Search
No search results found
No search results found
As distances get longer and terrain gets more demanding, you need to be able to carry fluids, energy, a phone, reinforcements, and other essential gear without it interfering with your run. A good running vest or backpack sits close to your body, distributes weight evenly, and provides quick access to what you need during your run.
At Outdoor Buddies Shop you will find running vests and running backpacks for trail running, ultra running, mountain running, long runs, competitions and fast adventures in terrain. The range is handpicked for those who want functional equipment with a good fit, smart storage and high comfort even when the pace changes and the surface becomes technical.
See all running vests and running backpacks
A running vest makes it easier to carry what you need without using a regular backpack that bounces, rubs, or gets misplaced. Unlike a traditional backpack, a running vest is built for movement. It fits snugly against your body, has front pockets, and allows you to quickly access bottles, gels, phone, and small items without stopping.
Benefits of a running vest and running backpack:
Stable fit that reduces bounce
Easy access to fluid and energy
Pockets for mobile phone, keys, gels, bars and equipment
Space for soft flasks or hydration bladder
Good for trail running, ultra, mountain running and long runs
Flexible solution for mandatory competition equipment
Better weight distribution than a regular backpack
Makes it easier to run longer and more independently
A running vest is especially useful when you run where there are long distances between hydration stations, stores or opportunities to replenish energy.
Trail running places high demands on equipment. The surface can change quickly between trails, roots, rocks, gravel, mountains, bridges and technical sections. You need to be able to move freely while still carrying the most important things with you.
A trail running vest is great when you need to carry:
Softflasks or hydration bladder
Energy gels, chews or bars
Mobile phone
Windbreaker or rain jacket
First aid
Headlamp
Gloves, hat or scarf
Running poles or quivers
Mandatory equipment for races
For shorter trail runs, a lightweight vest with less volume may be sufficient. For longer mountain runs or ultra races, you often need more volume and more pockets.
For ultra-running and long training sessions, the running vest becomes a key piece of equipment. You need to be able to carry more fluids, more energy, and more safety gear than on shorter runs. At the same time, the vest needs to be comfortable enough to function for several hours.
For ultra and long runs it is especially important to:
Good fit across the chest and back
Adjustable straps for stability
Sufficient volume for extra clothes and equipment
Pockets that can be reached on the go
Compatibility with soft flasks or hydration bladders
Ability to carry poles
Breathable and non-chafing material
Space for energy, salt, mobile and emergency equipment
A good running vest should feel like part of your body. It should fit securely without restricting breathing or creating pressure on your chest.
A running backpack is suitable when you need more packing volume than a lightweight competition vest offers. This can be for mountain running, longer day trips, run commuting, fast hiking, bikepacking-inspired tours or adventures where you need to bring extra clothes, food and safety equipment.
Running backpacks are often built with a vest-like fit, which makes them more stable than regular backpacks. They provide more space but should still function when you run.
Running backpacks are particularly suitable for:
Mountain running
Long day trips
Quick hikes
Running to and from work
Tours with extra clothes
Passports where the weather can change quickly
Adventure with more packing than regular trail running
If you only need fluids and a little energy, a smaller running vest may be better. If you need a jacket, extra layers, food, and safety gear, a larger running backpack is often the right choice.
Volume is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a running vest or running backpack. Too little volume means you won't be able to carry what you need. Too much volume can be unnecessarily heavy and unwieldy if you mostly run shorter sessions.
2–5 liters
Suitable for shorter sessions, competitions with few equipment requirements and running where you mainly need fluids, a mobile phone and some energy.
5–8 liters
A good all-round choice for long runs, trail running and many competitions. You often have room here for fluids, energy, a jacket and small items.
8–12 liters
Suitable for longer trail runs, ultras, mountain running and races with mandatory equipment. Good balance between capacity and runnability.
12 liters and up
For longer adventures, mountain passes, speed hiking or tours where you need extra clothing, food and safety equipment.
Many running vests can be used with soft flasks on the front, a hydration bladder on the back, or both. What works best depends on how you run and what you prefer.
Soft flasks
Soft flasks usually sit on the front of your chest. They are easy to fill, easy to access, and make it easy to keep track of how much you are drinking. They are great for trail running, racing, and long runs where you want to drink frequently.
Fluid bladder
A hydration bladder is worn on your back and often holds more fluid. It is suitable when you need a larger amount of water, for example on mountain passes, hot days or long trips where it is a long time between refills.
Combination
On longer runs, it can be smart to combine soft flasks with a hydration bladder. This way you can have sports drink in the bottles and water in the bladder, or separate energy and fluid in a way that suits your plan.
See rehydration and salt tablets
Fit is key. A running vest should fit close to your body without chafing, bouncing, or restricting your breathing. It should be stable when you're running downhill, jumping over roots, or picking up the pace, but still comfortable enough to function for hours on end.
