Will A Running Vest Make Me Hot?

May 20, 2021 8:13 AM

I'd like to replace my current 14L backpack which I use for hiking up and running down trails with this 4L running vest, because 4L is as big as I need (water, keys, wallet, phone, snacks, camera, sunscreen + sandwich for longer hikes). The vest ticks all my boxes, but I have one concern: it's hot where I live, and when the trails get steep I only carry my backpack on one shoulder, which is cooler than having it cover my back. Should I be concerned about not really having the ability to do this with a running vest?
posted by my log does not judge to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

I don't find that I get much hotter with my similarly sized 5L vest (imitation salomon vest) than with a normal tank. Mine is black with red trim. The main issue with my vest, is I can't wear a thinner/smaller singlet as I'll get chafing from the vest on my shoulders/arms; I need to wear a tank with thicker shoulder straps.

I'll note that I only use my vest when I've got water in the back, which likely works as a thermal heat sink, delaying the heatabsorbtion. I've also never used my running vest for any runs/races where I wasn't in shade about 50% of the time.
posted by nobeagle at 8:40 AM on May 20, 2021

I've run a marathon and up hills in my very-similar Camelbak Circuit vest (3.5L), and had no problem with heat. I mean, I was drenched in sweat — but it didn't feel like the vest was making things any worse. As you say, you definitely want it to fit as tight and snug as possible.

Another option which old-school hill runners here (UK) use is bumbags/waistpacks. Tho you might struggle to get as much stuff in them.
posted by Klipspringer at 8:49 AM on May 20, 2021

That looks hot to me, I have something a bit more minimal that I like a lot. https://shop.bushtukah.com/product/camelbak-circuit-run-vest-50oz-47831.htm#.YKcEP6hKiHs
posted by mikek at 5:53 PM on May 20, 2021

Anything you put on top of other clothes is gonna make you hotter than without. However, that is not the question. Will you be cooler than carrying what sounds like a comparable item with the weight distributed differently? Probably not. However, I'm not seeing any reason you couldn't sling this over one shoulder as you do with your camelback. At the end of the day, if you can afford it, it's worth the investment to see if you prefer it over your current equipage. Good luck.
posted by evilDoug at 10:17 PM on May 20, 2021

Response by poster: OK: well, I bought it and tried it out yesterday. On one hand, I didn't feel noticeably hotter, on the other, when I stack my hand round I could feel that the section of my back was pretty wet. On a third hand, having two soft flasks of cold water next to my chest did had a cooling effect. Overall it really wasn't big deal, and the benefit of running without a backpack, straps and contents all bouncing around on me was huge.
posted by my log does not judge at 8:34 AM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]