Easter eggs! "Potential adventure in the Rocky Mountains!" Zippered pockets. I'm sure it's for expense reasons, but to me, almost every pocket should have a weather proof zipper. I have actually had my GoPro fall out of my Salomon pack and had to go back and find it on the ground. Poles. I don't know why more pole straps aren't "cinch-able". They definitely should be. Great review!
Haha, yeah might be an Easter egg! I love a few good zipper pockets especially when taking your pack off and on at aid stations, things always seem to fall out. And yes, glad you agree about the cinch-able pole straps, not sure why more aren't like that!
Am I the only runner that prefers a bladder over a bottle? I LOVE my UD 5.0 - I think the front pocket setup is perfect. I use the tiny pockets to keep empty wrappers; they are small enough that I don't have to worry about them falling out, and they wash well since they are on the outside. The only problem I've had with the pack was when a cinch cord broke. I tied the ends together to get back home, then replaced both cords with 1.7mm kevlar and that's been working great for over a year.
Nice! yeah i think if the bladder works for you go with it! For me I typically don't need it, however I have used it before when hotter races with lots of climbing didn't have aid stations for 8-9 miles. And yeah the small pockets are perfect for trash, i used them the same way. Thanks for stopping by!
Super helpful Ryan and sames me some money in looking for a pack. It would seem UD could have made a dual-purpose front pocket to handle a water bottle OR something else, if you only needed one bottle. On treking poles...I have jerry rigged the bladder pocket to carry my poles and they strap down easily and avoid everything else. (since I never carry a bladder) Of course, the problem then is easily getting to and then stowing them again. The "quiver" seems the best approach for poles in a racing situation. On a day hike, not an issue. Thank you!
Totally agree with everything you said! I really wish the pocket on the left side stretched a little more. I tried to put a bottle in the burrito pocket with with no elastic on top it just flew right out. It's hard to notice how much energy is transferred to what you have in your pockets until you witness them fly out! haha. I like the quiver as well, works great on my Salomon vest.
im considering this pack for a multiday adventure. I would use a hydration bladder. I wouldnt really need to get into the back pocket that often as it would mostly carry a change of clothing and emergency items. Would you recommend for that or do you have other vest you would recommend. Think - Vol State race or self supported runs across a state(s)
Yep it is, has a snap strap to hold it up. I think I called it a water reservoir in the video, oops. I have used them before with success, but generally don't anymore since most of the time two bottles is enough for me in between aid stations. Maybe this vest would be one that you would use that a lot more. Would be nice if it came with one.
With that capacity and only a single water bottle, I would guess this is more for long adventures than ultras. I only say that, as I tend to only carry 1 water bottle up front when fastpacking, as I'm moving slower, yet I do have a second or third 500ml flask in the back. That said, I wish brands would list what the ideal use is for. The same goes for shoe. Just tell us what this was designed for. Wouldn't that be simple? (The reviews on the UD site state the back cinch cords break 🤦♂)
really strange choice to implement single water bottle up front. Since i think in most cases (that was my case and pretty much every trail runner i know) the main reason to buy a pack is to carry your hydration - that is why most packs provide two water bottles along with the vest. and this one not only gives you single bottle it strips you the ability to carry your water upfront. So most probably they target this as a second (or third pack) for some kind of specific weather conditions, so making it a niche product within a niche target audience... well good luck UA, great video Ryan as always!
I found this pack is useful in race environments when I can rely on aid stations for water resupply, due to the one bottle carry ability. The burrito pocket is nice for the phone “security” and as you mentioned the zipper pockets are great for fuel etc… Majority of the time the GPS pocket becomes head torch and additional vitamin pocket salt tabs etc. Unfortunately the balance is Salomon packs and UD pack. Great review have a great week!
Just ordered this pack and I have to say the single bottle thing has thrown me!...I have an UD mountain vest 4 and find that vest to fit quite snug, but pole placement hinders the pockets and water bottles to some extent so I may have to be savvy with where I stash my poles...quick question, potentially a daft one! do you think it could be possible to stash 2 bottles in the same pocket at a stretch?...It looks quite big before drawing the strings in...
No, only one bottle will fit and it's pretty snug at that. The best solution I've found is to stash an extra one in the back and switch them when you need to. Just make sure it's sealed well!
I bought a UD vest (not this exact model) but it never made it to race day. After only a few training runs, the snaps, zippers and cords started breaking making the pockets useless. I contacted customer service but received no response. I was looking forward to your review to see if I just bought a lemon or if there is a durability issue with the brand.
