LANZON 2L Hydration Pack (NO Bladder), Marathon Running Vest, Hiking Cycling Backpack

Years ago I started with a Nathan lumbar belt with a 22oz bottle. Then for the majority of my running years I've ran with a handheld. A few weeks ago I ran with a friend of mine and he has always run with a hydration pack. He's also 6' 7" and 260lbs so I figured his hydration needs were greater than mine. I'm 6' and 180lbs. Most of the time I've had no issues with a handheld. But thinking about running 20milers I've always ran by the house for more water or filled up my handheld at a water hydrant at a ball field or the park. I've always wanted a hydration pack. I own three that I've bought at walmart all Ozark Trail and they work great if I'm riding my bike. I tried to run with the smaller packs and could hardly get down to the end of the street before running back and taking it off, way to much bounce. So in comes my idea, lets try a pack specific to running. I've looked at all different kinds over the years and with so many options and reviews you can make your self crosseyed. I wanted something cheap since my new Nathan handheld I just bought is more expensive and if I don't like it I can use it for biking and call it good. First impressions, I love this pack.I ran 6 miles this morning and it felt pretty good. I like that it stays in place and now I know there's something to getting a pack/vest that specific to running because to me a new pack wearer it's pretty comfortable. The adjusting and just the feel is something you have to get used to. Playing with the chest straps is obviously pretty easy and the side straps are easy to tighten hard to loosen. One of the reviewers made me buy this because we are the same build. I have around a 40 inch chest and this fits pretty good. the side straps are pretty much all the way or close to all the way tight and the chest straps are somewhat tight but have a lot of adjustment left. I like to run in sleeveless shirts. This might be a problem since the shoulder straps are resting my on skin. For six miles the rubbing wasn't that bad. I go long on Sundays and I will update the review and let you know if that's a problem. But nonetheless the overall fit is pretty nice for an average size guy. The only thing that's off is one shoulder strap sits tighter than the other. It's hard to explain but the right shoulder strap tucks under my arm tighter than the left. Not a major deal and I played with the side straps and tried to make them equal but it's a different adjustment than a normal backpack. The pack has a horizontal pull instead of a normal backpack vertical. I want the left to be pulled down vertically and tightened. Not a deal breaker and it may just be how I run and my body type.As for the run. After playing with the adjustments for a while and getting used to the pack and 2 liters of water to carry it feels great. There is hardly any bounce, which is awesome. The pack is tight to your back with the bladder right between your shoulder blades, that pending on your body type but I'm sure it would be pretty much the same spot. It will take a lot of getting used to the sound of the water sloshing or the front zipper clinging, after about half way I don't think I noticed it being there. I was kind a worried about the chest straps and how tight to have them because if your taking a deep breathe how tight should it be? That's really up to you but I like the chest straps to be a little loose but overall it feels great. The straps stay in place. The bladder hose is perfect. There are two elastic loops on either shoulder strap and I have it coming up and over my right shoulder down through the right loop and up through the left loop and no issues with it bouncing either. A really great design. Overall I'm very please with the first run and look forward to more.I bought a 2L bladder from WalMart. I'm sure that any off Amazon would be about the same price. I bought the cheapest at was just under $10. I own an S8 plus and it fit perfectly in one of the front zipper pockets, hardly knew it was there during the run. Now here's the kicker, as I said before I ran with 22oz's of water. During a say a 15 miler I could conserve that and make it last all 15 miles. During my 6 mile run and cool down before I went into the house I drank half of the bladder so about 32oz. So this is pretty exciting that I can get more water on demand. Overall I didn't really think I would be this impressed. The real kicker is the price. I've always had it in my mind that I would buy a Nathan product but all the name brands like Camelbak, Nathan, Ultimate Direction etc are pretty expensive. Time will tell if this pack will hold up to the abuse but really I think will do just fine. First impressions are this was a great buy and I would highly recommend it especially for the price. If you don't like it for a run it could be used for so many other activities.Update 7-8-18Went for 14 miles yesterday and this pack is awesome. As I said in the review I've always been kinda skeptical of hydration pack. Always thought they would be really uncomfortable. Well I'm hook and I love having that much water on demand. I drank probably 3/4 during and after the run. Just the thought that I didn't need to conserve so much water was such a help mentally. Also physically I think I felt better. If your running (long distances) your muscles need water during and after I felt great. So in all I'm very very happy with this purchase and if you think you might like or want to buy a hydration pack get this one and try it. You might like it you might hate it but for the money it's worth it to try.Update 7-31-18:So this morning I go to put the pack on and notice that the chest straps were off, way off. I found out that you can move the two chest straps vertically and each independently. So if you look at the front view pic each strap is hooked to the shoulder straps but in a way that you can move them up and down. During this mornings run I was playing with this new founded feature and for the most part I like the straps around the bust of my chest about were you would take chest measurements for a suit. With most of my back packs with a waste strap I like the pack to rest on that instead of my shoulders. There's not much of an option for that with this. If those chest straps are below your bust it's pushing them up, if they are above it pushes back. The waste straps don't give much help to weight distribution but those chest straps do. As said before you will makes adjustment based on your body type but just thought I would share with you to make a better choice in buying this product. After a few more runs I'm still liking the pack with no major issues.Update 8-3-18:I felt silly to think that the front straps didn't have buckles but they do. They seem pretty light weight so to put the pack on like a vest might be best. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take much to break those clips so use caution. As noted above in the last update the vertical adjustment of those chest straps is nice. I was moving them this morning on my run and felt like I had a nice fit with one strap being above my bust and the other below, not by much but it gives you the ability to control the shoulder straps from flapping/bouncing. Great pack still holding up well.Update: 8-11-18One negative that is an issue is the elastic that hold the bladder hose. I loop the hose over my shoulder down through the right elastic strap up through the left elastic strap. I took pictures of how the left strap looses its elasticity. The hose will start bouncing while running and become really annoying. There's a good solution though. I just place the hose up on the reflective strap on the left shoulder. There's enough there to hold the hose in place. The hose naturally wants to curve up that way and it's easier to pull it down to get a drink. Other than that the pack is doing well. The zippers are still good, the buckles are good. Also is the pictures notice the location of the chest straps. The vertical movement of those straps is really helpful in the comfort. I haven't messed with the side straps at all. Overall still a great pack, I have always run with it even during short runs. I figure if you are going to run long you might as well get used to your equipment and to do that run with it on short runs.

