crew. Also, Adidas likes to put this vest on sale pretty frequently, so if you see it at full price, don’t be afraid to wait a week or two.