Observing my pile of hydration packs for operating usually makes me really feel a bit of like Goldilocks. Some are too small, others are too massive, too heavy, or too bouncy. After months of hydration pack testing, the UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest ($125) has emerged as a pack that most of the time is good. Gentle sufficient for fast jaunts with expandable storage for longer days, this pack is a flexible choice that matches the invoice for all however the longest of path days.
This pack is stuffed with considerate options that improve storage capability and enhance the match with out feeling too heavy or overbuilt. UltrAspire’s ErgoFit harness design and UltrAcool system stability the gear load and assist dissipate warmth, sustaining consolation in a wide range of situations. Its six-liter storage capability is separated into 10 pockets to maintain gear organized, 9 of that are accessible whereas sporting the pack for straightforward entry on the fly. The pack is available in unisex small, medium, and huge sizes, that are marketed to suit chest sizes from 31 to 42 inches. The marketed weight of the pack is 9.6 ounces.
Whether or not you’re simply dipping your toes into the path operating scene or are a seasoned ultrarunner on the lookout for a race-ready pack, this one could have you lined.
By the way in which, the iRunFar gear testing workforce enjoys this pack a lot that we’ve named it the Finest Total Medium-Capability Hydration Pack in our Finest Hydration Packs information.
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A entrance view of the UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest. All photographs: iRunFar/Carly Eisley
UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest Building and Match
The inspiration of all of UltrAspire’s operating vests, together with the UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest, is their ErgoFit harness system that’s designed to maintain the pack balanced with out inhibiting pure operating motion. This match options longer, S-curved shoulder straps that maintain stress off the again of your neck and stop restriction across the arms and chest for higher vary of movement and arm swing. This additionally balances the gear load, holding weight evenly distributed, whether or not you’re carrying the naked necessities or a full load.
The pack is designed to maintain the load decrease on the physique and nearer to your heart of gravity to stop bouncing and reduce wasted vitality. Which means the rear of the pack is a bit of longer than these made by different producers. I’ve a shorter torso, so initially, this felt very noticeable to me because the pack sat additional down on my again than a lot of the others I’ve tried. I shortly acquired used to the longer match and admire the soundness this offers.
The pack is available in three unisex sizes, utilizing a single measurement beneath the armpits across the largest level of the chest. The sizing will match chests starting from 31 to 42 inches.
At first look, this pack felt massive — I’ve a 34-inch chest, which is in the midst of the vary for a dimension small pack, and I felt like I needed to cinch it down all the way in which to get a safe match. After a while sporting it, I got here to appreciate that not like many different packs I’ve tried prior to now, this one doesn’t must be tremendous tight with a view to keep secure and never bounce.
The one adjustment factors are the 2 entrance elastic shock cords, which UltrAspire calls their MaxO2 Sternum. That is an applicable moniker, as I felt like I may undoubtedly breathe simply with this pack on! The size of the again of the dimensions small pack is 15.5 inches, which lands proper across the center of my decrease again, proper within the waistband space.
The vest is basically constructed from two layers — a mesh interior lining that sits towards the physique, and stretchy outer materials that types the pockets. UltrAspire’s UltrAcool Mesh liner is made from polyester in a tremendous honeycomb sample that wicks away sweat and breathes effectively with out absorbing any moisture. The mesh itself feels a bit of tough to the contact, however I by no means wore it with no shirt or tank prime beneath, so I had no issues with discomfort. There’s a smooth layer of fabric sewn round the entire edges the place they contact the physique to stop chafing.
The outside of the pack is made from a sturdy, breathable, and stretchy Powernet mesh that expands simply sufficient to comfortably match gear with out sagging when empty. There’s a polyurethane-coated nylon panel contained in the rear passage pocket and a small envelope pocket on the suitable shoulder strap of the identical materials to maintain objects dry. The pack is out there in a single deep teal-like blue colorway to maintain issues good and easy.
A view of the telephone pocket of the UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest.
UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest Storage and Hydration Choices
As talked about above, the UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest has a complete of 10 pockets distributed between the back and front. 9 of these are accessible with the pack on, making it straightforward to arrange objects for straightforward entry throughout a race, if you don’t wish to lose time eradicating the pack or twiddling with hard-to-reach storage.
The entrance of the pack options two massive cinch-closure pockets, one on every chest strap. These are positioned under the chest and might every match a 500-milliliter smooth flask or UltrAspire’s hybrid bottle. The UltraFlask 550 Hybrid Bottle is a pliable plastic bottle that has a extra elongated, curved form and that sits extra flush towards the chest as in contrast with a daily spherical bottle. I discovered these bottles to suit snugly and work very effectively on this vest, bouncing lower than a daily smooth flask.
