Running back packs – anything to recommend?

Having been doing a bit more running over winter, I’ve got by so far using a biking rucksack but coming into days with less layers means the slightly rigid straps rub on my neck. So, looking for a more flexible and body hugging bag with decent capacity (10-15l). I’m not so keen on the vest type bags, though.

Alpkit Artlu is the frontrunner (no pun intended) just now for size, storage and price – anything else to recommend?

I have never felt the need to carry a rucksack?!

Small water pouch in a tiny bumbag/pocket is all i have ever conceded to.

Sweat is bad enough without steapping a back to my back.

I have never felt the need to carry a rucksack?!

Thanks for that 😀

Came.to say the kalenji 15l from decathlon. Been excellent for day to day and also the larig ghru hill run can get all the mandated kit in and it’s still comfy.

I see they rebranded it as kiprun and doubled the price these days.

So look at utobest on Amazon and their ilk – comes under many brands.  Very popular with the hill run community up here who like value.

I’m not so keen on the vest type bags, though.

Any reason?

I recently bought a Salomon ADV Skin 12 for longer mountain runs, especially “Winter” conditions when I might need to carry more kit than my UD 4 litre vest allows. Waterproofs, spare warm layer, emergency bag and nutrition soon adds up.

Thanks for that 😀

Sorry didn’t  mean to come across as unhelpful. Genuinely curious about what you intend to carry?

@Joshvegas – mostly spare clothes (hat, gloves, buff, jacket) & a warm layer (insulated jacket), food and water, possibly first aid kit.

This is for (longer) hill runs to cater for changing conditions and in case of enforced stops (injury). I don’t take a bag for smaller / local runs.

Any reason?

You got me. Not really.

mostly spare clothes (hat, gloves, buff, jacket) & a warm layer (insulated jacket), food and water, possibly first aid kit.

Everyone has to make their own decisions about what to carry, but are you sure you need all that? I used to do 10-15 mile loops in the woods, and carried my key and a phone (music). I didn’t even bother with water. One of the joys of running for me – in comparison to biking, was the freedom not to have to carry loads of ‘stuff’

I’ll need it when I need it!

See also: helmets

Will you though? What are you going to take in a FAK that going home isn’t going to sort out equally rapidly. Extra clothes? Dress for the conditions, you might get it wrong occasionally fo’shure, but its a run not an Arctic expedition. Food and Water? How far are you running? For most runs you’re likely to do, you don’t need either.

I know those close fitting packs are all the rage, but honestly the bigger the carrying capacity you have, the more crap you’re going to find to stuff into it that you might need ‘just in case’., and you really don’t need any of it.

If your ambitions don’t go beyond 10 – 15 mile laps in your local woods then carrying additional kit likely isn’t a thing you need to worry about.

I have a couple of pretty spendy Osprey ones and find them comfortable on long runs. The bigger one was handy for run commuting as I could squeeze in a laptop and office clothes. The smaller one is enough for carrying the necessaries when I’ve done running events that required that, or just water, gels, and layers at other times.

Ultimate Direction

The smaller one is enough for carrying the necessaries when I’ve done running events that required that,

I’d bet some-one else’s money that a huge number of these packs are bought either 1. seen on insta looking at some skinny assed running influencer with dangerously low body fat (sponsored by Salomon) skipping over some remote Alp, or 2. Oh, I might enter that long distance event (Scottish Highlands, Thames path over night, delete as appropriate) and they have a list of equipment I have to carry, so I’ll buy one just in case. and 3. Having bought one, casual passers-by will think I’m an ultra runner.

Lets take a run I do just now as an example. It might only be 5 miles, but it goes up a hill or two in the Pentlands, where its uneven, slippery and rocky ground. If I twist my ankle and need to stop, it will invariably be windy up there and not particularly warm. Without a jacket, I’ll be very cold within minutes. Maybe I can get myself off the hill, maybe not. Maybe my ankle’s broken. But succumbing to hypothermia isn’t something I’m going to risk for the sake of carrying a hat and lightweight coat. In a bag.

Maybe I worry too much.

https://news.sky.com/story/team-gb-runner-chris-smith-reported-missing-in-perthshire-12117557

I’ve got a few, I use them to carry water on long runs, kit on races that demand it, and clothes to stand around volunteering at parkrun. And also clothes when doing the occasional commute to work. They are useful to have. In the summer it’s nice t be able to carry water for runs longer than 2 hours rather than relying on find a tap.

