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Trail running gives many runners an incredible sense of freedom. Switching off, leaving stress and everyday life behind, and focusing only on your rhythm and your steps. But a bottle in your hand or keys rattling around in your pocket can quickly become annoying. Running vests and running packs solve exactly that problem. Especially on longer trails or in races where mandatory gear is often required, they become essential companions. Valuables, a bottle or hydration system, rain jacket, first aid kit and much more can all be carried comfortably and securely.
In this guide, we explain what to look for when choosing a running vest and give you an up-to-date overview of the best models on the market, tested and recommended by the Sport Conrad team.
✅ Here you can find all running packs and running vests. You can also try them on and test them in our stores in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Penzberg and Wielenbach.
Key points at a glance
- Running vest or running pack: In trail running, the terms are often used interchangeably because modern running packs are usually designed like a vest and sit close to the body.
- Buying decision: Fit, material, pocket layout, weight, hydration options and safety details are among the most important factors when choosing the best running vest.
- Choosing the right volume: Small running vests up to around 5 litres are ideal for shorter training runs. Models up to around 12 litres work well for longer trails and races, while larger running packs are designed for carrying more gear.
- Our highlights: The Salomon ADV Skin 12, Hoka Trail Run Vest 10, On Ultra Vest Pro and NNormal Race Vest stand out with particularly interesting features.
Running vest or running pack: what is the difference?
In running, the terms running pack and running vest are often used to mean the same thing. That is because modern running packs are shaped like a vest and fit closely around the upper body. Instead of simply sitting on your back, the weight is spread evenly across your shoulders, chest and back. The larger the volume, the more the main compartment starts to resemble a classic backpack. With a good running vest, however, the fit should still feel close, stable and made for running. That is why we do not make a strict distinction between running pack and running vest here. We use both terms for compact packs designed specifically for running.
📌 You can find out which gear makes sense to carry in your running vest in our article on trail running equipment, including a packing list.
The most important features of the best running packs
- Fit and stability: A good running vest sits close to the body without feeling tight, rubbing or bouncing while you run.
- Material: Lightweight, breathable and durable materials are key.
- Pockets: Easy-access pockets are essential, ideally including zip pockets for valuables.
- Weight: Lightweight running vests often feel more comfortable and allow more freedom of movement.
- Hydration systems: Pockets for soft flasks are usually standard. Compatibility with a hydration bladder can also be very useful on longer runs.
- Safety details: Reflective elements and a safety whistle help improve your safety on the trail.
Size and volume: what matters?
🎒 Small running vests up to around 5 litres are ideal if you are just getting started or heading out for relaxed trail runs of one to two hours. They allow you to carry the essentials without adding unnecessary weight.
🎒🎒 Running vests up to around 12 litres are the standard choice for longer runs and trail running races. They give you enough space for fluids, nutrition, extra layers and, depending on the event, mandatory race equipment.
🎒🎒🎒 Larger running packs with more than 12 litres make sense when you need to carry a lot of gear. Visually, they look more like classic backpacks, but thanks to their running-specific fit they still sit close to the body and remain stable.
Best running vests for women and men: what is the difference?
Most running vests are not strictly divided into women’s and men’s models. Many are unisex and can be adjusted to the body through different sizes and adjustable chest straps. So the most important factor is not the category, but whether the vest sits snugly and securely without putting pressure on the chest, shoulders or ribs.
Specific women’s models are available mainly from Salomon and Ultimate Direction. Salomon women’s running vests, for example, are built differently around the chest. The soft flasks sit slightly lower and the cut is subtly adjusted. Whether that makes a noticeable difference depends on the individual fit, so trying the vest on is always the best option. Anyone looking for the best running vest for women or men should focus above all on fit, adjustability and overall comfort.
Best running vests: recommendations from the Sport Conrad team
The best running vest depends mainly on how and where you run. For short training sessions, a lightweight, close-fitting vest is usually what matters most. For long trail runs, races or alpine routes, storage space, hydration options and functional details become much more important. Our Sport Conrad team has tested a range of running vests and put together our top recommendations for you. The selection includes running packs from Salomon, Dynafit, La Sportiva, Ultimate Direction, On, Hoka, Compressport and NNormal.
Our four highlights with special features
- The Salomon ADV Skin 12 with 12 litres stands out with its special Y-shaped construction, which distributes weight particularly evenly and ensures a stable fit.
- The Hoka Trail Run Vest 10 with 10 litres scores with an integrated pole quiver, keeping trail running poles within quick reach.
- The On Ultra Vest Pro with 10 litres offers a strong extra feature for longer runs: a removable waterproof dry bag with 10 litres of volume.
