In late February, I ran my first future of 2023 within the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack ($160.) I began the 14-mile run at nighttime from Smith Rock State Park in Oregon, the place it was two levels Fahrenheit on the trailhead. What a option to kick off coaching for the Western States 100!
Getting ready for the run, I’d stuffed the hydration pack’s 2-liter bladder with water. Inside two miles, the bladder was frozen stable, so I acquired to apply working whereas barely dehydrated with an enormous ice dice on my again. Whereas it made for a memorable expertise, I couldn’t blame the pack for this one — in single digit temperatures, I ought to have identified higher.
I continued carrying this hydration vest on nearly all of my lengthy runs via the spring. As temperatures grew hotter and my coaching runs acquired longer, I used the vest’s 7-liter storage to carry the morning’s layers, gloves, and sufficient meals to apply fueling at my 100-mile tempo. I additionally carried additional hydration on my final couple lengthy runs, since Smith Rock State Park is an arid setting with out a lot shade or any water sources.
This pack is neither ultralight nor notably heavy. I admire Nathan’s use of sentimental, clean supplies and a reasonably streamlined design that doesn’t have too many “dangles” — a gripe I’ve with another packs. I’ve used different Nathan hydration packs earlier than, and this one met my expectations primarily based on these experiences. I typically want Nathan packs sat a little bit greater on my torso, however other than that, it is a stable pack that met my wants whereas feeling comfy for hours on finish, and was straightforward to make use of even after fatigue set in.
Store the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack
A entrance view of the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack. All images: iRunFar/Alli Hartz
Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack Building and Match
The Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack is thoughtfully constructed, with easy-to-reach pockets, loads of storage, and a variety of adjustability. I admire that this pack is on the market in girls’s sizes from XXS to 3XL, which incorporates sternum circumferences from 26 to 50 inches (66 to 127 centimeters). I measure 28 inches (71 centimeters) and examined measurement XXS. I don’t consider myself as notably small-framed up high — I typically put on measurement medium tops — however I admit that I wrestle to seek out hydration vests that match snugly on my torso and don’t bounce or dangle closely on my shoulders.
This hydration pack, like different Nathan packs, will be adjusted two methods. First, by utilizing the 2 straps on the entrance of the again that buckle collectively, which will be tightened or loosened, they usually slide up and down. And second, through the interior Adaptive Match straps inside every of the entrance zippered pockets. I really like how straightforward it’s to regulate the entrance buckle straps and slide them up or down mid-run. I tended to maintain these straps cinched as tight as potential, they usually stayed put as soon as I made my changes.
An in depth-up entrance view of the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack.
I had a bit extra bother with the interior straps. On a number of events I seen my pack sliding and bouncing, so I ended and cinched them tighter. This did the trick. But on a minimum of one different event, late within the spring, when the pack was absolutely loaded with 2 liters of hydration and a number of other hours’ value of meals, I tightened the interior straps, they usually quickly turned free once more. I finally knotted the stretchy straps to assist preserve them from loosening, nevertheless it was a irritating expertise.
I seen that the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack match me higher throughout early spring working, once I was carrying extra layers beneath and carrying barely much less water and meals within the pack. After I was all the way down to only a tank high and carrying much more water, I skilled extra motion with the pack and felt the burden on my shoulders. On the similar time, I acknowledge that I’m on the smaller finish of the dimensions vary and am additional delicate to bouncing packs. I admire Nathan’s big selection of sizing and usually easy adjustment system.
I additionally love the supplies Nathan makes use of in its packs, together with this one. Each Nathan pack I’ve had has felt clean and comfortable in opposition to my pores and skin and I’ve by no means skilled chafing in a Nathan hydration pack.
This pack sits a bit decrease on my torso than I would love. I favor hydration packs that sit up a little bit greater on my higher again and shoulders, and I’ve discovered that Nathan hydration packs, together with this one, attain to my decrease again. I don’t thoughts this as a lot on 15- to 20-mile lengthy runs in delicate climate, the place I’m not carrying as a lot or needing most air flow. And I wouldn’t go as far as to name it uncomfortable. Different runners could favor this match, particularly these with an extended torso.
A again view of the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack.
Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack Storage and Hydration
With regards to storage and hydration choices, the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack has greater than sufficient capability for an extended journey run whereas sustaining a glossy and streamlined design. It’s in all probability acquired extra storage than you want for an extremely race, relying on the frequency of assist stations on the course, nevertheless it additionally wouldn’t really feel like an excessive amount of for many runners. Plus, when it’s empty or solely calmly loaded, it suits carefully and stays put. Alternatively, it could not have fairly sufficient storage for a extremely concerned mountain run the place you’re carrying a number of layers plus a water filter, first assist package, and different gear. But it surely’s good on your six- to eight-hour coaching run or summertime mountain journey.
On the again of this hydration pack, a big, zippered pocket is ideal for holding a jacket, gloves, or beanie, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, backup headlamp, or another requirements for an extended day within the mountains. It doesn’t have a ton of room, however it may well maintain a number of small gadgets. There’s additionally a bungee twine on the again and on the shoulders for carrying a jacket or poles on the skin of the pack. My inclination is to disregard the bungee — I’d somewhat carry a jacket contained in the pack the place I received’t danger it coming free and getting misplaced — however I can see the profit to having a layer shut at hand in fickle mountain climate.
A facet view of the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack.
On that word, the pack additionally has a kangaroo pocket alongside the bottom that’s best for stashing a jacket, gloves, or additional meals — something you would possibly need to ditch or be capable to entry on the transfer. Lastly, the again of the pack has two extra slim pockets, although one can be a hydration sleeve for the included 2-liter bladder. This can be a good hydration system, the place the hose comes out the highest and over the shoulder to hook up with the entrance of the pack through a magnet. I just like the design however seen that the hose indifferent from the magnet a little bit too simply. I’ve an analogous setup on my mountain bike hydration pack and for no matter cause, that magnet holds the hose a lot better. Additionally, the hose is lengthy and requires some fiddling in order that it’s not flopping round. As I proceed utilizing this pack, I’ll take into account trimming the hose barely shorter.
On the entrance of the pack, the pocket choices are unbelievable. There are two zippered pockets, and 4 extra top-loading pockets. I often retailer my telephone and different small necessities like ChapStick and packet of salt chews within the zippered pocket whereas stuffing the others with gels, waffles, chews, and different gasoline. I really like having my meals shut by, and the multitude of pockets assist me preserve it organized so I can shortly seize what I want. The highest two pockets — that are the deepest — also can maintain 22-ounce comfortable flasks, that are offered individually. I used the pockets this fashion on a very sizzling, sun-exposed future in early summer season. The shallower entrance pockets have cinch closures to maintain issues from bouncing or falling out.
The writer testing the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack in early spring.
Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack Total Impressions
Total, I admire that the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack is thoughtfully designed with out being overbuilt. Other than a number of events on which I had bother securing the match and my private desire for a barely greater match on my torso, I believe this hydration pack provides a flexible match that may work effectively for a lot of runners. I particularly like this pack’s broad vary of sizing, easy buckle closure, and simple adjustability.
I additionally assume that Nathan did an ideal job with the pocket design. On lengthy runs and ultras, we would like our meals and different provides to be securely stowed but simply accessible. Nathan achieved this with its 4 stash pockets and two zippered pockets on the entrance of the pack, and a zippered pocket and kangaroo pocket on the again for a jacket or different gadgets that you just don’t must entry as ceaselessly throughout a run. I’d have gone with out the bungee cords on the again, however to every their very own. This pack has a properly streamlined design, whether or not it’s calmly packed or absolutely loaded.
Lastly, it’s value noting that Nathan’s hydration packs, together with this one, are made with clean, comfortable supplies that really feel comfy in opposition to the pores and skin. I’ve run in a wide range of climate and environmental situations whereas carrying this pack and had no points with chafing. Moreover, I really like the sunshine purple shade of this hydration pack. I’ve worn different packs over time that shortly discolored as they absorbed sweat and path mud, and this one has maintained its mild purple shade even after many hours on grime beneath the recent solar.
To discover different packs, see our article on the Greatest Hydration Packs for Operating, which incorporates one other Nathan choice.
Store the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack
Name for Feedback
- Do you employ a hydration pack for working? What’s your favourite model or model?
- Have you ever tried the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Hydration Pack? What do you assume?
The writer testing the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Girls’s Hydration Pack in summer season.