Harrier are worth a look, small UK company, really nice kit and well priced too. I’d start by looking there.

Salomon are much more expensive and I’m not sure they offer much more for the money. They do fit well I guess.

Decathlon as mentioned above, but I don’t like how water bottles or bladders sit in them so I only use mine for carrying stuff rather than for hydration.

You are better looking at it than looking for it, as they say. If you are doing proper runs in proper places then you need to carry some gear.

When I was training for my Joss Naylor Challenge I got one of these cheap and cheerful jobbers:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/19019403281

Have had some pretty wild experiences in the Pentlands, they’re very close to civilisation but far enough away to get into bother. I often see runners in the Pentlands wearing very little, with no kind of bag of spares and they look like going over an ankle is a distinct possibility.

I looked at a Montane Trailblazer in our local outdoor shop – looked pretty sorted, particularly in terms of access to gear, stowage etc. Bouncing kit in a backpack is really annoying.

I have a decade-old Osprey Talon that’s a bit rough around the edges, stiff zips, ripped etc and doesn’t have the ability to securely stow my phone or GPS on my front, so I can’t quickly do a position check or take a photo without taking my pack off. I like to go minimalist, but still carry lightweight waterproofs, an insulated top, gloves, hat and a little food. There are lots of mobile not-spots, there’s no MRT here, so any ‘incident’ is likely to result in a long wait.

Don’t be shy looking on Vinted or eBay, lots of barely used kit on there if you know what to look for.

It’s a long night when immobile and accidents happen even to experienced people.

That said if I’m in a highly populated place during the day I’m less likely to take kit than I’ve I’m in the hills in the evening. I rarely see people where I run

I’ve got a Decathlon one which I wouldn’t recommend (although doesn’t look like still available). I don’t find it particularly comfortable, chest straps are a bit fiddly with cold hands and you can’t access most of the pockets without taking it off.

I’ll probably go Inov8 next time although they are leaning towards the vest style.

Having as many of the pockets usable without taking it off would be what I’d look for.

Remember the sage wisdom of KS Jimmy. Safety is no accident.

Accidents never take a day off.

Stay out the door zone.

If I’m doubt, FULL NEON FULL TIME

I’ve got loads, probably around 10…:)

My current bigger pack (for winters and ultras, I used it doing the Tor des Geants last year) is a Decathlon Evadict 15l. Fits me well, no rubbing, doesn’t bounce with soft flasks (though not so good with the included bladder), enough compartments without overdoing it.Vest-like, but the larger rear compartment means it’s closer to a backpack in practice. I’ll be using it this weekend for a 100km ultra, too.

For summer runs I’ve got a 5l vest – ideal for a light jacket, phone, 2 500ml flasks, emergency blanket and a bit of food.

Both of those are for mountain trail runs; for runs near my house under 1:30 or so I wouldn’t bother taking one.

I have been using the 5.11 tactical cloudstryke pack in 10L – I have run a marathon and many, many halves wearing it and it’s perfect. Really recommended

https://tactree.co.uk/511-cloudstryke-pack-10l?ps=MTUxPTM4Mw==&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJVcy17SLE717zMQoALtrc_qKzs71eSJ8X5BLgpRPFqb9z0wQgqBNmBoCvAgQAvD_BwE#151=383

That 511 looks great

By the way, if anybody is interested in one of the 5.11 backpacks, I have a spare one brand new in packaging which is surplus to need. When you couldn’t get them in the UK. I ordered them from different locations assuming I could cancel one and they turned up simultaneously. My spare one is in sage green and I have the 5.11 3l bladder as well

The Pentlands?

Phone and twenty quid for a taxi?

I have an Inov8 Adventure Lite 15 and think it’s great. I use it for runs in Pentlands and anything further afield in the hills. Also used most days for run commuting as it just carries a small laptop:

Inov-8 Adventure Lite 15 | Review

The exact model isn’t made anymore, but the Venture Lite 18 looks similar, Pete Bland have it at a good price:

https://www.peteblandsports.co.uk/buy/inov-8-venturelite-18_10218.htm

I’ve got a 12 litre OMM pack which I bought for running and find doesn’t bounce around too much. It has a chest strap, which I rarely use, and hip belt but probably doesn’t wrap round like a vest type.

Would get another if it ever wears out. NB I don’t use it much for running these days but it is good for walks when you only need a few things. Also useful on the bike.

https://theomm.com/product/ultra-12/

The Pentlands?

Phone and twenty quid for a taxi?

Is the £20 to burn to keep warm while waiting for an uber at the top of Scald Law?

