Camelbak Marathoner: A Review

When transitioning to trail running and longer distances, having the right gear is crucial to maintaining consistent performance. Contrary to popular belief, running isn’t a cheap sport—there are plenty of essential items needed for both training and racing. Today, I’m going to talk about a piece of gear that’s become indispensable: the hydration vest, or as it’s more commonly known, a water backpack.

Why Use a Hydration Vest?

Like many runners, I used to wonder why some athletes wore vests that looked more like fishing gear than running equipment. Why not just carry a water bottle or rely on the hydration stations provided during the race? That was my mindset back when I was only running up to 10km.

The truth is, a hydration vest is essential for long-distance runners, especially those covering distances of 30km or more. Hydration is critical during these longer runs, and carrying a water bottle can be cumbersome and insufficient. With a hydration vest, you can easily sip water through a tube without interrupting your stride. Additionally, these vests have pockets for storing other essentials like snacks, keys, and even extra water bottles.

Another important reason for using a hydration vest is during long training runs. Unlike races, where water stations are set up at regular intervals, you’re often on your own during training. Carrying enough water in a vest can make all the difference, especially if you’re running in remote areas or trails.

Choosing the Right Hydration Vest

Choosing the right hydration vest can be tricky. I spent a lot of time researching, trying out my friends’ gear, and reading online reviews. It’s important to find a vest that fits well and doesn’t break the bank. You don’t want to spend a fortune only to find yourself struggling to pay the bills at the end of the month! My advice is to read reviews and, if possible, try on a vest before making a purchase.

Camelbak Marathoner Vest

I decided to go with the Camelbak Marathoner Vest (mostly because it was within my budget). I took it out for a test run with my running buddies, Nemo and P’Kot, on a trail up Doi Suthep.

The Marathoner is designed for medium-distance runs, ideally around 50km. It can hold up to 2 liters of water and has some storage space in the back, along with plenty of pockets in the front for your phone, keys, and other essentials. It even has room for two additional water bottles in the front, making it more than sufficient for a 50km run.

This vest comes in one size (Free Size), which might worry some people. How can one size fit all? Initially, I was concerned about this too. However, the vest has adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit. After a bit of tweaking, I found it to be quite comfortable. There are front and side clips, and the shoulder straps can be adjusted for length as well.

Material and Construction

The vest is made from a lightweight yet somewhat stiff material. When I first put it on, I was worried about it chafing my shoulders, but it turned out to be fine. Some runners have complained about the vest causing chafing when wet, but I haven’t experienced that yet. The front clips are small but sturdy, which I appreciated, though the smaller straps can be a bit tricky to adjust.

Water Bladder

The Camelbak Marathoner comes with a 2-liter water bladder. (You don’t have to fill it all the way, of course.) The bladder is designed so that you can fill it up without removing it from the vest, which is a feature I love. Removing the bladder when you need to is also easy, and the best part is that it didn’t have that unpleasant plastic taste when I used it for the first time.

Drinking Tube

The drinking tube loops over your shoulder and has a bite valve that you need to slightly compress to get the water flowing. One downside is that if you bite too hard, the valve might close off and stop the water. The tube and valve are easy to clean, which is a big plus for hygiene.

Performance on the Trail

I took the vest for a test run up Doi Suthep. Initially, I wasn’t used to the sensation of carrying water on my back, but the vest stayed in place and didn’t slosh around. It felt snug and secure, even though I could hear the water sloshing as I ran.

As the water level decreased, I had to adjust the straps to keep the vest tight against my back. I filled the bladder with 1.5 liters of water, which felt like it almost filled the entire bladder. However, the cap on the bladder was a bit difficult to open and close, which is something Camelbak could improve.

One issue I found was with the drinking tube. When the tube is clipped in place, it can be hard to pull it out quickly for a drink. Also, the shoulder straps didn’t fit as snugly as I would have liked and felt a bit bulky. The vest’s lack of sizing options is another drawback.

Overall, the Camelbak Marathoner is a solid hydration vest, though there’s room for improvement. Some runners have mentioned that the straps can cause chafing in the rain, but I haven’t encountered that issue yet.