Keep this in mind when trying on a running vest:
The vest should fit snugly but not pressurize.
The chest straps should be easily adjustable
Bottles should sit securely at the front
Pockets should be easy to reach on the go
The material should feel soft against the body
The vest should not bounce when fully packed
You should be able to breathe freely even on uphill slopes.
Feel free to test with the equipment you will actually wear.
If you are running long distances, it is wise to test the vest in training before a race. Small chafing spots can become big problems after several hours.
Many trail races, mountain races and ultra races require mandatory equipment. This can include a windbreaker, hydration, energy, first aid, whistle, headlamp, mobile phone, extra layers or survival blanket. In this case, a running vest or running backpack is almost essential.
Before the competition you should check:
The race's mandatory equipment requirements
How much fluid you need to carry
If you need space for a rain jacket or extra layers
How easily you reach energy during the race
Whether poles are allowed and how they should be carried
Where to place your mobile phone, safety equipment and license plate
How the vest feels when packed like on race day
Pack your vest the same way during training as you will during the race. This way you know where everything is and avoid unnecessary clutter.
If you run with poles, a quiver can be a very handy accessory. It makes it easier to carry your poles on your back and quickly take them out or pack them away on the go. It is especially useful on mountain runs, steep climbs and technical terrain where you don't want to have your poles in your hands all the time.
A quiver is well suited for:
Mountain Marathon
Ultra running
Trail running with a lot of altitude
Technical sessions where rods are used periodically
Races where you alternate between running and power hiking
Runners who want to carry poles without them getting in the way
Which solution you choose depends on distance, packing and how much fluid you need.
Hand bottle
Suitable for short sessions where you only need a little fluid.
Waist belt or running belt
Good for shorter to medium-length runs where you want to carry your phone, keys, gel and sometimes a small bottle.
Running vest
Best choice for long workouts, trail running, competitions and workouts where you need fluid, energy and extra equipment.
Running backpack
Best for longer trips, mountains, adventures and trips where you need more packing volume.
For many runners, a running vest is the most flexible choice because it works for training, competition and longer rides.
A well-packed running vest feels more stable and makes it easier to find what you need. Place heavy items close to your body and frequently used items in front pockets.
A smart approach could be:
Soft flasks at the front
Gels and chews in easy-to-access pockets
Mobile in safe pocket
Windbreaker or rain jacket at the back
First aid and survival blanket in separate pocket
Headlamp where it is easy to find
Salt tablets or electrolytes near energy
Poles in quivers or pole mounts
Test your pack before races or longer trips. You'll quickly notice if anything is bumping, chafing, or hard to reach.
A running vest makes it easier to follow an energy plan. You can carry sports drinks, gels, chews, bars and salt tablets in a way that makes them easy to use regularly.
For long sessions and competitions you can combine:
Sports drink in soft bottles
Water in the bladder
Energy gels for quick energy
Energy Chews as a variation
Bars or waffles for more satiety
Salt tablets or electrolytes in case of heat
Recovery after the workout
At Outdoor Buddies Shop you will find running vests and running backpacks for those who want to run longer, safer and more independently. The range is suitable for trail running, ultra running, mountain running, long runs, competitions and outdoor adventures where fit, hydration and smart storage are crucial.
Whether you're looking for a lightweight running vest for fast runs, a roomier vest for ultras, or a sturdy running backpack for mountains and adventures, there are models that help you carry the most important things without compromising on the running feel.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about running vests and running backpacks
A running vest is a lightweight vest with pockets and hydration storage used when running. It sits close to the body and makes it easy to carry fluids, energy, mobile and equipment without bouncing around.
A running vest is especially useful for long runs, trail running, ultra-marathons, mountain running and competitions where you need to carry fluids, energy or mandatory equipment.
A running vest usually sits closer to the body and has more pockets in the front. A running backpack usually has more packing volume and is better suited for longer trips or extra equipment.
For shorter runs, 2–5 liters is often enough. For longer runs and trails, 5–8 liters is a good all-round choice. For ultras, mountain runs and mandatory equipment, 8–12 liters or more may be better.
Soft flasks are easy to reach and refill. Hydration bladders hold more fluid and are great for longer runs. Many runners combine both when doing ultras or mountain running.
It should fit close to your body without chafing, squeezing or restricting your breathing. It shouldn't bounce around when packed and you should be able to easily reach bottles and pockets on the go.
Yes, a running vest can work well for quick day trips, fast hiking and light trekking where you want to carry fluids and small items close to your body.
If you use poles on trails, mountain runs or ultras, a quiver can be very practical. It makes it easy to carry, retrieve and pack away your poles while running.
