Eco-Friendly Hydration Vests
There aren’t many sustainable options out there, here are a few to consider
Image: Jacob Lund, Adobe Stock
A hydration vest is a must-have for the endurance and backcountry adventures. It should be pretty simple to find a hydration vest that is both functional and eco-friendly, right? Unfortunately, there aren’t many out there that check both boxes, but here are a few places to start your search.
The most eco-friendly hydration vest is probably a used hydration vest
Purchasing a preowned hydration vest and then refilling it with a new BPA and PVC-free water bladder is one of the best ways to make your performance vest purchase more eco-friendly. When buying used, you can seek out lightly used gear and wash the items thoroughly with hot water to make it near-new for you. Make sure to care for your water bladder to avoid more plastic waste down the road. Hydrapak bladders are made from TPU, which is technically recyclable, but check with your local recycle center to make sure they recycle this material before throwing yours in the bin.
New Eco-Friendly Hydration Vest Options
There aren’t a lot of eco-friendly hydration vests out there, so the best course of action is to make durability a priority when making your decision. Purchasing a hydration pack that will last a lifetime can help relieve resources down the road, such as the virgin materials it would take to create a new vest or the hundreds of years it might take for your old running vest to decompose in the landfill.
Osprey Running Vests
Opsrey’s running vests are a great performance option that are made from 100% recycled materials. Osprey also offers lifetime repairs of '“any damage or defect” on their products.
Patagonia Slope Runner Endurance Vest
Patagonia, generally a leader in sustainably-made options, does make a trail running vest made in-part of recycled nylon. The vest also contains virgin nylon, which is not an eco-friendly material. Their vests are now PFC-free. Patagonia also offers lifetime repairs, so their running vest is an option that can last a long time.
Ecogear Hydration Pack
Ecogear makes a 1.5 Liter hydration pack that is constructed from REPREVE, a performance fabric made from recycled materials, such as water bottles. They don’t mention what the water bladder is made of. This vest gets an A for material composition, but might not be the best performance option.
Just like with most performance gear, there is a balance between performance and sustainability. Focusing on longevity through great care of durable products and thoughtful disposal is a great way to become a more conscious athlete.
