The following review was written by ATRA gear wrangler Sarah Barber and features, The Best of the Vests: Nathan Aerozip 1L and Black Diamond Distance 2L. Product was provided for the test and review at no charge.
As a trail runner who likes to go the distance and sweats like a can of cold beer at a summer BBQ, hydration vests are a necessary evil. Why evil? Because in my experience, they make me feel like a turtle: there’s a heavy shell on my back, and I move even slower than a cold reptile. This is all in addition to the annoying bounce and the extra layer of fabric that just makes me sweat more.
Combat the risk of dehydration
However, as temperatures heat up and mileage builds, the risk of dehydration is real. Not only is being parched dangerous, but the associated delirium might also inspire ridiculous limericks during the final miles of a desiccated death march. Witness this:
There once was a runner obsessed,
Who embarked on a ruthless quest.
With heat on the rise,
And sweat in her eyes,
She chased hydration and searched for the perfect vest!
Several new contenders made by experts in outdoor adventure sparked my interest this spring as soon as they dropped: the Aerozip 1L from Nathan Sports and the Distance 2L from Black Diamond. How would I decide which hydration vest would become my constant summer training companion? Instinctively, I did what any trail runner with a competitive streak would do. I pitted them against each other in a direct contest…which of course inspired another limerick:
As a runner she wanted the best,
So she commenced a head-to-head test:
Hydration was the game
And two entrants came
To fuel the miles and surpass all the rest.
Vests side by side.
Vest comparison
With over forty years in the industry, Nathan Sports specializes in long-distance running accessories, from smart storage solutions to hydration innovation, always with a safety first perspective. Black Diamond’s heritage, however, began with a focus on craggy mountain climbing gear—items related to skiing and trail running were part of a natural evolution that followed.
In fairness, an exact comparison of the Aerozip 1L and the Distance 2L from Black Diamond is a bit of an apples-to-oranges situation because, as their names suggest, the Distance 2L is equipped to carry twice as much water as the Aerozip 1L. Also true to name, the Aerozip binds to the torso like a second skin using a full zip closure, while the Distance is secured with two slender clasps across the sternum. But other elements are similar. Both are hyped by their manufacturers as being relatively minimalist and engineered for speed. Both are designed to carry two soft flasks in bilateral front pockets. Both feature one zippered pocket for valuables. Both contour to the body with lightweight stretch fabric that breathes and flexes with each increase in effort.
Sporting the vest from Black Diamond on the trails.
Design nailed
Evenly matched in their strengths, Nathan Sports and Black Diamond nailed the design of their vests. In my opinion, the two-flasks-in-the-front beats the bladder-on-the-back every time by eliminating the turtle shell effect and allowing for fast refills at aid stations. The companies were also intelligent with fabric selection, using material that starts snug and stays put in various states of load. I didn’t experience any bouncing regardless of whether my flasks were fresh and full, half gone, or sucked completely dry—each vest has just enough micro-adjustability to cinch another inch when needed. Reflective hits improve visibility for all-day excursions that begin before sunrise and end after dusk. All of these qualities combined to catalyze a paradigm shift in my life as a trail runner. Instead of feeling like a burden, the right hydration vest has become more like a security blanket.
As far as shared weaknesses go, neither the Aerozip nor the Distance vest will get you through a self-supported 100-miler. You’ll need to bring a suitcase full of carbs if you plan to be trekking for more than a couple hours. Similarly, for those who don’t leave home without their smartphone, selfie stick, a rain shell, trekking poles, traction devices, and all the contents of their junk drawer, I’d suggest a higher-volume garment—Nathan Sports and Black Diamond have plenty of other options.
With Nathan fan and Sarah’s beloved dog Payette on the trail.
Two is better than one
But as for me, with regard to hydration vests, well…
Light weight is a must for a run,
But more volume might lead to more fun!
If both vests fit your chest
Why settle for less?
Clearly I need more than one!
Editor’s Note: To read more reviews and articles by and about Sarah Barber, visit this link.
