My Review of Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest – 70 oz.

REI

Think of it as a hydration jetpack! Nathan Human Propulsion Laboratories 020 Race Hydration Vest is engineered to enhance your maximum velocity.

Nathan HPL 020 Race Hydration Vest – 70 oz.

Good pack, poor bladder & drink valve

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Refill, Stable, Comfortable

Cons: Not reflective, Poor Construction, Leaks

Best Uses: Running

Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer

What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist

I want to like this product. The pack portion is well designed and comfortable to run in. I don’t see any reflective piping on the pack which seems like a no brainer thing to add.

However, the bladder and drink system are of poor design and construction. The bladder leaks — mine leaks around the fill hole. In reading reviews elsewhere, this is apparently common. I would be hesitant to use this during cold weather events, since getting wet from your pack is not a good thing.

Another problem is the bite valve. It is difficult to open. I wore the pack during a recent 100-mile race and the valve became less and less operable. Eventually it simply fell off. It’s still not working properly and I expect to return it.

In summary, it’s a good pack design, but the drink system is simply unreliable.

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