And so here we are. It’s Friday, we can still go and clock some local training miles within reason in the UK and to top it off, this is the finale of my 5 trail/ultra running vest/pack review series.
The inov-8 Race Ultra Pro 2-in-1 Vest has been left for last for a reason. Other than having the longest and least catchy name, it has the most going on. If you haven’t guessed already, it is 2 products, combined into 1, providing flexibility, adaptability and real bang for your buck. If you like all the bells and whistles, options galore and the majority of your kit to hand at a moments notice, this may be up your street. Down your trail? On your summit?
Anyway
*If you’d like to skip to the video – scroll to the bottom*
inov-8 aren’t a brand who bring packs out on a regular basis, their packs/vests tend to stick around for a while and there’s a clear difference of evolution when the next is launched. I remember talking to a friend when the 2-in-1 was first launched, the biggest question that came from the images was “would it work?” See, the idea of a 2-in-1 is great, one pack to cover you for pretty much all running needs bar something like the Cape Wrath FKT, where you need more volume for sleeping systems and larger kit.
One vest for flat out minimalism, the other for hefty mandatory kit lists and big days out in the mountains.
On the face it, from the front, the Race Ultra Pro looks like your typical running vest. In fact it looks very similar to the Race Ultra Pro 5L and to the casual observer, you would think they are the same. But there is a subtle difference, the key to the 2-in-1’s adaptability.
Hang on we’ll get there.
Two 500ml soft flasks are on the front (I’ve misplaced one) and they can either sit in the standard soft flask pockets/sleeves, or lower down, utilising straws, much like was the norm for a while on the older Race Ultra and Race Elite series of vests. However, this time you are presented with the opportunity to change these dependant on your needs. You can even mismatch if that will drop 2 seconds off your PB.
Simply pull the bite valve off and feed the straw through, or reverse this action. I opted to use them as a standard flask as I like the pockets. Oh and there’s a collapsable mug to!
If you’re like me and love pockets, this will be satisfy that storage craving. In fact, I struggle to use all of them! At the top of each shoulder you have a stretch mesh pocket – good for a key, loose change, a £5 note – anything you want to forget about and only grab if you really need it. Below this the two soft flask pouches offer additional storage, with the right pocket having a zippered pocket which consumes my iPhone 7 with ease (recommend putting the flask in before your phone) and the left a large pocket that can take several gels.
But wait, there is more.
If you opt to use the flasks without straws, you have two cavernous pockets, with zips! I’ve had a hat, spare gloves, buff type thing in one, with room to spare and the other filled with 4 bars, 5 gels and a Sony RX100 camera. These are true Tardis like areas and one I love to use as I also know, the contents are secure.
Finally
There is a further pocket on each side, I’ve had a map, compass in these when I ran the Kong Mini Mountain Marathon earlier this year. Inside said pockets are two green webbing tabs used to tension the back system. Simply, erm, pull them? You get the idea.
Last time using this image, I promise.
So you can carry more on your chest than Arnold managed in Commando, but does it stay in place? The last thing you want is your bandolier of grenades giving you a black eye.
As with many of the vests on test, the Race Ultra Pro 2-in-1 makes use a pair of daisy chains to offer an extensive number of attachment points. The green webbing is low profile and uses an arrow like clasp to pull against it. These are very secure, but, if they come out, say in kit inspection as I had the mini mountain marathon, they are the fiddliest on test to get back in. The bucket are large enough for using with gloves and the chest/sternum straps have elastic loops for securing that excess material! I haven’t made the most of them for the photo shoot, but I love them. I don’t care how light a pack is aiming to be, for the 0. whatever grams it adds, its something less in my peripheral vision on the trail.
Unlike any other whistle on test, this one is removable – its at the top of the right shoulder. Should you need to use it, you can either contort your neck or unclip it. Just don’t go loosing it.
The back provides a pocket large enough for a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, survival bivi bag and mid layer. On the left, under the large reflective logo is a reflective strip where you will find a second smaller zippered pocket.
One thing to note, when theres a zip, theres a long zip pull, using paracord with a reinforced rubber finger loop. You can use all with gloves.
On itself, the Race Ultra Pro 5L is a great pack, but this is the 2-in-1. Theres a party trick. The mullet of running packs? Business up front, party at the rear?Across the back of the vest are 5 attachment points, the same used by the whistle, that allows you to increase the volume by 10 litres, adding the rear pocket/bag/extension/big gear holding bit of material on. These little clips are really strong and aren’t going to come undone by accident, there’s a’ technique’ to removing them.
The additional 10 litres means you can carry a lot more kit. Pretty obvious really. All connection points have a compression strap attached, so you can tailor the volume of the additional pouch, as well as cinch down the kit inside it.
A big ass zip opening means you don’t need to check your kit isn’t migrating out, a large bungee helps reduce the volume further and/or attached wet kit to the outside. For anyone running behind you, two external stretch mesh pockets give you the option of putting anything you can’t be bothered to carry in them or use your buddy as motivation to run faster.
Fill them up with Haribo and take one each time you catch up.
Mountain Sugar Rush Intervals.
In practice, I’ve used the pocket as a gear bag off the vest – I can fit my shoes, towel, wash bag, trainers and clothes inside. For slower days this winter I’ve used it so I cram more safety kit in when in those hilly things.
Don’t forget your safety kit.
And to finish, let’s talk poles.You can stick them on the back, but I wouldn’t. I like keeping things up front if they’re going to be used. The one time I raced with poles on my back was the then Clif Bar 10 Peaks Long Course – now the Kong 10 Peaks. New to pole use, I figured use them later on the in the race. So I set off with them on my back and only pulled them out when the final fell, Skiddaw, stood between me and finishing. They would have been a lot handier earlier on, trust me on that one.
