Details
Brand
Ultimate Direction
Model
SJ Ultra Vest 3.0
Use
Storage
Key Features
• T• hook adjustable sternum straps• Included 500ml Body Bottles with holsters• PhOne-compatible pockets• Trekking pole holders• Upper back open for maximum ventilation• Accessible two• layered pockets for storage• Wide lateral straps provide stability
Comfort
Made for rugged conditions but with a lightweight construction, the SJ Ultra Vest 3 is most comfortable when it’s secured firmly on the runner’s body—which is to say, it will remain in place even during strenuous activities. Comprised of Mono Mesh, a material that lessens the risk of skin abrasions and overall chafing, this flexible material is highly breathable. The placement of the many pockets that are the highlight features of the Ultra Vest 3 is also easy to access while wearing the vest. With a large front mesh pocket and another one placed on the back, runners can safely and comfortably store many supplies without feeling loaded down or awkward.
Size
When it comes to sizing the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 3, there are two ways to go: one is going by company-provided measurements (6.2 ounces/167 grams, fits chests 24-38/31-42/36-50) and then there is how the sizes actually fit. A few reviewers found that the sizes tend to run small, which means if you’re a Small, order a medium, and if you’re a medium, you may want to get the Large. Having the right fit when wearing a storage vest on long-distance runs, only to experience discomfort and chafing, defeats the purpose of this wearable, after all, so with the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 3 it’s best to either try it on first or ordering a size larger to ensure a good fit.
Accessories
Branding has gotten a large push for the Scott Jurek line that Ultimate Direction has rolled out, and the accessories for the Ultra Vest 3 follow this suit. While it does come with two Body Bottles, which are meant to fit perfectly in the front holsters designed for them, the Scott Jurek line doesn’t stop with just this vest. Most prominently associated with this vest is the refillable (Scott Jurek-approved) FlexForm bottles. Also, there is a host of add-ons and options that range from grips for the bottles to matching additional gear and hydration storage equipment. The entire Jurek line seems to be a large, matching line of accessories that runners can collect for the whole set, so it’s easier to say that the Ultra Vest 3 is as much an accessory to the rest of the Jurek collection as any other part of it is.
Use
The UD SJ Ultra Vest 3 is ideally used in medium to long distance runs, particularly during ultra marathons, where the runner may find themselves many miles away from relief and depend on what they have on hand to make it to the finish. This hydration vest is fit for every type and offers secure usable spaces for runners to store their necessities—everything from water and gels to cell phones and small supplies is guaranteed space in the Ultra Vest 3. Pockets of various sizes are placed throughout the vest, from secured stretch mesh pockets that vary in size to accommodate a water bottle or bladder or small items like chapstick and audio devices, totaling eight storage compartments. Made of non-chafing Mono Mesh, this lightweight (6.2 ounce/176 gram) vest provides secure storage of essentials needed on long runs.
Style
The phrase that first comes to mind when looking at the SJ Ultra Vest 3 is: no-nonsense. This hydration vest is not out to win over those looking for a fashion statement but for the runner who wants to wear a durable, lightweight vest for storage and hydration options as they embark on a marathon-length (or longer) endurance run. It looks mostly like a safety jacket from a dangerous job site, only cooler in its aesthetic and much more multi-purpose. Functionality fits form here, and if the function one is looking for in a hydration vest is in its accessibility, performance, and comfort, then the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 3 might just be your style.
Durability
Made of synthetic materials—from its Mono Mesh main fabric to its nylon mesh pouches and sturdy sternum straps—the SJ Ultra Vest 3 is a durable running vest. Made to withstand extreme conditions and hold up against the always-changing forces of nature, this vest is made to go the distance and retain its functionality even long into a hike, run, or ultra marathon.
Breathability
Made of Mono Mesh, the bulk of the garment is highly breathable, and while some runners have commented on feeling a little warm while wearing the Ultra Vest 3, its open design allows for complete arm mobility and only completely covers the torso. Its lightweight design also provides the SJ Ultra Vest 3 with a “barely there” feel while wearing it.
Price
If you’re in the market for a hydration vest for long-distance runs, then more likely than not you are an experienced runner. And as an experienced runner, you may be very familiar with the pricing of sports equipment and accessories in the running world: high-price specialty sneakers, expensive supplements and add-ons, and other add-ons that may provide a much-needed service but at a premium price. This is all to lead up to the Ultra Vest 3’s price point: it’s not exactly cheap. While not the most expensive on the market, this hydration vest is priced maybe higher than some runners would spend on such an item. But its price also reflects its quality. With the first two editions of the SJ Ultra Vest having found a solid base of ultra marathoners who enjoy its easy access, amount of available storage space, and overall comfort—especially as the miles wear on—this is a higher-end hydration vest meant to continue performing for as long as the runner does.
Bottom Line
It’s no surprise the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest line is one of the most popular on the market today. With great storage capability and a wide variety of storage sizes to fit various purposes, this versatile hydration vest has found an appreciative audience in the medium- to the long-distance running world. With included Body Bottles that fit perfectly in the two front holsters, the wide storage pocket that runs across the front, and the numerous smaller, secure pockets that can hold small accessories, phones, or cameras, the Ultra Vest 3 has taken an already well-received design and continued to tweak it. Improving on accessibility and securing the vest firmly to the body, Ultimate Direction has produced another winner—and one whose popularity will be sure to continue if future editions continue to get just a little closer to perfection. But for the best that’s available right at the moment, the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 3 is a hydration vest option that leaves its competition in the dust.
