Ultra Vest 12

Carry a full kit list for long ultras and self-supported mountain days with the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 12 — a redesigned 12L unisex vest with eleven pockets and a bounce-free ride for serious distance.

DESCRIPTION

The 2025 Ultra Vest is a ground-up redesign of UD's long-distance workhorse, now in a single unisex pattern that fits both men and women across an XS–XL range. Stretch side panels wrap the torso so the load stays close on technical descents, front-buckle static sternum straps lock down larger carries without bouncing on the climbs, and protective air-mesh panels sit behind the bottle and phone pockets to stop chafe over long, sweaty hours. A soft recycled monomesh liner runs next-to-skin, two HydraPak Body Bottle™ 500ml flasks ride up front with bungee retention, and a water-resistant clamshell rear compartment swallows a reservoir, a shell, food and the rest of your kit. Eleven exterior pockets give you fast, on-the-move access without breaking stride.

If you're racing a 100-miler, training through long Drakensberg or Cederberg weekends, or running self-supported efforts where you need to carry water, food, layers and safety kit, the Ultra Vest 12 is built for you. It's the size that does most of the work for Ultra-trail Cape Town, Karoo overnighters, and full-day mountain link-ups. Four removable hooks and bungee loops handle trekking poles front or rear; the optional UD Quiver adds a cleaner on-the-go pole stow if you race with sticks.

TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Capacity: 12L
• Weight: 255g
• Included bottles: 2 × HydraPak Body Bottle™ 500ml
• Reservoir compatible: yes, with internal sleeve and hanging strap (reservoir sold separately)
• Sternum straps: Front-buckle static with hook-attachment placement
• Pocket configuration: 2 large zippered ripstop chest pockets (phone-sized), 2 lower front stretch-mesh shove-it pockets, 2 shoulder stretch-mesh stash pockets, water-resistant clamshell rear main compartment, stretch back passthrough pocket accessible from both sides while wearing — 11 exterior pockets total
• Trekking pole carry: 4 removable bungee loops with hooks, mountable front or rear; UD Quiver compatible (sold separately)
• Fabric: Recycled monomesh liner, ripstop chest pockets, nylon/elastane stretch side panels
• Sizes: XS, SM, MD, LG, XL — unisex sizing
• Cut: Unisex Ultra Vest (single pattern designed to fit both men and women)
• Reflective logos for low-light visibility, safety whistle, glove-friendly zipper pulls