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What We Tested This Week: Lululemon Enlite Hydraffinity Vest
Who Is This Perfect for: Anyone putting in those extra miles
Around this time last year, I was deep in marathon-training mode — running 4 to 5 times per week, and averaging between 30 to 40 miles. For anyone who’s trained for a marathon, you know that your long runs are probably the most important part of training. It required some serious planning to figure out how and where I was going to tackle 15 to 20 miles every weekend. I needed distance, some terrain variation, and plenty of options for water. But I’ve lived in New York long enough to know that I can’t rely on water fountains along the greenways, so I settled for a handheld water bottle that I’d refill when I could find a working source of water.
While I survived my training and ultimately the marathon with my chosen hydration method, I wasn’t completely sold on it. That’s why when I was introduced to Lululemon’s Hydration Vest, my eyes bugged out at the thought of how different my training could have been had I had this vest.
First of all, it’s super comfortable. The material feels the same as Lululemon's leggings. So far I’ve trained with it wearing just a sports bra underneath, a short-sleeved shirt underneath, and a long-sleeved shirt underneath. There was no chafing or tugging with any of these options. While it looks like you could just wear the vest as a sports bra, be warned that there are small holes in the front of it (for ventilation) that make the vest a bit see-through. The vest comes in standard small, medium, large, etc., but each size can also be adjusted to help it feel secure on any body type.
I was a little worried about how it would feel to have a liter of water on my back while running. Would it weigh me down? Would it jiggle around? Would I feel constricted in my movement? All of those questions were pleasantly answered with a big N.O.
Because of where the hydration pack sits on your back, its weight is evenly distributed and doesn't feel like you’re carrying some extra bricks on your run. The straw easily tucks in to the front of the vest, so you can access it in 2 seconds when you want a quick sip, and then stow it away without it bouncing around. As if this vest wasn't great enough already, it also has concealed pockets that are perfect for stowing some Gu or other nutrition for your long run.
Plus, it simply looks pretty cool. I remember the first time I wore it — I felt like a serious runner and was motivated to push myself a little harder than I otherwise would have. It’s almost motivated me enough to want to sign up for another marathon so I can use it during my training … almost.
While it's on the pricer end for running gear, I think it's worth it to save the hassle of finding water on a run. Staying hydrated is so important during training, and this vest truly makes it a breeze.
