We found these pockets add to the vest's comfort, and we prefer them to the positioning of zippered pockets over the collarbone. I also think Nathan just about nailed it with the pocket placement on the Pinnacle 12L especially compared to the VaporKrar 12L. Ive tested the Pinnacle 12L on a variety of runs, mostly in the 2-3 hour range. Offer ends 6/27/22 11:59 PM PST. This year, those vests got a new namethe Pinnacleand a minor makeover in construction, with an emphasis on lightweight materials that makes these models 20% lighter than their predecessors. New Kangaroo pockets allowing one side entry access point and a vertical pocket for larger items like trekking poles. Two large pockets on the chest are compatible with soft flasks, but our policy is to test each pack with the system that is included upon purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Much like the VaporKrar 12L, the soft flask pockets dont have any way to cinch down the top of the pocket, and the pockets themselves seem a little bit loose which allows the soft flasks to bounce around inside the pockets an obnoxious amount. The left kangaroo pocket can store loads of gear but doesn't have a secondary access point as the right side does. UNIQUE FEATURES 2 water resistant chest pockets for smartphones, keys or nutrition. One vertical pocket for trekking poles, larger items, New Shape of vest that sits longer in the back for dispersed capacity, Large diagonal zipper for easy entry for necessities of any size that fits. Nathans claims about the Pinnacle 12Ls improved breathability have also held true in my experience I still get some back sweat in the Pinnacle 12L, but not nearly as much as I did with the VaporKrar 2.0 12L. It also has a longer fit, which Nathan says helps with weight distribution. Powered by GOLDENEYE. LIMITED TIME ONLY. How, you might ask? This technology was first seen on Nathans new apparel line this year, and works effectively to move moisture and prevent chafing or heat buildup. Other than that though, I think the new rear pocket layout is a major improvement over the VaporKrar 12L. I have to cinch down the sternum straps almost all the way to get a secure fit when the pack is dry, and once it gets sweaty and stretches a little, I run out of strap completely especially because the upper strap has a longer buckle on the right side with a magnet for the hydration bladder tube that makes the adjustable portion of the strap a few centimeters shorter. So if you do lots of running and racing where youre carrying a fair amount of gear and want a lightweight, breathable pack with lots of storage options, I think the Pinnacle 12 L could be a solid option especially if it fits you well and / or you consider going down a size. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. For example, the USWE Pace 8 only has 7 pockets. Thoughtful storage is always in reach including two new Kangaroo pockets allowing one side entry access point and a vertical pocket for larger items like trekking poles. Primary updates include lighter and more breathable material construction, and additional kangaroo pockets for cargo storage. The main rear pocket is accessed via a diagonal zipper that runs parallel to the diagonal kangaroo pocket again, the diagonal layout is intended to improve access to the rear pocket with the pack still on. Receive 25% Off with any $150+ purchase, receive 20% off with any $100 purchase or receive 15% off with any $75+ purchase. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. We position both of these vests as ultramarathon distance vests, they can go as far as you can go, but the high stretch fabric won't carry camp gear effectively for multi-day fast packing. The Nathan Pinnacle 12 strikes a balance between form and function, with 11 pockets that are accessible while cruising on the trail and one larger storage pocket for emergency essentials. Brand: NathanColor: Women's - Lime / HibiscusFeatures: FUNCTIONAL Pinnacle 12L is equipped with a 1.6L insulated bladder and quick release valve system for easy drinking on the go. The Pinnacle 12 has features and storage that work well for a smaller outings, but could likely go as far as any human can run. a means for, Other Equipment, Attachments & Accessories, 2 x Heavy Duty 12mm Solid Black Rubber Gym Mat | 6ft x 4ft Each, 2020 New Sport Aerobic Exercise Bike Studio Indoor Training Fitness Cardio Bike Cycling Home Fitness Gym LED Monitor (FREE WATER BOTTLE INCLUDED) (BLACK/Yellow), 3 in1 Multifunctional Folding Incline Treadmill, Manual Running Belt Jogging Walking Machine with LED Display for Home Gym Cardio Fitness Equipment From Overall To Partial ExerciseUK in Stock, 50kg Barbell Dumbbell Chromed Cast Iron Home Gym Weight Set, 6kg Flywheel Stationary Exercise Spinning Spin Bike Home Fitness Workout Cardio PD-FIT, Gritin Resistance Bands, [Set of 5] Skin-Friendly Resistance Fitness Exercise Loop Bands with Free Carrying Case- 5 Different Levels of Resistance for Yoga, Pilates, Physiotherapy. No-chafe elastic perimeter binding. