Ultimate Direction SJ Vest Review

thanks for your initial review.
I have been waiting for this pack to become available for over 2 months and am just about to order one.

my main interest is how the shoulder water bottle holders work and feel.
I currently run with 2 handhelds but want to try changing my running system a bit.
I do not use bladders so would just use that space as extra pack space, or possibly a third bottle if need be.

I had been itching for one for a couple months as well. I put in a pre-order with Running Warehouse as soon as they announced they would be carrying it.

The shoulder holder pockets work much better than I thought they would. The front and bottom of the pockets are pretty stiff and hold the bottles very securely. The whole system is very well balanced between front and back. I had been a bladder user for a long time until I started mountain running more this year. I had a few times where having the weight all on my back threw my balance off on more technical downhills. While I haven't had a chance to try out the SJ in those same circumstances, I did some quick drills and found the weight distribution of water in the front and gear in the back allowed for a better center of gravity. One thing I will make note of is this probably isn't the best option for those that are annoyed by the sound of sloshing water.

Glad you got a vest to try – they sold out the first day.

A few notes:

1. The SJ Ultra Vest was designed by Scott Jurek. The 7-time winner of the Western States 100 is extremely particular about everything he does – especially gear that will have his signature on it.

2. It is extremely lightweight but with a pile of features – such a careful design and takes time to figure out. Scott explains some of how his vest works in a video: http://www.ultimatedirection.com/c-signature-series.aspx

3. For example, an ice axe and trekking poles can be carried, but it's not immediately apparent how.

4. For BPL, note Peter Bakwin's Adventure Vest – it is larger and more robust (I've carried a rappel cord in it) – while built on the same principals of no-bounce design and easy access to fluids.

Buzz,

I got one of the PB Vests and really like it. Very good design and I have only made one mod so far :)

What I'd really like to UD do is come out with a big version of the PB, say 3000 – 3500 ci for multi day adventures.

I love this vest. Probably one of the most genius/high tech things I own, and thats saying something. I've been using mine to do my runs up my favorite Zion peak: North Guardian Angel as well as other trail runs. Really can't wait to do trans Zion in it, just got to convince my IT band its a good idea.

Stoked on:

-design – the closures, cuben fiber, line locks, just enough space for everything I could need
-movement – there isn't much, I REALLY love using some small 10oz bottles instead of the 20oz, can't feel the vest at all by that point

Not as stoked on:

-as others have mentioned I had a water bottle drawstring come out, luckily my girlfriend was able to retie it. Should be an easy fix on UD's end.
-cell phone pocket really isn't big enough for most phones. Mine might be one of the smallest smart phones out there and it requires some work to fit it in, especially while running. Probably best to use those pockets for something else.
-its really difficult to get into those side zipper pockets while wearing the vest

All in all I'd give it a 9/10, the cons are pretty much just minor annoyances.

Hey thanks for posting the info.. I've been keeping my eye on these and would love to hear how they hold up with some wear and tear. Those of you with the vests, if you can keep the info coming that would be awesome thanks. :)

On the PB, I was wondering how you like the single pull bungee compressors?

Thanks!!

Mike: Thank you for mentioning North Guardian Angel – fond memories help fight mid-winter blahs – I hope you also enjoy the NGA-SGA linkup (or the Quinfecta: NGA, SGA, the two Northgates, and Pine Valley Peak :-)

You are correct – the bungee cord is prone to pulling out of the bottle holster – sorry about that. The factory has acknowledged the error (they tied a knot instead of stitching as instructed) – it's been corrected for the 2nd production run. At the risk of divulging more problems, I should say it's also possible the tab will come off the zipper pulls – they made a mistake there also – got caught and corrected halfway thru the 2nd production run.

IMO, one of the biggest advantages of these vests is also their biggest potential drawback: they are vests. Which means they are intrinsically far more comfortable with less bounce than anything else. But it also means they have to fit. The old "sack-on-your-back-with-a-bunch-of-straps" concept stayed dominant in the marketplace for decades not because it worked well – it never did for high movement activities – but because it's much easier for the manufacturer to design, to bring to market, and to make money on. Vests have instant appeal to the discriminating user, while the occasional user (most of the market) might not get it.

Nice Buzz, its about to snow here in Toquerville, so the Kolob Terrace area might get shut down for the season real soon. I like the five peaks idea a whole lot better than the zironman traverse haha. Curious if you used ropes for pine valley peak or not, would love to find a scramble-able route up that beauty.

Thanks Buzz for the on going info on these packs. It's good to know that Ultimate Direction is continuing to tweak things for the better. I think it's good to know what to expect(flaws and all) before buying, instead of being surprised post purchase by a well known but unacknowledged issue.