Hmm that is very weird. I don't know if I've heard of others doing that, but I guess that's a risk with all the extra straps and cords on UD vests. That's also too bad they didn't respond to you!
I had the ultra vest (I think) and the bounce was intolerable, the bottles tasted of plastic and didn’t keep the water in properly. I was very disappointed. Especially since I wanted to love them. So I turned back to Salomon. They just make the best vests
I think they have updated the bottles, no plastic taste for me. But the bounce can be crazy if you aren't able to get a good fit. Glad Salomon worked out for you!
In my personal opinion, you already use the best option for an ultra vest and I’m actually kinda surprised how favorably you reviewed Ultimate Direction. I didn’t like it at all and quickly moved on to Salomon.
UD makes really good stuff, but very different style than Salomon. Yeah I typically like Salmon better too for races, but in certain situations a UD vest would be a better option. Thanks for stopping by!! 👏
@@RyanClaytonFilms It would be tough to sell me on something other than my Salomon vest. I still have my UD Ultra Vest 4.0 but I’ve never used it since I got my AdvSkin 12. Comfort of materials and the bungee system across the chest are two huge contributing factors for me. I like that it allows for expansion of the chest while breathing and it’s easier to get back on when your fingers are cold and numb. In no way am I saying UD makes a bad product, however it just didn’t check enough boxes for me.
When my dad retired from competitive powerlifting, he and I took up running. He dropped from 250 to 205 lbs. Even with that none of these high end vests fit him (Ultimate Direction, Nathan, Osprey, North Face, etc). He emailed several of the companies and asked if they had a size that would fit his chest size. Just about every response he got back basically said that since he didn't fit that stereotypical runners body size they had nothing for him. This looks like another one of those vests. Eventually he found a $30 vest on Amazon that fit and is very functional for him. I guess it's their loss for not considering that not every runner is built the same.
Easter eggs! "Potential adventure in the Rocky Mountains!" Zippered pockets. I'm sure it's for expense reasons, but to me, almost every pocket should have a weather proof zipper. I have actually had my GoPro fall out of my Salomon pack and had to go back and find it on the ground. Poles. I don't know why more pole straps aren't "cinch-able". They definitely should be. Great review!
Haha, yeah might be an Easter egg! I love a few good zipper pockets especially when taking your pack off and on at aid stations, things always seem to fall out. And yes, glad you agree about the cinch-able pole straps, not sure why more aren't like that!
Am I the only runner that prefers a bladder over a bottle? I LOVE my UD 5.0 - I think the front pocket setup is perfect. I use the tiny pockets to keep empty wrappers; they are small enough that I don't have to worry about them falling out, and they wash well since they are on the outside. The only problem I've had with the pack was when a cinch cord broke. I tied the ends together to get back home, then replaced both cords with 1.7mm kevlar and that's been working great for over a year.
Nice! yeah i think if the bladder works for you go with it! For me I typically don't need it, however I have used it before when hotter races with lots of climbing didn't have aid stations for 8-9 miles. And yeah the small pockets are perfect for trash, i used them the same way. Thanks for stopping by!
Ryan, great review. I feel like we don't see enough pack reviews. Great info.
I appreciate that, thanks Stanley! More to come!
Super helpful Ryan and sames me some money in looking for a pack. It would seem UD could have made a dual-purpose front pocket to handle a water bottle OR something else, if you only needed one bottle. On treking poles...I have jerry rigged the bladder pocket to carry my poles and they strap down easily and avoid everything else. (since I never carry a bladder) Of course, the problem then is easily getting to and then stowing them again. The "quiver" seems the best approach for poles in a racing situation. On a day hike, not an issue. Thank you!
Totally agree with everything you said! I really wish the pocket on the left side stretched a little more. I tried to put a bottle in the burrito pocket with with no elastic on top it just flew right out. It's hard to notice how much energy is transferred to what you have in your pockets until you witness them fly out! haha. I like the quiver as well, works great on my Salomon vest.
Great reviews, answers on every comment. Thank you! 🙏
Thank you so much Anton!!!
Does the Ultimate Direction vest come with two bottles, just one or none so you need to purchase them separately ?
im considering this pack for a multiday adventure. I would use a hydration bladder. I wouldnt really need to get into the back pocket that often as it would mostly carry a change of clothing and emergency items. Would you recommend for that or do you have other vest you would recommend. Think - Vol State race or self supported runs across a state(s)
I thought the big back pocket was designed for a water bladder?