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer, discount or coupon, nor applied to previous purchases. With all the usual caveats out of the way, Ill be up front about saying that Ive had some issues with the Pinnacle 12Ls fit. Inside the right-hand zipper pocket is another smaller stash pocket to keep smaller items from bouncing around, along with a safety whistle (and yes, that gets its own small pocket, too). How can we improve GearLab? For your first hundred? I usually find that bladders bounce and slosh all over the place, but the Pinnacle 12L does a good job of keeping the bladder stable and mostly bounce-free, as long as theres something else (e.g., a jacket) in the back of the pack as well. Tapered back panels for a chimney wicking effect, designed to wick moisture up and out of sweaty locations. Sign up for Exclusive Offers, Original Stories, Giveaways and More! Discount automatically applied in cart. Included with the vest is an insulated, hourglass-shaped 1.6L bladder and hose with a magnetic clip for management. And because the Pinnacle 12L doesnt have side compression straps, once I max out the sternum straps, Im pretty much out of options as far as adjustability is concerned. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Amazing pockets in arm's reach, carries a lot of gear, Some stiff materials on the chest, pole carry is hard to execute while moving, OGL Volume to Weight Ratio (bigger is better!). Nathan's Pinnacle 12 is the closest we've seen to this dream realized. Highly capable and intuitively simple, does it get any better than that? Nathan reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time. Technically you could draw your trekking poles while on the move, as the vertical kangaroo pocket designed to store them does have a second point of access on the right flank. Get 25 points when you join now. While fast and light is the saying that gets thrown around, runners will want some creature comforts 24 hours into a race. While you will get close to comparable performance from the other top pick packs, we are enthused by the features and pockets of this vest and stand by our evaluation. In practice, the Pinnacle 12L definitely feels light and minimal even if there are lighter packs on the market, I think that the Pinnacle 12L comes close enough that the difference is barely noticeable when actually running in the pack. DESIGN - Lightweight and comfortable. While I found that pretty annoying, I was impressed by how well the Pinnacle 12L carries when using the bladder instead of soft flasks. Discounts cannot be combined. Bravo Nathan, Bravo. So when I had the chance to try out the new Pinnacle 12L an evolution of the VaporKrar (mens) / VaporHowe (womens) series I was excited to see whether it managed to fix some of the complaints I had about the VaporKrar. With this pocket layout, we could access over 10L of storage in the 12L pack, which makes us shirk at any pack that scored better in volume to weight ratio, cause no other pack has that much accessible volume. We found that we could comfortably stuff this vest with layer-on-layers, snacks, and accessories, but when we placed a Nalgene in it while walking around town, there wasn't the necessary pack structure to carry such a heavy item effectively. Layered on top of these kangaroo pockets are larger stretch pockets that are different on the 4L and 12L, with a large diagonally-zippered compartment across the entire back panel that is included on the 12L but absent on the 4L. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, A comfortable and capable choice for big mileage when gear accessibility is mission-critical. Still, I think the Pinnacle 12L is a solid option for runners with wider chests, and itd definitely be a contender for my go-to pack for longer days if Nathan tightened up the fit a little (or just offered an XXS mens size). We still tucked the hose into the left lower pouch pocket for further security. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer, discount or coupon, nor applied to previous purchases. Availability of qualifying item(s) may vary over the course of this promotion, accordingly, this offer is limited to available inventory of qualifying item(s), while supplies last. Ill go into more detail on how all of those pockets and features perform in the On The Trail section, but I do think that Nathans claims about the Pinnacle 12Ls improved pocket access and excellent breathability hold up for the most part. Each have dual front zipper pockets (one on each strap) that can accommodate large phones, positioning it against your body and behind the front pocket storage. These pockets are a carryover from the Krar and Howe vests, which were much more effective at keeping our phones dry. The Pinnacle uses stretch material for a hug snug fit, popular with many performance ultra vests. For reference, I have a fairly narrow chest (~34 in / 86 cm) and usually wear either a mens Small or Extra-Small in race vests from other brands. Two waterproof pockets behind the front pouch pockets keep important items dry, without having to necessarily whip out your rain shell. Extensive external pockets 12 on the 4L and 13 on the 12L vest allow multiple storage configurations to suit your needs. The Pinnacle 12 and the ADV Skin 12 have similar weights and carrying capacities. Though most every run we loved the fit and feel of this vest, it doesn't have the same adjustability as many other hydration packs we reviewed, so trying it on for size is a good idea. Below the hydration pocket on each side is a smaller nutrition pocket with a hook and loop closure. There are several factors to help choose a hydration pack the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Comfortable, great fit, tons of easily reachable pockets, versatile, Adjustable fit, great hydration system, simple pocket design, Versatile, comfortable, great storage capacity for how light it is, Ample storage, simple and successful design, approachable price, Expensive, must buy hydration bladder separately, Hydration pockets are too small, chest straps finicky, Lower