When you aren’t carrying hydration within the entrance pockets, there’s ample room for gels, a small pair of gloves, or a buff. These are additionally my most well-liked telephone storage pockets if I’m not utilizing them for hydration. A bonus function of the entrance pockets is a small opening on the chest twine that permits the free finish of the shock twine to be tucked away in order that it doesn’t flop round whereas operating.
Above the primary pocket on the suitable chest strap is a small magnet-closure nylon pocket that’s waterproof and a superb place to retailer one thing like salt tabs. This pocket is fairly small and I personally don’t use salt tabs, so I didn’t usually put something in there.
Maybe probably the most distinctive entrance pocket is the telephone pocket on the higher left of the entrance chest strap. This can be a stretchy sleeve that the telephone slides into vertically with an elastic cinch twine to maintain it secure. I’ll admit once I first noticed this pocket, I believed there was completely no method it will be snug and maintain the telephone secure whereas transferring. It seems I used to be incorrect! It’s surprisingly secure and simple to make use of, and I in the end forgot my telephone was there whereas operating.
The one factor that’s noticeably absent from the entrance is a whistle. I used to be very shocked UltrAspire didn’t embody this given their in any other case spectacular consideration to element all through the pack.
Two equivalent zipper pockets sit on the perimeters of the pack beneath the arms. These are safe spots for small objects you want available, but additionally actually don’t wish to lose. A small stuff pocket lies beneath these for an added stash area. I usually use one of many aspect zip pockets for my key, and the stretchy sleeve beneath it’s excellent to stash away a buff. Nevertheless, the aspect zip compartments are too small for my iPhone.
The most important pocket is the rear compartment that spans the size of the pack. The principle compartment is massive sufficient to stuff meals, a first-aid equipment, and your just-in-case additional layers. A sleeve inside this pocket holds the included two-liter hydration bladder and likewise has a detachable Mylar sleeve that gives insulation for the hydration bladder. The sleeve, which snaps out and in, will be simply eliminated for higher air flow. This major pocket does have a good quantity of stretch however doesn’t maintain a lot additional gear when the hydration bladder is full.
Overlying the surface of the massive rear compartment is a bungee cinch twine to shortly strap objects like a jacket or vest if you find yourself taking layers on and off in variable temperatures.
A pass-through pocket sits throughout the decrease again of the pack and is simple to entry from both aspect with the pack on. This has a nylon element to enhance water resistance and a magnet closure to maintain issues safer. That is my most well-liked pocket to stash a light-weight jacket, particularly if I’m taking it on and off regularly.
Two bungee trekking pole attachments sit alongside the low again of the pack. They’ve a bit of little bit of bounce, however on shorter runs, I didn’t discover my poles again there as soon as I acquired going. They aren’t straightforward to entry whereas transferring, although, and most of the people must take away the pack to get to the poles. There isn’t a various entrance pole storage, one thing to remember if that’s essential to you.
As talked about above, this race vest can carry as much as three liters of fluids between the 2 entrance bottle pockets and the two-liter hydration bladder sleeve within the again. I discovered that I most well-liked to maintain no less than one of many bigger entrance pockets open to make use of for gear, as there’s restricted entrance storage if each pockets are carrying hydration.
A again view of the UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest jacket stuff pocket.
UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest Total Impressions
The UltrAspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest was a pleasing shock for me. Admittedly, my preliminary ideas when attempting it on had been that it was going to be method too massive and never work out effectively in any respect. Fortunately, I couldn’t have been extra incorrect. The pack rides effectively each loaded with hydration and kit in addition to minimally stuffed.
The fabric is sturdy however on the heavier aspect, which makes this pack really feel a bit of cumbersome. It undoubtedly felt heat and fewer breathable in sizzling climate as in contrast with another packs on the market.
Considered one of UltrAspire’s strengths is their consideration to small particulars of their pack design and performance, and this operating hydration pack isn’t any exception. The pocket placement and closures all have particular makes use of that make them very useful. Total, this pack is a superb choice for supported races or few-hour coaching runs the place you’ll need a superb quantity of fluids and kit however don’t want to hold a full day’s price of stuff.
You’ll want to click on over to our Finest Hydration Packs information to see why we named it our Finest Total Medium-Capability Hydration Pack and the way it compares to different prime hydration packs for operating.
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A again view of the Ultraspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest.
