To ensure that a persons hydration vest will fit correct, the vest must be able to remain against the body during a run. When a persons hydration vest dont fit correctly, the vest will bounce against their body, potential rubbing against skin. This bouncing will create a distraction for the runner.
Runners make the mistake of buying a hydration vest based off there clothing size. However, clothing size will not allow for an accurate fit for the person wearing the vest. To obtain the best fit, a person should measure there chest and torso length while wearing there base layer for running.
How to Fit and Use a Hydration Vest
A person should take these measurement while wearing there base layer for running because measurements taken without wearing a shirt may result in the vest being too tight when wearing their running shirt. The sizing for hydration vests also come in gender-specific measurements. Men and women has different frames and weights.
A woman’s hydration vest will have a narrower shoulder measurement and a short length for the torso to allow the straps to better allow for the vest to remain on the body without slipping off the shoulder or falling too low on the torso. For those whose measurements is in the middle of two sizes, they should opt for the larger size for the hydration vest. A person can always use the straps on the hydration vest to make a larger size more tighty to the body.
However, there is no way to do this for a hydration vest that is too small for a person. The amount of water that the runner places in the hydration flasks will have some effect on how much the vest will bounce. For this reason, it is best for a person to avoid filling the hydration flasks to the absolute brim.
By leaving some space in the flask for air, the runner will allow for the fluid to compress within the vest. This will help to absorb the impact of each stride that the runner take while completing their race. Additionally, items such as a phone or keys can be placed within the front portion of the hydration vest.
By placing heavier items within the front portion of the vest, the runner will ensure that the center of gravity of their hydration vest is more better balanced. This will prevent the back panel of the vest from swinging with each stride. A person should choose a hydration vest based on the length of their race.
For example, a 4L hydration vest will be sufficient for a runner who is completing a 10K race. However, a 4L hydration vest may not provide enough water for a runner to complete longer distance. For those who are completing a 50K distance or an ultra-marathon, a 20L hydration vest is recommended to allow the runner to transport their waterproof gear.
A hydration vest that is too large will add unnecessary body weight for the runner. However, a hydration vest that is too small will prevent the runner from being able to carry any required gear for the race. There are two different system for placing water within a hydration vest.
The benefit of the water bladders is that they are useful for long distances because they allow a runner to drink sips of water without having to stop. The benefit of soft flasks is that they are helpful when refilling the water within the hydration vest at aid stations. Additionally, the runner will be able to see the amount of water left within the soft flask.
Many runners use both a water bladder and soft flasks for their hydration vest. To ensure that the hydration vest will correctly fit the runner, the runner must perform a shake-down test before the runner begins to race. During this test, the runner will have to fill the vest to the same weight that they will be required to carry when competing in their race.
Thirty seconds of jogging in place should be performed with the vest filled with water. If the vest begins to move vertical while the runner is jogging in place, the runner should adjust the shoulder, sternum, and load lifter straps to ensure that the vest will remain still while the runner breathe deeply. If the hydration vest does not move and does not distract the runner from there race, then the hydration vest will have a correct fit to the runner.
