Deuter

Traick 5L Hydration Backpack

An Overall Excellent Vest

Full disclosure: my actual rating is 4.5/5, but I have rounded up as the pros far outweigh the cons. Unrelated to performance, the blue option is quite nice and to my eyes the vest is sharp looking and relatively minimalist, which suits me just fine. I also am a big fan of the sustainability commitments and Bluesign cert. The packaging was minimal and plastic free which is a massive plus. Firstly - and most importantly - the fit is spot on and fits exactly as measured. The fabric is soft and so far (I've run maybe 40 miles in it to date, including a trail marathon) doesn't appear to have any chafing points, nor does the mesh abrade or pill my shirts. The material is also quite light and breathable yet still feels pretty durable (at least so far). While still noticeable as an extra layer, compared to other vests I have run in that feel like strapping a furnace to your torso, this vest breathes like a dream. The elasticated closure is highly adjustable and customizable, and in conjunction with the optional modular elastics I added to the side panels, I was able to get a perfect and stable fit with no bouncing. I had a minor issue I will mention below, but it isn't related to fit. The pockets are well placed and accessible and I was able to reach everything I needed. I do wish the front stretchy pockets were a bit deeper, both for security of stashed items and for today's enormous phones, but that is a relatively minor complaint. The pockets for the flasks are quite easy to get the flasks in and out of and the elastic tabs secure them quite nicely. The included flasks themselves are quite nice; they are easy to fill and are wide enough to get ice or whatever drink mixes you need in. I like that the bite valves can easily lock and unlock to eliminate leakage and make them easier to transport. They do pull of if you tug too hard - presumably for ease of cleaning or to douse a cut/cool a hat/etc. I didn't know that and accidentally pulled one off in my mouth on my first run, spilling water all over. It easily popped back on mid run - I didn't even really have to slow down - but be aware they can do that! The flasks are easy to get the air out of at aid stations as well so you don't get any sloshing or irritating water sounds. The only gripe I have is that there is no taper to the bottoms of the flasks. As mentioned, they are quite easy to get in and out of the vest at aid stations, but the wide bottoms - in conjunction with the front stretch pockets that could be a tad deeper or have some optional closure - can push your gels or phone up and out when you remove them or when the flasks start to get empty and the pockets get roomier. I looked down about 7 miles into my first run with the vest and saw my phone had bounced a third of the way out. It wasn't yet in any danger and is easy enough to plan around but I feel I have to mention it because those two aspects combined dock the half star. I have not yet tried to attach poles to the vest but given the sheer amount of options, attachment points, and included modular elastics I cannot imagine being unable to find a comfortable storage option. TL;DR: I am very pleased with the comfort, fit, and customization of the vest and would not hesitate to recommend. As mentioned, I have a few minor gripes that keep it from perfection but (especially once you are aware of them) they don't overly bother me or detract in any significant way. Very pleased!