Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack Overview – iRunFar

In late February, I ran my first long term of 2023 within the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack ($160.) I began the 14-mile run at midnight from Smith Rock State Park in Oregon, the place it was two levels Fahrenheit on the trailhead. What a technique to kick off coaching for the Western States 100!

Making ready for the run, I’d crammed the hydration pack’s 2-liter bladder with water. Inside two miles, the bladder was frozen stable, so I received to follow operating 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 virtually all of my lengthy runs by the spring. As temperatures grew hotter and my coaching runs received longer, I used the vest’s 7-liter storage to carry the morning’s layers, gloves, and sufficient meals to follow fueling at my 100-mile tempo. I additionally carried further hydration on my final couple lengthy runs, since Smith Rock State Park is an arid atmosphere with out a lot shade or any water sources.

This pack is neither ultralight nor notably heavy. I admire Nathan’s use of sentimental, easy 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 based mostly on these experiences. I usually want Nathan packs sat a little bit greater on my torso, however apart from that, this can be 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 Ladies’s Hydration Pack

Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack Development and Match

The Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’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 accessible 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 grasp closely on my shoulders.

This hydration pack, like different Nathan packs, could be adjusted two methods. First, through the use of the 2 straps on the entrance of the again that buckle collectively, which could be tightened or loosened, they usually slide up and down. And second, by way of 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 doable, they usually stayed put as soon as I made my changes.

I had a bit extra bother with the interior straps. On a number of events I seen my pack sliding and bouncing, so I finished and cinched them tighter. This did the trick. But on at the least one different event, late within the spring, when the pack was absolutely loaded with 2 liters of hydration and several other hours’ price of meals, I tightened the interior straps, they usually quickly turned unfastened once more. I finally knotted the stretchy straps to assist preserve them from loosening, however it was a irritating expertise.

I seen that the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack match me higher throughout early spring operating, once I was carrying extra layers beneath and carrying barely much less water and meals within the pack. After I was right down to only a tank high and carrying much more water, I skilled extra motion with the pack and felt the load on my shoulders. On the identical time, I acknowledge that I’m on the smaller finish of the dimensions vary and am further delicate to bouncing packs. I admire Nathan’s wide selection of sizing and customarily 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 easy and tender towards 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 choose 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 might choose this match, particularly these with a protracted torso.

Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack Storage and Hydration

In terms of storage and hydration choices, the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack has greater than sufficient capability for a protracted journey run whereas sustaining a glossy and streamlined design. It’s most likely received extra storage than you want for an extremely race, relying on the frequency of support stations on the course, however it additionally wouldn’t really feel like an excessive amount of for many runners. Plus, when it’s empty or solely flippantly loaded, it matches carefully and stays put. Alternatively, it might 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 support equipment, and different gear. However it’s excellent to 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 a protracted day within the mountains. It doesn’t have a ton of room, however it could maintain a couple of small objects. There’s additionally a bungee twine on the again and on the shoulders for carrying a jacket or poles on the surface of the pack. My inclination is to disregard the bungee — I’d slightly carry a jacket contained in the pack the place I received’t threat it coming unfastened and getting misplaced — however I can see the profit to having a layer shut at hand in fickle mountain climate.

On that notice, the pack additionally has a kangaroo pocket alongside the bottom that’s ultimate for stashing a jacket, gloves, or further meals — something you may need to ditch or have the ability 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. It is a good hydration system, the place the hose comes out the highest and over the shoulder to connect with the entrance of the pack by way of a magnet. I just like the design however seen that the hose indifferent from the magnet a little bit too simply. I’ve the same setup on my mountain bike hydration pack and for no matter cause, that magnet holds the hose significantly 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 contemplate trimming the hose barely shorter.

On the entrance of the pack, the pocket choices are implausible. There are two zippered pockets, and 4 further top-loading pockets. I normally retailer my cellphone 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 gas. 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 — may maintain 22-ounce tender flasks, that are bought individually. I used the pockets this fashion on a very scorching, sun-exposed long term in early summer season. The shallower entrance pockets have cinch closures to maintain issues from bouncing or falling out.

Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack Total Impressions

Total, I admire that the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack is thoughtfully designed with out being overbuilt. Except for a couple of events on which I had bother securing the match and my private desire for a barely greater match on my torso, I feel this hydration pack affords a flexible match that can work nicely for a lot of runners. I particularly like this pack’s broad vary of sizing, easy buckle closure, and straightforward adjustability.

I additionally suppose that Nathan did an awesome job with the pocket design. On lengthy runs and ultras, we wish 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 objects that you just don’t have to entry as often 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 flippantly packed or absolutely loaded.

Lastly, it’s price noting that Nathan’s hydration packs, together with this one, are made with easy, tender supplies that really feel comfy towards the pores and skin. I’ve run in quite a lot of climate and environmental situations whereas carrying this pack and had no points with chafing. Moreover, I really like the sunshine purple colour of this hydration pack. I’ve worn different packs through the years that shortly discolored as they absorbed sweat and path mud, and this one has maintained its mild purple colour even after many hours on grime beneath the new solar.

To discover different packs, see our article on the Finest Hydration Packs for Operating, which incorporates one other Nathan possibility.

Store the Nathan VaporAiress 3.0 7 Liter Ladies’s Hydration Pack

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