Montane Gecko VP Plus Review: A Minimal Ultra Race Vest for Shorter Days Out

Introduction

The Montane Gecko VP Plus is one of Montane’s most minimal race vests, designed for lightweight racing and training. It weighs just 180 grams, comes with two 500ml soft flasks included, and is priced at £90 in the UK. It is the kind of vest built for runners who want just enough storage to get through a long day out without carrying anything they do not need.

Who This Vest Is For

This is a classic minimal ultra race vest: super lightweight, with just enough storage to carry you through a day-long ultra with your obligatory kit essentials. It also works for lighter runs, such as a small errand where you do not need to carry much, or a long Sunday marathon training run of 18 miles or more where you want water, a bit of food, and a jacket on board.

Main Strengths

Unlike some vests that go ultra-minimal, the Gecko VP Plus has a breathable padded back panel that gives the vest a little more structure as it wraps around the shoulder straps and into the front section. The fit lockdown is genuinely good too, with adjustable-height chest and sternum straps so you can dial in a secure fit.

Bottle retention is another strong point. The soft flasks sit firmly in their holders, wedged down and secured with toggles, and stay in place without the wiggle and bounce you get with some lighter vests. There is also a built-in safety whistle, so you never need to carry a spare, and two or three ways to attach trekking poles, with a slot on the front and toggles to hold them.

Storage and Capacity

Storage is split front and back. At the front you get two zippered stretch-mesh pockets that hold a fair amount: gels, fuel, a pair of gloves, or a head torch. There are also two smaller stretch-mesh side pockets, though they are shallow and do not feel particularly secure.

Around the back there is one main compartment that takes a reasonable-sized jacket and a few other bits, topped with a fastening clasp so the compartment actually closes and heavier items cannot juggle their way out. Two additional constructed open pockets on the back add more room, good for a lightweight shell or spare socks.

Things to Consider Before Buying

A few details are not quite right. The strap connections are a little fiddly to hook on and unhook, especially with cold hands or gloves. The side and back pockets are hard to reach while running, and even the zippered front pockets get squeezed when the flasks are full, since the bottles slide down and take up space behind them.

For very long events, capacity is the real question. If you carry a lot of fuel, seven hours’ worth plus a jacket and race essentials may not fit in the back. If you are fuelling off aid stations and a drop bag, the vest handles that use case well.

Buying Advice

If you mostly run four to five hours at a stretch, taking just enough fuel and a jacket, the Gecko VP Plus is a really good, well-built option. It rides nicely on the body, has no noticeable bounce, and the bottles stay put. If you prefer to carry a lot of gear on long ultras, a higher-capacity vest will serve you better.

Conclusion

The Montane Gecko VP Plus is a very solid lightweight race vest with an excellent fit, secure bottle retention, and thoughtful touches like a closing back clasp and built-in whistle. Front storage is the trade-off, but for shorter ultras and long trail runs it is a comfortable, confident choice.