Nathan Vapor Shape hydration pack

Here's some pics of the new pack. Fits great on first try for a small frame. light and comfortable...it outghta be..it's expensive..around $115-$130. Over the next couple weeks will hit the trails with it for longer runs and let ya know what I think. My previous pack was an Ultimate Direction Wisp...awesome, but I'm wanting to try one that has a front pocket for a water bottle. I'm trying to use handhelds on shorter ultras. I'm still not used to hand-helds....getting there and can now tolerate carrying one, but not one each hand. I'm a weirdo...I get claustrophobic with the handheld strapped to my hand..I feel like I cant breathe...yup...i'm a freak. Not to mention with hotter/humid weather 1 water bottle wont last me long, and in an ultra, not likely even to the next aid station.

Comments

Lori Enlow June 12, 2013 at 4:15pm

And the winner is.....Ultimate Direction Wink. The same pack I wore all last year... It fits a small frame female perfect, well at least this one. Light, no chaffing/rubbing. Plenty of room for everything I need and no fru fru extras. I like that I can stick a water bottle in the mesh pocket on the back and grab it and put it back without ever having to stop, unless I trip and fall trying to multitask. And it is my favorite color! It worked great for Leadville last year and I've used on 50ks as well. After trying several and shipping several back I'm sticking with this one! The men's version is the Wasp. I also like the price better than any others I tried ;)
Lori Enlow May 28, 2013 at 3:25pm

I did, it swallowed me whole. when I get the waist situatied I can't get the shoulder straps to sit any closer than 2 inches above my shoulders, even cinched all the way down.
Eric Orton May 28, 2013 at 3:14pm

Try the Camelbak Ultra.
Lori Enlow May 28, 2013 at 1:52pm

Sorry it's the Ultimate Direction Wink, not Wisp!
Lori Enlow May 28, 2013 at 12:13pm

Second run with the new nathan vapor shape....it's going back to the store. Hot lunch run. Since I was a little disappointed in the slower flow tubing, I decided I would try using the water bottle pouch in front. That was one of the reasons I chose this pack, was to be able to have a water bottle on the front if I wanted. Well, that sucked. 20 oz of water bouncing around on one side of your chest feels really akward...like a giant extra boob. I can hear coach now, "handhelds". I finally agree. Although there was no rubbing on the previous jaunt..with the water bottle up front, it pulls the pack forward and the neck rubs above the collar of my tank top. Midway through run I ran back to the car, ditched the pack and grabed the handheld and off I went. As far as hydration packs..I definitely recommend...my old ratty favorite the Ultimate Direction Wisp...for 50 milers and trail runs where I cant refill handhelds or need to carry extra stuff. It's light...less expensive and meets all my needs. It has a faster flow tubing and the same amount of space to carry gels/stuff as the more expensive nathan...it's just doesn't have all the bells and whistles..literally the nathan comes with a whistle.
Lori Enlow May 27, 2013 at 8:08pm

Took it out for a run today....Pack feels great, no bouncing, shifting, rubbing, very light. Lots of little pockets and places to stick gels. Nice big zipper pocket in back, could even stick a long sleeve shirt/light jacket in it. Bungee cords on back to strap something if needed. So good for looong runs/unpredictable weather. Downside...the tubing is a little more narrow than the ultimate direction wisp and the bite valve smaller = slower flow...this may not be noticeable to some, but I was hoping to get faster flow for the $$$.