Bear Grylls Gear

Survive in the Wild With the Latest Gear

Arc Teryx Norvan 7 Hydration Vest Review

9 min read

Here’s everything you need to know about Arc Teryx Norvan 7 Hydration Vest Review. Find all the information it in this article.

A hydration pack can offer this with easy on-the-go access. Speaking of which, this hydration vest comes with Osprey’s unique Hydraulics reservoir. The streamlined design allows for easy loading, and we like that it lays flat in the pack. The Arc’teryx Norvan 7 Running Vest ($179) is a durable, technical, and streamlined pack for all lengths of minimalist runs. The vest comes with a 2L bladder that is designed to sit low on the torso.

I’ve used it for over a thousand miles of hiking and trail running over last eighteen months. Just bought a new one for a new bladder, but I have gotten tremendous value from the Norvan 14. Perfect balance between storage capacity and weight/size with enough room for rain/wind jackets, extra food or water, etc. While I have not tried a lot of other options outside of other small packs with bladders – I have no reason to try anything else. Having a svelte, fitted profile, some of its capacity is accounted for by stretchy rear exterior pockets.

Pack Hydration

There’s enough room for a phone, keys, and cards, and it’s available in an array of colors—including high visibility—with reflective details for safety. From mountainous Colorado trails to the wilds of New Zealand, we’ve put a lot of miles on hydration vests. We tested for overall comfort, capacity, fit, and ease of use. And while there isn’t a single hydration pack that will work for every person, we’ve included a variety of options to fit your style of running. But what really made this pack stand out was its ability to carry nearly anything with extreme comfort. Trekking-pole sleeves on either side offer the most stable, secure carry of any vest we tested without adding extraneous hardware.

The Distance 8 Backpack combines the body-hugging, pocket-covered shoulder straps of a hydration vest with the abrasion- and weather-resistant body of an alpine summit pack. The result is a near perfect mashup that sheds water, wears comfortably, keeps nutrition and necessities close at hand, and seems to swallow up extra layers and gear. In terms of carrying capacity I’d say it is a big 7 litres. Mesh stash pockets on the front hold food items such as gels and bars whilst 2 zipped pockets at the front and one at the rear, safely stow keys and cash. On the rear a stretchy mesh stash pocket is big enough for all your spare clothes, gloves, hat, sunscreen and extra food etc.

Sports Medicine And Running Science

Further features include a redesigned trekking pole holder that reduces bounce and snaps out of the way when not needed, as well as an emergency whistle. A great option if you’re looking to keep weight to a minimum, the Ultra Vest 4.0 weighs 10.72 oz. Ultimate Direction also offers theUltra Vesta 4.0 with a women’s-specific fit and 10.1L total storage. Arc’teryx is a master of build quality and shell jackets are their specialty. Despite hearing rumors that the soft C-Knit backer is prone to snagging and staining, I haven’t had any issues with it thus far. In terms of the shell, the Norvan’s thin 20-denier fabric isn’t intended to be worn with a loaded pack—material this lightweight simply isn’t designed to withstand much in the way of stress or abrasion.

More of my miles also tend to be run in a relatively dry environment, so water retention isn’t often a thing I deal with. Even during a jog around Salt Lake City in a mix of rain and snow with just a long sleeve polyester base layer and the Norvan SL over, we remained almost completely dry after two hours. The only notable weakness in the Norvan’s GORE-TEX armor is the zipper, which does let a bit of moisture through. There is an extra half-inch layer of waterproof fabric behind the zipper intended to help fortify the protection in this area, but we found that water can still seep through in certain conditions. However, this level of protection is a significant boost compared to other jackets in our lineup, making it well-suited for days when the weather is uncertain and wearing an actual rain jacket would be too bulky and cumbersome.

How To Choose A Hydration Vest

While the Norvan does have superb weather protection, its protection against more solid threats like grabbing tree branches, scratchy rocks, and bouncing backpacks leaves a lot to be desired. The GORE-TEX Shakedry material is amazing, but it is fragile compared to heavier jackets. Brushing up against hard objects can leave a visible mark on the jacket. The emergence of the hydration vests has given triathletes a lot more versatility when it comes to carrying fluids and nutrition for long runs.

For access to all of our training, gear, and race coverage, plus exclusive training plans, FinisherPix photos, event discounts, and GPS apps, sign up for Outside+. For women, you need to not only make sure the length and torso circumference are correct, but also be sure to take bust size into account. The women’s-specific VaporAiress offers two adjustment points for an easy fit, and our female testers were pleased with the overall fit. With this vision in mind, read on for four important hydration vest considerations. So, whether you’re high in the mountains and speed cupping it or down in the valley with a bladder, this pack will keep you hydrated for the long haul.

