We were sent the Nathan VaporAir 3.0 7 Liter Hydration Pack to test, and it did not disappoint. This review will detail our experience with the hydration pack while putting it through the ringer of testing.

We tested this pack while hiking, trail running, and running through the Utah’s backcountry and a 50k ultramarathon (Canyons Endurance Run). We used it in temperatures ranging from low 20s to upper 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

A little background on our testing: We are trail runners, fisherman, hikers, skiers, bikers, and we take our nutrition, our safety, our comfort, and athletic performance very seriously. Therefore, we make sure we test all the gear we recommend thoroughly.

Nathan Website: VaporAir 3.0 7 Liter Hydration Pack (Unisex) | View VaporAiress (Women’s)

Moosejaw: VaporAir 3.0 7 Liter Hydration Pack | View VaporAiress (Women’s)

REI: VaporAiress (Women’s)

Your local running store.

Nathan has been one of the top brands in hydration for runners for several decades. They have become a market leader in running vests and hydration solutions due to their high quality products that are well thought out, well designed, and highly respected by the running community.

Learn more about Nathan’s mission, awards, and values here.

The VaporAir 3.0 is designed to fit snug to the body, reduce bounce while running, and have a significant amount of storage. It is extremely versatile and useful for everything from a few mile hike to ultramarathon (supported or unsupported).

Compared to the 2.0 the 3.0 has newly exposed air mesh shoulder straps, colorful bungee cords on front shoulders and back center panel for additional storage options, low profile hardware on sternum straps, and new back zipper pocket.

Features: the vest has a ton of features, and if you have not used a Nathan vest before some of the features may not seem perfectly intuitive off the bat. Don’t worry though we will dive into all the specialized features that make this pack so amazing throughout this review.

Fit: this vest is a unisex fit, but there is a female specific version (not tested).

Hers how the vest performed during our testing:

Nathan Adaptive Fit Straps

Rating: 5/5

I have worn a handful of vest in the past, and this is by far the most comfortable I have used. I am 6’3” and 160 pounds with about a 36 inch chest and used the XS-M size. The fit (once properly adjusted) was phenomenal, and due to the high adjustability of the vest was able to keep it snug wearing everything from multiple layers to a very thin shirt. This is due to the Adaptive Fit Straps inside the front two zippered storage pockets. The Adaptive Fit Straps tighten the lower portion of the pack bringing everything close to the body and removing any bounce. On previous packs I have used the lack of Adaptive Fit Straps lead to bouncing, which further lead to chafing taking away from my experience in the mountains. I was extremely impressed with this feature and how well it worked on even on long days in the mountains.

Rating: 5/5

This pack was designed with maximum storage in mind. The amount of pockets is actually insane with:

Overall, the pocket design and capacity is phenomenal, allowing you to bring everything you need for a significant amount of time in the mountains.

Rating: 5/5

As mentioned previously, there is a significant amount of storage which is why we also recommend and use the vest for day hiking. You can bring everything you need – inReach (or similar device clipped on to front elastics), nutrition, water purifier, first aid, and additional layers. It goes without saying, but to ensure we cover our basis, we do not recommend this vest for anything longer than a day assuming you are unsupported.

Rating: 5/5

This pack does a great job of pulling the moisture off your body with two layers of moisture-wicking air mesh on shoulder straps and back interior providing maximum breathability. That being said, most vest do this well. One piece that has held up extremely well on this pack is the zippers. Due to sweat I have had zipper pockets on other packs stop working / break, which while out on an adventure is extremely problematic. This vest has been put under a significant amount of stress and a lot of sweat with zero zipper failures.

Rating: 5/5

I have never used a bladder system like this, but have fallen in love with it and actually use this bladder in other packs now. The fold and lock system (for lack of a better term) that is quick and never leaks. The bladder is 2 liters providing you with enough water for just about any adventure you will go on (and enough storage to bring a simple filtration system).

Additional features / tips:

This is a very stylish vest (only comes in the one-color option) that provides additional functionality in its style as there are reflective aspects on all sides of the vest. However, please do not pick a vest based on style but on functionality, style should only be looked at as a plus.

Based on our use this vest receives a 5/5 rating for the following reasons: maximum comfort / fit, lack of bounce, high amount of capacity, superior breathability, reasonable price, and great bladder system. Even though this vest was sent to us, we used and rated it independently of receiving it. Comparing the vest to other vest brands we have used this vest is superior in just about all aspects. The only thing we cannot speak to is longevity as we have only been using it for one season, but based on the stress we have already put the vest under expect it to hold up very well in the long term.

Happy Trails!!