I have been testing three models of Camelbak’s new running packs. Here are my thoughts.
Camelbak Women’s Zephyr Pro Vest 12l
Features include:
- Women specific fit
- Stowable and fully removable trekking pole quiver
- Engineering knit mesh – with body mapping technology. Women-specific pattern, based on which parts of your backs get hot
- Secure phone pocket
- Dual adjustable chest straps
- Torso adjustment straps
- 11l storage space (plus 2 x 500ml water flasks)
- Zipped top main compartment
- Stretch overflow pockets
- Reflective details
- Safety whistle
- Tube trap – a clip for a hydration tube should you choose to use a bladder
- 2 x quick stow soft flasks
- Price: £140
- See Camelbak and Amazon (I gain a small commission for sales through Amazon. This helps to keep this website running.)
Pros and cons of Camelbak Women’s Zephyr Pro Vest 12l
Pros:
- Great fit for small to medium female runners.
- Easy to get on and off thanks to stretchy mesh fabric.
- Lots of adjustment potential at chest and around the torso.
- Comfortable and lightweight pack with nice airy mesh at rear and on shoulder . chest straps
- The pole quiver is an excellent addition and works well (if the pack is full).
- Perfect amount of space for a summer run, where you need to carry lightweight waterproofs, a warm mid-layer, water, food, map, phone and emergency bivi bag.
- Large and easy to use soft flask pockets at front of back, plus the pockets have elastic grippers at the top to stop the bottles popping out.
- Useful extra space for hydration bladder plus a clip to stop the tube moving about.
- Useful zipped phone pocket at front of pack that is large enough for an iPhone Max size.
- Useful stretch pockets on rear of the pack.
- Useful extra pockets at the front of the pack, including a small stretchy pocket at front of pack for bits and pieces, such as snacks.
- Large and easy to use zip pulls, even when wearing gloves.
- Easy to use chest clips.
- Sold with two soft flasks.
Cons:
- Not great for larger chested women because the front pockets lie on top of the bosom.
- The adjustment might not be enough for more petite females. I am a UK10 and small chested and I was close to the minimum strap adjustment at the chest
- Lots of long and loose straps if you are smaller.
- Not easy to use phone pocket when you have a full soft flask fitted in the pocket behind it.
- If the pack isn’t full, the pole quiver moves about annoyingly.
- Not so easy to access the rear pockets when using the pole quiver.
- The pack fabric is a bit noisy.
- Chest straps can be a bit fiddly to insert into fabric loops when setting up the pack. (However, once in place they do stay in place.)
- Beading at the edge of the pack is quite large and this did rub a little at the top of the pack and under the arms on the first use. It was a hot and sweaty day and I was wearing a vest. My advice is that the pack needs to be worn in a bit.
- Light colour means the pack is prone to getting dirty.
Conclusion:
A really nice vest pack that is easy to adjust and has all the features and details you will need for a day of running, especially in summer. I like that it is female-specific although it would be good to have a smaller size, too. It’s not a cheap pack but it looks to be durable enough and the price is similar to many other brands.
Camelbak Women’s Trail Run Vest 7l
Features include:
- Women specific fit
- 3D vent mesh– engineered to maximise airflow
- Secure phone pocket
- Dual adjustable chest straps
- Torso adjustment straps
- Stretch overflow pockets
- 7l gear storage
- Trekking pole attachment
- Reflective details
- Safety whistle
- Tube trap: Allows you to grab the hydration tube without having to unbuckle or unhook
- Price: £90
- See Camelbak or Amazon.
Pros and cons of Camelbak Women’s Trail Run Vest 7l
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to wear.
- Great female-specific fit.
- No rubbing or sore bits from pack even on first use.
- Nice set up of zipped rear pocket and open top stuff pocket.
- Ideal pack for an every day run or a shorter run where you only need to carry a few essential items.
- Useful hydration tube clip if you choose to use a water bladder.
- Two soft flask pockets with adjustable elastic tops.
- Pole carrier is useful although see cons below.
- Large, easy to use zip pulls.
- Easy to use chest strap clips.
Cons:
- I could do with a smaller sized pack because I am at the minimum end of the adjustment straps.
- The pack might not suit larger chested women.
- Lots of long and loose straps because of the adjustment to fit.
- Not so easy to use the left soft flask pocket and the phone pocket at once.
- An extra stretch stuff pocket at the rear would be useful.
- Pole carrying straps are okay but I prefer the pole quiver set up. Because the pack is lightweight, the poles can be felt against the shoulder through the pack. This is similar to other packs, however.
- The light colour will end up very grubby.
Conclusion:
A great vest pack for shorter runs. It fits well, is easy to wear and use. There are lots of good features and details. The price is quite high although you can find it cheaper on websites, such as Amazon.