These Are, Hands Down, the 14 Best Hydration Vests According to Runners Who Workout Most Days

Hydration vests have become something of a cult product in the fitness world of late. So much so, my entire TikTok page seems to be flooded with people training for 10km's or half marathons wearing the vests crammed full of gels, electrolyte bottles and lip balm.

While you don't need to be a runner to enjoy the many benefits a hydration vest has to offer—far from it—there's a reason they've soared in popularity so much in recent months. A handy, simple and easy-to-wear way of storing your phone, wallet and other essentials while moving, they promise to make any walk, hike or run a smoother experience.

Never ones to recommend products that we haven't personally tried and rated, team Marie Claire UK have been putting a whole heap of different hydration vests to the test for you. Why invest in a hydration vest from this round-up that we've personally tested? Well, similar to the best running trainers or even running shorts, all hydration vests are different, and it is important to filter out what your specific activity requires from you to make the most of your equipment. From size, to shape, to compartments, to zippers, there are quite a few elements worth considering before investing.

Need more convincing? Well, let us lay it out for you - if you're someone who simply runs with your phone in your hand, you might actually be doing yourself more harm than good. Though more research is needed, preliminary studies have shown that carrying your phone while running can actually lead to muscle imbalance and cause shoulder problems further down the line (if you think about it, it makes sense, as your body is then imbalanced for the entirety of your run).

Below, Senior Health Editor Ally Head, athlete and founder of PASSA Lillie Bleasdale, head of stretch and reset at PASSA, Emma Pereira, ultramarathon runner Hannah Tyldesley, nutritionist and runner Emily Kier, Junior Shopping Editor Amelia Yeomans, and myself, MC UK Fashion Writer Sofia Piza, share our top picks.

Hydration vest quick links:

• On Ultra Vest 5L - £130 at On
• Lixada Lightweight Hydration Backpack - £12.98 at Amazon
• MP Unisex Hydration Vest - £45.99 at MyProtein
• Summit Run Vest- £130 at North Face
• SALOMON Active Skin - £95 at Amazon
• Inov8 Racepac 8 Vest - £62.99 at SportsShoes

Testing process for the best hydration vests

In other words, what makes for a great hydration vest and what—well, doesn't? We looked for the following qualities before including in this edit, and tested each one over a series of runs to see how they performed in action.

• How comfortable is this hydration vest? When performing both high or low intensity exercise—think running or hiking—was the vest both comfortable and functional? Did it rub, chafe, or cause any friction against the skin? Did it stay in place while we moved?
• Does this hydration vest have enough pockets? The main reason most opt for a hydration vest is for storage reasons - to keep your keys, phone, gels and other essentials in while moving. We only included hydration vests below that had adequate storage space, but also kept things in place.
• Are they worth the investment? Lots of hydration vests sit at a higher price point, so we wanted to make sure the quality of the vests included was reflective of the price point.
• Did they wash well? Self explanatory, really—but being able to wash your vest easily is key. No one likes a stacked laundry pile.

14 best hydration vests to support you on your next run, walk or hike

Top rated

What we thought when testing: "I've not been running for that long, so I didn't want to invest too heavily in a hydration vest while I didn't know if I would use it long term. Saying that I've worn this every single time I've gone for a run since I bought it. It's got so many pockets for everything that you need for a short or a long run. It is very comfortable to wear long distances with the adjustable straps. The only downside is that the back pocket can get quite warm, so your back can get a bit sweaty if you are carrying things in it." - Sophie Cookson, Ecommerce Analyst

Best all-rounder

What we thought when testing: "MyProtein design really high quality hydration vests and at an affordable price point too. This vest is durable and waterproof, making it great for wet weather running. I love how easy this vest is to throw on and get moving in, thanks to the clip front design, plus there's plenty of room for your essentials in the pockets." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

Best capacity

What we thought when testing: "This is a pretty low cost option and a great starter hydration vest. The Evadict has front pockets for flasks, as well as a separate pocket for your phone as well. The back can carry up to one litre of water, allowing for two litres in total - plenty for those long runs. The cross body fastenings are also adjustable, allowing for a good, snug fit, to avoid any bounce." - Lillie Bleasdale, athlete and founder of PASSA

Best for petites

What we thought when testing: "I am quite petite and often struggle to find packs that fit me well, but this one hugs nice and tight and feels like a second skin to wear. It’s never rubbed, and has plenty of pockets for all the snacks," - Hannah Tyldesley, ultramarathoner and one half of Twice The Health.

Best everyday

What we thought when testing: "I was pleasantly surprised by this hydration vest as my first impressions made me feel as though it was going to be too bulky to enjoy on longer runs. However, I really enjoyed how adjustable the straps were, which helped to protect the straws of my water bottles. It didn't move about while I ran, either."

"I was super excited to try hydration packs with straws and really enjoyed the precision that they offered and the lack of time spent stopping and reaching out for the bottled pack. Overall, I really recommend this hydration vest and it has quickly become a staple in my long runs." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer

Most sturdy

What we thought when testing: "I've been seriously impressed by this Salomon hydration vest, so much so I'd say it's up there with the best I've tried. It's slightly sturdier than other iterations, meaning it actually holds your phone in place, and also has ample of zipped pockets for all of your essentials. It was comfortable to wear straight out of the box and didn't chafe, either." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

"I’m a huge fan of Salomon as a hydration vest and use this one. There’s lots of areas to adjust so it fits just right and so many pockets for everything I carry on a run, whether it’s actually water and hydration or my phone, fuel and an extra layer. It’s the perfect addition for my runs, long or short." - Emma Pereira, Head of Stretch and Reset at PASSA.

