Recommend a running vest

whitelightrider

Morning all,

Relatively new to running and loving it. But the only pain is carrying the water bottle, phone and keys when Im running. The lovely Facebook recommended the FreeTrain Hydro vest and it looks decent. But Id prefer to get recommendations from real people :)

Thank you!!!

turfman1

I bought mine in Decathlon for €30 and can’t fault it at all.

https://www.decathlon.ie/3425-trail-backpack

standardg60

Cycling jersey with back pockets?

pc11

I recommend carrying less stuff. If you're new to running it's unlikely you're doing 2-3 hour runs, absolutely no need to carry water unless you're out for well over an hour. I ran for 2 hours on Sunday with just a quick stop at a water tap. Contrary to myth, you will not die of dehydration. No need for a phone most of the time either and if you really do need it an armband would be much lighter. And how many keys do you need?? I carry one key maximum.

This current thing about carrying loads of shite with you for a run is madness to me. Don't get me started on those sports bra harness things that the marketing people have somehow convinced people to wear and the people running with heavy backpacks!

It's incredible how gear companies are able to get us to buy more stuff.

Get off my lawn!

FinnC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119545925#Comment_119545925

No offensive to you but I hate posts like this and it’s one that someone always makes when any sort of question like this is asked.

The poster wanted advice on a running vest not a lecture on why he doesn’t need one and what they should and shouldn’t be bringing with them on a run.

We have no idea why they might actually need to carry a phone and their hydration needs might be far more complex than yours. All they wanted to know was recommendations for a running vest.

Anyway now that I’ve said that, I’d also recommend the Decathlon vests posted above.

marathon2022

Decathlon is your only man for running belts, soft bottles and hydration vests on a budget.

py

I have tried a flipbelt, a basic camelbak and now use a running vest. I have used them for road or trail running.

For the flipbelt, it works well for a few gels and keys but I found using their proprietary water bottle just didn't work. It bounced around too much and caused chaffing. I'll still use it on occasion for runs shorter than 90 minutes when I don't need water.

The camelbak had a 1.5litre reservoir in the back storage unit and a single pocket up front. It works fine. It just didn't have enough storage space or functionality for longer runs that I now do.

Salomon Active Skin 8 is the latest I have. It has plenty of storage. It comes with 2 * 500ml flasks up front that are easy to fill but most importantly, easy to consume whilst on the move. It has space for a reservoir (costs extra) in the back. There are two easily accessible pockets up front where I store my gels (left for full, right for wrappers of those I have consumed). Also a zip pocket up front where I sometimes store my phone and earphones. The Larger pocket on the back is where I'll store my keys and depending on the season, my rain jacket, base layer, snood etc. On the front and back there are easily adjustable strings to keep the vest snug to you and also the contents in the rear pocket from jumping about.

Figure out what you are going to be using it for. Have a look on YouTube for manufacturer's walk through of the product and then for multiple 3rd party reviews.

Pawwed Rig

I just get shorts with a zip pocket at the base of my spine for my keys. On the rare occasions when I have to bring my phone I have a pair of shorts with a bigger pocket that will take both phone and keys.

I never bring water. Do you need this?

floodser

I use a Phizik Running Belt.

It can hold 4/5 gels, keys and phone very comfortably. Perfect for races where water stops are provided.

I've used for three Marathons and its very comfortable to wear.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phizik-Running-Utility-Shopping-Valuables/dp/B018PYML0Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

TheRef

Like py above, I also have a Flipbelt and the Salomon Active Skin 5L (smaller than py).

I use the Flipbelt (zip version) on all runs and have the small and larger bottles (330 ml). Only problem I have with bottle is that unless the top is screwed on the right way, it leaks. Easy to know if its on right though. Bottles are expensive for what they are though (could use standard plastic bottles if you wish). I have brought larger bottle, phone, key, and a few sweets. Never had problems with it moving or water sloshing around. I've also used it on holidays where I've no pockets in shorts. Highly recommended.

Salomon Active Skin 5L - like it, lots of pockets and space for 2 500ml soft flasks (provided). Same as the 8L py has but I think only difference is smaller back area for bladder. I find it very comfortable - no chaffing, moving etc. Plenty of storage. Recommended.

SeeMoreBut

1 key is enough, be it car, house or locker.

Phone you could get them ones you put on your arm but personally I don't carry a phone.

Water you can carry in hand, drop some where. I've even carry them in my shorts at the side.

You've always got the back pocket in shorts.

