Nathan Pinnacle 12 Hydration Race Vest Evaluation

Backside Line

Should you’re on the lookout for a high-volume vest to hold all of the necessities, together with hydration for an all-day journey or race, the Nathan Pinnacle 12 Hydration Race Vest is likely to be the companion you’ve been looking for. 

With 13 exterior pockets, a hydration sleeve, and magnetic clip for the included insulated bladder, plus a set of adjustable, secure-fit buckle sternum straps and no-bounce consolation, Nathan has created the last word all-day vest.

We took it on full-day mountain runs, day by day coaching, and even ran errands round city whereas sporting it. Even when totally loaded, it stays snug, and the hook-and-loop closures preserve the contents safe. We have been impressed with its sturdiness and tender, fast-drying materials that by no means chafed us, even on wet runs.

This pack delivers all of the efficiency anticipated from Nathan in a 20% lighter bundle.

Our solely caveats have been the excessive price ticket and the marginally awkward entry to the kangaroo pockets whereas in movement. Nonetheless, this vest shortly turned our go-to possibility after we wanted to hold greater than only a few snacks.

Uncover extra nice choices in our Finest Operating Vests gear information.

And for more information, take a look at a few of our different widespread gear guides:

How We Examined

We examined the Nathan Pinnacle 12 L Hydration Vest on quite a lot of runs alongside mountain trails within the Pacific Northwest. It was used for day by day coaching and for lengthy days in preparation for upcoming adventures.

Consolation & Match

It’s difficult to discover a pack that may accommodate all of your necessities for an prolonged mountain journey whereas nonetheless becoming comfortably. Enter the Pinnacle 12. Should you’re getting ready for a race with a prolonged gear checklist just like the Cocodona 250, or for those who take pleasure in creating your personal all-day mountain adventures, this pack will carry your gear comfortably.

We used the Pinnacle 12 for lengthy coaching runs, and even when totally loaded, it was by no means uncomfortable. Not like many working packs that use mesh, Nathan includes a buttery tender cloth mixed with equally clean mesh to stop chafing. The marginally longer again design and contoured reduce enable this pack to suit like a glove and distribute weight evenly for max consolation.

One level to notice is that when the pack was totally loaded, we discovered ourselves on the finish of the straps, regardless of our measurements putting us within the mid-range for our dimension. Should you’re on the higher finish, it’s advisable to dimension up.

Performance

Relating to pocket configuration and accessibility, the Pinnacle 12 stands out as a high contender. With 13 exterior pockets and a hydration sleeve, there’s a place for the whole lot you would possibly want throughout your run. Having varied pocket sizes in a high-capacity pack is essential for locating what you want whenever you want it.

We appreciated the entrance zip pockets, which allowed us to maintain essential objects like ID and keys safe, together with hook and loop closures on different pockets that ensured objects stayed in place. The bigger stash pockets within the again featured both hook and loop or zip closures, giving us peace of thoughts that our jacket wouldn’t get misplaced alongside the way in which.

We valued the main points, equivalent to a magnetic clip for the hydration hose and the straightforward entry to many entrance pockets—important for any race pack. Though among the entrance pockets are fairly deep, which could end in smaller objects getting misplaced, and the facet stash pockets is usually a bit awkward to succeed in whereas shifting, these have been very minor drawbacks.

Efficiency

A corporation’s effectiveness hinges on the standard of its gear, and a poorly performing pack is ineffective. Thankfully, the Pinnacle 12 is a high-performance pack that gives a zero-bounce journey and most safety for you and your belongings.

We have been impressed that, not like some others, the pack remained secure within the entrance even throughout a coaching run, with a full hydration reservoir and totally loaded again storage pockets. 

We additionally valued the safety of the pockets, most of which characteristic some type of closure. The hourglass insulated bladder considerably enhances the efficiency of this pack, notably in sizzling climate.

The insulation not solely reduces warmth switch to your water, but in addition helps preserve your again cooler. This pack is an plain winner for all-day adventures, whatever the situations.

Sturdiness

Over the course of testing, we didn’t encounter any sturdiness points. Nevertheless, we did establish just a few potential sticking factors.

First, the material is extraordinarily light-weight and stretchy. We imagine there’s a important danger of this pack tearing if it will get caught on a department or deforming if the stretch pockets are frequently overstuffed.

That stated, for those who take care to maintain it away from sharp objects and deal with the ultralight materials with a bit extra warning, we expect this pack will final for a lot of mountain adventures.

Breathability

The lighter materials used within the Pinnacle 12 dried shortly and diminished chafing on wet runs. They effectively switch warmth away from the physique, preserving our backs snug and funky.

We appreciated the water resistant cloth lining two of the entrance pockets, which helped preserve salt tabs and our telephones dry on damp days. Nevertheless, these pockets have been lined just for climate, not sweat. So, remember that the contents of those pockets can nonetheless change into moist from your personal perspiration.

Nathan has additionally included a contoured chimney again panel into the development, additional rising airflow and enhancing consolation whenever you’re pushing onerous or adventuring within the warmth climate.

Ought to You Purchase the Nathan Pinnacle 12 Liter Hydration Race Vest?

This pack can be a great worth for runners looking for an ultralight, high-capacity vest that matches securely on race day. Whereas ultramarathon runners could profit most from the light-weight design—created to scale back fatigue when carrying quite a lot of gear—anybody searching for a snug, high-performance vest will discover it right here.  

These on the lookout for a day by day coaching pack, or one thing extra rugged for mountain adventures, would possibly favor a pack produced from stronger materials. With a 12-liter capability, it’s greater than what most runners will want, even on race day. Nevertheless, anybody can recognize the tender materials, snug match, and considerate particulars of the Pinnacle 12. Should you’re looking for a light-weight carry-all, this might be the right hydration vest for you.

What Different Hydration Packs Ought to You Contemplate?

If the Nathan Pinnacle 12 isn’t fairly what you’re on the lookout for, take a look at these different nice choices from our Finest Operating Vests gear information.

Final Route Extremely Vesta 6.0 Hydration Vest Evaluation: With 10.1 liters of capability, this pack is a winner when it comes to capability, accessibility, and efficiency all in a extra budget-friendly bundle.

Nathan Pinnacle 4 Liter Hydration Race Vest Evaluation: Should you just like the buckle match and Nathan options, however don’t want 12 L of capability, take a look at the Pinnacle 4. This pack has lots of the similar qualities because the 12, however in a smaller quantity.

Salomon ADV Pores and skin 12 Evaluation: This pack provides the identical capability in a extra streamlined configuration. It additionally provides bungee sternum changes for those who don’t like buckles.