Ultimate Direction Jenny Ultra Vesta Review - Run 1

Well, I just took a short run with my new Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta.  For frame of reference, I have been running for about a year with this kid's version CamelBak and it never fit exactly right (shocking) and would sometimes rub my inner upper arms so I decided to upgrade.  My first impression is that moving from a pack with a hydration bladder in the back to a pack with bottles in the front is going to take some getting used to.

First, just a little bit about sizing.  I went back and forth trying to decide whether to go with the XS/SM or MD/LG.  I decided on the XS/SM and think that was the right choice, but I live in Florida so it is unlikely that I will ever wear this over anything but a tshirt or light jacket.  If I thought I'd be wearing it over even a heavyweight sweatshirt or if I was going to carry a lot of stuff I might have returned this for the MD/LG.  My measurements over a tech fabric tank top - 36" measured just under my armpits and 33" measured about 2" below the band of my running bra.  When I tighten the top sternum strap I think that if the vest were the larger size that the front would cinch too close in front, but it's hard to know that for sure having not actually tried the larger size.  Anyway, if you're close to my measurements and plan to wear something more than a tshirt or carry anything substantial in the pack then you might want to consider sizing up to the MD/LG.  I'm still on the fence as to if I made the right decision or not.

I only took this out for a very short 1.5 mile run (yes, that's one and one-half, not fifteen) where my calves decided to not cooperate so I didn't give it much of a first test run, but I'm a little nervous that it might chafe the sides of my neck right at the top of my shoulders.  I'm hoping that on a longer run and with a little more fidgeting with the tension on the straps that it won't be an issue.  And I'm hoping that this isn't because I was right on the edge of the XS/SM size and should have sized up.  Plus, the weight of the water bottles being on the front is a very different feel and the vest seemed to slip side to side just a little bit.  I also didn't have anything in the back of the vest to offset the weight at all.  I don't think trying to take the bottles out and replace them whenever you want to take a sip of water is practical, they are just too squishy and take a little maneuvering to get back into the pocket.  But you also don't hear any water sloshing noise which is excellent.  And if you push the pocket of the vest up just a bit you can tip your head forward and drink out of the bottle without removing it.  So this is not a deal breaker for me.

The phone pocket (the one with the zipper) on the front is just barely big enough to fit my Google Pixel in its case.  The phone with case measures just shy of 6" x 4".  Even just a little bit taller and I don't think it would fit.

The back of the pack sits high on your back and doesn't cover up your lower back at all.  It feels a little strange at first, but I think in the heat of the Florida summer it's going to be great to not have your lower back covered.  That being said, I couldn't even begin to reach any of the pockets on the back with the pack on.  But I'm also not the most bendy person in the world.

I'll be interested to see how this works out on longer runs.  I'm hoping I get the kinks worked out otherwise I'm going to be pretty bummed to have an expensive pack that doesn't quite work for me.