TESTED: RUCKSACKSwomensrunninguk.co.uk MARCH 2017 73OEX HYDRA 1.5 HYDRATION PACK
Tested by: Clairegooutdoors.co.uk, £19.99RON HILL COMMUTER XERO 10L + 5L VEST
Tested by: Cristinaronhill.com, £80First impressions? I really liked the look of this- small, slimline and not bulky at all. Plus
it’s high-viz, reflective and super lightweight.
Perfect!
How good was the fit? This was the perfect-
sized hydration pack for me: snug on my
back, and you can adjust where
the chest strap fits across
your front to get just the
right fit.
What did you think of the quality
and attention to detail? The
quality seemed great: the
clips, straps, zip and bungee
cord were sturdy and well
made, and the bladder was
really easy to remove and fill.
Any useful and/or unique features?
I liked the fact this had a small
zip compartment on the front,
perfect for my phone and keys.
How does it feel when you’re
running? I don’t usually run with
First impressions? I loved the fuchsia and
purple colours.
How good was the fit? This rucksack fits me
perfectly. It has a body-hugging shape with
soft cushioning, making it very comfortable
to run with.
What did you think of the quality/attention to detail?
It feels like high-quality material, which is
exactly what you need if
you are using it every day.
It is a perfect multi-purpose
bag. Great for commuting
or going for a hike.
Any useful and/or unique
features? The main thing that
stood out to me was the
amount of pockets the bag
has. The main pocket
is expandable; it also
has a discreet pocket
at the bottom of the
bag. On each strap there
is a pocket for your watera hydration pack or rucksack, for fear it will
rub, but this was pleasantly comfortable. It
was nice and stable, even with the bladder
full of water. Plus the reflectivity and high-
viz aspect made me feel safe while running.
How do you feel about the look of the pack? I really
like it! It’s so slimline.
What’s the best thing about this
product? The fact the bladder
is so easy to remove and
replace is a big plus but,
for me, it was the fit and
comfort of the product that
was the selling point.
What’s the worst thing about it?
I suppose the storage space
isn’t huge but for a small
slimline pack, you can’t have
it both ways!
Mark out of 10 for value? 9.
Mark out of 10 for performance? 9.
Would you buy this? Yes, perfect
for spring marathon training!bottles, and a waterproof pocket at the top,
which fits my make-up bag (and that isn’t
small). I am one of these women who packs
way too much, but this bag fits it all.
How does it feel when you’re running? It is very
lightweight and molded into my body
perfectly on the move.
How do you feel about the look of the pack? Loved
it. Vibrant and feminine!
What’s the best thing about this
product? The rucksack is
definitely designed for a busy
lifestyle and the best feature
is the amount and choice of
pockets to stash everything
you need.
What’s the worst thing about it?
I have nothing bad to say
about this product.
Mark out of 10 for value? 8.
Mark out of 10 for performance?
9.5.
Would you buy this? For sure!INOV-8 RACE ULTRA VEST
Tested by: Lisa
inov-8.com, £120
very Lara Croft and would make you look
like a real pro trail runner fresh from the
Marathon des Sables.
What’s the best thing about this product? That it
combines the storage I would usually use a
bumbag for, with the capacity to carry extra
water – both of which are key if running
or training for a long-distance event, where
hydration and nutrition is required on the go.
What’s the worst thing about it? It leaks! I did not
enjoy having water run down the back of
my legs in winter. And I don’t like the water
pipes bouncing in front of me. Also, the
water tastes plasticky.
Mark out of 10 for value? If this costs £120 then
it’s really poor value for money.
Mark out of 10 for performance? 5.
Would you buy this? No.