I have been waiting for the XXL Stanage and it arrived yesterday. This is my first running pack and an initial look at the array of pockets, loops, bungees and zips was slightly confusing. Watching this review has covered everything that I needed to know. I have a 46 inch chest and the vest fits really well and would easily cover another inch or two in my opinion. I am not a trail runner (yet), rather I wanted sometbing to enable me to manage long winter runs which sometimes go from light to dark, sometimes the weather will change, that I will need nutrition and hydration especially in these covid times and that allows me to carry layers for warm up /cool down periods. This pack has a potential far and away above what I need but better to be capable than to fall short. I am very impressed with it out of the box and will report back on how it is in use. Oh, and what incredible value. Camelbak lost out on a sale there and likely will lose many many more when word spreads about Harrier. If I have to give it one cuss I'd say the whistle is a bit feeble.
This is great info MG, thanks so much! Great to know the Stanage is working well for you. So handy to have all those pockets up front compared to a normal hiking pack! Claire
Really nice trail running packs, especially for the price and very convenient to reach everything without taking the pack off. I very rarely carry poles but my best pack for carrying poles is a Black Diamond Distance 8L, just because has 2 pole "quivers" as part of the backpack in the back. But I really like the Curbar 5L for local trail runs. Harrier even ships to the US . Along with vest I also got several of the hydration bottles - different colors for different drinks. Thanks Claire!
I've been running with a Curbar 5L for a while now, and have to say I'm very happy with it! I would point out that there are loops for poles on the shoulder too, as on the Kinder.
Brilliant review Claire , one of the best and I agree with all the positive comments about the two quality vests that you have explained in every possible detail . It seems to me that you are in good shape at the moment .
Excellent review as usual Claire, I have the Curbar 5L and it's my go to vest. If I do a one bottle run the bottle goes in the right hand pocket as well, but I put my phone in the left hand pocket, it's a Samsung Note9 so it's a fairly hefty phone and fits no problem, my gopro then goes in one of the side pockets along with a small gorillapod. If it's a two bottle run I take a waist belt and the phone goes in there. I intend getting the Kinder 10L, cos I'm a bit like you, if I have a 10 I'll fill it hence why I bought the Curbar. Keep up the good work
Looks good, especially for the money. Looks like it has the basics covered. 2 x 500 soft flasks is always a starting point for me. Shame about that phone pocket as I'm taking my phone in and out quite a bit. Not sure anyone has nailed pole carrying (fiddly straps isn't the answer) - Salomon's custom quiver works the bast and can be added to other packs without too much efforts. Paul
My galaxy fits in the pocket in front of the water bottle (galaxy S9+) . The top is exposed but my phone is IP68 water resistant. It will fit in the side / ribs pocket too but I don't like how it feels there but would use if I need space elsewhere
Yep I just slide my phone into the stretchy front pocket, iPhone7 is kind of waterproof ish I think. And the pole carrying on the Kinder is totes fine, like it :)
thanks for the review. i would be interested to know how the packs perform with a hydration bladder installed in the back? i have found most lighweight 'vests' struggle with the extra weight and the back of the pack sags down and becomes uncomfotable. would you say this is the case with the Harrier?
Hi Robert, I haven't heard this to be the case, you can secure the bladder at the top too so it should stay in place and not sag down. Hope that helps, Claire