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There are so many women’s hydration vests on the market right now. How can you tell which one is right for you?
Since you found your way to this post, I imagine you already know what a hydration vest is and what you want to use it for. But I wonder if you’re feeling just as overwhelmed by all of the options as I was when I was on the hunt for a new vest.
Well, I hope, after reading, you’ll have a better understanding of some of the differences between a few of the most popular women’s hydration vests that are available right now.
But first, let me give you a little background on how this post came to be.
The Search for the Perfect Hydration Vest
My friend Katie and I were training for our first 50K (you can read about how that went here). Our runs were getting longer and longer, and we started to realize the hydration options we had weren’t quite cuttin’ it anymore. Especially on the runs where we’d be out on the trail for 4 or 5 hours. She was trying to get by with a handheld and I had an older vest that only held two 500ml bottles.
It was hot and humid (as it often is, here in Florida), and we were running out of water too quickly. We did find a way to make it work via her husband and daughter bringing extra water mid-run and by setting up mini-aid stations for ourselves. However, we wanted to be able to run without needing to rely on a stop somewhere.
We both needed something with more fluid capacity, as well as with pockets to put our fuel and other necessary items.
And thus began our search for the perfect hydration vest.
Of course, when I say the perfect hydration vest, I don’t mean to imply that there’s only one “right” vest out there. We each needed to find the “perfect” vest for ourselves. I certainly didn’t anticipate that we’d both end up choosing the same one, but we did!
Unfortunately, our local running store had very few options for us to try, so we turned to scouring the interwebs to determine which vest(s) would be a good fit for each of us.
We found SEVERAL. 🤣
Despite this fact, we knew we couldn’t try them all. We needed to narrow it down. So in order to help us select the vests we most wanted to try, we kept the following criteria in mind.
Our Criteria for Selecting Women’s Hydration Vests to Test
- Women’s-specific fit
- Soft flask storage in front of vest
- Designated spot in back of vest for hydration bladder
- Pocket to hold cell phone (I personally needed a larger pocket for mine)
- Pockets for other items (food/fuel, anti-chafing stick, etc.)
Using these standards, we decided to test out the following vests. You’ll notice three of them are the same brand. This was intentional, as we liked the features this brand offered, but couldn’t settle on which capacity would best suit our needs.
- Nathan VaporHowe 12L 2.0
- Camelbak Women’s Circuit Vest
- Salomon ADV SKIN 8
- Ultimate Direction Race Vesta 5.0
- Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 5.0
- Ultimate Direction Mountain Vesta 5.0
The Women’s Hydration Vests We Tried
Nathan VaporHowe 12L 2.0
Weight: 14 oz / 392 grams with bladder
Storage Capacity: 12 liters (10.4 L cargo/1.6 L hydration)
Comes with: 1.6 liter insulated hydration bladder
Comfort & Fit
I personally felt that this was one of the more comfortable vests we tried. The fabric was soft and almost shirt-like. It felt more like wearing a piece of clothing than a backpack.
Features
The Nathan VaporHowe 2.0 is equipped with a safety whistle and pill pocket on the shoulder (for storing salt tabs and the like). It comes with a 1.6 liter insulated hydration bladder. The straw tubing from the bladder has a convenient little magnet that allows you to easily detach it from the vest when you need a quick drink.
Storage
This vest has 2 deep, elastic pockets in the front for soft flasks (or whatever else you want to use them for), as well as two smaller pockets. There’s a water-resistant, zippered pocket on the left chest, which is intended for cell phone storage, but it does make for a tight fit when you have a full flask in as well. Also included is the small pill pocket on the upper right chest, as mentioned above.
Adjustability
The side compression straps on the VaporHowe 12L 2.0 provide a custom fit and stabilize the load of whatever you’re carrying in the vest.
This vest uses a sliding rail and sternum strap system to allow for easy fit adjustments on the go.
Breathability
With perforated holes throughout, this vest was very breathable and had a light and airy feel. It would definitely work for running in warmer temperatures.
What we liked
The insulated bladder that comes with the vest was a great feature. Fluids tend to warm up quickly when against your back (especially in the warmer months!), but the insulated bladder would prolong that.
The soft, lightweight fabric and comfortable fit also made the VaporHowe appealing.
What we didn’t like
I can imagine the pale gray (almost white) color would show dirt easily. This particular model also comes in a beautiful dark purple color, but I read about other users complaining that the purple dye tends to bleed onto clothing prior to washing the vest.