I am curious how the fit is on various women's body types. I have watched the sizing video but still feel undecided on fit. I have an hour glass shape & short torso. I really think the side v straps on the AK vest have real potential for great adjustment. How are the front vest straps placement width wise?(men generally have wider shoulders) Would narrow shoulders be a factor in a good fit? The other thought was the placement of the water bottles in the chest area and how that works out for various females on all of the vests?

:)

Thanks to all who have vests already and are posting their insight. I've had an eye on these as well, and I'm planning to pick up the AK for trail runs and the PB or SJ for day-hikes with run potential. Looks like a great product.

I had signed up for the email notification for their new signature series, was out of town and the email came a day earlier- went to the site to order one (AK) and they were out already :(

Hopefully a few more will be built than round 1

Yup… their email alert thing was a bit disappointing. I just happened to cruse their site. Shipping was another big ol' pain but it was delivered. Unfortunately I was only able to run a short 5.5 trail run with a little gear thrown into it,( became sick shortly thereafter and waiting this infection out.)
I did not know what to expect but overall it was NOT cumbersome,bothersome,irritating,ect.. Just different to have the bottles where they are at.One lid did leak but maybe I can't screw a lid on correctly. My goal is to use this for a hike around Mt. Rainer. and overnights and so forth.Now I just have to choose the correct gear.

Hi Buzz,

Thanks for chiming in :) Sorry I have not updated my review as of yet. Life's been a little crazy with everything lately. So far the vest is awesome! The cell phone pocket still worries me, but I have had no issues otherwise. I'll post a more thorough review when I get time to sit down and catch my breath.

Aaron

Just a heads up in case folks aren't email subscribers, Ulitmate Direction has all 3 vests back in stock.

looks like only S/M in the AK :(

they must be making a dozen at a time, not sure that's the best model when selling things :)

Mike – scarcity breeds demand. same reason people (most people) love to stand in lines.

the AK is too small for my purposes, I'm trying to decide between SJ and PB.

Wow, they went fast. They were there this morning when I looked through. I'm hoping a M/L PB will be around when I have funds to order one in Feb. I have a local store that sells these too, so perhaps I'll could have some luck there as well.

The cuben-backed main compartment of the PB is one selling point for me vs. the completely mesh-backed main compartment of the SJ. I could use a liner to protect against rain, rain-run-off, and sweat… but not having to use one for anything but being out in a sustained downpour is a plus. I'm hoping I can pull off some minimal overnighters in the PB.

I don't quite understand how this happened (maybe because I called and was pissed :)), but just went back to the same page and now shows they have both (S/M & M/L) so just ordered a M/L- hopefully I don't get an email saying that they messed up and don't have them

if I actually get one, I'll post up a review

Good luck!

Luckily the UD email notification arrived timely and I was able to pick up the SJ in a medium yesterday. Very excited to try it out! I was torn between this and the PB. I hope the SJ can handle as much gear as I've read here. I have been eyeing this pack for an upcoming race that has a mandatory gear list. Hopefully the SJ can pack it all in, I just didn't want the PB to be overkill. Thanks for the info. Looking foward to reading a full review here.

Thoughtful comments as always on BPL; sorry I can't follow them all!

Yes, the 2nd production run arrived and went on sale yesterday. "Like" Ultimate Direction on Facebook, or subscribe to our email list (from the website) to stay informed.

Currently, iRunFar, ZombieRunner, and RunningWarehouse are the online sources (besides our website).

They have been selling out; by late March the 4th production will arrive, and we'll be caught up.

The two construction issues were addressed for this production; anyone who had a problem with the first should contact "run@ultimatedirection.com" and request an RA; we are repairing them here in Longmont and flipping them back 2 days later.

Sizing/Capacity – the answer always starts with, "It depends …" Sorry about that! But it does depend on the individual user … some people carry a ton of stuff and some people don't. The AK Race Vest was designed from the sole parameter of being able to carry the Required Gear for the UTMB in the lightest possible pack … it does that! And yet last night, Tony himself told me he would probably use Scott's vest at UTMB because it's easier to get stuff in and out … so …?

Women – the Signature Series is definitely uni-sex. Some women object to the bottles up front and most don't – again, their choice, not mine! (And, there will be an "Ultra Vesta" in one year :-)

Bigger – there is a possibility of a "Fastpack" next year – 20L is the sweet spot I think – not a "backpack", but able to carry either a rope and harness, or a little sleeping bag.

Mike – Pine Valley Peak goes w/o rope up the face you see on approach – but the exposure is serious (as you already know) – and one has to be comfortable with the infamous 'vertical sand' type of rock. And Jared and I are on for Zironman this year!

that's good to hear :) I've been looking for a multi-day (2 or 3) running pack and there is not a lot out there, I agree 20-ish liters would be just about right

thanks

Ditto on that! 20L would be perfect!! Maybe I should pick up the SJ after all right now, and hold out for the larger fastpack next year.