Lightweight, Full-Size Running Vest Backpack Hybrids
Securely store a full day’s worth of gear, layers, hydration, and food by wearing a vest harness trail running backpack that minimizes bounce-and-sway. Our preferred assortment exists at the intersection of daypacks and running vests, offering a locked-in torso fit without sacrificing capacity, comfort, or functionality.
Running Backpack Characteristics
- Secure vest harness fit
- 10-25L main compartment capacity
- Plentiful external storage, front-mounted bottle pockets
A running backpack is not strictly for runners! They’re also perfect for long distance speed hikers and peak baggers on self-supported, fast-moving, all-day adventures that require a full backcountry kit, multiple layers, and a day’s worth of food. If you transition between jogging flats and hiking steeps, a running backpack may be for you!
This selection of running packs represents our current preferences on a rapidly growing, relatively new genre of gear. Many of these packs we’ve used and recommend, while others were selected based on word-of-mouth, meta-study, user-review, and/or familiarity with brands and similar models. We will continue testing this year and update accordingly. If you have experience with a running pack in this guide, please let us know in the comments!
While you’re here, consider more options in our guide to multi-day fastpacks, backpacking packs, ultralight daypacks, and EDC backpacks.
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