If you want a vest with dedicated trekking pole storage, this isn’t the one for you. However, a number of other wearers have reported sticking their poles horizontally through the bottom of the back pocket. So I guess that’s some kind of option. 🤷🏻♀️
While this wasn’t a concern for Katie, my biggest issue with this vest was its lack of a convenient, comfortable place for my iPhone 11 to fit. I didn’t want to have to reach around to the back or take the vest off to access my phone, so I needed a pocket in the front.
The only options large enough on the front of the vest are the pockets intended for soft flasks, and one zippered pocket on the left side.
As you can see from the photo below, that pocket lies right behind one of the soft flasks. With a full flask, this made for a tighter and somewhat uncomfortable fit in the chest area. If you know what I mean. 😉 😉
Camelbak Women’s Circuit Vest
Weight: 5 oz / 150 g (vest only)
Storage Capacity: 5 liters (3.5 L cargo/1.5 L hydration)
Comes with: 1.5 liter Crux Reservoir Bladder
Comfort & Fit
Out of all the vests we tested, this was the least comfortable. That’s not to say it was uncomfortable. It just didn’t have the lightweight, soft feel that many of the other vests had. It had a bit more of a stiff, backpack feel than some of the others.
Although it’s a women’s specific fit, this vest only comes in one size. This may explain the backpack-like feel.
Features
The Camelbak Circuit Vest comes with a 1.5 liter hydration bladder. The bladder tubing has a handy on/off valve to prevent leaks when not in use. As shown in the photo below, there is also an easy-access tubing holder to keep your tube from flopping all over the place while you run.
Storage
Out of all the vests we tested, this one has the smallest storage capacity at 5 liters total storage (3.5L for cargo plus the 1.5L bladder). With the bladder in place, there isn’t much room for anything else in the back pocket, but the storage on the front is ample. Two large, deep mesh pockets sit behind two cinchable soft flask pockets. If you don’t use soft flasks, you could also use these pockets for other things. In addition to these is an extra zippered pocket for secure items.
Adjustability
Similar to the Nathan VaporHowe, the Camelbak Circuit Vest has adjustable side straps to customize the fit.
The front closure system utilizes adjustable sternum straps on a daisy chain. The bottom strap is a stretchy elastic.
Breathability
Camelbak uses what they call a “3D Micro Mesh” for breathability on this vest. While it wasn’t bad, it lacked the more comfortable, lightweight feel that some of the other vests we tried had.
What we liked
The deep, dark color on this vest was very pretty in person. It wasn’t girly at all, yet it didn’t have a masculine feel. It would do a much better job at hiding dirt than some of the lighter options we tested.
The price was another positive point about the Camelbak. At the time of this writing, the price has gone even lower and sits just under $73 on Amazon. This would be a great option if you’re looking for a basic (but high quality), entry-level hydration vest, without all the bells and whistles.
What we didn’t like
This probably would have been a more viable option for both of us if the storage capacity was a little larger. It also felt a little stiffer than some of the other vests.
We didn’t need it at this point, but it is worth noting that the Camelbak Circuit has no dedicated pole storage.
Salomon ADV SKIN 8
Weight: 8.9 oz
Storage Capacity: 8 liters
Comes with: Two 17 fl oz (500ml) soft flasks with straws
Can accommodate: Up to a 2.0L hydration bladder
Comfort & Fit
The fabric on the Salomon ADV Skin 8 was soft, silky, and stretchy. As you might guess from the look of it, this vest had more of a clothing-like feel than a backpack-like feel.
While it could have a different fit on other bodies, the armholes on this vest seemed small. It cut a little too close to the armpits for my liking. I can just imagine the chafing after wearing it for 30 miles. 😳
Features
The ADV Skin 8 doesn’t come with a hydration bladder (you have to purchase that separately), but it does come with an insulated pocket to put a bladder in. Like the insulated bladder on the Nathan VaporHowe, this would be a useful feature during the warm months!
This vest comes furnished with two 500ml soft flasks with straws. While this seemed like an amazing idea, it actually turned out to be a bit cumbersome (more below).
Storage
Storage is where this vest really shined. The four main pockets on the front (two are intended for flask storage) were stretchy and easily accessible. You could seriously stuff a lot in these pockets, including a large phone.
Attached inside the right front pocket was a decent-sized water-resistant pocket.
This vest also has dedicated bungee cords for trekking pole storage.