Montane Gecko VP 12L. Very comfortable, lots of handy pockets. I use it on runs of 15 miles plus down here in the Tweed Valley and it does the job perfectly. It’s on Amazon for £90 which is a good price.

No its to get you from flotterston to the city edge. You may need to walk the last bit.

Sorry, not being helpful

Have you tried any of the vest style ones OP? They are much more comfortable / lighter than any rucsack style pack (that 511 one above is over twice as heavy as a Salomon ADV Skin 12). It’s worth trying a few on. I’ve had Osprey Duro (heavy-ish, not enough pockets), Inov-8 Race (not that comfortable, not enough pockets, recently been updated tho), Montane (didn’t like the big velcro strap around the ribs). Also tried on Ultimate Direction, too fiddly, too many straps.

I now own two Salomon ADV Skin, a 5 and 12 litre. There is a reason they are so popular, loads of accessable storage and super comfy, no bounce even when fully loaded . As someone stated , they aren’t cheap but are the best (IMO). Rock up to any trail / ultra event and the majority are wearing Salomon vests, they’re like the Santa Cruz of running vests… 😉

Also, ignore the naysayers, there’s nothing wrong with carrying a bit of safety / comfort kit if you’re running in the hills. Especially when modern kit is so light. The beauty of the Salomon vests is they’re as comfy just carrying a bottle and a windshell as they are with a full 100 mile ultra kit list.

+1 for what Doom Mountain says. The race vests really are a game changer for me. I also have the 5 and 12 litre Salomon ones, plus one of their running belts. They’re not cheap but the design is excellent and they’re superbly comfortable. I picked the 12 litre one up on Ebay for £50.

Also, ignore the naysayers, there’s nothing wrong with carrying a bit of safety / comfort kit if you’re running in the hills. Especially when modern kit is so light.

Fully agree with this bit, in fact it would seem to be a bit negligent these days not to do so – I wonder how many naysayers would head out into the hills without their phone?

But don’t agree that you need to get Salomon, or “the majority are wearing Salomon vests” – there are loads of different brands out there with great packs/vests, you certainly don’t need to get a Salomon one, and at the events I go to, while popular, Salomon certainly isn’t in the majority.

For the vest type things, do people just carry water in the two little chest pouches? Or extra in the back?

Reason I ask is that while I can see the advantage (indeed necessity) for extra kit on longer, more remote, runs, the amount of water storage capacity on the vests seems quite limited. I’d get through two of the little pouches in an hour or so on a summer’s day. Even a Scottish “summer’s” day.

I’m quite keen to do some longer runs over the summer (mostly Pentlands too). Though when I say “runs” it’s more like a brisk walk with odd bits of jogging.

@kennyp – I’ve used both approaches. If time/faff isn’t an issue then a reservoir in the back works ok. Takes up a bit of storage space though, and is a faff if you need to refill it. I also tend to avoid using reservoirs for any sort of energy supplement to avoid them going furry 😀

The chest-mounted bottles work easy enough for drinking and are simple enough to refill on-the-go. I also find them better for tracking how much I’m drinking (I tend not to drink enough). I’d usually have one of plain water and one with a carb supplement.

No problem carrying a 3rd (or 4th) bottle in the main compartment if you want extra fluids to top up with but 1 litre per hour is more than I’d normally consume, even if I’m being diligent.

I’ve used Osprey and Montane vest-type packs for big hills in the Peak, oh and a Nathan one too – 100g waterproof jacket, 300g Primaloft jacket, minimal bivi bag and a hat plus  gloves because I like being alive and don’t want to die from a sprained-ankle induced hypothermia. If other people want to run around in short shorts and a vest in mid-winter, that’s also fine with me.

Anyway, I found both brands good, though there’s a fine line between harnesses that are elastic enough to allow free movement/breathing and and ones that are slightly restrictive, ideally you want to try before buying. For women I think there’s a more of an issue with fit tbh. The nice thing about vest packs is that they feel very stable and sort of ‘integrated’, the downside is that they  can get a bit hot in warmer condition, though right now that’s not really an issue. In high summer, remember that, I guess it might be.

The Osprey and Montane ones come with soft bottles, if you want more, you can often use a reservoir – depending on the pack design – or some sort of filter bottle or simply drink carefully from streams etc.

Both the Osprey and Montane versions – sorry, I can’t remember the tiny details, but that’s generally a good sign – worked well for me. I’m sure there are plenty of other decent options out there if you google for reviews.