Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 12L Review: A Serious Upgrade for Long Runs

Introduction

The hydration vest has become an essential piece of kit for most runners, whether it is a long training run, a city marathon, or an ultramarathon with a full list of mandatory gear. The market has grown crowded, but two names have led it for around a decade: Salomon and US-based Ultimate Direction. This review looks at the latest Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 12L, tested over a month of short, quick efforts and long, fully loaded runs.

Fit and Construction

The big story here is the new universal dynamic fit, which wraps completely around the torso for a more secure, vest-like feel. In practice, it fits and feels more like a proper vest than the previous version, and it keeps bounce and movement to a minimum even when fully loaded.

The bulk of the vest is made from a soft recycled lightweight mono mesh that is highly breathable and durable, with air mesh panels behind the soft flasks adding comfort and protection. Those air mesh panels use a two-layer construction with thin foam between the layers, lifting the vest away from the body to create a cavity that helps airflow and breathability.

Weight comes in at 255 grams (7.92 oz), with 12L of total capacity. It is available in five sizes from extra small to extra large, and in two colorways: a black and khaki green option called onyx, and an all-white version. The white option may look clean on a product page, but it will likely get grubby fast, so the onyx colorway is the more sensible choice for most runners.

Storage and Pockets

With 11 external pockets, the Ultra Vest 12L offers plenty of options. Up front near the shoulder straps are two small mesh stuff pockets, one holding a key loop for securing keys and the other holding the included emergency whistle, which is impressively loud for its size.

The two big flask pockets stow the included 500ml soft flasks, which now come from Hydrapack rather than Ultimate Direction’s own bottles. Each flask pocket includes a small bungee that loops over the flask lid to stop it slipping down into the pocket as you drink. It is a simple, effective fix for an annoying problem.

Below the flasks are two large stretchy stuff pockets, noticeably bigger and deeper than on the previous version, plus two zip pockets. The zip storage has doubled compared to the old vest, which only had one zip pocket with a small, awkward opening. That said, this style of pocket sits under the soft flasks, and that placement has a real drawback: once a full flask is loaded, there is little room to fit anything in, and whatever you do store sits against your rib cage, pushed in by the flask. Items stored on top of the flasks would make more sense.

At the back, the standout addition is a kangaroo pouch style stuff pocket running along the base of the back, accessible from either side. It is a brilliant addition: a waterproof jacket stowed there can be grabbed mid-run without stopping. The main compartment keeps its large zipped clamshell opening, which makes loading mandatory kit easy, and a new smaller secure zip pocket now sits on top where the old vest had a simple stuff pocket. The bungee cord system has also been redesigned so you can cinch it down when running with minimal kit, stopping gear from bouncing around. Inside the main compartment there is a separate bladder compartment with a hanging strap, so the vest remains compatible with a hydration reservoir. A water repellent coating on the back helps bead water for a while, though it is not waterproof, so keeping mandatory kit in a dry bag is still recommended.

Adjustability and Pole Carry

Adjustment is handled by a simple sternum strap system: clip in, pull tight, run. If you want a more personalized fit, the straps can be unclipped and repositioned across seven different locations up and down the vest. It looks a little dated compared with some other vests, but it does the job well.

Ultimate Direction has also added four removable bungee loops with hooks for carrying running poles. When poles are not needed, the loops can be removed or tucked into small openings in the pockets so they do not flap around. You can carry poles on the front or horizontally along the bottom of the vest, and for runners who prefer quick front access to their poles, that flexibility is genuinely valuable.

Long-Term Performance

Over a month of testing, the wraparound fit proved to be the biggest improvement. The vest feels secure and comfortable, with minimal bounce even fully loaded, and overall storage is clearly better, with deeper, more secure front pockets that no longer feel like items might bounce out.

The main back compartment holds a lot of kit, arguably more than the equivalent Salomon Advanced Skin 12 vest, and the big clamshell opening makes grabbing gear easy. The only real disappointment is heat: the back panel uses a single layer of mono mesh, and the vest runs warm on hot days compared with vests using the two-layer honeycomb mesh design on the back panel. Using the same air mesh found behind the flasks across the whole back would have been the better call.

Buying Advice

If you own the previous version of this vest, the latest Ultra Vest 12L is definitely worth the upgrade. The fit, comfort, and storage are all meaningfully improved, and fans of Ultimate Direction will like what has changed here. Priced at £140 in the UK, it sits at a similar point to Salomon’s popular Advanced Skin 12 vest.

If you are choosing between vests and prioritize fit, comfort, and accessible front storage, it is worth also trying the Salomon Advanced Skin 12 before committing, since its two-layer back mesh feels cooler in hot conditions and its pocket layout is arguably more practical. The Ultra Vest 12L’s biggest flaw remains those two zip pockets under the flasks, which are close to redundant storage; moving them to a more practical location would make this a genuinely excellent vest.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 12L is a big step forward for the line: better fit, better comfort, improved storage, and a sleeker overall design. Its weaknesses are the awkwardly placed front zip pockets and a back panel that runs warm, but for long runs and races where secure, flexible storage matters, it remains a strong contender in a competitive market.