Bike Perfect Verdict
Restrap's Race Hydration Vest is well-made, comfortable, stable, and adds loads of storage options for big rides. The durable design means its a bit heavier than alternative options though
Pros
- +
Loads of sizing adjustment
- +
Includes 2L hydration bladder and neat ambidextrous hose routing
- +
Main storage compartment is separate from the hydration compartment
- +
Secure zipped front pocket
- +
Durable feeling materials
Cons
- -
No loops to organize loose side straps causing them to flap
- -
Can’t reach the rear bottle storage unless you’re really flexible
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Restrap is an adventure cycling brand that has gained recognition for producing durable and functional bikepacking gear at its headquarters in Yorkshire, UK. The brand's best known for its line of bikepacking bags and it has since expanded these product ranges to cater to various types of riding, whether long or short, fast or slow, urban or adventurous.
Restrap has split its bikepacking products into two lines, there is a standard range aimed at bikepacking and touring and the lightweight Race range. The latest addition to Race line is a human-mounted, rather than bike-attached, bikepacking bag.
The new Restrap Race Hydration Vest is aimed at endurance riders who require additional storage to be self-sufficient on long races and adventures. The Race Hydration Vest features a 2L bladder to help you stay fed and watered and a range of pockets for on-the-move essentials and supplies and additional storage for layers.
Design and specifications
Like Restrap's on-bike luggage, the Race Hydration Vest is made from durable X-Pac fabrics and lined with a waterproof 70D material with a polyurethane coating. To promote airflow, mesh is used on the back panel and the inside of the front straps. The zips used for the rear compartment and front valuables pockets are smooth sliding YKK Aquaguard spec with orange loops making them easier to grab with gloves on.
The Race Vest has a unisex fit and comes in two sizes. The S/M has a back length of 42cm with room to accommodate a body circumference between 75 to 110cm and the L/XL has a length of 46mm and a circumference between 85 to 120cm.
The shoulder straps have three points of adjustment using webbing straps to fine-tune the fit around the sides of the body, over the shoulders, and across the chest. The two buckled chest straps have five mounting point options at the front and have elasticated webbing sections to give some breathing room.
Restrap has designed the vest to keep riders fuelled while riding and the pockets reflect this. On the right side, there are two mesh drop pockets for snacks while the left has a single mesh pocket and a zipped valuables pocket with a key clip inside. There is a zipped 5.5L main compartment with two mesh pockets positioned on each side that are big enough to swallow a 500ml bottle each.
You don’t have to rely on bottles of juice for hydration as the Vest has a dedicated hydration bladder compartment and includes a 2L Restrap branded bladder. The roll-top bladder can be quickly accessed through a velcro closure on the top of the pack and the hose can be disconnected from the bladder for quick refills.
Hose routing is ambidextrous, exiting from the top corners of the bag, routing over the shoulder through a loop, and securing with a magnetic keeper clip. Although there are two specific loops on the front panels for this magnetic keeper clip, there is no reason it can't be mounted on any of the other webbing straps giving loads of options for hose routing. The bite valve is lockable to stop dribbling and pops up to open the valve for drinking.
Restrap has adorned the zip pulls, logos, and webbing with reflective detailing and there is a loop for attaching a clip-on light. Should you need to get the attention of others in an emergency, Restrap has neatly integrated a whistle into the top chest buckle.
Performance
I tested the Restrap Race Vest on several rides including an FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempt. When riding long distances against the clock keeping stop time to an absolute minimum is vitally important, so increasing water and snack capacity keeps you on the bike and moving forward.
The Race Vest meant I could easily stash all the items I needed to complete the intended 200km course without needing to stop once. Of course, I could have opted to store everything on the bike using bikepacking bags, however, using the Race Hydration Vest gave far more flexibility and accessibility to the snacks and tools I needed to be close to hand.
As the bag has a small footprint and a high position on the back heat build-up is minimal. The mesh provides an impressive level of airflow, particularly when exposing the top edge to the breeze in a racy gravel position. Even with the pockets full I didn’t have any problems with the breathability around the front of the body.
Two smaller front mesh pockets are secure yet easily accessible, and perfect for a wide range of different snacks. I'm not sure what the deeper mesh pocket is for as, unless your riding snacks are particularly long, it will completely swallow a normal-sized bar or gel.
The zipped pocket is great for a phone although it’s a snug fit for a standard-sized iPhone. The zip pocket also features a key clip although combining keys and phone in the same pocket for hours of bumpy riding doesn’t seem like a great idea.
The main rear compartment can store a surprising amount of stuff and doesn’t impede the side bottle storage if you max the bag out during a big resupply. The central vertical zip of the main compartment is unusual but gives quick easy access to all of the items inside. The Race Hydration Vest’s high position meant I could use my jersey pockets for additional storage although it makes it hard to reach bottles in the side pockets while wearing the vest.
The robust materials give the bag a lot of structure which helps with stability and fit when riding on technical terrain. Unlike the Albion Visibility Cargo Vest I previously tested, the bladder sits securely within its dedicated pocket stopping the Race Vest from sloshing around if you're going full camel mode into the mountains.
The offset to this is the fact that the Restrap Race Hydration Vest (without bladder) is considerably heavier than its rivals, weighing in at 370g compared to Albion’s Cargo Vest which is just 145g and Apidura’s Race Vest at 244g.
Verdict
My FKT attempt was unfortunately unsuccessful but it was fallen trees, poor navigation skills, and unusual mechanicals rather than the Race Vest that hindered my finish time.
The Race Vest actually performed perfectly, allowing me to maximize time on the bike. Other than the straps flapping a little bit, the Race Vest was very comfortable and added lots of useful space to store extra water, snacks, and bulkier items like jackets comfortably and securely while riding.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Plenty of storage paired with adjustable straps for comfortable and stable fit | ★★★★★ |
| Construction | Very durable materials feel super tough | ★★★★★ |
| Weight | Robust materials add weight not that its very noticeable when worn | ★★★★ |
| Value for money | Expensive although feature rich design, durability, and included bladder soften the costs | ★★★★ |
Tech specs: Restrap Race Hydration vest
- Price: $189.99 / £139.99 / €167.99
- Weight: Bag 370g / Bladder 152g
- Colors: Black