Yep it is, has a snap strap to hold it up. I think I called it a water reservoir in the video, oops. I have used them before with success, but generally don't anymore since most of the time two bottles is enough for me in between aid stations. Maybe this vest would be one that you would use that a lot more. Would be nice if it came with one.
Excellent review - thorough. Thanks
Thank you so much!!
With that capacity and only a single water bottle, I would guess this is more for long adventures than ultras. I only say that, as I tend to only carry 1 water bottle up front when fastpacking, as I'm moving slower, yet I do have a second or third 500ml flask in the back.
That said, I wish brands would list what the ideal use is for. The same goes for shoe. Just tell us what this was designed for. Wouldn't that be simple?
(The reviews on the UD site state the back cinch cords break 🤦♂)
Yeah I agree with that. Definitely more of a fastpacking type of option. That would also be great if companies discussed this on their sites!! 👍
really strange choice to implement single water bottle up front.
Since i think in most cases (that was my case and pretty much every trail runner i know) the main reason to buy a pack is to carry your hydration - that is why most packs provide two water bottles along with the vest.
and this one not only gives you single bottle it strips you the ability to carry your water upfront.
So most probably they target this as a second (or third pack) for some kind of specific weather conditions, so making it a niche product within a niche target audience... well good luck UA, great video Ryan as always!
Agree, kind of a confusing one here. Thanks Nikoloz!
I found this pack is useful in race environments when I can rely on aid stations for water resupply, due to the one bottle carry ability. The burrito pocket is nice for the phone “security” and as you mentioned the zipper pockets are great for fuel etc… Majority of the time the GPS pocket becomes head torch and additional vitamin pocket salt tabs etc. Unfortunately the balance is Salomon packs and UD pack. Great review have a great week!
Yeah I think you nailed it Michael, this pack is great if you need a lot of storage and zippers, but can refill water often. thanks for stopping by!
Just ordered this pack and I have to say the single bottle thing has thrown me!...I have an UD mountain vest 4 and find that vest to fit quite snug, but pole placement hinders the pockets and water bottles to some extent so I may have to be savvy with where I stash my poles...quick question, potentially a daft one! do you think it could be possible to stash 2 bottles in the same pocket at a stretch?...It looks quite big before drawing the strings in...
No, only one bottle will fit and it's pretty snug at that. The best solution I've found is to stash an extra one in the back and switch them when you need to. Just make sure it's sealed well!
I bought a UD vest (not this exact model) but it never made it to race day. After only a few training runs, the snaps, zippers and cords started breaking making the pockets useless. I contacted customer service but received no response. I was looking forward to your review to see if I just bought a lemon or if there is a durability issue with the brand.
Hmm that is very weird. I don't know if I've heard of others doing that, but I guess that's a risk with all the extra straps and cords on UD vests. That's also too bad they didn't respond to you!
Mine 5.0 isn’t like yours why
I had the ultra vest (I think) and the bounce was intolerable, the bottles tasted of plastic and didn’t keep the water in properly. I was very disappointed. Especially since I wanted to love them. So I turned back to Salomon. They just make the best vests
I think they have updated the bottles, no plastic taste for me. But the bounce can be crazy if you aren't able to get a good fit. Glad Salomon worked out for you!
In my personal opinion, you already use the best option for an ultra vest and I’m actually kinda surprised how favorably you reviewed Ultimate Direction. I didn’t like it at all and quickly moved on to Salomon.
UD makes really good stuff, but very different style than Salomon. Yeah I typically like Salmon better too for races, but in certain situations a UD vest would be a better option. Thanks for stopping by!! 👏
@@RyanClaytonFilms It would be tough to sell me on something other than my Salomon vest. I still have my UD Ultra Vest 4.0 but I’ve never used it since I got my AdvSkin 12. Comfort of materials and the bungee system across the chest are two huge contributing factors for me. I like that it allows for expansion of the chest while breathing and it’s easier to get back on when your fingers are cold and numb. In no way am I saying UD makes a bad product, however it just didn’t check enough boxes for me.
When my dad retired from competitive powerlifting, he and I took up running. He dropped from 250 to 205 lbs. Even with that none of these high end vests fit him (Ultimate Direction, Nathan, Osprey, North Face, etc). He emailed several of the companies and asked if they had a size that would fit his chest size. Just about every response he got back basically said that since he didn't fit that stereotypical runners body size they had nothing for him. This looks like another one of those vests. Eventually he found a $30 vest on Amazon that fit and is very functional for him. I guess it's their loss for not considering that not every runner is built the same.
That's too bad!! Surprised he didn't find one.