We’ve been testing Restrap’s Race Hydration Vest. It promises to keep you fuelled on a long-distance race without having to make a pit stop, while keeping the weight penalty to a minimum.
The British outfit is known for handmaking hardy and functional bags in the full Ford Model T range of colours for on-bike storage, mostly for bikepacking. But the ‘Race’ range is designed to keep your stuff dry without compromising on all-important weight.
The Race Hydration Vest has definitely been designed for distance racing – something like the Dirty Warrny Jono completed in 2024.
The UK-made vest is certainly light. It weighs in at under 400g for the 5.5L pack itself, plus another 146g for the 2L bladder. We didn’t weigh the card which came with the vest saying its sewer’s name – that’s going straight to the pool room.
The unisex Small/Medium vest fits around a 75-110cm chest; the Large/X-Large adds another 10cm circumference.
It looks like a mini scuba diving BCD, with little pockets and the bladder nozzle, and adjustment points on the sides, shoulders and chest.
We tested the S/M with a rider weighing 77kg and 185cm with a ~100cm chest and it was a snug fit, with the straps maxed out. It is designed to be snug, sitting comfortably when you’re positioned over the bars without moving about when you’re in a rougher section.
At the front of the vest you’ll find a reasonably large compartment with a big reflective zip making it easy to access in low-light conditions, as well as a loop for attaching a clip-on light and a whistle for attracting attention (starting to sound like a pre-flight safety briefing here).
The chest compartments are very easy to get to, and the zip up one fits car keys or essentials, while the open mesh pockets are perfect for stashing gels or bars.
As for the hydration vest’s bladder, it worked very well on our test ride, with no leaks from the nozzle. There’s a magnetic clip on the left shoulder to keep the nozzle near your mouth. If you need all the hands you can get on your ride you can also access it hands-free.
It takes a little getting used to returning into its place after unclipping, but overall it’s a well thought-out way to stash it.
On the back you’ll find some larger mesh pockets, big enough for extra bottles, as well as a larger zipped compartment and a spot to put a rear light.
Restrap backs up its products (pun intended) with a lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship. British quality!
If you’re bigger boned or can afford to stop and smell the roses, a larger and looser fitting hydration pack will be more appropriate.
But as something that’s fit for purpose for long-distance racing, it’s hard to find fault in the Restrap Race Hydration Vest. It has a sturdy, compact and thoughtful design, and it’s comfy and hard to notice even when loaded up on a ride.