quality bladder, minor pain points over longer distances, A top-notch running pack, with excellent pockets and a comfortable fit, A great hydration pack with a simple and effective design, but the paired down design means fewer pockets and storage options, Great for runners looking to carry extra gear on adventures, but for faster efforts and races, the pack has limitations, An entry-level hydration pack for trail running with a great price and ample storage, Two 500 mL soft flasks (included), plus reservoir sleeve (reservoir not included). Its also worth noting that, according to the sizing chart on Nathans website, my chest circumference of ~34 in is within the stated range of 33-35 in for the XS size. With just the right chafe-free fit and form, it's the perfect race day vest! Finally, the Pinnacle 12L has two sternum straps that can easily slide up and down to adjust the fit. Ultra Shorts: WSER Contest Winner Natasha Daniels, Two 500ml Hydrapak soft flasks with exospine stability. We preferred to store the trekking poles in the larger diagonal zip pocket, but this was just a user preference. Pockets aside, the Pinnacle 12L is made entirely of extremely lightweight, stretchy, and breathable materials. var plc507087 = window.plc507087 || 0; And finally, the Pinnacles pocket layout is pretty much completely different Ill break down the specific pockets more in the Features and Construction section. Positioned just behind these flank pockets are hook and loop closures that permit easy access to larger back storage compartments without letting gear fall out. Gym Store is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide As Ive said throughout this review, that issue is specific to my body type, but its not as if the tall / skinny body type is uncommon in the running world. The new kangaroo pockets make it easy to access most of the packs rear storage; I still have to take off the pack to access the main zipper pocket, but I can easily stow jackets, gloves, hats, and various other items in the two kangaroo pockets without removing the pack. Packs, like shoes, should really be tried on in person if at all possible. 360 Degree Reflective hits for runs in dusk/dawn. Basic Summary: An update and re-branding of two of Nathans most popular items, the Krar and Howe vests. Nathan positioned two waterproof zippered pockets behind the soft flask pockets, large enough for an oversized phone, map, or other gear that is flat or soft. DESIGN - Lightweight and comfortable. As I mentioned earlier, the top strap also has a magnet on the right side for securing the hydration bladder tube. Just like Santa's pack, we could stuff endless gear and gadgets in the Pinnacle 12. The bladder itself is insulated and hourglass-shaped, which Nathan says helps reduce sloshing. As I mentioned previously, the whole pack is slightly longer than the previous version, which I really appreciate as a taller runner. I will say that Im a bit skeptical about Nathans claim that the diagonal pocket can be used for trekking pole storage I havent been able to get my Black Diamond Distance Carbon FL-Z poles into or out of the pocket without removing the pack. It certainly seemed promising on paper in addition to being 20% lighter than the VaporKrar 2.0 12L (according to Nathan), it also has a completely revamped pocket layout that Nathan says is specifically targeted at improving pocket accessibility without taking off the pack. The outermost rear pocket has a velcro closure at the top, and the vast compartment extends down to an access point at the right flank with another closure. If youve read any of my previous pack reviews, youll know that pocket accessibility is one of the main things I look for in a running pack (along with a secure fit), so Nathans description of the Pinnacle 12L definitely left me intrigued. At 13.6 ounces, the Pinnacle 12 can almost carry 1 liter of gear for each ounce of material. After months of researching the most popular running packs How to Choose a Hydration Pack for Running. Enhanced shape with longer back for efficient, dispersed capacity, Thoughtful storage is always in reach including two new Kangaroo pockets, Two water-resistant pockets on the chest for phone storage. For the passionate runner looking to get a pack that will help them reach new distances, take a closer look at the Pinnacle 12. When I reviewed the Nathan VaporKrar 2.0 12L last year, I thought it was really close to being an awesome pack. Additionally, the Pinnacle incorporates two different materials on the back panel; one where the hydration bladder sits against the back and a different, more breathable mesh along the sides of the back. Got feedback? We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. I think its also important to highlight that, aside from sizing, Nathan did a very good job with the Pinnacle 12Ls fit in my opinion. No-Bouncing when running! Behind these outermost back pockets is a simple pouch that is only 6" deep, so a rain layer remains accessible over the shoulder while moving. Features are only as excellent as they are intuitive. Its new enhanced shape boasts a slightly longer back for efficient, dispersed capacity. The clever hourglass shape of the bladder worked well with the longer vest design and prevented unwanted sloshing. The other is a diagonal pocket that runs from the left shoulder down to the right-hand corner of the pack thats intended for bulkier clothing items or trekking poles. At the end of the day, this hydration pack is a tool that got us out on the trail more confidently and comfortably.