I just received this and went right on my scheduled 20 mile run. The pack when full weights about 6lbs, which takes about 1/2 minute off your pace until you get used to it and begin to drink from the pack. I mixed 70oz of Cytomax with Endurolytes powder. The 70oz was enough for the 20 miles, but you will need to tank up again for full marathon. I would recommend filling up 1/2 for best results of weight vs duration depending on your access to water at 15 mile mark. If none is available this does the trick.The package:
Lots of room for cell phone, drink mix, gu packs, camera, pair of dry socks. Two side pocket in front for quick access for needed items. It also allows you to change layers and store them on pack, which works for cold mornings that get warmer within a few hours of your run.
Pack stays on back without movement, but you will hear the liquid sloshing. I did not chafe on 20 mile run, and straps did not put pressure on shoulders with a thin tech shirt. This would be best for remote trail runs where you are away from any support (7-11, gas stations, fast food)
The fit:
The front has a clip for the hose. I found that it is adjustable and with a few tries was able to get it to stay put. There are two sliding clips on the front that allow for vest to remain comfortable.
The cleanup:
I mixed a mild bleach solution to clean out and dry. There are two holes at top to hang unit for drying.
I waffled between giving this 4 stars and 5 stars, but ended up with 5 because it really is the best hydration pack (for running) out there. I''ve now used it for six+ months, putting in 50-70 miles/week, and also three 50 mile races.
However, it isn''t perfect, so I''ll outline the pros and cons as I see them. Some of this is probably personal opinion so use your own judgment:
Pros:
*lightest weight for the carried volume I could find
*easy to clean for those of us that put drink mixes in bladders
*Pretty good bite valve, although I do recognize that some don''t like it
*Nice inventive chest clip that holds the drink tube, back panel securing system, adjustable height chest strap, and some other nice touches. These guys at Nathan did not just assemble a bunch of off the shelf crap to make a product; they creatively invented some stuff to solve real world problems, and for that they are way ahead of the pack (e.g. Camelbak)
*Reasonably good assortment of pockets and well placed too.
Cons:
*After about three months of use my bladder has started to leak many here have complained about it. I like to know my stuff is rock solid and I don''t have full confidence in it. I''ll replace with an MSR bladder, as those are bomb proof.
*Bladder sealing mechanism takes some time to get used to. With practice, you can open and close really quickly, but others can''t, which can kill time at an aid station during a race. It''s in your best interest to run into the station with the thing off your back and the slide opened, and close it yourself after they fill it.
*The mesh pocket on the left side (as you''re wearing it) needs to be taller and with much tighter elastic along the top; if you''re trail running stuff falls out. I''m going to add some velcro or something to allow me to use it as a secure pocket.
*There is better vent mesh out there for the back of this thing, although NO companies I''ve met use the good stuff (we use it for some of our projects). If they were to use the good stuff, you''d get better back ventilation, although it''s not really bad per se. It could just be better. Again, no company uses the good stuff.
*The elastic cinch cord on the back is great for strapping down extra stuff like a lightweight rain jacket or extra layer. However, after doing this (a LOT), it seems to have put some extra stress on the molded rubber V thing at the rear bottom: mine broke. I fixed it by sewing in some webbing instead, and it works fine now, but it did require mending. None of the other reviews mention this, and it happened to me early enough (around 5 months of ~ 50-70 miles/week; that''s not much for long distance running) that I think it really is associated with me stuffing extra gear back there which probably means it''s not really designed/tested for this.
Summary: Best of the best. Not perfect, but it''s the one to buy. Expect to replace the bladder, and don''t depend on it for critical runs. Watch out if you shove lots of stuff under the cinch straps on the outside, meaning inspect your rubber molded V at the bottom for unusual wear. Even though my bladder died early, and the V broke (but fixed with regular webbing now), it''s STILL leagues above anything else out there. If something better comes along, believe me, I''ll buy it and note it here.
Buy Nathan HPL #020 Race Vest Now
Irony. I just came on line to see how I can get a replacement for the bladder to this vest, and here was an invitation from Amazon to write a review. I bought this vest because of the rave reviews fellow runners have given it. Today was it''s maiden voyage, a test, for a planned 15 mile run. One mile into the run I felt water streaming down my back and legs. A hole had opened up in the seam about midway up the bladder. I was with other runners so they shared water for the run. On a positive note, the vest felt comfortable with no jostling up or down like the camelback. Don''t know how it will perform with a full bladder. I''ll let you know how my request for a replacement goes. The initial lesson, of course, is to test out a new product before launching out on a race or long run.Read Best Reviews of Nathan HPL #020 Race Vest Here
I recently used the Nathan HPL in the Angeles Crest 100 trail race. It performed ok, but I was frustrated with several design shortcomings. I have primarily been using a Camelbak Mule for the past 8 years, and although the HPL is probably better for racing in moderate weather, the Camelbak is much more well thought out overall. The Nathan pack is a decent product, but I''d still much prefer running with water bottles. If you need the capacity of a waterpack, the camelbak is probably preferable unless you have moderate distances between aid stations where you don''t need to carry much in the way of clothes or cold weather gear. It is really a specialty product that I''d only recommend for limited racing conditions use waterbottles if the distance is shorter, or a camelbak for more challenging races/training.Major complaints:
1) Hose clip Although many people have complained that the bladder is terrible although it is not of the same caliber as the camelbak''s, I found it ok my chief complaint with the pack was that the hose clip would not keep the hose in place. If the clip was just attached to the hose it would seem to pop out after a couple minutes on rough terrain, and even at the end of the hose where the nozzle comes out it wasn''t that much better. It is incredibly frustrating during a race to have the hose bouncing around, and the clip should be a lot stronger and more secure.