Even with a full hydration bladder in the back, the stretchy fabric allows plenty of space for fitting extra gear. There are multiple pockets – in the back and on the sides of the vest.
Pockets for days. Seriously. No shortage of pockets.
Adjustability
This Salomon vest was super easy to adjust with an elastic bungee cord and daisy chain closure system.
There are also additional bungees on the sides for further customizing the fit.
Breathability
Overall, the Salomon ADV Skin 8 felt a little warm on. It could be because of the snug clothing-like fit or the soft fabric that was used. It has plenty of mesh on the inside, as you can see below, but it definitely did not feel as “breathable” as the vests from Ultimate Direction.
What we liked
The color of this vest was SO beautiful and the silky, stretchy fabric was equally as appealing. I personally liked the look of this vest on. The pockets were plentiful and easy to access. The bungee cord system made adjusting the fit of the vest a breeze.
What we didn’t like
Based on other reviews I had read, this was actually the vest I was almost certain I was going to end up choosing. I’m hesitant to say anything negative about it because it really is such a great vest, but I think it’s important to point out the positives and the negatives so you can make an informed decision if this is one you’re considering.
As I mentioned earlier, the armholes were small, leaving the vest close to the armpit. Additionally, if you run in a warm climate, you may feel hot in it.
The openings on the soft flasks were quite small. If you like to fill yours with ice, you’ll have to manually stick one small cube in at a time. And you may need a funnel to pour in any kind of electrolyte powder that doesn’t come in a tube packet.
And lastly, the straws. The image below pretty much speaks for itself.
I read about other wearers cutting the straws to make them shorter, so that’s always an option if you love everything else about this vest.
Ultimate Direction Race Vesta 5.0
Weight: 5 oz / 141 g without flasks
Storage Capacity: 8.1 liters
Comes with: Two 500ml Body Bottles (soft flasks)
Can accommodate: Up to a 2.0L hydration bladder
Comfort & Fit
The Race Vesta is the smallest in Ultimate Direction’s Signature Series lineup. This particular model was lightweight and very comfortable to wear. Without putting a hydration bladder in the back, it almost felt like I didn’t have it on.
Features
The Race Vesta comes with 2 500ml soft flasks, which fit snugly in the up-front pockets. There are bungee straps that you can cinch up around the top of each flask to keep it in place inside the pocket.
A small whistle is attached inside the left chest pocket.
Like the Salomon, all of the Ultimate Direction models we reviewed (including this one) were outfitted with trekking pole storage straps.
Storage
The back pocket can accommodate up to a 2L hydration bladder. There’s an additional small zippered pocket (with a hook for a key or the like) on the back panel, but it wouldn’t be able to hold anything large with a full hydration bladder in place.
One zippered pocket on the right side panel of the vest fit my large cell phone, although it wasn’t the most comfortable since it made that side area feel stiff.
Two smaller pockets sit in front of the flask pocket on the right chest. You could fit smaller items like gels, snacks, an anti-chafing stick, or other things like that in these pockets.
An additional stretchy pocket sits on the left side panel of the vest. You could fit a phone here, as well as anything else in that size range.
Adjustability
The Race Vesta 5.0 uses an adjustable strap and daisy chain closure system across the chest (similar to the Camelbak).
An easily adjustable Comfort Cinch™ allows for what UD calls a “perfect, next-to-skin fit”.
Breathability
The mesh fabric that lined this entire vest (you can see it in the picture below) was extremely lightweight and breathable. I was concerned it would feel stiff on, but it did not in the slightest. All three of the Ultimate Direction vests we tested had this same breezy mesh. We live in Florida where it’s warm or hot 75% of the year, so the breathability of the UD vests was an attractive feature.
What we liked
I honestly thought this was the vest Katie would settle on. She wanted minimal, and the Race Vesta is just that. But it still packs a good punch with its other features. This would be a comfortable, lightweight, breathable vest with enough storage for a race, such as a road marathon. If you’re racing a shorter Ultra distance and you plan on utilizing the aid stations, this could also be a great option for you.
What we didn’t like
While the color was pretty (UD calls it “Cloud”), we thought the light gray would get pretty dirty, pretty quickly.
