Apidura Racing Hydration Vest Review

The Apidura Racing Hydration Vest is part of a range of hydration vests, designed for use in gravel races or endurance events.

Apidura Racing Hydration Vest design and structure

The Apidura Racing Hydration Vest is a compact pack with three mesh pockets on the chest, one of which is zipped and the other has a simple pull system that is easy to fasten and take off with one hand.

The back of the vest has a large pocket on the bladder section, as well as a small phone pocket. The top of the vest against the rider’s back is a breathable mesh fabric and the entire vest is lightweight, with every part except the back made of reinforced mesh and full visibility.

The upper chest strap is tight and the fabric has an integrated whistle. The strap below the chest is elastic. Both are flexible in placement and firmness. On the sides of the vest, adjustable straps control the fit around the waist. At the bottom of the back panel are reflective patterns.

Apidura Racing Hydration Vest bladder test

The The Apidura Racing Hydration Vest comes with a 2L hydration bladder, with a hose that can be carried over both shoulders. Its bite valve is secured close to the pack thanks to a magnetic attachment attached to the bottom of the chest.

The sight has a locking mechanism and velcro on the grip seal. The hose is detachable and the bite valve provides an on/off mechanism, making the system leak-proof and easy to clean.

The hydration sight worked well once installed, but I found the grip seal a bit open when I tried to refill it. While it’s not a concern at home in the kitchen, I’d rather not have to deal with that in big racing situations, where every minute counts and small distractions can be difficult to deal with.

Using the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest

The vest is able to provide good packing space while covering only a small part of the torso and is breathable.

For trail riding, I enjoyed the light, breathable pack. From the road, or while running, I could feel the pressure in the back when the bladder was full, or the weight moving when the bladder was half full.

For a good fit, I had to tighten the straps, although I usually wear medium size jerseys, so smaller riders may struggle to find a snug enough fit for off-road conditions.

A magnet that holds the bladder hose in place is attached directly to the lower chest strap. I like to keep hoses short and high up, away from pockets, so I would have appreciated some flexibility on the magnetic position.

Enduring

Apidura products come with a lifetime warranty and the brand offers a repair service if the item is damaged but not covered by the warranty.

Apidura continues to be transparent about its environmental impact by calculating and sharing the carbon footprint of its products. The Apidura Racing Hydration Vest is associated with less than 8kg of CO2e, which is impressive but almost impossible to use as a comparison considering how few brands offer similar figures.