- The compact NNormal Race Vest with 5 litres comes with a waterproof rear pocket, allowing you to keep important gear protected.
Salomon ADV Skin & Active Skin series
With Salomon, the main difference between the Active Skin and ADV Skin series lies in fit, features and intended use. The Active Skin is more minimal in design, sits a little more relaxed on the body and is a good choice for training runs, longer road runs or easier trails. The ADV Skin fits closer and more securely and is designed more specifically for trail running, long distances and races. Both series carry two 500 ml soft flasks and are compatible with a hydration bladder. The Active Skin is available with 4, 8 and 12 litres, while the ADV Skin comes in 5 and 12 litre versions.
💡 The Salomon ADV Skin 12 running vest has been tested intensively over several months by the entire Sport Conrad team taking part in the Zugspitz Ultratrail. You can read the full running pack review here.
Dynafit Sky 4 & Trail 6
From Dynafit, the Sky 4 Vest is the more minimal option. It offers 4 litres of volume, is designed for fast mountain runs and short, intense trail runs, and carries only the essentials. The Trail 6 Vest offers a little more storage space with 6 litres, making it the better choice if you want to bring extra nutrition, a lightweight jacket or additional gear on medium-distance runs. Both models come with two 500 ml soft flasks.
La Sportiva Trail Vest 5
The La Sportiva Trail Vest 5 is a lightweight running vest with 5 litres of volume, making it especially interesting for fast training runs, trail running races and medium distances. Two 500 ml soft flasks are included. At the front, easily accessible stretch pockets and two zip pockets offer space for items that need to be stored securely. Mesh material on the back supports ventilation, while reflective details, a safety whistle and a pole attachment system round off the feature set.
Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6
The Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6 is designed for fast runs and races, but with 6 litres of volume it offers more storage space than a purely minimal race vest. Two 500 ml soft flasks are included, and there is also a compartment for a hydration bladder. The two large front zip pockets are especially practical, keeping a smartphone or valuables secure and easy to reach. Stretch pockets for nutrition, a large zipped rear compartment and a rear pocket accessible from both sides for a jacket or extra layer add further versatility.
On Ultra Vest Pro
The On Ultra Vest Pro is a technical running vest for long trail runs, ultras and races where you want to carry more equipment securely. It comes with two 500 ml soft flasks and a removable, seam-sealed 10 litre dry pack with a water-repellent zipper. The large side pockets, front zip pocket for quick access and additional zipped compartment at the back are particularly useful. The closure system is designed for a stable fit with minimal bounce. A safety whistle and attachment options for the On Ultra Quiver complete the setup.
Hoka Trail Run Vest 10
The Hoka Trail Run Vest 10 is made for long trail runs and ultras where you need more storage but still want to stay light and efficient. With 10 litres of volume, it offers room for nutrition, a jacket, mandatory gear and other essentials. Hoka uses a clear pocket layout with a total of 12 pockets, helping you reach important items quickly. Two 500 ml soft flasks are included, along with an integrated pole holder for trail running poles. A safety whistle is also integrated and adds to the safety features.
Compressport Ultrun Evo 10 Pack & Ultrun S Pack Evo 15
With 10 litres of volume, the Ultrun Evo 10 Pack is a versatile running vest for long training runs, trail running races and ultras with a manageable amount of mandatory gear. The Ultrun S Pack Evo 15 offers more storage with 12 + 3 litres and is aimed more at very long distances, alpine routes and ultramarathons where extra clothing, nutrition and equipment need to come along. Both models focus on a close, ergonomic fit, easy-access front pockets for soft flasks and practical pole attachment options.
NNormal Race Vest
The NNormal Race Vest 5L is a compact running vest for fast trail runs, races and distances where 5 litres of volume are enough. It sits close to the body and is designed to reduce bounce and chafing as much as possible. Two soft flasks fit into reinforced front pockets. Several front pockets and a waterproof rear pocket for dry clothing or valuables complete the vest.
Conclusion from our running vest test
The best running vest is the one that matches your route, your pace and the gear you need to carry. For short training runs, a compact model with less volume is often enough. For long trail runs, races or ultras, you will need more storage space, a reliable hydration setup and pockets that are easy to reach. In our running vest test, the models that impressed us most were the ones that sat close to the body, did not bounce and remained comfortable even after several hours. The key is finding the right balance of fit, volume, weight, pocket layout and hydration system.
Additional features such as hydration bladder compatibility, waterproof pockets, a removable extra compartment or an integrated pole quiver can help with your decision if those details matter to you on the trail.