Why even use a hydration vest?
You often see them at ultra-events, but increasingly also in regular use during very hot weather: hydration vests.
I usually ride with two bottles, often mounted on the fork. That was always enough for me. Then I started looking into nutrition and regular hydration and came across hydration vests. They usually come with hydration bladders ranging from 1.5 to 2 liters and, depending on the model, offer additional space for other items.
You can’t really compare them to regular backpacks, as they sit higher on the back and often don’t offer as much space. Once the bladder is filled, it takes up most of the volume. Still, there is usually a larger compartment at the back and smaller mesh pockets or zippered compartments on the chest straps where you can store bars, your phone, or other flat items.
Table of Contents
- Pros and cons at a glance
- Getting used to it and handling
- Model overview: Apidura & Restrap
- Apidura Racing Hydration Vest in detail
- Restrap Race Hydration Vest in detail
- Conclusion
Pros and cons at a glance
I now quite enjoy using hydration packs or vests because I can drink regularly while riding without having to take my hands off the handlebars for too long. This is especially beneficial in rough terrain. Additionally, I find hydration vests a comfortable way to carry extra water and gain a bit of storage space on my back.
Of course, a hydration vest always means additional load on the body. But honestly, the cut and design of the vests make them comfortable, and apart from a sweaty back, the extra weight isn’t really noticeable. On the contrary: especially in winter, I prefer the hydration pack over bottles, as the water stays a bit warmer and is easier to tolerate.
But hydration vests aren’t for everyone: if you don’t like riding with extra weight on your back or the potentially restrictive feeling on your chest from the straps, you should look for other ways to carry a hydration bladder on your bike.
Getting used to it and handling
When I first started using hydration vests, I had issues with straps being too tight and the fit. That’s why I recommend doing extensive test rides before using the vest properly, to find the right strap tension, back position with and without load, and the position of the drinking tube. Also, get familiar with the feeling and behavior of the hydration pack when it’s full and then gets emptier. Sometimes they tend to slide up toward the neck.
Model overview: Apidura & Restrap
After trying out many options, I bought the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest and have ridden a lot with it. Now I had the opportunity to also test the Restrap Race Hydration Vest. So this is about both hydration vests. I hope to give you a good overview of their features as well as pros and cons.
Apidura Racing Hydration Vest in detail
First impression & size
Apidura enjoys an excellent reputation among bikepacking enthusiasts and, in addition to high-quality and well-thought-out bag solutions, also offers hydration vests. I bought the vest from the Racing collection after having the chance to take a closer look at it from fellow riders during the Trans Balkan Race.
I chose size L/XL because it was important to me to have enough space, even when wearing a rain jacket underneath or a thicker shirt. Overall, this vest offers 7 liters of volume including a 2L hydration bladder. The smaller one has 5.5 liters.
According to the manufacturer, the vest weighs 370g. I weighed it myself and got 387g, including drinking tube and bladder.
Construction & storage compartments
The Apidura is made of a lightweight fabric that is quite thin. According to the manufacturer, Diamond Net Mesh and coated 70D Ripstop Nylon are used. It has two compartments on the back: one larger and one smaller. When the hydration bladder is filled, a few bars or gels still fit in. But then it gets tight.
I like the reflective pattern at the bottom of the vest, which adds visibility in traffic.
In addition to the compartments on the back, the vest has a larger mesh pocket on the right shoulder strap and a small zippered pocket and mesh pocket on the left side. In practice, I rarely use these, mostly just to store trash.
Carrying system & straps
The straps are reinforced with a frame on both sides. This can sometimes press uncomfortably but can be adjusted using the tension straps at rib height.
At the front, the vest is secured with two straps and closed with click fasteners. The upper click fastener also has an integrated emergency whistle. On the lower strap is the magnet for securing the drinking tube.
This can be routed along either side of the vest. There is also a magnet on the tube, which clicks into the strap magnet on the vest. This keeps the drinking tube in place while riding.
Drinking system & handling
The magnetic clip on the drinking tube can be moved and rotated. This allows you to adjust where the mouthpiece sits and how tightly the tube is routed. It always clicks in on the right side at chest height. I therefore route the tube out of the vest on the upper left, pull it across the chest, and then fix it on the right with the magnet.
The Apidura hydration bladder holds 2 liters and is closed using a clamp, Velcro, and roll closure. I had to figure this out first, because during my first use I hadn’t pressed the clamp bar firmly enough, and when I bent down to stretch, the entire bladder emptied into my neck.
To accommodate the bladder, the hydration vest has a suitably large compartment that is very accessible. First, the tube is connected to the bladder and then stowed in the compartment. The top of the compartment is closed with Velcro. When the bladder is full, the closure may be under tension and not close properly. But that’s not really important.
There’s also a hook to hang the bladder, which prevents it from collapsing when it gets empty.