Easiest to put on

What we thought when testing: "This hydration vest has long been my go-to. I first purchased it when training for my 37-mile ultramarathon back in 2020 and have used it ever since. In my opinion, it's the best on the market, which is probably why it's gone so viral on TikTok. Main pros: it's easy to slip on, has a simple toggle system on the front so you can adjust the straps to fit your chest size, and loads of handy storage in the back for water."

"Only thing to note - it's not machine washable (as I found out the hard way) and can rip slightly if washed on a high heat or spin. Similarly, the front pockets can be a little loose and result in your phone flying out if you don't pack them carefully. You were warned." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

"A slightly higher quality, and therefore higher price point, option from Salomon. Similarly to the Evadict, this has multiple front pockets for you to keep your belongings safe and also carry easily accessible front flasks as well. The rear also provides an opportunity for a bladder as well for longer events. The front has an elastic wrap closure rather than clips which make this even more adjustable to your individual shape and size." - Lillie Bleasdale, athlete and founder of PASSA

Best unisex

What we thought when testing: "A seriously lightweight but roomy running vest with ten - yes, ten! - pockets for your belongings, this is an affordable but sturdy investment option. It's got a five-litre capacity and clips to fasten the vest to your body, making it a great option if you like taking plenty of essentials - like water, snacks, tissues, keys, phone, and headphones - with you on your long runs. The only thing I'd have changed is its outer shell, which isn't 100% waterproof so it can leave your essentials soggy if you get caught in the rain." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

Best breathable

What we thought when testing: "Lightweight and made of mesh for optimal airflow, this style-forward hydration vest from On is a great investment. As well as being lightweight and breathable, it has reflective details, a few pockets, and an adjustable chest closure, to boot. The only issue I found with this is that it's not the most waterproof, so not the best for rainy runs if you're trying to keep your spare layers dry." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor

Most fashion-forward

What we thought when testing: "I had seen these Satisfy hydration vests all over social media, so I was excited to see if they were actually worth the investment. Throughout the testing process I was super pleased with this hydration vest, partly because of its comfortable design but mostly because of its extra storage. I take quite a couple of gels during my long runs so the extra storage came in super handy as I was able to store them all plus any extra cargo I needed."

"I did find the cord tying system really hard to crack at first as I always tend to opt for buckle straps, however, after the first time I was able to adjust the vest properly and had no problem moving forward. The hydration packs are situated between the rib cage and chest so it doesn't feel uncomfortable in the chest when running. Overall, I really recommend this hydration vest for those looking for a super chic yet well-equipped option that will serve as a long-time serving investment piece." Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer

Best for trail running

What we thought when testing: "I get very thirsty every time I go out for a run, so when rating a hydration vest, I was looking for an option that would keep me hydrated around the clock. Enter: Inov8 Racepac 8 Vest, which can stash two 500ml soft water flasks in the front and on longer runs, you can fit a two-litre hydration bladder in the rear pocket if needed. I also liked the fact it included a zip pocket for my phone and its bright colourway — it means I can be spotted no matter whether I'm putting one foot in front of the other during sunny days or darker cloudy ones." Rebecca Shepherd, Health Contributor

Best hands-free

What we thought when testing: "My dad is an avid runner and always swore by his CamelBak vest, so I was quickly influenced. Because the water is stored in a bladder inside the vest, I find it much easier to wear than other designs that are bulked out by water bottles. However, it is slightly more fiddly to fill up, but it's worth it. It's extremely comfortable to wear and fits an impressive amount of liquid, and there are extra pockets for all your essentials.

"I love that I don't have to hold a water bottle at any point when running, I just use the sleek tube to rehydrate. This is also great for me as I have a bad habit of chugging water when exercising, so this design ensures I don't drink too much in one go. If you hate feeling weighed down by multiple bottles and want something sleek and breathable to see you through your run, this gets my vote every time." - Amelia Yeomans, Junior Shopping Editor

Best lightweight

What we thought when testing: “At only 123g for an XS size, this running vest feels quite literally like I’m wearing nothing at all, and for somebody who likes to feel as unrestricted as possible when running, this is an important factor for me. Its lightweight, fitted structure doesn’t take away from the fact that it has plenty of secure pockets to store my keys, phone, water bottle, gels and more. Not only does it have a chic, streamlined design, the reflective pattern and integrated whistle also make me feel safe while out running in the dark, gloomy winter evenings.” - Valeza Bakolli, Health Contributor

Best affordable

If you’re on a budget, Lixada’s lightweight hydration backpack is an excellent option. This hydration vest would still be the most affordable on this list, even without its 24% discount, but as it is, it sits at under £10. With a 4.4-star average rating from over 1,700 reviews, it’s of an excellent quality too - with plenty of zipped pockets, reflective strips for low-light runs and a lightweight composition. Oh, and it has a five-litre capacity (you can even store your laptop in the back), so it’s great for running commutes and long hikes too. We might not have tried this out personally, but it's next on Valeza's list to buy.