Insulated Jackets For Every Type Of Weather

For trail runners whose high-mountain adventures frequently devolve into four-limbed scrambles on vertical terrain, the Distance 8 is the best option available. It’s equipped to let you get yourself into and then out of high-consequence situations. If you’re looking for a vestlike fit and a lot of storage options, the budget-friendly Duro and Dyna 6 could be your best bet. Even on Oahu’s technical jungle trails and along flowy North Carolina singletrack, the Slope Runner’s pockets held our cargo securely, despite a lack of zippers or any other ounce-adding security systems. More impressive, perhaps, the molded mesh back panel wicked well enough to stay dry no matter how sweaty we got, yet it still provided the padding that other lightweight mesh vests seem to lack. Our testers also found the simple shock-cord chest straps comfortable and a cinch to adjust.

How to Choose a Men’s Running Jacket Running jackets today are a huge improvement over their… To find out which running jacket is the best, we selected… The Norvan is one of the most expensive jackets we tested, providing questionable value for most users. The heel counter is very flexible with essentially no padding, but is reasonably secure and very comfortable. There is also a clever notch for attaching to your pack with a carabiner. Lacing is very positive and snug, easy to achieve proper fit on the first try.

Arcteryx Proton Lt Vest Review

In terms of keeping the contents of the pack stable, there are two compression straps at the base of the pack near the dump pockets. These are effective in stabilising the poles and items in the bottom of the main compartment, but not the top. With careful closure and compression of the main compartment, using the dry-bag style closure system it is possible to maintain a stable load. However, it does feel like an opportunity to add further external storage and compression has been missed here. In terms of hydration, the pack comes with a 2L reservoir, which fits in a sleeve next to the wearer’s back. This means the reservoir can be removed or carefully refilled without emptying the contents of the bag.

At a weight of 345 g and a price point of $185, this is an amazing multiuse pack for all your adventures. Comfort is a top consideration in a running vest, and it’s where the Advanced Skin 12 Set ($165) excels. The vest rides almost unnoticed, hugging the back, shoulders, and chest. By pulling on the straps, the pack feels like it gets smaller and hugs the body. With the load snug on my body, the pack didn’t cause any chafing, which is something I often struggle with.

Arcteryx Norvan 7 Hyrdation Vest Review

The Nathan VaporAir offers a thoughtful combination of lightweight design, comfortable fit, and handy storage space for essentials. The pack is made with body mapped materials to maximize sweat wicking and user comfort, and also includes load lifters for a no-bounce fit. Plenty of pockets are on hand for organization, including a front mesh pocket to hold gels, a front easy-clean pocket for gel empties, a front zip pocket for a phone, side mesh pockets, and two front bottle pockets. The Arc’teryx Norvan is a very interesting blend between an ultralight rain jacket and a performance-oriented hardshell. For an even lighter alternative, Arc’teryx’s Norvan SL Hoody clocks in at 4.2 ounces, or over 3 ounces less than the Norvan. That said, it’s much closer to a rain jacket and doesn’t provide nearly the same performance or features.

Arcteryx Rush Lt Jacket

It comes with a 2 litre hydration bladder with drinking tube which is great for longer runs where water is scarce. However as a personal thing, I don’t really like hydration bladders as they tend to slosh around and annoy me and I’ve had a few lost water disasters with them in the past. This is totally personal preference and other people love them so make your own choice. I generally opt for 2 500ml soft flasks which sit in pouches on the front of the vest.

Arcteyx Beta Lt Jacket 2017 Review

While flasks hold less than a bladder, they’re generally easier to refill, allow you to have different beverages going at the same time, and are easier to clean between runs. How much water you need will depend on distance, altitude, temperature, and how often you’re able to refill. Our Minimalist Wet Weather Top Pick got only a color change this model year, and that’s probably for the best. While it’s light on features, not as breathable as others, and more fragile than we’d like, the Norvan nevertheless impresses with its lightweight, well-fitted, waterproof design and intelligent construction.

Slipping out of them without undoing the laces is a bit more difficult due to the secure fit provided. True to the Arc’teryx reputation, the Norvan SL provides a well-tailored, performance fit with a great range of motion and sleeves that are long enough to stay put even when performing activities that require a lot of movement. The jacket provides consistent coverage and protection during other dynamic activities with variable body positions like biking, hiking with poles, and climbing. The seams of the jacket are taped and nearly flush from the inside. This gives the jacket an incredibly smooth feel and eliminates the potential rubbing one might experience with a jacket with chunkier seams.

Additional Reviews

The pack weighs 0.59 kg without the soft flasks or reservoir. Osprey also offers all of the above in the women’s-specific Dyna 15 hydration pack. The Norvan 14 Hydration Vest was developed to deliver the capacity to travel long distances with an exceptional level of fit and comfort. Built to carry the calories, hydration and equipment needed for daylong trail runs, the Norvan carries essential food, water and gear with a precise, bounce-free fit that feels more like clothing than a pack. The main compartment includes a 2L bladder and 12L of weather-resistant storage, front pockets provide instant access to flasks, gels and digital tools. The Arc’teryx Norvan 14 Hydration Vest is a sleek, durable option for carrying food, hydration and equipment on day-long runs.

en_USEnglish