Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 5.0 - Women's Review

This strong hydration pack offers all of the basics in one moderately comfortable package. The excessive number of bungees makes it an excellent choice for comfortable large-load hauling.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

On the surface, the Ultra Vesta 5.0 doesn't seem like the most comfortable option. It may not offer a sleek surface or svelte profile, but its ripstop nylon componentry and abundant lightweight mesh turn this pack into a comfortable running companion. The feather-light straps and horizontal, underarm bungees allow you to customize your fit further. This pack utilizes a hook and loop closure that cuts down on the overall weight. The bungees on the back of the pack seem excessive, but we found this to be a major attribute. Instead of offering an internal compression system, the bungees act as an external compression system to keep the bulk of the load close to your body. The bungees and close ride make this pack one of the most bounce-free we've ever tested. The Ultra Vesta is also one of the more frameless options in our lineup. Instead of having any boning on the chest panels, the edging of the entire pack is made of a soft yet strong, fleecy material. The lack of structure is yet another comfort feature that we like about this vest.

While the mesh backing of the Ultra Vesta is light and breathable, it is not especially high-tech. The comfortable shape of the pack overall compensates for its average textile feel, but it is worth noting that it isn't the softest pack around. The mesh is breathable and airy but also stiff and rough. These panels could potentially irritate sensitive skin. Overall, this tough and breezy pack offers a snug ride and ample 10L capacity for a low price and a low weight to match.

Features

The Ultra Vesta offers some great features, safety-focused and otherwise. The included whistle rides comfortably in the left breast pocket, and the reflective logo on the back of the pack provides a bit more visibility during lowlight runs. The lowest of the front pockets are stretchy and engineered specifically to fit a smartphone, a unique and well-thought-out attribute. The Ultra Vesta also possesses great trekking pole storage if you have highly collapsible poles. There are elastic loops bilaterally on the breast panel and the waist belt. Collapsible poles can be neatly stored on either side, depending upon your preference. We like having the option to carry our poles on the front side of our vests while running. This helps us pull them out with ease when the terrain gets aggressive.

Ultimate Direction made some serious upgrades when it comes to the features of the Ultra Vesta 5.0 and it shows. Still, the fact that there are straps and bungees everywhere takes some getting used to. The external compression system has benefits, but we generally like a bit more internal storage for our gear. However, if you are looking for a standard, bounce-free hydration vest to help ignite your trail running career, the Ultra Vesta is a great choice. Ultimately, this vest scores in the middle of the pack and is perfectly functional; it just isn't our favorite.

Hydration System

The double bottle system of the Ultra Vesta 5.0 allows you to carry up to 1L of water on your front with accommodations for a hydration bladder in the back pocket. The weight of the bottles stays snug against your body, and when we opted to shove a 2L bladder into the back and fill both breast bottles, we felt evenly weighted and comfortable.

However, our words of praise for the hydration system end there. The bottles are a bit too low to offer easy access. You can choose to angle your head down to sip or use your hands to bring the spout closer to your mouth. Either way, a bit of coordination is involved, making this a rather impractical race day endeavor. Furthermore, it is not realistic to remove the bottles from their designated pockets each time you want a sip as they are difficult to replace, especially when you have your front pockets full of other items. And, if you happen to have your vest off and it tips upside down, your bottles will fall straight onto the trail. The soft bottle conundrum can be solved by employing a hydration bladder instead. After all, the compression bungees ensure a bounce and slosh-free experience. Unfortunately, the mesh is so thin that you can feel the water temperature through it. If you choose to start out with icy water, your back will be frigid until you warm up, at which point your water will follow suit. Overall, if you want to comfortably stow a lot of water, the Ultra Vesta shows up and will work well. However, there are more precisely engineered options available.

Volume to Weight Ratio

The volume to weight ratio of the Ultra Vesta 5.0 is definitely better than much of its competition. This pack can hold up to 10L of gear and weighs in at just over 6.5 oz when empty. The materials that comprise the Ultra Vesta are incredibly lightweight and stretchy, adding to the practical application of the volume to weight ratio. The engineers behind this pack did a really great job making use of every bit of real estate, which we will discuss in more detail below.

Pockets

As mentioned, the people in charge of updating the pocket situation on this vest deserve kudos. The pockets are all well-placed and stretchy, allowing them to easily house whatever you need to bring on your runs. The pockets are easily navigated, with just enough extra to promote good organization. We love how expandable this pack is. In total, the Ultra Vesta has 11 pockets, including those meant for the hydration system components.

The back of the pack is basic enough. It has one large, mesh-backed pocket that holds a hydration bladder if you choose to run with one. The mesh is strong, so if you happen to slip a sharp item (like keys, for example) into it, it is a bit more resistant to punctures than the thinner, more spaciously holed mesh that other vests use. There is a large side entry pocket that runs the length of the pack. It has a double-zippered closure, which allows you to keep everything housed even when you need to find something from the depths on the trail. There is another long, vertical pocket with a fist-sized opening running the length of the pack. It offers little in the way of closure but has one loop that can be modified to provide a bit of protection. This pocket is where the main external compression bungee is mounted. The surface of the back of the pack is split horizontally into two compartments, both with 4-inch long zippered closures on opposite sides. These pockets are great for securing small items.

The deepest front pockets are designed to hold the included 500mL soft bottles. Atop the right breast panel pocket is a small, closure-less pocket that is split into two segments. These particular segments are the perfect size to stash an energy gel into each one. The waist panels each have wide, horizontally oriented pockets. The right side has a zipper for secure closure, and the left is open. Since the pocket runs the length of the waist panel and underarm area, we never had any trouble with our smartphones bouncing out of this pocket while we ran. All in all, the pockets on the Ultra Vesta 5.0 are expertly crafted and upped the rating of this hydration pack significantly.

Value

The Ultra Vesta 5.0 is on the lower end of the price spectrum. Even though it isn't one of our top contenders, its competitive price and strong durability make it a great value.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a lightweight hydration pack that offers slight weather resistance on a budget, the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 5.0 could be a great choice for you. It offers the features of the pricier options and is a good choice for new trail runners who don't feel ready to plunge into a more expensive arena yet. The Ultra Vesta might not be the running hydration vest that you fall in love with, but it is certain to satisfy your needs and get you running in the right direction.