To fill the bladder, you don’t have to take it out of the compartment every time—you can simply open it and then close it again.
Apidura features elastic straps on the sides at the level of the ribcage, which allow the adjustment of the harness. This controls how tightly the vest fits. Together with the adjustment straps on the chest, the vest can be optimally fine-tuned.
In practice, however, I repeatedly have issues with the strap on the right side being too tight. I then readjust the chest straps, but I still need to fundamentally address this.
Filling the bladder is very straightforward, and the compartment offers enough space to stow it comfortably. Even though the remaining space is limited, I also use the vest to carry a few gels and bars. This saves space on the bike.
The mouthpiece offers a high volume for good flow. It’s also very easy to clean. To open the flow, you pull the mouthpiece up. You simply do this with your teeth while riding. To close it, you push it back down.
Other manufacturers, such as Evoc, use a mouthpiece that opens and closes by twisting. Since the drinking tubes can be replaced anyway, everyone has to decide for themselves which mouthpiece “tastes best.”However, I’ve noticed that the twist mouthpieces sometimes stick together when, like me, you also carry sugary liquids in the bladder.
Cleaning & Care
Cleaning is relatively easy: the bladder can be rinsed and cleaned with soapy water. I also use Corega Tabs to keep the valve on the bladder clean. Additionally, I’ve purchased a cleaning kit with a long tube brush and a hanger for the bladder. This allows me to remove bacterial deposits inside the tube.
Restrap Race Hydration Vest in detail
First impression & workmanship
Unlike Apidura, Restrap has built a more robust version of a hydration vest. This is also noticeable in the weight, which is 554g including drinking tube and bladder (530g according to the manufacturer). The nearly 200g more are not really noticeable in practical use, as the vest fits very well – and that without much adjustment. I received the Hydration Vest in size L/XL for testing. It offers a total volume of 7.5 liters, including a 2-liter bladder.
Design & storage compartments
It also differs significantly from the more minimalist Apidura vest: for example, it has a visually larger rear compartment that is closed with a vertical zipper. The fabric is noticeably thicker and feels more robust. Restrap uses X21, a waterproof material. On the sides, there are longer mesh pockets that can hold smaller bottles, although this depends on the fill level of the hydration bladder and any additional load.
Carrying system & adjustment options
The differences in adjustment options are clearly visible. Restrap has a strap on each shoulder that allows the vest to be pulled higher or tighter. The chest straps are connected similarly to Apidura via two straps with click fasteners.
The clever part here is that they are adjustable in their vertical position and can thus be individually adapted. Apidura does not offer this. Restrap refers to this as 5-way adjustable with safety clip & whistle.
Drinking system & handling
Additionally, the counter magnet is not permanently installed but can be flexibly attached to the right or left as desired. It is designed like a clip and is slid onto the corresponding loop. The magnet also sits higher than on the Apidura, which means the drinking tube is attached at cheek height.
The chest straps can be adjusted at the bottom on the sides to regulate the fit. They are also slightly reinforced at the edges, but not as much as on the Apidura. The chest straps feature a larger mesh pocket on the right and a combination of a side-access zippered pocket and a smaller mesh pocket on the left.
The hydration bladder, as with Apidura, goes into the larger compartment on the back. However, the opening of the Restrap is quite narrow. I initially had trouble getting the full bladder inside. But the solution is clear – or rather obvious: I fill the bladder when it is already inside the vest. The bladder is also held in place by a hook in the Restrap. However, this hook is easier to use than the one on the Apidura. Or maybe I just don’t understand how the Apidura hook works properly.
Like the Apidura, the bladder holds 2 liters. However, the closure is different: with the Restrap, the top end of the bladder is folded over a plastic bar and then closed with a slide-on rail. This is the more classic hydration bladder closure, but it also weighs a bit more.
The mouthpiece is a bit more delicate and is also activated by pulling it out. However, I had the impression that the flow rate is not as high as with the Apidura. I still need to test this further. And I haven’t yet found a way to remove the mouthpiece for cleaning.
The drinking tube also has a magnetic clip that is adjustable and can thus be adapted to the corresponding magnet position on the vest. Personally, I prefer the mouthpiece to sit a bit higher, as it does with the Restrap, compared to the Apidura where it is more centered and to the side, and thus more exposed to dirt.
Conclusion
Hydration vests are a real asset for bikepackers who want to drink regularly or a lot and need some extra storage space.
The Apidura Racing Hydration Vest scores with minimalism and light weight, while the Restrap Race Hydration Vest offers more adjustment options and more robust construction.
Those who value comfort and flexibility will likely prefer the Restrap, even though it weighs a bit more. Those who want to travel ultra-light and minimalistic will be better served with the Apidura.
Both vests are similar, and in the end, personal riding style and preference will decide. But both vests show that a hydration vest can be worthwhile and a great addition to your setup.
