Apidura Racing’s new Hydration Vest hopes to give adventure cyclists a better way to keep fed and watered during those most grueling & remote races. When adventure races head out into the desert, or even one-day gravel races go faster & farther, riders need to carry more water to stay hydrated. And if you are really racing, you want the fastest and most seamless hydration solution possible.
Apidura Racing Hydration Vest lightweight adventure race pack
Well-established for their proven bikepacking packs, this is another one in Apidura’s growing series of bags for your back… I’m going to call it bike backpacking. Seriously though, many gravel & adventure racers have been using various hydration packs and vests for the last few years, but Apidura was confident that they could do it better than adapting running or MTB packs. And they figured they could do it more comfortably too, especially important for the longest, most-grueling gravel adventure races.
Designed for cyclists taking on long gravel races like Unbound, or ultra-long gravel+ races like Badlands or the Atlas Mountain Race, the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest hopes to be “the most comfortable hydration vest possible for the widest range of riders possible”. It’s been in development for two years at this point, pulling details from several Apidura bikepacking bags, their current backpacks, and then reimagining several new details. The result is a form-fitting vest with lots of versatile storage options on the front straps, a 2L hydration bladder out back, and “absolutely no chafing or restricted movement even after a really long day in the saddle”.
Tech details
The Apidura Racing Hydration Vest comes in two sizes – S/M offers 3.5L of total storage and L/XL has 5L of total storage, combining front & rear pockets. Both include a rear sleeve with a fast-flow, roll-top 2L hydration bladder inside.
Two large mesh front pockets fit snacks or even a 12oz/330ml can of refreshing soda, plus a zippered device pocket on the left chest that will keep your smartphone safe. In back, two more pockets store bigger gear with a pump loop inside, plus a third hydration pocket with an integrated bladder loop & customizable hose routing.
The anatomic on-bike dropbar fit is adjustable with bungees on the sides and two adjustable position straps across the chest, for a low-bulk setup and “all day comfort”. The neck is cut low front & back to avoid chafing or interaction with jersey collars or seams, also key so it won’t interfere with helmets when riding in a deep aero tuck.
The vest/pack is made from a mix of lightweight ripstop fabrics, all over a light & breathable 3D mesh. The vest includes Racing Series reflective graphics in the back or added visibility.
Apidura Racing Hydration Vest – Pricing, sizing & availability
The new Racing series Hydration Vest is available globally starting today for £138 / $189 / 157€ in two sizes. The small version is claimed to weigh just 385g and suitable for riders with a 60-85cm chest, the larger only 414g for cyclists with 80-125cm chests. Riders in between are recommended to size down for lower bulk.
Apidura says the new Vest is optimized for what riders actually carry (and pick up) during the longest gravel & adventure races. Everything you need to stay fueled and hydrated comfortably, nothing you don’t need.
