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Summer months are here, which means training days will be getting warmer and longer, just as racing season begins to ramp up. It’s important to find the right combination of hydration and storage space to help you cover the distance and accomplish your goals for the year. We spent time this spring testing an assortment of products that are up to the task to get you through the summer months and beyond.

UltrAspire Stealth Race Vest ($120)

Weight: 5.6oz unisex
Size options: 3

The sleekest and most streamlined vest in our test group is the Stealth Race Vest from UltrAspire, designed as a minimalist lightweight performance piece for those looking to move fast. It was developed in conjunction with more than 50 athletes over the course of a full year of racing environments. The result is a vest that works great for its intended purpose but also functions well as a light daily trainer when you need a relatively minimal amount of fluids along with other essential gear. Fabric construction combines UltrAcool light durable mesh with stretch nylon all the way around, with seven pockets strategically placed to facilitate access without breaking stride. Most of these pockets have magnetic closures, aside from one small zip pocket to keep a key or credit card secure. Overall cargo capacity is listed as 2L, but the pockets are expandable and we stuffed a headlight, gloves and nutrition into the sides, and a packable lightweight jacket into the back.

Stealth Race Vests come with two 300ml flasks, which is adequate to get frontrunners from one aid station to the next. For mid-pack runners, or for courses without frequent aid, the Stealth can accommodate flasks up to 500ml. These fluid containers are also noteworthy in that they are incorporated into the MaxO2 compression system on the front side. Elastic straps apply continuous pressure on the soft flasks with a single pull, which eliminates jostling regardless of how full they are. Outside of race scenarios, the Stealth is a great option for training in warm climates because the footprint on the backside of the vest is quite small and allows natural body ventilation. The UltrAcool mesh is extremely effective at transferring moisture without becoming saturated or uncomfortable. Available at www.ultraspire.com.

Osprey Duro 6 and Dyna 6 ($130)

Weight: 14.0oz (Duro/men’s) or 13.5oz (Dyna/women’s), including reservoir
Size options: 3 for each

Osprey was one of the first companies to offer female-specific fit systems through body mapping and fit testing, and they have always created distinct yet similar product lines in their Dyna series for women, along with the Duro series for men. These 6L versions are the medium-cargo options in the Duro and Dyna lineup and come with a 1.5L reservoir, which can be combined with dual 500ml flasks in the front, but flasks are sold separately. One thoughtful detail is an insulated reservoir tube, which prevents your first sip from getting distastefully hot on warm days or freezing over on cold ones. Osprey has made a large push into sustainable sourcing and manufacturing, which is reflected in their vests: they are made with 100% recycled materials, with all fabric bluesign approved and PFC/PFAS-free. Interior fabric is crafted into a soft ventilated mesh that sits comfortably against the body with extra padding between the reservoir and the back, and the entire interior surface is a seamless layer that helps prevent hot spots and overheating.

Runners who prefer a lot of storage options on the front of the harness will like these vests, which feature four stretch mesh pockets in addition to the extra-large stretch mesh containers that can be used for soft flasks. Our female testers appreciated the ability to cinch the fit of the vest for comfort with just a quick pull of the dual elastic straps in the front. There is also a vertical zippered pocket on the left front harness which is spacious enough to accommodate larger smart phones—this is a consideration that we appreciate, because it seems often overlooked. On the backside, a lengthwise diagonal zipper compartment contains the fluid reservoir and can also hold compressible layers on top of the reservoir. A smaller zipper pocket and external stretch mesh pouch provide additional storage options for less frequently needed items. Available at www.osprey.com.

Nathan Pinnacle Pro 12L ($220)

Weight without reservoir: 8.8oz unisex
Size options: 5 for men, 6 for women

Nathan has revamped its entire hydration line this season, with an emphasis on modern designs, lightweight materials and thoughtful construction to maximize performance, along with some new colorways. The Pinnacle Pro Hydration Vest is a new model designed for long training runs and races on both the road and the trail, and comes in 6L or 12L storage options. Fluid storage varies, as the 12L version uses a 1.6L insulated bladder, and the 6L version comes with two 20oz soft flasks for front storage. The fit of both versions is moderately compressive, with multiple size options to choose from to accommodate a wide variety of body types, ensuring a proper fit. The harness is customized and secured in front with a Quick-Fit system of three separate sternum cords that attach with a hook-and-loop mechanism. They are meant to be easily adjusted on the go, which worked smoothly for us after a bit of practice. Our female testers appreciated the slider cords which can be moved up or down for a more customized fit. Interior air mesh on the front and back panels breathes well and transfers moisture off the body effectively in warm conditions. The exterior is made from soft yet durable quick-dry fabric—one our favorites in this test group.

Both the 12L and 6L Pinnacle Pros have multiple storage options, with 12 total pockets on the 12L vest and 10 pockets on the 6L version. Layout of the rear storage areas is similar on both models, with a spacious lengthwise diagonal zipper compartment. On the 12L version, this is separate from the reservoir sleeve so storage capacity is not impacted by carrying full fluids. Both models have stretch mesh pass-through compartments that connect into the front storage areas. On the front side, the 12L version has one additional stretch mesh pocket on the right side and a zipper compartment on the left that can hold smaller phones. Elastic cord loops at the top and bottom of these vests allow for pole attachment. Available at www.nathansports.com.

