Ultimate Direction Guide To Hydration Packs And Trail Running Apparel
Hydration packs are incredibly effective when it comes to keeping you energised and on your feet during outdoor activities. Hydration packs guarantee an uninterrupted supply of water that is both easy to carry and accessible. These incredible inventions are effective in keeping you hydrated and healthy during trail runs and allow you to carry all of your essentials at your back.
In this article, we will guide you through some of our top products. From hydration packs to recommended running apparel, Ultimate Direction has the outdoor equipment for you. Ultimate Direction offers hydration packs, vests and vestas to accommodate your outdoor needs, so take a look through this guide to learn more about how our products can assist you.
Hydration Packs: Trail Running Essentials
Trail running requires substantial gear to get you through. From hydration packs to decent running shoes, it’s a good idea to gear up before taking to the trails. Even the most experienced road runner will need to learn to adapt to the rough terrain of running trails, and donning the right gear is essential to ensuring success.
We have listed some essential running gear that every trail runner needs when it comes to navigating rough, natural terrain. Take a look at some of these trail running essentials offered by us at Ultimate Direction:
1. Running Vests:
Unlike road running, where less is more, trail running requires a certain amount of gear to help you navigate the terrain. A running vest or hydration pack is a must if you’re going to be navigating the backcountry. With a fitted running vest, you’ll be able to carry adequate hydration as well as various necessary gear and equipment. Ultimate Direction offers running vests and hydration packs tailored to your every trail running need. Here are a few of our recommended running vests to consider for your general trail runs and hiking expeditions.
Mountain Vest: Anyone intending to take on the mountains will be able to make use of Ultimate Direction’s Mountain Vest running vest. This handy vest serves as a hydration pack and can carry your essentials throughout various trail runs and more. Whether you’re running, hiking, or climbing, this lightweight pack is able to promote even weight distribution and makes for a comfortable fit.
The Mountain Vest can carry two 500ml water bottles in the front chest pockets, a hydration bladder in the back, has a large back compartment for plenty of extra gear and can keep your essentials close by in the many accessible pockets that comprise these hydration packs. Ladies looking for a more comfortable fit can opt for the Mountain Vesta, boasting all the same benefits with a more accommodating design. The Mountain Vest is the largest of all the Ultimate Direction running vests with a carrying capacity of approximately 13.4L.
Ultra Vest: This popular running vest option is the perfect addition to every avid trail runner's wardrobe. Dependable and versatile, these hydration packs are able to store all of your essential supplies whether you’re going for a short training run or a long day out. With enough storage for unaided runs up to 50km, it’s no wonder these hydration packs are in such high demand. The Ultra Vest also comes in the women-specific Ultra Vesta and boasts a carrying capacity of 10L.
Race Vest: This running vest is a streamlined, breathable hydration pack perfect for shorter trail races and runs. Reach your best speed yet with this lightweight running vest option. With the Race Vest, you’ll be able to carry the bare essentials on your back without being weighed down. Banish discomfort with this featherlight but feature-rich running vest option. For the ladies, the Race Vest comes in a Race Vesta option perfectly designed for the female athlete. The Race Vest has a carrying capacity of 8.5L.
Trail Vest: This fitted trail running vest is fully adjustable with plush, next-to-body materials for maximum comfort. This running vest is recommended for trail races thanks to its capacity for secure storage, snug fit and additional hydration reservoir. This vest has everything you need to hit the trails, allowing you to stay hydrated on the go. For a little more information on hydration bladders, take a look at these top tips to care for your trail race gear.
Why Is It Important To Clean Hydration Reservoirs and Bladders?
Cleaning your hydration reservoir regularly is vital for ensuring your overall health and wellbeing. Should your hydration reservoir go without proper cleaning for extended periods of time, it can be compromised by bacteria, mildew, and mould. This can be detrimental to your health if you continue to use your hydration bladder. Your drinking tube and bite-valve should also be cleaned as these can also cultivate bacteria when left damp and unwashed for too long.
Bacteria thrive in dark, damp places, making unwashed reservoirs and bladders the perfect breeding ground. It’s important to make sure your hydration bladder is washed regularly and dried completely so you can do well by your body and protect yourself from harmful bacteria in your drinking water.
How often your hydration bladder will need to be cleaned depends on how often you use it and what you put into it. A quick rinse after every use is highly recommended, but a deeper cleanse will be needed occasionally. A good general rule for preventing bacteria growth in hydration bladders is to give it a deep clean once or twice a month.
