Jeff V: The Camelbak Apex Professional is a protracted distance race or all day run vest that’s chock stuffed with options and performance, with mushy, breathable supplies for a clothes like really feel, a really handy, effectively thought out pocketing system with an important mixture of simply accessible pockets on the entrance of the shoulder straps together with voluminous rear storage. Moreover, the Apex Professional has a handy, straightforward to make use of (detachable/stowable) pole quiver.
The entrance pockets are an identical on both facet. Beginning on the high we now have deep flask pockets to accommodate the included 17 oz flasks with locking caps (my favourite of all bottles due to the form, construction and locking cap). There may be additionally a bungee to carry the cap/bottle in place so the flask doesn’t sink to the underside because it empties.
Sam: Including to Jeff’s above. The bottle pockets are deep and safe with sufficient substance to their mesh and their maintain is backed by the entrance zip pockets to carry all kinds of flasks..
For enjoyable I even examined with a Hydra Flask insulated bottle throughout a protracted 10 mile stroll and it held simply high quality, with no bouncing and was not in the best way of my face. I additionally examined with lengthy skinny Salomon flasks with no points.
I agree with Jeff that the flask cords work very effectively however I discover the Camelbak flasks themselves problematic, and at all times have. Care is required to” unlock” on the go as their caps can twist off within the path of unlocking the valve because the threads are mushy, until the cap is tightened tremendous securely and I believe it ought to have a constructive click on to insure the cap is effectively locked and to advise if when opening you have got loosened the cap.
A “lighter” model of the system in Camelbak’s wonderful cap locking bike bottles, I believe the caps and unlock mechanism could possibly be beefed up as it’s within the bike bottles.
The zip entrance pockets have some stretch whereas their paired stretch drop in pockets behind simply and really securely fully cowl and maintain my iPhone 15 Professional by pushing it again a bit. My telephone additionally suits very effectively within the zip entrance pockets, zipped or unzipped.
Jeff: Under the flask pockets are what I first thought had been single, massive, deep stuff pockets, however either side is segmented within the center to additional arrange, with the internal stuff pocket being a bit safer with the stretch elastic hem.
Then the bottom pockets every have a protracted diagonal zipper main right into a roomy pocket that’s nice for storing a telephone or every other essential objects that you really want fast, quick access too, however don’t need to danger them falling out if taking off the pack. The one distinction from one facet to the opposite is that the fitting facet zippered pocket has a key clip (please, each vest, waist belt or shorts maker, please do that, why not??) in addition to two mesh inside stretch pockets which might be good for stowing issues like lip balm or a baggie of tablets for instance.
On the again of the pack, once more beginning on the high, you have got a Recco reflector (a light-weight passive emergency transponder used worldwide for mountain rescue, extra particulars right here), then beneath {that a} good water-proof zippered pocket, simply the fitting dimension if you happen to don’t have a baggie to your telephone, or need to stow a pockets, or overflow meals. With a bit of finesse, you possibly can attain into this smaller zippered pocket on the run, however I see it as extra useful for lesser used protected maintain form of issues.
Under that’s the very massive principal compartment, accessed by a protracted diagonal zipper. That is the spot the place you’ll doubtless maintain jackets or every other clothes objects. Inside the principle pocket, there may be additionally a beneficiant mesh pocket to maintain gloves and beanies sorted.
Sam: This huge rear pocket with some stretch can maintain alot. I believe this additional rear capability is a should have if it’s a must to select a single vest because it extends the utility to winter path runs and summer season hikes whereas staying out of the best way in any other case.
On the very backside is a beneficiant go by way of pocket, good for an additional flask or windbreaker kind objects. On both facet of the go by way of pocket are additionally cinchable bungee cords which have a twin goal of securing objects within the go by way of pocket and to assist cinch down the match of the vest. In case you are significantly limber, you could possibly entry this pocket, however I’m not limber sufficient.
Along with all of that, there may be additionally a reservoir slide pocket closest to the again, the place you possibly can after all slide a Camelbak reservoir, or simply stuff extra necessities.
The pole quiver is straightforward to entry as is the highest cinch bungee to safe poles in place, or if not utilizing the quiver, it may possibly fully be eliminated or stuffed it into its personal hidden storage pocket on the underside (it can be oriented to both the left or proper facet utilizing small snaps, whichever you favor).