2) Hose sleeve camelbaks and many other packs incorporate a sleeve into the top of the shoulder strap as well as a band on the strap before including a clip. This significantly reduces the bounce that could lead to the hose bouncing off. Even though the HPL is a vest, there could easily be some type of sleeve or more ways to keep the hose from moving around on the vest during use other than the one flimsy piece of material half-way down the strap.
3) Sternum strap is poorly designed and there likely should be two. The sternum strap is quite funny and weird getting used to. I had to cut off the end of the strap and double it back to get it tight enough for use, but it never felt quite right. It seems like there should be a strap higher up on the chest and one lower down towards the bottom of the straps, and I am not clear why there isn''t. This would be comparable to a waist strap and sternum strap on many other packs, which helps to minimize bounce.
4) Sloshing in the bladder Unlike the mule, the HPL doesn''t allow you to cinch down on the bladder compartment itself so that there is significantly more sloshing than necessary. I''m not sure why they don''t have one of the two sets of straps higher on the pack to keep the bladder more firmly in place and allow the bladder to be kept snug while you drink the fluid.
5) Poorly designed storage. The flimsy straps on the bottom of the pack for a jacket are just terrible. The pack would be much better if there was a larger compressible zipper area that could store a jacket. I hate things flapping around when I''m running and even when you cinch a jacket down it still is way more bulky than it should have to be. A compartment along the lines of what the amphipod waist packs have would be much better. Similarly, it is not good for storing hats or gloves because they are likely to fall off. The additional weight of a large zipper compartment on the back would be minimal and make the pack much more useful for training and carrying warm gear.
Although I have focused on shortcomings, Nathan did do several things to make this a decent product:
1) The compartments on the front of the pack are truly awesome. It is great not to have to take off the pack to get at food and gels and it makes you much more likely to eat more during a race.
2) The location of the bladder on the back is great. The lower position makes it better than a camelbak for running.
3) The material is much nicer for running shirtless than anything else on the market.
If you''re going too far to use water bottles, but you don''t need to carry a jacket or gloves this is the best product on the market. However, if you need to carry a jacket or gloves which seems to always be the case for me, I''d say the camelbak is still superior. The camelbak also seems a lot more durable for climbing, biking and other activities. I haven''t had any problems yet with the soft material of the HPL vest, but it just seems fragile.
Want Nathan HPL #020 Race Vest Discount?
I run 4-6 times a week and bike or hike randomly. Ive worn backpacks and carried water bottles this entire time...I didn''t know what I was missing. Backpacks often bounce around and water bottles always get sweaty or wet. Then, because I want it on me, I needed to carry around my wallet and cell phone which I kept in lunch bags. NO MORE!This is an amazing work of ergonomic engineering. The straps fit perfectly and comfortably, the hose can be set to either side, the pouches are absolutely appropriately placed. I don''t even know I have my cell phone in the front pouch and its not a small one ( ATT TILT 1). the back pocket has enough room for a Garmen 305 GPS and its heart monitor and my wallet, I am sure if I had more stuff to bring I could comfortably fit 2-3x more in there.
The way the bag sets on your back and moves with the natural movement of your body is amazing. Due to the little 3 sided rubber "shock absorber" which allows the straps to extend according to the users movements, this was a GREAT idea.
The front buckle is well designed, each side is attached to a concealed "track" that allows it to slide up and down about 6" or 7" to adjust to the users body. For example: When my wife first tried hers on the straps were up uncomfortably around her chest and she was a bit annoyed. But a few seconds later she was able to slide the straps down along these durable well concealed tracks and have it fit comfortably.
The water bag is literally hung in the bag and fits snuggly (part of its water delivery is due to gravity). It''s easy to refill, if a bit awkward, what with the way it hangs on a strap in the inside. I would run a few bags of water through it when you first get it, my wife and I learned the hard way that we would taste plastic the first time since we didn''t.
The drinking piece is comfortable and has an attachment place on the front strap so it isn''t tossing around when your running. I foresee this wearing down after a time so I would recommend getting some extra parts and maybe a bag just in case, to have on hand. But make no mistake, I do not think this is a problem, just normal wear and tear on less durable parts.
My reccomendation:
If you are a runner and you want a bag that feels like its not even there, BUY THIS. You will not regret it.
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