ProView – RaidLight Women’s Responsiv Vest 6L

I started running with a vest last April when I was dumb enough to sign up for my first ultra. I had gotten a vest years before, the last time I decided I was going to pretend to be a runner. It hung lonely in the closet while I used practically every piece of gear besides that running vest. Then I got into skate skiing and realized I couldn’t really skate ski with a backpack but I need just one or two layers. I remembered that abandoned vest and started using it weekly for a new sport that it wasn’t really intended for. It worked perfectly and I never left home without it, no matter how short the ski.

As the weather warmed and I transitioned to running, now I had to figure out how to wear it in the heat, on short runs, long runs, with a crap-ton of water or empty. I needed to make sure the pockets worked perfectly for my snacks, my phone, my InReach, my medical supplies, my layers, and my water. People would laugh at me when I had a vest for my short 3-5 mile runs, even my 5-15 mile runs when all you really need is a granola bar and a handheld, but I was determined to get acclimated to this pack.

Fast forward a bit and I now have four running vests (outdoor gear junkies, amirite) and was excited to add the RaidLight Responsiv 6L to my quiver and put it to the test.

Fit/Comfort

The super cool adjustment dial (technically called the Lateral Micro Adjust System) lets you customize the fit of the vest when you have different layers on or as you fill/empty your water. The spout of the water bottles kind of poked me in the face or stuck out awkwardly- they didn’t quite nestle in their “garage” the way I imagined they should when not in use.

Look/Style

I loved the blue/pink contrast and the general look of this pack. The fabric feels great and stretches nicely.

Features

Lateral Micro Adjust System, EazyFlasks, chest pole and back of pack pole storage, daisy-chain in front to adjust chest strap.

Function/Performance

I was always afraid to put things in the outermost pockets because I thought I might lose them. There is only one zippered pocket that barely fits my iphone and no zip pockets on the back to ensure stuff didn’t fall out. Perhaps on the larger volume packs there are more options. I really liked the water bottles that have a pull-to-drink valve on them. The neoprene on the neck of the bottles was a nice touch but unnecessary. The 600ml flasks were perfect for most of my runs.

Durability/Construction

The zipper pull on the front pocket disappeared after my first two runs, otherwise the pack seems durable. I wasn’t afraid that it might rip or snag even. The adjustment cables are very thin but durable.

Final Word

I really had wanted to try a running vest with the soft EazyFlasks in front as opposed to the camelbak/hydropak type bladder in the back. I liked the flasks but I do prefer the bladder to the sloshy sound and weird fit when the bottles are full and also when they are empty. I found the spouts sticking out are a tad uncomfortable and thought they looked weird. The little “garages” that they are supposed to tuck into didn’t really contain them. The lack of snack pockets and a place for my phone on the front of the vest made this irritating to wear for anything but the shortest of runs.

Raidlight is one of the few companies that offer a larger volume running vest for those self-supported ultras or fast packing adventures. I’m still eyeing the 24L pack for skimo training this winter, because, you guessed it… I have another ultra coming up in March.

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