I run a TON of Spartan Races... I used this pack at the NJ Beast! The front pockets are clutch!!!! Quick access to snacks, gels, gum etc.. is very important when you're running elite and just can't stop! This pack is going with me to Ohio to run another Beast this weekend!

This is a great pack for holding your water while out on a hike or running event. I liked that it was available in bright colors to make you more visible on the street as well. Now, you will need to know that this does not include a 2L bladder, you will already need one of the those. But the design of this pack is hard to beat. I love the front two clasps, they are designed in a "X" shape that is quite eye catching and fun to actuate. Also, I have read some other reviews say that it is a bit small, and I would slightly disagree. My chest is 42" and other reviews had me worried, but there are TWO points of adjustment for the vest - on the side and front. I completely let out the side measurements, and when I put the vest on, I had to completely cinch the front clasps tight for a good fit. There could easily have been another six inches of play either way - so it should fit nearly everyone.Also, the front pockets are large, stable, and easy to access. See the photos I took, I put some sample items in them to illustrate how deep the pockets are. Very nice. Feels good, looks good - just add your 2L water supply and your off!

I will return this product without using it, but I want to share my reasons for giving it a chance and some observations about the unit I received.I've used half a dozen products for running hydration, mostly name brands. Got tired of the inability of the big names to fix a broken feature without breaking some other perfectly good feature. Sure, this vest is a copycat, but it appears to have all the features I wanted. For the price, I wouldn't have minded if it didn't last as long as the name brand. But the copy job was pretty poor and to me seemed done by someone who had no idea what they were making.This vest is big, almost like regular vest on me. See first picture, where I compare it to a Camelbak Marathoner. Aggravating this problem is that the front flaps can't pull close enough together. Second picture shows the tightest that the front straps will cinch down. Stitchings on the straps prevent them from pulling tighter. Compared to the Marathoner, whose flaps can be pulled within an inch of each other. Large folks may not have an issue with this, but I think small and medium sized folks will.The outermost front pockets stretch enough to take a bottle or a hand stuck in to fish out something at the bottom. Unfortunately, their openings are made of a non-stretchy fabric, so the opening doesn't get any bigger than what is shown in the third picture.The next picture shows the hanging loop. It's sewn upside down. It would still work, but hanging the vest with a full reservoir would put a lot of stress on the stitching.The same reversed orientation was used on the side-strap loop. If the loop is pulled forward, everything lines up (5th picture). But when you wear the vest, the loop is pulled backward (6th picture). This not only puts unneeded stress on the stitching, it bends the edge in toward my rib cage, making it very uncomfortable for me.The attachment of the front straps slide very easily on their rails. Too easily. Though I haven't run with this vest, I think the straps will have a tendency to slip down to the bottom over time.Finally, the material is cheap. It feels stiff and plasticky. (Products from name brands felt softer, like textile.) That's expected for something costing a fraction of the brand name products, so that has nothing to do with my low rating for this product.