Backside Line
The Pinnacle 4 is a flexible selection for varied functions, making it a helpful choice for a various vary of runners. With simply the correct quantity of pockets to maintain you organized and included straw-top flasks to fulfill your hydration wants, the Pinnacle 4 is an adaptable coaching and race pack that’s positive to impress.
This ultra-light choice is good for informal runners in addition to for race day storage. It accommodates each flasks and reservoirs, making it extraordinarily versatile. The comfy material and safe match forestall it from bouncing round, so that you would possibly overlook you’re even sporting it, similar to we did! With a 4-liter capability, there’s ample organized area for snacks and kit with out coping with extra material throughout shorter outings. Plus, it’s straightforward to realize the correct match because of adjustable sternum straps and choices for varied sizes and genders.
We appreciated the comfortable, quick-drying materials that stored us cool and cozy throughout our half-day outings on the paths round Bellingham, Washington. The safe, no-bounce match allowed us to clip in and focus on our run. We discovered the simple sliding buckle closures handy, although some runners would possibly favor a barely increased clip level.
Uncover extra nice choices in our Finest Operating Vests gear information.
And for more information, take a look at a few of our different in style gear guides:
How We Examined
We examined the Nathan Pinnacle 4-Liter Hydration Race Vest on trails round Bellingham, Washington, within the Pacific Northwest, throughout runs of various lengths. We used it for every day coaching miles and half-day excursions.
Fast Specs
Nathan Pinnacle 4 Liter
Finest Operating Vest for Racing
CleverHiker Score:
4.8/5.0
Value:
$180
Capability:
4L
Reservoir Suitable:
Sure, not included
Sizing:
Males’s & Ladies’s
Professionals
- Light-weight
- Breathable
- Bounce-free match
- Easy accessibility pockets
Cons
- Costly
- Straws can bounce if not secured
Consolation & Match
The Pinnacle 4 suits like a second pores and skin, and the supple materials present a chafe-free expertise. We discovered this vest to be extraordinarily comfy, even on half-day runs within the Pacific Northwest. Mixed with its light-weight development, Nathan has created a pack you could slip on and overlook.
The adjustable sternum straps make it straightforward to dial within the excellent match; nevertheless, we did discover that when the pack was totally loaded, the straps had been at their most size, regardless of our measurements being properly inside the vary. Runners who anticipate regularly carrying full hundreds or who’re on the fringe of the measurement vary could need to measurement up.
The Pinnacle 4 is out there in a ladies’s particular model that boasts a shorter torso size and an hourglass form, making it much more customizable to seek out the correct match. Runners looking for a cushty race day vest or coach will discover it right here.
Performance
The Pinnacle 4 options 12 pockets, together with a capsule pocket, together with a hydration sleeve, making it straightforward to arrange your necessities. The kangaroo pocket on both sides supplies fast entry to its contents. The choice of hook and loop or zip closures enhances the safety of the thoughtfully designed group of this hydration vest.
The handy entry to the pockets whereas on the transfer allowed us to run for hours without having to take away our vest. We additionally appreciated the water resistant lining contained in the entrance flask pockets to forestall water from leaking out. Nevertheless, the liner doesn’t utterly cease moisture from sweat wicking into the pocket, so our cellphone and salt tabs nonetheless ended up soggy.
The 2 included 20 oz Hydrapak comfortable flasks come outfitted with ExoSpine inserts for added stability. We discovered these useful in conserving the flasks from shifting downward as they emptied; nevertheless, they don’t totally resolve the problem, and the straws often popped free from the straw straps, bouncing round irritably. For many who favor a hydration reservoir, the included magnetic clip is a pleasant addition.
Efficiency
The Pinnacle 4’s efficiency was excellent. Whatever the load, we skilled no bounce, and the pack remained safe with out shifting or needing changes, which is exactly what we need in a race-day pack.
We did discover the sternum buckles barely giant, making them simpler to make use of but additionally inflicting some uncomfortable stress. Throughout quick, half-day runs within the Pacific Northwest, we observed that the flasks tended to slosh, and if the straws slipped out of their straps, they flopped round.
Moreover, the included flask lids had been considerably difficult to shut, resulting in leaks or requiring extra time than most popular, which will be a problem when time is vital. Nevertheless, the straws had been well-positioned for straightforward consuming whereas operating.
General, this can be a high-performance pack appropriate for coaching and racing that can accommodate quite a lot of runners.
Sturdiness
Throughout our testing, we used the Pinnacle 4 for our every day runs to maintain our cellphone, keys, hydration, and further layers accessible. We additionally introduced it on longer coaching runs, which required extra gear and snacks. Regardless of loading it up and logging miles, we didn’t discover any important indicators of wear and tear.
The light-weight material seems to be extremely sturdy, resisting snags and tears. The sturdy hook-and-loop tape is an actual benefit for conserving pockets closed and securing the contents, however we marvel if it holds on a bit too tightly and would possibly result in material tearing over time.
Setting that concern apart, this pack looks like a strong funding for race day and coaching alike.
Breathability
Nathan has designed the Pinnacle collection to be 20% lighter than any of their different vests, and it reveals. The Pinnacle 4 permits distinctive breathability, even throughout intense efforts. Whereas we would favor extra mesh for improved airflow, the chimney-shaped contouring of the again panel enhances air flow, making this one of the vital breathable fashions we examined.
The light-weight materials dry shortly, conserving us comfy each in heat climate and through moist winter runs exterior Bellingham, Washington.
We discovered this pack successfully sheds warmth build-up, conserving us cool even when working arduous. Runners in search of a extremely breathable vest for all their runs and races will discover this to be a wonderful choice.
Ought to You Purchase the Nathan Pinnacle 4 Liter Hydration Race Vest?
The Pinnacle 4 is an ultralight, premium vest supreme for informal runners and people in search of a storage and hydration resolution on race day. Its versatility makes it an incredible worth regardless of the value tag, as you’ll put on it on almost each run.
Whether or not you employ the included flasks or favor a reservoir, it supplies ample hydration capability for runs of various lengths. With comfy, wicking materials and a safe match this no-bounce pack is straightforward to overlook as soon as it’s on.
The Pinnacle 4 presents a compact but exceedingly well-organized 4-liter capability, making it straightforward to seek out simply the correct spot to stash your snacks, important gear, and private objects.
The straightforward-to-use clasp buckles on the sternum straps, mixed with the a number of sizes supplied in two gender variations, make discovering the proper match easy. Whether or not you’re embarking on an extended coaching run or pushing by way of to the end line on race day, the Pinnacle 4 will meet your wants.
What Different Hydration Packs Ought to You Think about?
If the Nathan Pinnacle 4 isn’t fairly what you’re in search of, take a look at these different nice choices from our Finest Operating Vests gear information.
Black Diamond Ladies’s Distance 4 Assessment: This 4-liter Editor’s Choose boasts easy-to-use buckle closures, flask hydration, and dials in consolation, breathability, and group in a minimalist fashion.
Salomon ADV Pores and skin 5 Assessment: For those who’re in search of a mid-volume operating vest with a safe match and long-lasting sturdiness, this 5-liter Finances Purchase often is the pack for you.
Ultraspire Alpha 5.0 Race Vest Assessment: Flask suitable and totally featured, this 6-liter Finances Purchase vest is without doubt one of the most comfy and extremely breathable vests we examined.
