Review on 🏃 Nathan Hydration Running Vest with 2L Bladder: Ultimate Back Pack for Runners - Stay Hydrated on the Go with Smartphone Compatible Pocket and Drinking Bite Valve by Carl Mayes

I can only say WOW how important the right settings are! I've always been a drinking runner. I either did waterstops on my long runs or I ran with a club that did waterstops for us. In order not to throw out extra water before my run, I decided to finally try a backpack or a vest. I use a Nathan Trail Mix bottle belt which I really like - it stays in place and is comfortable but just doesn't hold enough water for a 20 mile run in DC heat and humidity! After looking around for a while I settled on this Nathan Intensity Race Vest. I see so many of my running buddies wearing shoulder straps and it looks so uncomfortable. When I first tried this vest on a short run to make sure it would work well over the long run, I was completely frustrated. ! First I tightened the side straps and then attached and adjusted the chest strap. The shoulder straps went to the side every now and then, the hands were slammed into the pockets while running, the upper part of the shoulder straps kept shifting backwards. I couldn't understand after so many rave reviews, what the heck did I do wrong? I tried to adjust mid-run - it doesn't work. When I got home I decided to read the reviews on Revain because SURE someone else had the same problem! Chest strap last.) Not so with this vest! Seeing suggestions of unfastening all straps and attaching/adjusting the chest strap FIRST - it all came together! I moved the chest strap higher, tightened it and the shoulder straps fell perfectly (didn't get in the way of my arm swing!). Then I started adjusting the side straps until everything was tight and in place. I pulled the vest back to give it another spin and BAM! All problems have been solved. It fit perfectly, didn't move, my arm span never touched the pockets. Don't give up - adjust like this and it works :) At 5am it was already in the mid 80's and the humidity was 94% and the water was still very cold (even against my back which was nice!) I have velcro for holding the hydration pack so I had no issues with it detaching from the strap and falling into my pack. The mouthpiece works well and I didn't have any issues with the offbeat flavors initially (looks like some issues have been fixed after some reviews were posted here). I like that the hydration reservoir opens completely at the top, which makes cleaning and drying after use much easier. I would definitely recommend this vest for running - I am very picky about how anything feels about me when I run and I was very impressed with the fit/feel of it. Just reconfigure when you're ready to give up :)