Apidura Racing Hydration Vest: Extend Any Ride

Earlier this year, I swapped spring rain and soggy mountain bike trails on Vancouver Island, Canada, for sunshine and smooth asphalt in Girona, Spain. Although my journey into cycling started through bike touring and road riding, I hadn't ridden a dedicated road bike in years.

By the time I reached the top of El Angels, a 11.1km 434m climb, on our very first ride, the Bianchi Aria bike I'd rented reminded me of what I loved about road riding. The bikes are aerodynamic and lightweight. They're stiff, too, transferring my effort into road speed. They're built for performance and that performance brought a huge smile to my face. I've often said that I don't need my bikes to be fast, I just want them to feel fast. The road bike was a stark reminder that my beloved Salsa Cutthroat, my only drop bar bike, was built comfortably for endless hours. Its focus was a Tour Divide record, not a Strava KOM. By the end of our trip, in which we'd climbed Roca Corba (12,3km, 797m), pedaled the Costa Brava, and looped through Girona's beautiful countryside, I was determined to make a change.

As soon as I arrived home, I sold my Cutthroat and started building a dream gravel race bike (more on that in an upcoming story). While it isn't quite the same as the aero race-inspired road bike, it's added a dose of speed to my gravel rides. When gearing up for my first overnight bikepacking trip, the new bike did pose a challenge. I simply had less space for essentials because I'd set it up with a half frame bag and narrower cockpit. I also strive to avoid using stem-mounted feed bags that somehow always get in the way of my hands and knees when climbing.

With the new bike requiring a new packing style, I was stoked to try out the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest both for its added water capacity and food storage.

About Apidura

Apidura is one of the better known bikepack bag companies; however, they remain driven by their original mantra: for cyclists, by cyclists. They believe in designing products that last rather than seasonal products or varying colour palettes, so every product comes in their recognizable-yet-subtle branded colours. They also include an estimated carbon emissions calculator for all their products, empowering customers to understand the impact of their purchase. Simply put, Apidura also makes badass gear that has been used by race winners in ultras around the world. I've been fortunate to try out a few of their bags and I've yet to be disappointed.

Sized to Fit Almost Anyone

When I ordered the Racing Hydration Vest, I consulted the size chart and found I landed, as expected, towards the bottom of the Large/Extra Large size. It's an easy measurement, but it seemed as easy as trusting my shirt size. The vest fit exactly how I expected a Large/Extra Large to fit and I've never ordered anything in small/medium. Most cyclists should know immediately which size will work for them.

The fit is easy to fine tune. Two straps on either side of the vest provide sizing adjustability. The strap has a small piece of elastic built in, too, that provides a secure yet flexible fit. Two chest straps easily slide up or down for comfort to secure the vest. The lower strap is elastic, which seems to smartly avoid restricting breathing when huffing and puffing up a climb. A small magnet is built into this lower chest strap to hold the hydration hose in place.

As a taller cyclist - I am 189 cm - this is the vest's biggest downfall. When fit comfortably with the lower strap where I'd like it positioned, the hydration hose overlaps the quick-stash pocket where I carry snacks. When the pocket is stuffed full of Haribo's, Bobo Stuffed Oat Bites or Snickers, the hose constantly pops off the magnet. If the magnet position could be adjusted away from the edge of the chest strap, it would be far easier to find an ideal fit.

Although I don't often find it useful, the upper chest strap has a built-in whistle that would be convenient in an emergency or to alert fellow cyclists you're ready for them to ride into the scene for a photo.

Design & Construction

Receiving new bike gear in the mail and opening it is always fun. The Apidura Racing Hydration Vest was no exception. In keeping with their low-impact ethos, the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest arrived with minimal packaging.

At first glance, it's built similarly to all Apidura products. It's black, with subtle gray and yellow stripes reflective of every Apidura bag. Speaking of reflective, these coloured stripes were a subtle way to include a high-visibility design element that perfectly suits the product.

The majority of the vest is made with 3D mesh that is extremely breathable and comfortable. It doesn't absorb water or sweat. The back panels are made from 70D ripstop. It's a light, flexible material that has proven resilient and puncture proof. The straps, which I talked about in detail in the Size and Fit section, are made from webbing and elastic. They're minimal and effective, which really limits the pack's bulk. When unpacked/unloaded, the vest is exceptionally light and it fits snug enough to remain comfortable when fully loaded.

The entire pack is designed around a 2L hydration vest that sits comfortably on my back. The water bladder is an Apidura product, making it a unique - and ideal fit - but limiting replacement options. Personally I wish the valve was easier to drink from; however, I do appreciate the effective lock. It will never drip or drain unexpectedly while riding.

Although the two rear pockets can't be easily accessed while riding, they do offer a good amount of storage. They also expand outward, so even when stuffed full, the vest fits flush against my back.

I've had my eye on a pair of cycling-specific hydration vests for some time, always struggling to choose between the Albion Visibility Cargo Vest and this Apidura Racing Hydration Vest. Ultimately, I never ordered either because it felt unnecessary. I've owned a Nathan trail running vest for years and have often used it on my bike when extra hydration was required.

