Scott Endurance TR 12L Review: Big Storage in a Comfortable Trail Pack

Introduction

Hydration vests and running packs have become standard kit for a lot of runners in recent years, whether you are wearing one for a long marathon training run or stuffing it full of mandatory kit for a demanding ultra. The Scott Endurance TR 12L is Scott Running’s latest entry into this crowded field, and after roughly a month of testing it across short fast efforts and one fully loaded long day in the Austrian mountains, it has left a strong impression, mostly for the right reasons.

Price and What You Actually Get

The Endurance TR 12L currently retails on the Scott Running website for £90, which sounds like excellent value. There is a catch, though: that price covers the vest only, and the soft flasks are sold separately. Scott’s 500ml soft flasks are made by Hydrapak and retail for £17 each, so once you add two flasks you are realistically spending around £124 for a complete setup. Compared with similarly featured packs from other brands, that still feels like fair value for the amount of storage and features on offer.

The pack comes in four sizes and three color options. As a reference point for sizing, a tester standing 6 foot 1, around 80kg with a 38 to 40 inch chest, found the medium to fit well.

First Impressions and Fit

Out of the box, the construction feels lightweight but plush, with pliable fabrics that help the pack sit securely against the body. A simple toggle and cord adjustment system is fully customizable, so dialling in the fit for your shape is straightforward.

One sizing note worth flagging: the Endurance TR 12 runs slightly smaller than the Salomon Advance Skin 12 Set in the same medium size. When the pack was fully loaded on a long run, it felt a touch tight. It never caused real problems, but it is something to be aware of, since any vest tends to fit smaller once it is stuffed with gear.

Storage That Carries a Full Race Kit

Storage is the standout strength of this pack. Up front there are two large stretchy stuff pockets, one on each side, with plenty of volume for gels, chews, and bars, all easy to reach into while moving. A more secure zip pocket on the left is well sized for a phone, keys, and other items you would hate to lose. The only small criticism here is that Scott did not add a second zip pocket on the right side, and you can never really have too many accessible pockets.

The rear of the vest is where things get impressive. The main zip compartment is genuinely massive with a wide opening that makes loading and unloading easy. On a long mountain day in Austria, it swallowed a dry bag containing a bivvy bag, first aid kit, long-sleeve top, gloves, buff, leggings, spare nutrition, a head torch, and a waterproof jacket, and still had volume to spare.

Scott describes this as a 12L pack, but in practice it feels like it offers a couple of liters more than that. On top of the main compartment there is a small stretchy mesh pocket, ideal for stowing a waterproof jacket where you can grab it quickly if the weather turns. Along the bottom sits a kangaroo-style stretchy pocket running the full width, which can be reached from either side if you have decent shoulder flexibility. If you are targeting events like UTMB or similar races with strict mandatory kit lists, fitting everything in here, even cold weather kit, should not be an issue.

Standard Features and Pole Storage

The Endurance TR 12 also covers the usual running pack checklist. There is plenty of high-vis detailing for safer night running, a compression system on the main compartment so you can cinch everything down when you are carrying less and stop kit rattling around, and a separate bladder compartment with a clip if you still run with a hydration reservoir. A small emergency whistle is tucked away in a pocket, though it is fairly basic.

For running poles, you get lots of options: they can be stowed front or back using the built-in cord bungee system, and the pack is also compatible with Scott’s pole quiver, which attaches easily to the rear. If 12L is more volume than you need, the Endurance TR is also available in a 6L version that still carries plenty of storage.

Drinking On the Move Could Be Easier

The main functional criticism is the height of the soft flask pockets. The vest includes handy bungee loops that hook over the flask lids to stop the bottles sinking as you drink, but the pockets themselves sit a little low. That made it awkward at times to reach down and drink on the move, and it meant taking your eyes off the trail, which is not ideal.

It is not a dealbreaker, but raising the pockets a couple of centimeters would noticeably improve the vest. It is an issue a competitor like Salomon addressed years ago by moving its pockets higher and bringing the nozzle closer to the mouth, which makes drinking while running noticeably easier.

Breathability and All-Day Comfort

Testing happened in warm conditions, around 27 degrees on the Austrian mountain trails, and the pack felt nicely breathable. You always run a little warmer with a vest on and that is unavoidable, but the honeycomb construction Scott uses clearly helps with airflow.

Combined with the lightweight, pliable materials, the pack stays secure while running and remains comfortable even when worn all day, which is exactly what you want from a vest designed for long outings.

Buying Advice

If you need a pack that carries a lot of race mandatory kit, the Endurance TR 12L deserves a close look. The usable volume is likely a couple of liters beyond the stated 12L, and the rear bungee compression system lets you shrink the pack down when you are travelling light, which makes it a genuinely versatile option. Just budget for the two soft flasks, consider sizing up if you plan to run fully loaded, and be prepared for slightly awkward drinking positions on the move.

Conclusion

The Scott Endurance TR 12L is a comfortable, well-constructed, and impressively roomy running pack at a competitive real-world price once flasks are included. The low flask pockets and slightly snug sizing are worth weighing, but for runners who prioritize storage volume and all-day comfort, this vest is an easy recommendation.