Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.0 Review
JUMP TO: SPECS | PROS & CONS | HOW IT PERFORMED | FEATURES | SUMMARY
Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Oct 5, 2023
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The Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.0 was designed to do what few mid-size running hydration vests manage to achieve: provide runners with trail-worthy storage capacity, but with the breathability and slim design coming closer to a hydration belt.
This elusive combination will no doubt appeal to pretty much every trail runner familiar with the back sweat-inducing qualities that hydration vests tend to possess. As the name would suggest, the Race Vest 6.0 is marketed as a race-specific item, offering runners plenty of storage options for ultras or shorter unsupported trail runs while keeping things as barebones as possible.
While the vest succeeds on many fronts—exceptional breathability, accessible storage options, effective trekking pole attachment system—it nevertheless occupies an awkward space within the current lineup of hydration vest options. It lacks both the simplicity and overall comfort of other racing vests and the volume and secure, weather-resistant internal carrying capacity of slightly larger vests.
Despite its weak points, runners in hot climates or who just generally run hot will love the breathability and water capacity of the Race Vest 6.0, which alone make it an intriguing option for race day.
SPECS
MEASURED WEIGHT: 6.5 oz / 184.4 g (men’s M)
CARRYING CAPACITY: 6.3 L
INCLUDED LIQUID STORAGE: 1 L
TYPE OF LIQUID STORAGE: Soft flask pockets in vest (2 500 ml flasks included), reservoir sleeve (reservoir not included)
TREKKING POLE HOLDERS: Yes
PRICE: $$
PROS
One of the most breathable trail running vests
Lots of accessible pockets and storage options
Trekking pole shock cords are effective and accessible
CONS
Lacks secure zippered main compartment
Soft flasks bounce and sink into pockets
Too many cords, straps, and buckles for a race vest
HOW IT PERFORMED
FIT & COMFORT: The fit and comfort of the Race Vest is something of a mixed bag. The vest definitely runs large, even more than other Ultimate Direction vests tend to. I am solidly a medium according to the UD size chart, but feel like I am swimming in this thing. Even with the chest straps and Comfort Cinch system pulled tight, the vest feels loose and sloppy in a way that my Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 (also a medium) never does.
The Race Vest does manage to redeem itself with its extremely breathable shoulder straps and back panel. The permeable mesh material is almost like a screen door: the vest traps next to no moisture. It is the most breathable vest I have ever tested, which will surely be a selling point for runners in particularly hot and humid environments.
Although the vest feels loose and somewhat imprecise, it is the most breathable trail running vest I’ve ever worn.
HYDRATION: The vest features two flask pockets on the shoulder straps and a hydration sleeve on the rear that fits a 1.5-liter reservoir. The reservoir sleeve is essentially an external pocket, secured by only one snap buckle. This makes it fast and easy to remove and refill flasks, definitely a plus in any race setting.
Partial to soft flask setups as I am, the flask pockets were another disappointment for me. The shock cords generally do a poor job of holding flasks in place. They sink down, flop around, and require too much readjusting to keep them secure and unobtrusive. I’m looking for a vest that lets me “set and forget” my hydration system, especially when racing. The Race Vest unfortunately does not provide that.
STORAGE & ACCESS: The Race Vest has 6.3 liters of internal capacity, more than enough for any trail race other than long and remote mountain ultras with extensive mandatory gear lists. I also find it plenty for summer training runs as long as about 3-4 hours.
Along with the two flask pockets, you will find two small stash pockets on the shoulder straps, plus a zippered phone pocket—the only zippered pocket on the vest. At the back is the large main compartment, secured at the top by a snap buckle. There is an additional mesh pocket with openings on both sides, which works well for storing trekking poles, raingear, extra flasks, or anything else you want accessible while on the move.
A highlight of the vest is the various options for trekking pole storage. Along with the horizontal rear pocket, poles can be secured with shock cords either along the shoulder straps or vertically up the vest’s rear. The adaptability is perfect for accommodating personal preferences and different gear lists.
External pockets for snack, trekking poles, and extra layers are accessible on the go
WEATHER RESISTANCE: With no zippered storage other than the small phone pocket, the Race Vest is not particularly weather resistant, but it does not pretend to be. As a race vest, it prioritizes breathable materials and lightweight construction. Sacrificing weather-resistant fabrics and big zippered pockets also facilitate the vest’s slim profile, allowing it to be comfortably worn under a rain shell.
DURABILITY: The relative lack of zippered pockets and features adds to the Race Vest’s durability. The overall build quality is strong and the only likely failure points (chest strap buckles, shock cords) are cheap and easy to replace.
NOTABLE FEATURES
COMFORT CINCH™ 3.0 FIT SYSTEM: Ultimate Direction’s Comfort Cinch system is easy to use and makes it easy to secure a bounce-free fit, especially with a fully loaded vest. I likely would have been very happy with the fit had I sized down.
It is easy to make form-fitting adjustments by way of a single cinch cord at the bottom-rear of the Race Vest.
POCKETS: The Race Vest has two flask pockets, two stash pockets, and a small zippered phone pocket on the shoulder straps. At the rear, there is a 1.5-liter hydration sleeve, a large unzippered main compartment, and an additional horizontally accessed mesh pocket. Exterior compression straps add an extra option for storing trekking poles or rain gear.
TREKKING POLE ATTACHMENTS: A set of shock cords provides multiple options for trekking pole attachments. They are easily removed if you never run with trekking poles and would prefer to pare down the vest even further.
A series of shock cords make it possible to reliably secure trekking poles in multiple configurations.
SUMMARY
The Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.0 tries–and often succeeds–to be a comfortable racing vest with mid-range carrying capacity. But by doing both, it missed the mark for me in some important places.
For me, the Race Vest 6.0 just doesn’t offer the functional simplicity and unfussy fit I want for race settings. The vest fits large, there are too many buckles and cords, and the flask pockets require constant adjustments. I’m much more likely to race with something like the Naked High Capacity Vest, which has fewer storage options but is extremely streamlined and comfortable, letting you focus only on running.
Meanwhile, despite its diversity of pockets and respectable overall capacity, the Race Vest does not have the zippered main compartment, weather resistance, or overall capacity needed to be a “single quiver” vest, capable of races and long unsupported trail runs.
Living in the Canadian Rockies where the weather is generally cool and trails are remote (ie. gear intensive), the Ultra Vest’s strong points simply aren’t aligned with my needs. That said, I do think the vest can serve certain runners incredibly well. It is impressively lightweight and breathable. If you size down or have a larger frame, the fit is comfortable and highly adjustable, its trekking pole storage options are better than most vests, and it has enough capacity for longer races without being overkill.
Additionally, the vest’s hydration capacity is impressively large relative to the breathability and streamlined design: You can pair 2 soft flasks with a reservoir for 2.5 liters of water in a low-profile pack. For runners who train in hot and humid climates, or are simply plagued by back sweat no matter the conditions, the Race Vest 6.0 is a compelling option worth considering.
DISCLOSURE
Ultimate Direction provided me with a free sample for this review – but the views expressed here are all my own. The review might also contain affiliate links, which help us keep churning out more content.
MORE INFORMATION
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Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!