Nathan Pinnacle 12 Hydration Race Vest Evaluation

Backside Line

When you’re in search of 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 could be the companion you’ve been searching 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 final word all-day vest.

We took it on full-day mountain runs, every 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 gentle, 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 Working 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 a wide range of runs alongside mountain trails within the Pacific Northwest. It was used for every 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. When you’re getting ready for a race with a prolonged gear listing just like the Cocodona 250, or in the event you 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. In contrast to many working packs that use mesh, Nathan includes a buttery gentle cloth mixed with equally clean mesh to stop chafing. The marginally longer again design and contoured lower permit 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 inserting us within the mid-range for our dimension. When you’re on the higher finish, it’s advisable to dimension up.

Performance

In terms of pocket configuration and accessibility, the Pinnacle 12 stands out as a prime contender. With 13 exterior pockets and a hydration sleeve, there’s a place for all the things you may 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 gadgets like ID and keys safe, together with hook and loop closures on different pockets that ensured gadgets 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 best way.

We valued the main points, resembling a magnetic clip for the hydration hose and the simple entry to many entrance pockets—important for any race pack. Though a few of the entrance pockets are fairly deep, which could lead to smaller gadgets getting misplaced, and the facet stash pockets could be a bit awkward to achieve whereas transferring, these have been very minor drawbacks.

Efficiency

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

We have been impressed that, in contrast to some others, the pack remained steady 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 scorching climate.

The insulation not solely reduces warmth switch to your water, but additionally helps preserve your again cooler. This pack is an simple 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 a number of potential sticking factors.

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

That mentioned, in the event you take care to maintain it away from sharp objects and deal with the ultralight materials with a bit extra warning, we predict this pack will final for a lot of mountain adventures.

Breathability

The lighter materials used within the Pinnacle 12 dried shortly and lowered chafing on wet runs. They effectively switch warmth away from the physique, retaining 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 turn 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 exhausting or adventuring within the warmth climate.

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

This pack shall be an excellent worth for runners searching 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 a number of gear—anybody searching for a cushty, high-performance vest will discover it right here.  

These in search of a every day coaching pack, or one thing extra rugged for mountain adventures, may want a pack constituted of stronger materials. With a 12-liter capability, it’s greater than what most runners will want, even on race day. Nevertheless, anybody can admire the gentle materials, snug match, and considerate particulars of the Pinnacle 12. When you’re looking for a light-weight carry-all, this might be the proper hydration vest for you.

What Different Hydration Packs Ought to You Take into account?

If the Nathan Pinnacle 12 isn’t fairly what you’re in search of, take a look at these different nice choices from our Finest Working Vests gear information.

Final Path Extremely Vesta 6.0 Hydration Vest Evaluation: With 10.1 liters of capability, this pack is a winner by way of capability, accessibility, and efficiency all in a extra budget-friendly bundle.

Nathan Pinnacle 4 Liter Hydration Race Vest Evaluation: When 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 presents the identical capability in a extra streamlined configuration. It additionally presents bungee sternum changes for those who don’t like buckles.