Double wrap the green elastic loops round either end and boom, you are secure. No fancy system, no clips and A+B=C. A system suited to be half awake, on the edge of early on set of hypothermia, with numb hands. If you’re reading this outside of the UK, do come and run our races after the current situation has cleared, they aren’t all wet and cold. Promise.
As stated in the overview post, introducing the 5 pack/vests on review, they are all very different and therefore, you can’t really directly compare the majority.
What I can say is inov-8’s Race Ultra Pro 2-in-1 was the pack I’ve reached for most when I’ve had the option and testing was completed. For me, it has what I’m looking for most; plenty of storage options, a secure fit and adaptability to what I am doing.
It just works.
To find out more about the inov-8 Race Ultra Pro 2-in-1 – CLICK HERE
Product provided by inov-8 – This is not a paid advertisement or sponsored post
Cheers for the review, best one I’ve read yet when trying to decide which vest to buy, and I think you’ve made my mind up.
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Thank you very much for your feedback and support Craig
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I’ve been struggling with my Salomon ADV Skin 12 set when out in the Lakes for 10-12hrs so looking for an alternative.
I think your review of the Inov-8 2in1 has pretty much made my mind up. Thanks!
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Great review thanks James
How was the sizing?
I tend to be between medium and large in most things so am trying to work out whether s/m or l/xl is best for me.
What size did you use and what’s your chest size?
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Hi Dave – I’m 5ft 6, 76kg, 39in/99cm. Had a small/medium. All things on this channel are generally size small & shoes size 10. Reread the review & apologies for missing this out
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I recently bought this pack based on your review and a couple of others. It looks the Bees knees and I loved the idea of the 2 in 1. BUT i couldn’t disagree with your review anymore than I do. I actually hated the pack and after 2 hours of trying various combinations of packing / organising / adjusting I threw it in the plastic bag and wrote RETURN on it with a sharpie !
Lets be honest the idea is great but i don’t think it’s been executed very well. It feels like it was reviewed by the design team on the table and not out on the trail. or at the very best designed around the specific needs of the design team and not for a wider audience.
Why would it be a good idea to have pockets which can’t be used depending on where the water is. The chest zip pocket doesn’t fit a Iphone 7 with a soft flask behind and the other side is VERY tight when you have the flask in. Down by your waist the water feels strange with the lids poking you ribs and of course, you then loose capacity in those net baskets with the flasks in that position. With water on the chest (my preference) i didn’t know where to put my phone (which I use for OS maps on occasion). Where does my small A4 printed map go.
As for those shoulder pockets… Can we even call them pockets? Who needs a specific pocket for a key or speed cup (as another reviewer suggested) the space would have been much better used for gels or bars… because where do you put those for easy access? The lower zip pockets are cavernous and difficult to get your hand in, making it only really suitable for the water bottles. And i wouldn’t trust the baggy baskets with food unless I stuffed it with a jacket to hold everything in.
on the back without the 10l pack the small pocket is good but a strange shape for no reason. The zip pocket back there doesn’t fit a phone… wait that’s two pockets which don’t fit a phone; the only two pockets you actually want to put a phone in. The 10l bag is a nice alternative to the usual misshapen cavities which always leave you with air gaps and room for you kit to go for a walk mid run. I agree on the bungee cord, it would come in handy I’m sure. But the two side mesh pockets are again useless unless like the key pocket you want a specific pocket for your Covid safe hand sanitiser. They’re just two shallow to be useful. Maybe they were intended to be a BUFF specific pocket!
The fit on a s/m; I’m a 38.5″ chest, was good when running. Very secure and didn’t move but my one gripe (not counting the barrage above) is that the tension of the lower section felt like a badly fitted waist coat Clark Kent might wear; Fitted, giving you that shredded feeling but baggy and loose lower down. Not for me… the tensioning system, if you can call it that made some subtle difference but it also pulls in the net baskets, making them smaller and shallower.
Now for my second gripe, I forgot about this one. Is that although the Ultra 5 and pro 2 in 1 are the same upfront, they’re different on the back (when the 2 in 1 isn’t fitted with the 10Ltr bag) WHY? Why have they created a bag which goes from 15ish ltr to at best 5Ltr and then expect you to shell out another £130 notes if you want a decent size pack for summer races. If I’m running short distance and only really need water and a jacket i could easily wear the ultra 5 and just not put anything in the back. but the capacity is there should you need it on colder days or slightly longer runs. When it comes to racing, you’d have the 10ltr for mandatory kit. Perfect. But they haven’t done that. The pro 2 in 1 seems to cater for the two extremes with noting in the middle meaning you have to buy the Ultra 5. Just sew the fancy clips into the Ultra 5 and allow the 10Ltr bag to fixed to that. SORTED, but that’s not good business sense I guess.
I really really wanted to like the two offerings from Inov8 but there are too many silly issues for me to accept.
A real shame. It could have been such a great pack.
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Hi Mark, great comments & feedback, I’m sorry you haven’t liked your purchase.
As always, it’s down to personal preference, your body shape & how you like to use pockets/spread your gear out.
My iPhone 7 has been kept in the zipper pocket behind the flask on all runs & the large zip pockets at the bottom I still use for food, a small camera, gloves etc. I always use the chest for carrying flasks rather than the lower zippered pockets & ive managed to get a jacket and other items in the back panel without the larger additional bag attached.
It suited my needs and I can only speak for my own personal experiences.
I hope you find a vest which better suits your needs soon
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