The Ultimate Direction OCR Vest is as minimal as they come but stacks up against its competition, proving to be more durable and useful for race situations. This vest has nylon rip-stop fabric that stands up to wall climbing, mud, water, and any other surfaces you may get snagged on. You have the option of wearing a 2L bladder or placing a 600 ml water bottle in the front pocket or utilizing both water compartments with enough room in the zipper compartment to store gels or keys.
Ultimate Direction OCR Vest Features
Design: The design of this vest is super minimal, yet I was able to take along everything I needed even on my longer runs. I loved that even though I was able to pack this full, it never felt bulky like my other packs. It also has reflective strips in case you are running at night or darker areas.
Durability: The nylon rip-stop is phenomenal. I have use this primarily on muddy trails where I have had to do some climbing and my vest still looks brand new. This is definitely the only vest I would trust to withstand a race environment.
Innovation: Instead of the possibility of losing a go pro or breaking a phone, the best has a roll-top, water-resistant pouch on the front to hold your smartphone. This allows you to take photos or video without destroying your phone. Unfortunately, neither my iPhone 8 or iPhone X would fit in the pouch, which was very disappointing considering it was one of the features I was most excited about.
Fit: I really love the fit of this vest. Even with my 2L bladder, extra clothing and gel packs loading it down, it was super light and never made me feel like I was lugging gear around. There was no sloshing or weird chaffing around the arms despite the vest being fitted to my body.
Ultimate Direction OCR Vest Usage
I took this vest out in on trails in the rain and mud, climbed while wearing it to test its durability and it held up way better than my other vests. I had been using the Adventure Vesta, another Ultimate Direction vest, for the wet and muddy trail runs and the OCR vest even keeps things dry better than other UD vests.
Ultimate Direction OCR Vest Pros and Cons
Pros
- Light Weight
- Minimal yet holds a lot of gear
- The most durable pack I have used
Cons
- Water-resistant smartphone pouch is not suitable for more current, larger iPhones
- No color options
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Ultimate Direction OCR Vest Conclusion
This is an amazing vest if wearing a pack that can withstand the OCR elements. If you are like me, you may be disappointed that the smartphone holder didn’t come with a little more wiggle room for newer, bigger phones. However, don’t let that stop you from purchasing this vest as I am willing to bet that you’d be hard pressed to find another vest that will carry as much gear and come out looking like new, once you wash the mud off that is.
Jennifer Wade
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