Salomon ADV Skin 12 ($165)

Weight: 8.7oz unisex
Size options: 5

The ADV Skin is a longtime standard vest for Salomon and received some major updates in 2025. Primarily, there’s an adjustment of the body mapping fit for both the unisex and women’s versions, plus soft flask updates that may get mixed reviews from longtime users. Salomon’s compression vests are unmatched in their ability to hold cargo and fluid loads against your body with minimal bouncing or movement, and none of that functionality has changed. A Sensifit design molds to your body, with triangulated elastic sternum straps that adjust very easily and are flexible to allow chest expansion. The overall fit and comfort of this vest is impressive, with 3D airmesh fabric that sits just off the skin to allow airflow and thermoregulation, along with padding in the front and back panels for added comfort. This vest has three separate pole attachment options using the included elastic loops, plus two additional attachment options using a pole quiver that is sold separately.

Pocket configuration with the new ADV Skin 12 is largely unchanged. In back, a large primary storage compartment has a full-length vertical zipper on one side, separate from a full-length fluid sleeve that can accommodate up to a 1.5L reservoir which is sold separately. In front, stretch mesh pouches above the flasks extend around the torso, and two large zipper compartments provide additional security. The most noticeable change are the newly designed 500ml soft flasks that are wider and flatter than the rounder style found on previous unisex versions. Women’s vests have these same flasks instead of the trapezoidal style found on previous editions. These redesigned flasks reduce bounce and improve stability, particularly at high speeds, but they also bring back the narrow top openings that were used on early Salomon vest models. From our experience, these are tricky when trying to pour drink powders into such a narrow space, and can be tricky when trying to refill quickly at an aid station. If you can work with that inconvenience, or just use other flasks, this vest remains one of the best in the category. Available at www.salomon.com.

Nnormal Race Vest ($100)

Weight: 9.3oz, unisex
Size options: 2

At first glance, this looks very similar to Salomon’s compression vests, but Nnormal has a slightly different functional design approach, with a bit of innovation in its construction. The Race Vest is built to fit tightly against the body and can be secured with three sternum straps. Full length vertical daisy chain loops on the front harnesses allow you to position all three of the straps wherever you want, and each of them secures with a hook that is easy to undo but a little tricky to fasten if you’re not standing still. Each front harness holds a 500ml soft flask (with large twist top openings) plus one very large stretch mesh pouch that can hold an impressive amount of clothing, gear or nutrition. Fluids and cargo ride very securely at high speeds, indicative of the extensive testing this product underwent with elite runners. However, with only two sizes to choose from, non-elite-sized runners may make some fit concessions.

Rear storage on the Race Vest consists of two spacious compartments. The external layer has a stretch mesh upper half with a reinforced lower half and utilizes the entire footprint of the vest as usable cargo space. This is ideal for carrying large items but also leaves the potential for smaller items to drift toward the remote lower corners and become difficult to extract. The other storage area is a full-length pass-through compartment across the entire lower torso. This compartment has zipper openings on both sides for security, and a fully waterproof barrier on the inside. We appreciate this design element as it prevents the common problem of stashing a light jacket in your vest, only to find that it is saturated with sweat when you go to use it. Available at www.nnormal.com.

Black Diamond Distance 4 ($150)

Weight: 7.0oz, unisex
Size options: 3

Early Black Diamond hydration vests were a bit utilitarian, but their “Gen 2” redesigns have noticeably increased in comfort and practical elements while keeping their sleek aesthetic to support fast movement in the mountains. The Distance 4 combines a suspension harness made from stretchy lightweight mesh with soft, flexible edge binding that rides smoothly against the body. This vest is made in unisex or women’s versions, with the women’s model sporting a more streamlined profile in the shoulders and chest. Sternum closures consist of two classic no-fuss pinch clasps that can be positioned at various heights by adjusting the anchor points on each side. Dual 500ml soft flasks are stowed in the front straps and secured in place with an elastic collar.

If you want to carry additional fluids, there is a full-length reservoir sleeve in back that can accommodate a 2L reservoir, along with an easy clip connection loop to keep it in place. Although overall cargo capacity is on the low side, storage compartments on the Distance 4 are positioned well. In front, two large stretch mesh pouches sit above the flask compartments, along with one large zipper compartment on the left that holds large phones. Rear storage is separated at the vertical midline. On the top is a secure zipper compartment, and the entire lower half is a stretch mesh pass through compartment that is perfect for stowing a jacket. A small stash pocket on the right shoulder can be used for trash and also anchors the top half of a Z-pole attachment loop system that connects to the lower left flank on the back side of the vest. Available at www.blackdiamondequipment.com.

La Sportiva Trail Vest 5L ($129)

Weight: 5.8oz, unisex
Size options: 3

This is an intermediate vest option in La Sportiva’s product line, between the larger capacity Trail Vest and the super sleek Racer Vest. It is designed as a low-profile vest that provides storage options and fluid capacity for either a training session or race day. Material construction of the main harness includes 30% elastene, and this vest certainly has the maximum stretch capacity of our test group. This is also one of the lightest vests we’ve tested (just 0.2oz heavier than the UltrAspire Stealth) and feels almost invisible when it’s not fully loaded. The fit is secured with two elastic clasps at the sternum, with easy customization available thanks to 12 loop attachments on either side.

Fluid storage includes two 500ml flasks on the front of the harness, as well as a reservoir sleeve and clip in the rear that can accommodate up to a 1.5L reservoir sold separately. Above the front fluid compartments are one large stretch mesh pocket on each side, plus an external zipper pocket on the left. Above the right soft flask compartment is a small, zippered compartment for valuables. Rear storage consists of a full-length vertical pouch, plus a smaller pass-through pouch across the lower half. While it’s on the smaller side, the stretchy fabric allows expansion to hold a compressible jacket fairly easily. Elastic loops at the rear hemline allow for pole attachment. We found this to be a great warm weather vest, thanks to the minimal surface area footprint, light construction and exceptional breathability. Available at www.lasportivausa.com.