Sam: I like that the 3D mesh not solely has depth to make sure strong breathable however offers extra construction to not solely the rear panel however to the broad shoulder straps with construction additionally offered by the entrance pockets, not like the Zephyr Professional’s mainly single layer mesh.
The Apex Professional’s shoulder straps would not have an inclination to twist, distribute hundreds extra evenly and make the vest a lot simpler to placed on.
All of this makes the vest mildew higher to the physique and keep bounce free irrespective of the load massive or small with much less bounce and movement than the Zeyphr Professional or extra material clothes like vests.
Sam: Jeff has talked about the quiver pole carry system.
You may as well connect your poles to the entrance of the vest utilizing the twin bungees on with facet of the shoulders. Not as fast entry however a great way to maintain the poles on the vest and able to go for longer stretches.
Match:
Jeff V: New for Camelbak, as an alternative of their typical one dimension suits all (most) “sizing”, the Apex Professional now is available in sizes XS-L accommodating a wider vary of runners. I’m 5’9.5”/ 145lbs with a ~38” chest and hit that overlap zone between Med and Massive.. Relying on the model and vest, I most frequently go along with massive, however on this case, I went with a medium.
I believe that is an total sensible choice for me, however I’ll admit that when the pack is loaded, when I’m sporting a jacket and/or feeling full after breakfast, the vest can really feel like there may be not a lot leeway.
Nevertheless, with no jacket, with a extra reasonable load and after I run off breakfast, the match is de facto good and I’ve to cosy the entrance straps. If I needed to do it over once more, I would go for a big, since that is the kind of vest that I need to load up and put on all day and oftentimes within the mountains, layers might be within the combine and I would like the added leeway. The entrance chest straps are each elastic and simple to function, which can be adjusted vertically on both facet, however this isn’t a straightforward course of, as it’s a must to unhook and transfer every anchor to a special loop. That is very a lot a predetermined setting and never an adjustment you are able to do on the fly. If I had one nitpick, it could be that I might a lot choose vertical slide rails for straightforward, on the fly vertical changes (one thing I fairly often do after I can). Moreover, the stretchy entrance straps, whereas comfy and permitting for some give for deep respiration, can loosen when the bottles and pack are totally loaded, necessitating the occasional tightening.
Sam: I additionally went with a medium and am the identical top as Jeff if heavier. Match has been excellent over layers and a jacket or simply over a single baselayer.
The mushy skinny stretch sternum straps enable straightforward adjustment and, as with all of the pocket “pulls” on the vest, have a mushy rubber ring to permit straightforward seize on the go. Even when inevitably twisted, the straps stay comfy. We’ll keep watch over the sturdiness of this considerably delicate system which not like many vests just isn’t the first method the vest stays put with the 3D mesh, pockets and broad shoulder straps enjoying the important thing poles
The situation of the straps may be adjusted by clipping the hooks on the desired top on webbing loops.
Efficiency and Conclusions:
Jeff V: General the efficiency of the Apex Professional is wonderful in case you are seeking to carry a reasonable to great amount of drugs for lengthy runs or days within the mountains climbing.
It’s comfy, breathable and could be very effectively thought out, with very effectively organized, spacious pockets on each the back and front.
I actually admire the structure of the entrance pockets, the place you possibly can retailer plenty of meals and necessities which might be simply accessible on the go. The pack could be very safe and carries bigger hundreds very effectively with little bounce. In case you are searching for a extra versatile, mild pack that may double for reasonably lengthy runs, or even be good for brief runs for just some necessities, this isn’t it and I might level you to the a lot lighter Zephyr Professional, because the Apex Professional is heavier and geared for longer hauls.
Sam: Lastly a big capability “race” vest that will get entrance storage completely proper and carries a big load securely. There is no such thing as a miracle in making a big capability vest so minimal that it suffers from match, maintain and performance.
Whereas the same capability Zephyr Professional was a high quality mild vest, I discovered its shoulder straps twisted making an attempt to place it on and its entrance pockets comparatively sloppy and never as purposeful because the Apex Professional’s.
I wish to have two vest out there: one with capability for two entrance bottles and a little bit of storage: telephone, vitamin, perhaps a lightweight shell out again and one other with capability for sufficient gear for an all day run or hike with room for additional layers, a number of entrance storage and a giant again compartment with sufficient construction to maintain a giant load secure and fuss free. The substantial and bounce free even loaded totally Apex Professional completely suits the invoice for me.
The Camelbak Apex Professional is offered at our companions
