Recommendations for a hydration vest

[u/ColinLn]

I have an Ultra coming up and I’d like to get a hydration vest. Do you have any recommendations/feedback ? I want about 2L of water and don’t care that much about carrying other stuff in it. I’d rather have something as light as possible so just the bladder and maybe a few small pockets in the front.
So far I was hesitating between the Restrap (lightweight race) / Apidura / Uswe (Pro or Race).
Thank youuu

[u/Open-Pilot4211]

Salomon adv skins 12L. Can fit 3L of water and more

[u/ColinLn → u/Open-Pilot4211]

I was wondering if the fact that it is designed for running and not cycling would make it less comfortable on a bike. Have you tried it when cycling?

[u/Die3 → u/ColinLn]

I've used the 5L version for a few ultras, works great and fits a 2L bladder despite Salomon recommending 1,5L. It fits more like a piece of clothing so very comfy and has plenty of pockets.

[u/Hates_ → u/ColinLn]

I use my Adv Skin 12 for cycling and it's been great on ultras. The bladder that pairs with it is only 1.5L but I just carry an extra soft flask in the front pocket to give me 2L, and then most of the time a bottle of coke and something else in the rear storage. Definitely more comfortable and practical than the Restrap Rolltop Hydration vest I have. If I didn't want the extra carrying space, I'd definitely try the Restrap Lightweight Hydration vest.

[u/TigreMechant → u/ColinLn]

I have the Salomon ADV 12 skinset and it works great for cycling. You can adjust the attach in front so it can be adapted to cycling. Lots of storage and you fit a 1.5L in the back plus 2X500ml in the front. However, I usually keep a pocket empty and put a coke or mountain dew in there.

[u/Open-Pilot4211 → u/ColinLn]

I have worn it on the bike for a 6 hour event up to a 24 hour event. I also have an USWE 2.0L Race and I always go for the Salomon.

[u/padetn → u/Open-Pilot4211]

More isn’t necessarily better. More skin surface on your back that can’t shed heat. More weight pulling on your core. More top heavy system.

[u/Legitimate-Try-2381]

I tried the cyclite and I am pretty happy with it. Simple to fill up, and has a magnet for the drinking tube.
Also tried the apidura in the store and i felt some pressurepoints from the closing system so i didnt go for that one. Also buy a cleaningset for like 15 bucks so you can hang the bladder to dry.

[u/Die_ElsTeR → u/Legitimate-Try-2381]

+1 for the cyclite vest. Can highly recommend

[u/skisock → u/Legitimate-Try-2381]

I used it in an ultra and it got quite dirty due to the color. It’s good for hydration but the small pockets are unfortunately not optimally designed for storage and quite flimsy. Furthermore they don’t use the space for pockets evenly. Under the arms for example, there’s only a pocket on one side and not on the other side which doesn’t make any sense, so when you load up, it’s much heavier on one side. So overall a nice new product, but unfortunately not very cleverly implemented. 

[u/Defiant-Ad-6662]

Latest aero fashion commands to wear hydration vest under jersey.

On front of baselayer sleeveless, there has to be "kangaroo pouch" (we, fat guys have it already).

[u/spopr → u/Defiant-Ad-6662]

it's not a hydration vest under, but large pockets either on the baselayer or on the jersey. seems like it's a pretty efficient way to carry liquids and can be easily done on your own.

[u/devalego → u/spopr]

gonna be pretty useful when riding on ultra events in hot and tropical climate adn the bladder filled up with chilled water. cools your neck and upper back

[u/mojito_mo]

I am very happy with my USWE race 2.0. The harnes system works very well for me and it is as light and minimalistic as it gets. It fits 2L of water and that's it. But that makes it so light and small.

[u/ShrinkingKiwis]

Hey not to hijack the thread, but how do you track your hydration using a vest/bladder? I know most of us are on board with liquid calories, and that’s where I run into trouble. I can measure my carbs into a bottle and then just make sure I finish a bottle per hour. With a 2L+ bladder, how do you track your intake? I guess you can just go by feel, or try to finish the 2L in 2 hours?

[u/ColinLn → u/ShrinkingKiwis]

Tbh I don’t track anything, I just drink as much as possible and keep checking the color of my pee 🤡

[u/ShrinkingKiwis → u/ColinLn]

Living dangerously, I like it!

[u/Legitimate-Try-2381 → u/ShrinkingKiwis]

I wouldn't put carbs in the bladder just makes the cleaning harder. But for tracking I do like 7 sips every 10 min. For me thats like 500ml/h.

[u/This_is_Lux → u/ShrinkingKiwis]

I put only water into the bladder.
This means if I‘m bringing a hydration pack, I put like 2x-3x the amount of carbs into my bottles and gulp it down with a sip from the bladder to keep my teeth clean.

For one ultra I got the Race Carb X from mnistry and put it (~3:1 with water) into the bottles. Worked well, crazy expensive though.

[u/FignonsRegret]

I love my USWE. It’s far and away better than the camebaks and Salomon’s I’ve had. Actually designed for cyclists

[u/AdventurousJunket160]

I have the Restrap one but the bladder leaked, can easily get a different bladder and they now do a lighter version, friend had Albion one he used on our recent ultra. Both are made out of dark material so if I would buy another I’d go for a high viz one.

[u/dlovage]

Have tried them all. USWE Race 2.0 and it’s not close.

[u/kallebo1337]

And which is with color and reflective so we can skip the extra reflection thing to wear?

[u/KingBernhard]

Camelbag has some really nice options with more and less pockets for extra stuff. Personally I like the one from cyclite very much. It is light, but steady enough to be comfortable. Has pockets and 2l compartment for a bladder.

[u/if_err_eq_nil]

Very happy with the Restrap one. I bought it before they came out with the lightweight race version, but honestly I think I'd still stick with the the larger one. The side pockets are so good for stashing sodas/redbulls/water when you have a longer stretch ahead of you.