Nathan Pinnacle Hydration Vest Review
A comfortable, racing vest with accessible storage and hands-free hydration for a bounce-free run.
Likes
- Updated sternum strap offers a better fit
- Multiple storage options
- Large and easy to fill hydration
Dislikes
- Not as breathable
- Velcro closures on some of the pockets
What's New
The Nathan Pinnacle Hydration Vest features a slightly longer back for balancing weight distribution and is 20% lighter and more breathable than previous versions. This vest is available in a 4L option that includes two 20 oz flasks with extended straw tubes or a 12L capacity with a 1.6 L insulated bladder for hydration. There are two new water-resistant chest pockets for your phone or capsules and an easy-access diagonal rear zipper pocket. In addition, the Nathan Pinnacle has dual adjustable sternum straps for a personalized fit, multiple front pockets and rear storage compartments for essentials, a slide-through lower back pocket for extra items, an emergency whistle, and 360-degree reflective details for safety.
The Bottom Line
The Nathan Pinnacle Hydration Vest continues to offer top-of-the-line comfort and plenty of storage capacity on race days and longer trail runs. Lighter and more breathable, the pack features a newly redesigned shape that extends slightly longer down the back to evenly distribute weight for a balanced feel and a comfortable ride. This pack's soft, shirt-like material adapts to the body to maintain all-day comfort, while adjustable sternum straps provide a personalized fit. With all-around reflective details and an emergency whistle inside the left shoulder pocket, safety is also a key feature of the Pinnacle Hydration Vest. Offering up to 7 convenient front pockets and holsters, there is more than enough room for a day's supply of gels, capsules, accessories, and extra bottles.
Our In-Depth Look
Fit & Comfort
Kaitlin: "The Nathan Pinnacle pack provided a comfortable fit around my body, however, the material did not feel as breathable as other packs I've worn."
Liz: "The pack fit well and comfortably hugged my body with no bouncing while I ran."
Storage
Liz: "The Nathan Pinnacle pack has ALL the pockets you need, and those who want to organize their gear are going to love this aspect. The front of the vest has two large zippered pockets that comfortably and securely held my phone and additional stash pockets on the front for easy storage of nutrition and other essentials. The three drop-in rear pockets accommodate a large amount of gear, with two of the pockets being easily accessed from the bottom, which makes it convenient to stash a jacket while on the run. I do have mixed feelings about the bottom access pockets. While a jacket would be secure, the velcro opening would easily allow smaller or heavier items to fall out. Thankfully, there is also a secure zipper pocket in the rear."
Kaitlin: "The two front zipper pockets were great, but I would have liked more secure storage options. There are velcro pockets both on the front and back of the vest, but I prefer having tighter mesh pockets or more secure zipper ones."
Hydration
Kaitlin: "For the 4L vest, the larger opening of the flasks made it easier to fill and clean, and it did not have a plasticky taste. The bottles I received had some issues with leaking or getting a tight seal, and the bottle's shank did not make it easy to get into the pack. I did like the straw flasks in the Pinnacle more than in other vests because of the straws' tips, which conveniently fit into a little holster while I was running."
Liz: "With the 12L vest, the bladder was easy to fill and clean, and the quality was very good. There was no weird taste, and I never had to worry about leaking. I especially loved the insulated reservoir that kept my water from getting too hot when sitting against my back. The hose did have to be trimmed down, but the magnetic holder on the chest strap held it in place while running. My one complaint was that the reservoir didn’t have a baffle in the center. Even though this makes it easier to clean and dry, I did feel a bit of sloshing around when the reservoir was full."
Quality
Liz: "This vest displays very high quality in both craftsmanship and materials. I feel that it will last a long time, and the fabric offers the perfect amount of stretch, support, and resilience that allows this pack to compare with the other top-of-the-line packs on the market."
Kaitlin: "I do have some concerns about the velcro closure for the back storage in terms of its longevity. Additionally, this pack does get saturated with sweat, so I imagine it would need to be washed, which might cause durability issues unless properly cared for."
Value
Liz: "While I think this pack is still a good investment for those looking for specific features and longer-lasting durability, the high price point of the Pinnacle vest is a downside for me. I feel that you could get the same quality of product with something like the Salomon Advanced Skin pack, but at a much lower cost. For those who prefer a larger hydration bladder, it may still be worth the extra money."
Kaitlin: "I don't think the features or material of this pack were comparable to other hydration vests at the same price point. The material was not very breathable and there was not enough secure storage for me to justify the higher price point."
Nathan Pinnacle Hydration Vest
Individual Thoughts
The Nathan Pinnacle Hydration Vest has some good features but also other areas where it could improve. This pack fits close to the chest for a compressive feel and has minimal bounce. The front storage pockets were very convenient, and I preferred them to the side pockets on most vests. My favorite feature was the straw coverings on the front of the pack, which prevented the straws from hitting my face or poking me. The tip coverings are a rare but welcomed feature compared to other hydration vests on the market, and they should be standard on all packs. Regarding storage, I would have preferred one of the larger volume pockets to have a zipper. The outermost pocket was open at the bottom, the middle pocket was lower in volume, and the one against the back could have fit a reservoir, but it had a velcro closure instead. I felt this limited the overall use of the pack and its future durability."
Overall, the Nathan Women's Pinnacle Pack is comfortable and well-made. There are a few features that I wouldn't utilize, and I would prefer other comparable packs that cost significantly less; but, for those who enjoy the organization offered by this pack and are looking for specific pocket features and an included reservoir, the Nathan Pinnacle would be hard to beat.
