Spry 4.0 Race Vest ($74.95) Synaptic 2.0 Waist Pack ($59.95), ISO Versa 2.0 Handheld ($24.95), 550 Race 2.0 Handheld ($21.95)
Introduction
I used to be despatched a bundle of UltrAspire gear this spring for testing. I am a giant fan of the model, with their merchandise being indispensable in my operating/racing setup. The Zygos 5.0 vest is my go-to for lengthy ultras, and the Basham vest is my favourite ultralight vest possibility for shorter runs and even longer outings the place water is available. Their waist lights have additionally been a go-to for night time operating and in a single day ultras. At present I am utilizing their Lumen 600 for in a single day racing.
I’ve additionally examined each variations of the Large Bronco race vest. I have been leaning in the direction of utilizing hydration bladders not too long ago, so these vests aren’t ideally suited for me. However they’re advantageous for those who favor flasks up entrance, and wish all pockets accessible on the go. The principle merchandise I will be reviewing right here is the Spry 4.0 vest. This vest wasn’t on my radar in any respect, so I absolutely examined it with an open thoughts, with no expectations so far as anticipated utilization. I additionally obtained their Synaptic 2.0 waist belt in addition to two handheld choices – ISO Versa 2.0 and 550 Race 2.0.
Spry 4.0 Race Vest ($74.95)
The Spry 4.0 seems fairly related in type and performance to the Basham vest. It has a bit extra capability although, with bigger entrance pockets on the decrease chest, and a bigger most important rear compartment. Just like the Basham, it additionally makes use of the shoulder areas for small merchandise storage – one thing I like.
The fabric is identical mono-mesh light-weight materials because the Basham vest – it is extraordinarily breathable and absorbs primarily no sweat. It additionally makes use of nylon straps alongside the aspect physique to regulate the match, versus having the vest materials wrap across the sides of the physique. I discover this efficient as a one-time adjustment, which helps you to situate the place the entrance panels of the vest fall in your entrance torso. The shortage of aspect storage isn’t actually and problem right here, because it’s meant to be a light-weight, low to medium capability vest.
[1L bladder works really well (no bounce) with the Spry 4.0 – great for hot days]
I experimented with carrying totally different bottle choices up entrance. I attempted variations of soppy flasks in addition to UltrAspire’s semi-soft Hybrid bottle. All labored effectively, however once more, I do have a choice for hydration bladders today. The bottles sit a bit decrease on the chest, which I discover to be extra steady, however you may’t actually sip simply. You’d need to rig up some longer straws or take them out to drink.
[Separator between hydration bladder section and main rear area]
The setup I discovered that labored greatest is utilizing a hydration bladder within the rear. There is a separator panel inside the rear compartment which holds the bladder in place and prevents it from swinging round. This was a difficulty I had with the Large Bronco vests – which has a bladder hanger, however no “sleeve” to forestall them from swinging aspect to aspect. The bladder space is considerably small, however I’ve taken to utilizing a smaller 1L bladder anyway, and it matches completely.
So far as storage capability, there’s more room within the rear compartment on prime of the bladder sleeve space, in addition to a smaller safe zipper pocket. The zipper pocket is not actually reachable on the go, so I are likely to put extras in there which I will not want urgently mid-run (there is a key loop in there too). In the event you actually need to max-out storage, there’s an built-in bungee which can be utilized to strap on any further layers. It is a nice-to-have I suppose, but when I really want to hold a lot gear, I would most likely begin off with a better capability vest.
Its breathability issue is nice for warm climate, and I like having the ability to carry a steady 1L of fluids in a hydration bladder. I have a tendency to make use of the pockets up entrance for my gels, gloves, buff, digicam, tripod, and many others.
[Very low rear footprint as seen here]
I used the Spry in an especially rugged mountain race – Heavens Gate in Riggins, Idaho – 19 miles with almost 8,000 ft. of elevation acquire. I carried all my gels and further gloves up entrance. I packed a light-weight shell within the rear and wedged my light-weight Leki poles in there in addition to there isn’t a pole attachment in any other case inbuilt. For hydration, I used a hydration bladder crammed from the beginning, then a handheld which I crammed up at streams and the 1 help station alongside the best way. That is just about a perfect situation for this vest. I extremely suggest this vest and will probably be staying in my rotation going ahead.
