INOV-8 RACE ULTRA PRO 5 VEST

£130 That sinking feeling when you’re out for a long run and your gear starts to pinch is one we know well, so Inov-8’s claims of a comfortable and fully-adaptable hydration vest had us intrigued. The vest is marketed as a lightweight do-everything pack that can take you from long-distance training runs to ultra-marathons, extreme triathlons and, in this Covid-19 world of limited aid stations, the final leg of many triathlons going forward.

The Race Ultra isn’t short of pockets: there are six on the front for flasks, nutrition and phone, two on the sides, and a bigger five-litre compartment on the back for emergency kit. This vest can hold the gear you’ll need for all but the most demanding of ultra long-distance runs, without being too cumbersome.

The option to place the two 500ml flasks down on the hips with long straws, rather than up on the chest like most other vests, is a great feature. We found the vest extremely comfortable and it feels like it’s been designed for a variety of body shapes, while having the bottles in a lower position on the body helped us maintain balance when running over uneven terrain. Also included is a re-usable Speedcup for races that require one as mandatory kit.

At £130 and weighing 370g with the (empty) bottles included, this vest isn’t the cheapest or lightest on test here. But, for the price and weight, you’re getting the great design and functionality that we’ve come to expect from the Cumbrian trail brand. inov-8.com