Kiprun 10L Running Hydration Vest Review

Active Gear Review is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

You ever find a piece of gear that sneaks up on you? Doesn’t come in swinging with big brand bravado or glossy Instagram ads. No, it just shows up, quietly, humbly, does the job…and before you know it, you’re hooked. That’s the Kiprun 10L Running Hydration Vest. A dark horse. A sleeper hit. The trail vest equivalent of that little diner off the highway that serves a steak so good you start planning your next road trip around it.

I’ve been running with this thing for awhile now, and let me tell you…it’s not just good. It’s “might-give-my-beloved-North-Face-Flight-Vest-a-run-for-its-money” good. And that’s saying something. That old Flight Vest and I have been through mud, questionable weather decisions, and the kind of runs that double as therapy since 2018. Nothing else came close…until now.

So, Who Is Kiprun?

Kiprun is the in-house running brand from Decathlon…yeah, that big French sporting goods empire known for making decent gear at prices that don’t require a second mortgage. They’re not about flash. They’re about function. Their stuff tends to fly under the radar in the U.S., but overseas? They’re killing it. It’s gear made by runners for runners…without the premium markup or influencer hype. No BS. Just well-thought-out design with practical performance baked in.

First Impressions: Pockets Galore and Light as Air

Right out of the gate, the Kiprun 10L vest looks like it means business. It’s got that breathable mesh that feels like CamelBak’s greatest hits…lightweight, stretchy, and built to disappear on your back. And sweet hell, the pockets. It’s like someone at Kiprun said, “Let’s make a vest that can carry everything except the runner’s emotional baggage.”

At just 240 grams empty, it practically levitates. There were runs where I legit forgot I was wearing it. It didn’t chafe, didn’t bounce, didn’t nag at the shoulders like some overly affectionate ex. It just…worked.

Storage & Capacity on the Kiprun 10L Running Hydration Vest: Mary Poppins Would Be Jealous

This vest’s storage setup is borderline magical. We’re talking 10 liters of volume spread across eleven pockets. Eleven. That’s enough compartments to lose your existential dread in.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Front: 2 bottle sleeves (fits 500ml soft flasks), a waterproof phone pocket (finally!), and 2 snack pockets.
• Sides: 2 easy-access side stashes for whatever you want quick access to…gloves, salt tabs, or that emergency Snickers bar.
• Back: 4 pockets including a big kangaroo pocket, a main compartment with a sneaky side-zip pocket inside, and a dedicated bladder sleeve (comes with a 1L bladder).

I packed it for long trail runs…layers, phone, keys, food, bladder, bottles, mini first-aid kit…and still had room to throw in an extra layer of optimism. It’s roomy without feeling bulky, and everything stays tight to the body like your ride-or-die trail buddy who always shows up.

Hydration System: 2 Liters Without a Drop of Fuss

Hydration’s simple with this one. One liter in the back bladder, two 500ml soft flasks up front if you want to go full camel mode. The placement is dialed in…nothing flops, nothing bounces, and it’s easy to refill mid-run without performing yoga in the dirt.

Bonus points: it doesn’t feel like a water balloon is duct-taped to your spine. That’s rarer than you’d think.

Kiprun 10L Running Hydration Vest Fit & Feel: Like a Hug from Someone Who Gets You

Three sizes; XS/S, M/L, XL, and it actually fits true to size. I usually run medium, grabbed the M/L, and it felt like it was tailor-made. The stretchy fabric molds to your body, but doesn’t strangle you like some overzealous compression vests out there.

Three chest straps keep it snug. The bottom one’s elastic (love it), but the top two aren’t…which is honestly the one gripe I’ve got. Elastic on all three would’ve made it damn near perfect. Still, once it’s dialed in, this thing doesn’t budge…even when you’re bombing down technical descents like a caffeinated mountain goat.

Pole Compatibility: Options If You’re Into That Sort of Thing

If you’re a running pole devotee (or just like looking hardcore), Kiprun gives you options. Two lower front quiver loops. Or go classic with the vertical elastic straps up front. I didn’t get a chance to test out the pole carry on these, but like everything else on this vest, it suggests it would be just fine.

Performance on the Run: Light and Stable

Everything about this vest screams “efficient.” It’s breathable without being flimsy, dries fast, and stays put. The materials feel premium, no crunchy corners, no seams digging in, no weird pressure points after long miles.

Front bottles didn’t bounce. The back bladder felt secure. I could grab a gel, stuff a layer, and keep rolling without breaking stride. That’s the holy grail right there: a vest that disappears until you need it.

Materials: Not Sexy, But Solid

Polyester, elastane, and polyamide…same kind of stuff you’ll find on high-end CamelBak or Salomon vests. It’s soft where it needs to be, firm where it should be, and tough enough to survive brush, branches, and the occasional unscheduled dirt nap.

Final Verdict on the Kiprun 10L Running Hydration Vest

Look, this vest isn’t trying to be a status symbol. It doesn’t scream, “Look at me, I spent $200 to carry snacks!” It’s just a damn good vest. Thoughtful design. Comfortable fit. Room for everything. And it costs way less than it probably should.

No, it didn’t quite dethrone my old North Face Flight Vest…but it stood next to it. Proudly. Without apology. So, if you’re looking for a hydration vest that’ll carry your gear without carrying your wallet away, the Kiprun 10L is the best-kept secret in the trail game right now. Two thumbs up. One well-hydrated runner. Zero regrets. For more info or to check one out for yourself, visit decathlon.com.