Running vest: an evaluation. Part I

Early on in my running career I bought a running belt. It fits a small water bottle, a camera/phone, keys, and if you make a specific effort, also a few gels. And if you are more nervous about temperature than hydration you can use the pocket for water to hold a garment. It suited me fine so far! If I needed more, I would run with my small backpack, that normally comes with me to work. 

A lot of runners use running vests. They often have a pocket on the back, and can carry a bit more. Kate has one that can hold a lot, but she runs ultras. When I ran a recce for the Gladstone 9, I needed more than fit in my belt, but I also wanted my phone within easy reach. That inspired me to use my day trip pack, as it has pockets at the front, unlike my commuter backpack. It wasn’t a good idea; the bag swung from side to side and chafed my back. And I know you can have your phone in a case around your arm, but it is a complete faff to get your phone in and out of those. I didn’t want that! But it did inspire me to go and look for running vests.

I found a second-hand one online, and bought it. It arrived pretty much at the same time as my new road shoes. But it was only the vest that made the trial run. It went really well! I thought it was very comfortable, and it allows you to bring a little bit more than my belt. I did figure I needed these soft bottles that tend to go with it. I was just using a rigid plastic bottle and that isn't ideal. It’s also not much; you can’t always rely on possibilities for refilling. 

Close-up of the pic used before, with emphasis on the vest with a rigid bottle (and yes I need to clean that mirror) 

When I later ran with the vest again, in the Netherlands, I started struggling with bra rub. I was wondering if that was still something to do with the rigid bottle. Bra rub is very uncomfortable. I like still having my skin at the end of a run. After the first run I used tape to protect myself but I just ending up rubbing somewhere else. Would soft bottles solve this? Nothing had rubbed on my first run with it, rigid bottle and all. I’d have to do some trial and error. So I bought some soft bottles. And I even went gadgety and bought a bigger vest for longer runs. I had run out of water a bit during my road training. That can happen again unless I increase my capacity. 

Doesn't look dramatic, but it's quite annoying

The soft bottles arrived soon. They barely fit in the vest! When I took one with me on the Thursday run, I quickly put it in the back pocket. Not quite where it should be! This is a vest for short runs, where a 250ml bottle is enough, clearly. 

This quest is not over! I’ll now await the other vest. So expect another blog post like this again soon! Hopefully with a more positive evaluation on the vest’s performance on longer, thirstier runs…