Naked band belt is used by some people

Murph_D

Trail shorts (I have several inexpensive pairs from Decathlon) will hold key, phone, gels, even a small water bottle (preferably a soft flask), if you need to carry all that stuff. I generally only carry a key for short runs. For long runs, maybe a Leap card in case of emergencies and a few euro to buy a bottle of water en route. Or pay with the phone if I've brought it. Can't stand backpacks unless unavoidable (run commute e.g.).

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119545951#Comment_119545951

"Do you actually need it" is a perfectly good response to somebody who clearly states they are new to the activity.

In fact it should be the first response, else you end up recommending camelbaks to a 5k runner.

FinnC

Would be a perfect response to someone who asked if they needed one or not, it’s not a perfect response to someone who starts a thread titled “Recommend a running vest”

I really don’t see the point in confusing a beginner especially, by telling them they don’t need one. OP obviously feels they want one so the only helpful response in this thread is to recommend one otherwise it’s just answering a question that wasn’t asked.

Anyway thread going off topic now and that definitely won’t be helpful to the OP.

bucketybuck

If I said I was new to running and asked for gel recommendations for an upcoming 5k, I would appreciate those who pointed out to me that the nutrition benefits probably wouldn't even have kicked in by the time I finished the race.

And if any runner of any level asked for recommendations on running vests, I would consider "none" to be just as valid an answer as "A" or "B". It would be a recommendation after all.

Hopefully the OP has taken some food for thought on the issue.

Wildly Boaring

Hi op.

I've tried couple bags and vests.

But I ended up with a version of the minimum philosophy above.

Phone on arm if needed. Proviz have couple of hiviz ones. Some days needs must...

Keys. Get down to one key. In small shorts pocket.

Adventure race or run over 90 mins. Sweets or gel in a little run belt.

Water id want it for over 90mins I have 2 strategies. 1 carry a little bottle like this.

https://www.elverys.ie/Elverys/Fitness/Accessories/Accessories/Ultimate-Perf-Running-Bottle-Small-White/p/000000000001016656?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjbyYBhCdARIsAArC6LIPbJuqSthYftDENF7arlbE6dxzcVQNHmDaFGgoZ5e1RQ6YfsmgTEkaAnIPEALw_wcB

Or hide a bottle on route. If I plan a long run. Just go out before a pick a field gate or something.

I found carrying water in my back or front a pain.

oinkely

Depending on what you need / want to carry i would agree with the Decathlon running vest recommendations above. I have a 10L and the larger 15L one also. Both very comfortable to wear for long distances. Things to note - if you haven't run with a water bladder on your back before it is worth taking a few minutes to get all air out of the bladder before you start - way to much sloshing about otherwise. The soft flask pockets on the front of the pack are situated such that you can drink from the flasks on the move. Again, all excess air removed before you start to minimize sloshing.

You will bring stuff you don't really need if you have the space for it. For this reason i bring precisely nothing on road runs up to about 20 to 25km. No bag, water, phone etc. Just me and my watch. However, if I am heading to the hills by myself i will bring my phone, raincoat, hat gloves and a bit of emergency food, all stashed in one of the above decathlon bags.

Think about what you really need, and if a vest is on the list then I recommend the decathlon ones - great value for the price.

whitelightrider

Thanks a million to everyone. You all have really make me think about my runs and what I need to bring!

As I said, Im new to running, and have a 10km in 5 weeks. I need water with me to sip on. I can strip the keys down to the car key, but again Id need that in a safe compartment. Phone is not a neccessity if I can put music on my watch.

Again, thanks so much folks. I really appreciate all of your advice.

bucketybuck

For keys, on all my running shorts I thread the metal loop of a keyring securely through a point on the waistband, then I have the key itself on a keyring like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LAKIND-Crafting-Llobster-Keyring-Keychains/dp/B07MMFHJ73

On any run all I have to do is clip the keyring to the loop on my shorts and it is perfectly safe. Get home or back to the car, just unclip again and use the key. Been doing it for years and it works like a charm.

Citizen Six

https://ie.sportsdirect.com/running/running-clothes/vests

4202020

For phone, I would highly recommend shorts with a pocket at the very back. For me this is definitely the most convenient place to carry a phone, and I've tried pretty much everything. Now I wouldn't consider buying shorts that didn't have a pocket at the back.

For key, I do as the above poster says and tie it to the loop on my shorts.

For water, unless it's really hot, you don't need to carry water, for anything less than an hour. Drink before you set off on your run, and you will be fine.

BigAl81

I use OMM Trail Fire vest for shorter runs, and I've a Salomon Advanced Skin 12 Set for longer runs.

Really like the Salomon one, tones of pockets and options.

YouTube is your friend here, there's endless hours of reviews and comparisons of bags there.

Enjoy the running!