The UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest. All images: iRunFar/Kristin Zosel
On the subject of a minimalist, gentle, and quick racing vest, the UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest ($115) ticks the entire containers. With 3.5 liters of storage capability, it’s a really perfect vest for transferring shortly in races with frequent support stations or for shorter day by day runs the place all you want is a few fluid, a couple of snacks, telephone, keys, and perhaps a stashed wind layer.
A few yr in the past, I examined the UltrAspire Spry 4.0 Race Vest (overview) and thought there have been just one or two issues I’d replace to make a near-perfect vest even higher. Not lengthy after, UltrAspire did simply that. I’ve been working with the latest model since final spring, taking it by means of summer time, fall, and now winter, and I now have zero notes for enchancment — it’s good.
The UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest sees a fairly vital value bounce in comparison with the 4.0, however the one-liter hydration bladder is now included, not like in prior variations. The empty pack with out the bladder weighs 7.8 ounces (220 grams) on my kitchen scale, which is 1.3 ounces (39 grams) greater than the 4.0, which — for me — is an undetectable weight distinction when working. The fluid capability stays the identical, with room for 2 500-milliliter comfortable flasks (not included) within the entrance and the one-liter bladder within the again pocket.
Like earlier variations, this vest has one-size-fits-most sizing with sufficient adjustability to embody chest circumferences from 26 to 48 inches. The open type of the match by means of the arms and sides makes the Spry 5.0 a pack that may accommodate all kinds of individuals. It sits near the physique for straightforward put on over a tank high, however it’s value noting that it does get just a little sweaty alongside the again. It additionally suits nicely beneath a winter outer layer for chilly climate working. I exploit it below my working puffy and wind layer on the tremendous chilly days after I don’t need to fear about my bottles freezing.
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UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest Match and Development
A view of the entrance pockets of the UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest.
Visually, the development of the UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest appears to be like practically an identical to the 4.0, with the identical vertical pocket association that I really like, the identical normal supplies, and a brand new coloration. The acquainted UltrAspire ErgoFit design with the curved neck line and S-curve shoulder straps permits full movement on the arms and neck and decrease the potential for chafing. The interior a part of the again and a lot of the shoulder harness are fabricated from UltrACool Gentle Mesh, which is a easy, dense, but extremely breathable materials. A thicker honeycombed mesh offers extra consolation in opposition to the ribs on the decrease a part of the harness when cinching up for a run. Every of those supplies, in addition to the sueded ribbing across the perimeter of the pack, excels at wicking moisture from the pores and skin, additional decreasing the possibility for chafing even in sizzling climate.
UltrAspire retains the proprietary Max O2 sternum straps, which give simply the correct quantity of elasticity for respiration and comfortable tissue consolation whenever you cinch up the pack. As I’ve acknowledged earlier than, each hydration pack on the market ought to make use of this expertise. It’s the identical fundamental design that was used within the UltrAspire Spry 2.0 (overview), UltrAspire Spry 3.0 Race Vest (overview)and UltrAspire Spry 4.0, with a couple of tweaks alongside the way in which. The hooks and bungee loops are straightforward to regulate, even when carrying gloves.
The again of the UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest.
We now come to my favourite replace with the Spry 5.0, which works together with the Max O2 sternum straps to supply that final little bit of match consolation that has been lacking from all earlier variations of the pack. Drum roll, please. The facet straps are actually fabricated from a restricted stretch, comfortable 25-millimeter compressive bands as a substitute of the non-stretch webbing of prior variations. Every strap has a everlasting, compliant rubber-type materials slider that retains the adjustable strap tail contained, which implies no extra straps flapping within the breeze. It’s a small however vital improve that offers the pack circumferential stretch in a tidy package deal. It makes hill sprints and quick, flat repeats that a lot simpler as a result of nothing restricts respiration or rib mobility when the pack is cinched down. Even after a few hours of working, my ribs stayed joyful as a result of the strap has been increasing and recoiling with them as a substitute of making a band of strain. Over the length of adventures, I by no means should futz with the strap size because of the elasticity. In my thoughts, this was the lacking piece this light-and-fast hydration vest wanted to make it full.
UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest Storage and Hydration
The UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest comes with a one-liter bladder.
Fortunately, the vertical hydration pockets on the UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest are right here to remain alongside the both facet of the entrance elements of the harness system. This was the largest replace to the 4.0 model that they’ve retained. These entrance pockets every maintain a 500-milliliter comfortable flask — both of the shorter UltrAspire selection or taller ones from different manufacturers. There’s no bottle leash that hooks across the tops of flasks, so that they do generally migrate downward a bit, however since they sit a bit decrease on the chest than most different packs and the pockets have just a little wider opening, it’s not laborious to tug them up a bit for a fast drink. Overlying snack pockets are additionally vast for straightforward entry to something from a stroopwafel to some selfmade snacks, glovesor different small objects. The mesh’s elasticity retains contents safe, and I haven’t had something fall out, even when adjusting sneakers. Greater up on the fitting facet of the harness is a water-resistant pocket with a magnetic side-entry closure, best for salt tablets or keys. The vertical mesh pocket on the left facet holds a gel or two, or one thing related, with a bungee that helps hold that opening safer. Like in earlier variations, each side of the harness even have a strip of webbing for routing and securing the bladder hose.
The principle again vertical pocket has a magnetic closure on high and a divider inside that separates the hydration bladder from anything within the pack. I’ve discovered that there’s about sufficient extra room within the again pocket for a skinny wind jacket or long-sleeve layer. The a part of the hydration pocket that sits in opposition to the again is lined with sweatproof materials to guard all the things from sweat, and the pocket holds the included one-liter bladder with a dangling strap to maintain the bladder from dropping down because it empties. There’s a third compartment on the skin of the primary pocket that’s accessed by a vertical zipper. It’s a simple spot to slip your telephone, pockets, or keys for safe stowage. Though this pocket isn’t protected against exterior precipitation, there’s no subject with sweat getting in from beneath.
The waterproof materials on the again panel protects contents from sweat, however it does make the again of the pack just a little hotter and fewer breathable in sizzling climate. I like having my gear non-sweat-soaked, so I depend on a great moisture-wicking shirt for the added coolness and luxury the pack lacks. A bungee on the again of the pack makes it straightforward to stow a further outer layer if wanted.
For full disclosure, at the very least for me and my common shoulder mobility, I can’t attain something at the back of the pack with out taking it off or going by means of some critical contortions. I don’t see this as a major damaging, nevertheless, as a result of for gentle, quick, low-gear actions — the issues the pack is designed for — it performs completely.
UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest Total Impressions
The stretchy facet straps of the UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest had been an excellent improve for this model.
The UltrAspire Spry 5.0 Race Vest improved the entire small drawbacks of the earlier model, and I believe it’s the greatest model of the Spry line to date. Some could choose different supplies or types of working vests, however I don’t understand how this vest may very well be improved upon with out shedding what makes it an UltrAspire pack. It’s stretchy in all the fitting locations, very sturdy, even with a fast bushwhack by means of willows adopted by a skidding down the path throughout a easy path filth dive, and it’s a succesful companion when your sizzling climate exercise requires an uncomfortable variety of path sprints. It’s low-profile beneath winter layers, and the benefit of adjustability makes it easy to lend to a good friend or member of the family who could have left their hydration pack at dwelling.
I wore this pack in a late-fall path half marathon and skipped the help stations altogether, and I may simply put on it for an extended race with low gear necessities and a few support stations. Hats off to UltrAspire for listening to suggestions and dialing in that facet stretch and compliant match to perfection. The Spry 5.0 hits all of the marks as a vest for gentle, quick, and not-too-long adventures and races.
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