Compared to my running vest, the Apidura option offered immediate benefits. The cut is perfectly crafted for cycling. Even with the vest fully packed, I can easily access my jersey pockets and the upper pockets on my cargo bibs. The pocket layout is intuitive for a cyclist, as well, with a zippered elastic mesh pocket on the left chest that easily holds a phone or old-school Garmin inReach. A smaller stash pocket on the same side has proven of little use, but the large stash pocket on the right chest is ideal for carrying bars, gels, or even, dare I suggest, a tall can when camp is nearby.

Usage & Performance

Earlier this year, when I first tested the San Util Roly Poly bag, I headed out on the Comox Lake Road. For the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest, I followed the same route but extended it as an overnighter with a ride through to Port Alberni. I turned it into a loop with a tough climb up to Horne Lake and home along the Old Island Highway. This 174 km route had just over 2300m of climbing with almost no traffic.

The forestry roads on southern Vancouver Island are privately owned and gated. Public access is allowed with either the gates open for weekend use or for volunteer Island Ranger members with keys and permission. I can't stress this enough, but only replicate the trip if you have the right to be there. We made the trip over a scorching hot August weekend. With our bikes fully loaded and the heat, we made slow progress along the punishingly steep hills along Comox Lake. Although we had a water filter and easy access to Comox Lake and a number of small creeks, it was great not having to stop frequently to refill.

After leaving Comox Lake behind and clearing the small pass that separates the Comox Lake and Great Central Lakes watersheds, we started the long working downhill towards Port Alberni. As temperatures soared into the mid 30s, I did curse the extra layer on my upper body. Even with its 3D mesh construction, it is warmer than wearing a simple jersey. While I do feel the extra hydration was worth the added warmth, it might not be for everybody.

We hadn't planned our campsite in advance and it turned out to be a bit challenging to find something at the last minute. The recreation site we planned to use threatened to become a weekend party spot, while the McLean Mill National Historic Campsite was rented out to a Ditidaht First Nation wedding. We ultimately ended up camped at the peculiar Lighthouse Campground in Port Alberni, located and operated by the Lighthouse Apostolic Church. For a last minute find, its convenient location was as appreciated as its inexpensive price.

Unfortunately, parts of Port Alberni and the campground were under a boil water advisory. When we found a place to safely top up our bottles, it was great to have the vest's added capacity. Day two was a repeat of the first day, but we had ready access to clean drinking water at gas stations and cafe stops along the Old Island Highway. I purposefully carried less water to lighten the load. When unloaded, the vest is so light it's hardly noticeable. On a longer trip through varied terrain, this would add to its versatility.

Aside from the overnight bikepacking trip, I've also used the vest on multiple day rides. On a recent trip to Canmore, Alberta, where I lived before moving to Vancouver Island, I had the chance to ride one of my all-time favourite loops from Canmore to Banff along the Goat Creek Trail and back on the Legacy Trail. It's only a 64km half gravel and half paved loop, but it's a challenge when done fast. I used the vest to avoid rationing or running out of water. I also carried a handful of Haribo candy and two oat bars in the easy to access front mesh pocket.

Unfortunately, an untimely flat slowed my pace before an unruly bull elk blocked the trail entirely. Standing beside the Spray River, staring at a bull elk with Mt Rundle in the background was more than a consolation prize for falling short of my Strava PR.

Final Thoughts

I swore off carrying hydration packs or backpacks on bikes long ago. I just never found them comfortable, so I always opted to carry two bottles on the bike (if possible) and a portable filter.

Last year, I competed in a 230-km gravel race on Vancouver Island. During that race, I had to refill my bottles at every aid station. The time off the bike definitely added up in a one day race, so I started exploring ways to comfortably carry more water. I settled on using my Nathan running vest, but it was less than ideal. The vest was designed to use two 500ml flasks in the chest pockets. These weren't comfortable to carry in a riding position, so I started using a 2L hydration bladder in the rear pocket. It fit great, but the bladder pushed into my back. Rather than sitting flat, it felt like I had a beach ball against my back.

As soon as I tried on the Apidura Racing Hydration Vest, it was obvious that the fit and performance was entirely designed for biking. I've used it on bikepacking trips, long gravel rides, and multiple mountain bike rides..Each time, I've packed it differently. Whether I've strapped my full face helmet's removable chin bar to it or filled the cargo pockets with rain gear, it remains comfortable.

For the most part, I use it to carry water and food. It holds plenty, truly extending the time between required resupply stops. For most one-day rides, it diminishes the need to carry a water filter. During races, it eliminates the need to stop at aid stations (although it's important to stop for cookies if you aren't in the lead group).

No matter the configuration, I've been impressed. Most importantly, it never feels like a bulky backpack. The fit remains streamlined and it's almost always comfortable to carry. After just a few weeks with the pack, I am left with little doubt that it will become a staple for bikepacking trips and daily rides.