Synaptic 2.0 Waist Pack ($59.95)
I am not a giant fan of waist belts – I’ve tried many, and so they at all times appear to both trip up, or bounce an excessive amount of. To forestall these conditions, I normally need to tighten them up an excessive amount of for consolation. They’re very a lot a chunk of drugs that comes down to private choice. If I would like to hold that (small) quantity of drugs, I favor the super-light and minimal Basham vest. Having not too long ago run plenty of timed occasions, and a Yard extremely, I have been desirous about various my hydration carrying choices in these eventualities.
The UA Synaptic 2.0 “pack” encompasses a single, angled bottle service within the rear – which works with the Hybrid bottle. There are additionally a number of small stretch storage pockets within the font and the rear. It is as much as you the way a lot you’d need to stretch/load these pockets. I attempted a couple of gels, gloves, and a buff with none drawback. You may most likely additionally match a small headlamp and possibly a couple of further smalls.
The waist cinch is comfy and makes use of a sturdy hook on one aspect. Additional belt size might be rolled up and stuffed right into a small mesh space. I discovered the waist belt sat very well for me with little/no bounce. I did need to cinch it down a bit, and I suppose that sort of strain across the waist is simply one thing to get used to. The one large drawback I had with this belt was the issue in getting the bottle out. There is a semi-rigid nook strap which holds the bottle in place as soon as it is seated, however I discovered that it held the bottle somewhat too tight. I’ve a extremely onerous time getting the bottle out with one hand. I normally have to succeed in again with my left hand and maintain the underside of the belt whereas I attempt to wiggle the bottle out with my proper hand.
That is actually not ideally suited, having to succeed in behind with each fingers whereas on the run. Maybe it is simply one thing about the best way the belt sits for me personally? However I’d have thought it might be simpler and easy to get the bottle out and in. Let me know within the feedback if anybody else has the same problem. Maybe the Plexus waist pack with its horizontal bottle orientation works higher?
[Standard front attachment at the bottom, Lumen Ally in the middle]
There’s additionally the Lumen Ally elective attachment ($29.95) which you’ll swap in if you wish to use one in all UltrAspire’s waist lamps up entrance. That is undoubtedly a useful characteristic for those who’re a fan of waist lights. UA’s wait lamps snap in & out of the plastic service so it is a easy swap. My Lumen 600 has a single battery built-in into the sunshine, with no wires to an exterior battery so it is so simple as might be.
[Simple swap of the lamp into the Lumen Ally]
The Synaptic 2.0 has some very nice options, and a cushty, no-bounce match, however in the end the primary operate of carrying a bottle is simply not working for me. The bottle does match snugly contained in the bottle space, so maybe that overlapping strap could possibly be reworked so it is simpler to get the bottle out with one hand. Maybe a magnet closure?
ISO Versa 2.0 Handheld ($24.95)
I haven’t used a handheld recurrently for fairly a while. I’ve a couple of small Nathan ones that I’ve used on occasion – once I do a exercise outdoor and I simply need to convey some fluids with me. Most of my longer races are within the mountains, so I nearly at all times have a vest. If I would like extra fluids, I’ll carry a smooth flask in my hand so once I’m carried out I can stash it away in a vest pocket.
The Versa 2.0 Handheld carries a stable 20 ounces, which is greater than I’ve ever carried in a handheld. The triangular hand strap is definitely adjustable on either side with cinch pulls. The highest of the bottle is angled, however I couldn’t actually decide which was one of the simplest ways to orient it (both away or in the direction of me). I attempted each methods, and didn’t actually discover a method or one other being higher.
20 ounces is quite a bit to hold round, and I did discover the burden. However for those who’re used to utilizing handhelds, this isn’t a difficulty. When you cinch the handstrap, it’s actually locked in. It truly takes some effort if you wish to change the bottle from one hand to a different. I additionally had hassle working my watch on the run as a result of my hand being in one thing of a “grip” place. Once more, these could also be non-issues for those who’re an skilled handheld consumer, however please learn on for my comparability to the 550 Race 2.0 Handheld…
550 Race 2.0 Handheld ($21.95) The second handheld I examined was far more preferable for me. I’ll simply go forward and description the explanations for that immediately. It makes use of UltrAspire’s commonplace Extremely Flask 550ml hybrid bottle – over time I’ve collected a couple of of those, so it might be straightforward to prep and swap out spare bottles in a race scenario. The hybrid bottle is wider than the Versa bottle, and is rounded on one aspect. This matches the palm of my hand very well. I get a extra pure “resting” hand maintain across the bottle versus the extra “grip-like” really feel across the spherical Versa bottle.