You can go about cleaning your hydration reservoir with water and a bottle brush. The shape of hydration bladders makes cleaning a bit awkward, but this is an easy hurdle to overcome when you know what you’re doing. Ultimate Direction offers hydration reservoirs with our Trail Vest option, with wide mouth openings to allow for easy cleaning, drying, and refilling. This is a useful attribute of high-quality hydration reservoirs that will make the cleaning process much easier. The hydration bladder from Ultimate Direction is made with innovative taste-free PEEVA material.
When you’re done cleaning your reservoir, shake out any excess water from the bladder and set it aside to air dry. Take this a step further by hanging the bladder upside down and unsealed to dry completely. The goal is to make sure that no moisture is left in the cleaned pack as this could lead to the unwanted growth of algae and mould.
2. Running Apparel:
Alongside hydration packs, you’re going to need the right attire. When trail running, you’re going to be exposed to the elements and it’s important to dress accordingly. If you're running in warm temperatures then quick-drying tees, vests and shorts should be your go-to attire. Colder weather may call for jackets and balaclavas. Ultimate Direction offers a broad array of clothing and accessories to cater to the various conditions you may be running in.
Ultralight Tees: You might be interested in our Ultralight Tees – premium running garments with lightweight, breathable knitted fabric. This running apparel is simple, yet effective, boasting scientifically researched, body-mapped ventilation zones.
Deluge Jackets: This running apparel is designed to be both comfortable and waterproof, allowing you to keep on trucking even if the weather turns. Trail running and hiking out in the backcountry means you’re going to be running at the mercy of mother nature. Stowing a Deluge Jacket in your running vest in the case of bad weather comes highly recommended.
Stratus Shorts: The Stratus Short uses lightweight, wicking fabric to keep every type of athlete cooled off while working out. A zip-secure pocket stores small items such as keys or gels so you can carry what you need on any run.
Hydra Short: The Hydro Short carries two 300ml bottles securely in custom bottle pockets that won’t bounce while running. The rigid waist adjuster provides stability and tucks away when not in use. A large centre back pocket holds an iPhone 8+ and other small items like cash, keys, and small accessories like gloves or a beanie.
Think of it like the in-between of a handheld and a traditional running belt. You can also choose to not carry the bottles, and just use the back pocket for your phone or keys.
Balabeanie: Ultimate hard-weather beanie that covers the full face, while maintaining breathability. Can also be rolled to form only headwear.
3. Mountain Adventure Packs
Longer trail runs and overnight hikes will call for larger packs to allow you to carry enough necessities throughout the duration of your hike. When a running vest isn't enough, Ultimate Direction is here to supply you with a variety of fastpacks for those lengthy adventures. Our fastpacks are spacious and able to carry a large volume of essentials while remaining compact and comfortable on your back.
Fastpack 30: What better way to take on the backcountry than with a reliable Fastpack from Ultimate Direction? The Fastpack 30 is a lightweight hydration pack that allows you to move freely and quickly through the backcountry with all your essentials on hand. Fitting like a vest, with a water bottle upfront, this innovative pack can carry everything you need for light hiking trails without weighing you down or jostling around during your trip.
For a better fit to accommodate all body types, Ultimate Direction also offers a woman’s range – the Fastpack Her 30. We want to help everybody put their best foot forward when it comes to hiking mountainous trails and our innovative hydration packs are a testament to that.
The Ultimate Direction Fastpack range also comes in smaller and larger sizes, including:
- Fastpack 20 and Fastpack Her 20, both with carrying capacities of 20L
- Fastpack 40 is the largest fastpack in the range with a carrying capacity of 40L
About Ultimate Direction
At Ultimate Direction, we work tirelessly to bring you the best quality products for your next outdoor adventure. As innovators in the outdoor activity industry, we offer products that help to heighten your outdoor experience and keep you functioning at full capacity during strenuous activities. Whether you’re running the next trail race or going for a hike in the mountains, you’ll want to have some of our useful products at your back.
We understand the importance of hydration and want to help you stay hydrated during your next big race or weekend hike. With our hydration packs, you’ll be able to drink water on the go, allowing you to take care of your body while doing what you love to the best of your ability. Ultimate Direction is here to take you further, so why not browse through our extensive catalogue and pick out the perfect product for you?
Our team of experts is constantly on the go, working with athletes across the globe to bring you innovative fitness products that are tried and tested by true athletes. Furthermore, we are dedicated to inclusivity and strive to produce outdoor gear that accommodates all kinds of body types. Our range of hydration packs and vests are available for both men's and women's sizing and our belts are adjustable for an easy fit for all. We want to help you put your best foot forward with our spectacular products.