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 5.0
Weight: 6.3 oz / 180 g
Storage Capacity: 10.3 liters
Comes with: Two 500ml Body Bottles (soft flasks)
Can accommodate: Up to a 2.0L hydration bladder
Comfort & Fit
In Ultimate Direction’s signature blue color, the Ultra Vesta was every bit as comfortable as the Race Vesta. As the name implies, this vest was created with Ultra distances in mind. It has quite a bit more storage space in the back, making it a bit bulkier than the Race Vesta. But the fit and feel of the vest were, overall, about the same.
Features
The material used on the pockets is lightweight, soft, and stretchy. The large pocket in the back is made up primarily of a windbreaker-type fabric.
Like the Race Vesta, the Ultra Vesta is equipped with two 500ml soft flasks, which fit snugly in the up-front pockets. There are bungee straps that you can cinch up around the top of each flask to keep it in place inside the pockets.
As with the other UD models, a safety whistle and dedicated pole storage straps are included.
Storage
There were only two differences in storage between the Race Vesta and the Ultra Vesta. The Ultra Vesta adds a small velcro-closure pocket on the upper left chest, as well as an additional 2L of dry storage space in the back.
Adjustability
The Ultra Vesta uses the same strap and daisy chain closure system that the Race Vesta uses. It also has Ultimate Direction’s Comfort Cinch™ 2.0 for quick adjustments on the go.
Breathability
The Ultra Vesta has the same breathable mesh fabric throughout the vest as the Race Vesta.
What we liked
This vest was comfortable, breathable, lightweight, and checked all the boxes as far as storage options go.
What we didn’t like
There wasn’t really anything we didn’t like about the Ultra Vesta. We each simply preferred the color and the extra storage that came with the next vest.
Ultimate Direction Mountain Vesta 5.0
Weight: 8 oz / 228 g
Storage Capacity: 12.7 liters
Comes with: Two 500ml Body Bottles (soft flasks)
Can accommodate: Up to a 2.0L hydration bladder
Comfort & Fit
The Mountain Vesta boasts the same comfortable fit as the Ultra and Race Vestas, despite the fact that it weighs in 3oz heavier than the Race Vesta. Of course, when the vest is packed, it feels much heavier due to the increase in storage volume. You can cinch the corded elastic on the back of the vest for overall compression and stashing external gear. Without cinching this elastic, the large back pocket felt a little floppy with a full hydration bladder.
Features
Just as with the Race and Ultra Vestas, two 500ml soft flasks come standard with the Mountain Vesta. A safety whistle and elastic pole storage is also included.
The Mountain Vesta also features the same lightweight, soft, stretchy fabric, along with a windbreaker-type material on the back pocket.
Storage
The Mountain Vesta had the largest storage capacity, by volume, of all the vests we tried. This vest has all of the same pockets that the Ultra Vesta has, with the addition of two small, stretchy pockets on the left chest and a more secure velcro pocket near the left shoulder.
The back features a generously sized clamshell pocket. While Ultimate Direction says this is for easy access, I personally had a hard time getting to this pocket without taking the vest off. Even with a full 2L hydration bladder, you can still fit a ton of stuff in this pocket.
Adjustability
The Mountain Vesta has the same Comfort Cinch™ 2.0 system for on-the-go adjustability that the other Vestas have. The chest straps are a little different on this vest. Instead of the daisy chain elastic cording, the Mountain Vesta utilizes “upgraded” sliding rail sternum straps for easy single-handed use. We truly found these very easy to adjust on the run.
Breathability
Featuring the same mesh and nylon fabrics as the other Vestas in the UD Signature Series, the Mountain Vesta was quite breathable, even with a full load.
What we liked
The balance of storage capacity and lightweight breathability is the highlight of this vest. The way the shoulder straps are shaped promotes even weight distribution and comfort. Even after running in it for hours with a full load, my shoulders weren’t overly sore.
And while one shouldn’t pick a vest by color (well, maybe we can 🤷🏻♀️🤣) , the muted blue-gray color (UD calls it “Dusk”) set this one a step above the Ultra Vesta for both Katie and I.
What we didn’t like
There wasn’t anything we didn’t like about the Mountain Vesta. That being said, if I wanted a hydration vest for a shorter race, or I knew I wouldn’t need to store very much, I might have gone with the Race Vesta.
Which vest is right for you?
So, there you have it. Six of the most popular women’s hydration vests on the market as of the time of this writing. I know there are others, but we only wanted to try vests that fit within our criteria, for our needs.
If one of these six options were on your list, I hope this helped to narrow down your decision. Which one of these vests is the most appealing to you? Or, if you have any questions about any of the vests we tested, let me know in the comments below!