[You could put your thumb through that loop, or not]
I had an earlier model (I suppose 1.0?) of the hand-held that works with the Hybrid bottle. That one appeared to have the problem that the underside cradle space didn’t fully wrap across the backside of the bottle. It appeared to simply wrap excessive of the underside edge and tended to slip round except I strapped the bottle in fairly tight.
As you may see within the pic beneath – the decrease portion wraps horizontally across the backside fringe of the bottle, giving a safe match. It’s seemingly a minor element, however this model is significantly better and holds the bottle securely, with no fuss, which is what you’re searching for.
[This 2.0 strap wraps around the base of the bottle better than the previous version]
In comparison with the earlier model, the supplies appear to be a bit thinner and extra stripped down – which is an efficient factor. There’s sufficient there to carry the bottle to your hand, and nothing extra. A single velcro strip on the alternative aspect offers a contact of additional squeeze for those who want it.
I favor this, easier handheld over the Versa because of the particular causes above, however primarily simply as a result of its simplicity. The Versa appears too strapped in for my style – I actually don’t must have my hand strapped down that a lot to a bottle. With the 550 Race 2.0, I can simply slide my hand out and in, and swap the bottle between fingers very simply. I are likely to hold my thumb out of that loop with out shedding any maintain on the bottle. This makes it simpler to make use of the watch whereas having the hand-held on.
UltrAspire continues to supply high quality merchandise and stays most likely my favourite gear model. The Spry 4.0 and 550 Race 2.0 handheld have change into staples in my rotation – particularly with the recent summer time temperatures setting in.
Vest Comps:
Patagonia Slope Runner
That is probably the most related vest to the Spry 4.0. The Patagonia additionally has fairly a low physique footprint, and it’s additionally tremendous light-weight. It appears to have a bit extra storage capability despite the fact that I feel it’s additionally listed at 4.0L. It wraps across the aspect of the physique so you may actually stuff that kangaroo pocket with lots of gear. The Slope Runner additionally has pole straps, which the Spry lacks. I discover that the Spry holds a 1L bladder very well with its effectively fitted bladder sleeve space. The entrance chest pockets are related between the 2, however the Spry’s shoulder pockets are very helpful. I’ve been strictly utilizing the Spry within the very popular summer time climate because it covers much less of the physique and is extra breathable. In cooler temps if I needed to be light-weight however carry a bit extra stuff, the Patagonia remains to be a superb possibility.
UltrAspire Basham Vest
This vest is a bit more stripped down -with even much less physique footprint and undoubtedly much less pocket storage throughout. I like this one in very popular temps, even racing with sufficient water entry. However I discover that I’ve been utilizing the Spry extra not too long ago – once more I can carry a full 1L bladder within the again and somewhat bit extra gear comfortably up entrance within the pockets. I’d say the Spry is a little more versatile and if I didn’t point out it already – an incredible deal at $75.
UltrAspire Bronco Race Vest
These vests differ by way of location of entrance bottle storage. The Bronco seats them excessive up on the chest, whereas the Spry places them decrease. Some runners have totally different preferences on the place the bottles sit. The Bronco doesn’t maintain a rear bladder effectively – except you actually stuff the again storage with gear to forestall the bladder from swinging round. I wasn’t too loopy about having every part so excessive up on my physique with the Bronco – for me, the Spry appears to middle the burden of every part a bit higher round my torso. Two good choices primarily based on choice.
Final Path Race Vest 5.0
Comparable light-weight mono-mesh sort supplies right here. The Race Vest has a considerably convoluted aspect/rear adjustment system along with the entrance straps. The Spry does simply high-quality with two chest straps and two skinny nylon aspect straps. The UD Race Vest entrance pockets I discover to be free and floppy – onerous to maintain issues from bouncing round. Maybe it has extra storage capability than the Spry, however typically talking, the Spry is a greater and better-designed vest.
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