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Ultimate Direction PB 2.0 Adventure Vest

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 76 ratings

Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Small/Medium
Gunmetal
Brand Ultimate Direction
Color Gunmetal
Material Nylon
Sport Climbing
Item Weight 1.31 Pounds

About this item

  • Designed and endorsed by Peter Bakwin and updated for 2014
  • The pack that do anything for hiking, running, climbing, etc
  • Weight: 11L (671 sq. Inch) Total Volume and 15.5 oz (21 oz with bottles)
  • Comes with two 20 oz Ultimate Direction water bottles
  • SIZING: S/M: 23-36 inch chest, M/L: 31-40 inch chest
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Product Description

Peter Bakwin wanted a pack that could do anything from running to hiking, climbing to skiing. Featuring 11 L of volume and a variety of features, the award winning Adventure Vest 2.0 allows you to stay hydrated and comfortable on any size adventure from quick outings to all-day expeditions. Organize your essentials with the included four gel or bar pouches, two electrolyte or valuable pockets, two zippered lat pockets and two extra bottle carry straps. The PB Adventure Vest 2.0 also includes an ice axe loop and two trekking pole loops for when you need to have your hands free and a GPS/beacon pocket. New for 2014, side adjustment straps offer a better fit, preventing bouncing and are hidden in the side pockets. An added zipper on the main compartment gives you quick access into the main pack and a gear storage separator has been included as well. Durability has been increased by using Stretch mesh, which is stronger and more durable, along with Sil-Nylon in place of Cuben Fiber for significantly improved seam strength. The advanced compression system keeps light loads secure while allowing larger loads to be carried comfortably.

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Ultimate Direction PB 2.0 Adventure Vest


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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
76 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the hydration pack comfortable and functional for hiking, running, and other activities. It has ample storage space and adjustable straps for different body sizes. The soft edge banding provides comfort and the lightweight design makes it easy to carry. Many customers appreciate the quality and design, though opinions differ on whether it jiggles while running.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

31 customers mention "Fit"23 positive8 negative

Customers like the fit of the hydration pack. It sits well and doesn't jump around while running. They appreciate the adjustable straps for different sizes and loads. The pack is lightweight and works well for one-day hikes.

"This product is great. Very high quality ina very functional product...but... I wish it fit. I want this to fit so very much!..." Read more

"...Light. - surprisingly so. Adjusts nicely. Pros: It gets hot against my back on warm days...." Read more

"...2. It was tight on back, the bag does not bounce or swing from side to side. Cons: 1. Water bottle leaks when running! 2...." Read more

"...Sizing >> My Chest is 40" and M/L fits well with good margin for adjustments for a few inches more as well less...." Read more

23 customers mention "Storage capacity"17 positive6 negative

Customers like the storage capacity of the hydration pack. They mention the compartments are quite roomy, but it is hard to get items larger than 10. The pack has all the accessories and space for ultra runs. It has wide lateral pockets that wrap around your sides, the cell phone and GPS pockets are larger, and they like the fact that they have secure room to carry their phone, energy bars, extra lights, and wider shoulder straps.

"...wearing a regular pack because it has wider shoulder straps, covers a lot on the back, and has wide lateral pockets that wrap around your sides...." Read more

"...I like the fact that I've got secure room to carry my phone, energy bars, extra lights and batteries if needed, and even my gun, which fits perfect..." Read more

"...Pros: Storage, storage, storage! - There is so much room in this sucker I feel like I could back pack across Europe for the summer with only..." Read more

"...Pros: 1. This is a good looking, neat bag, lots of pockets for supplies. 2...." Read more

11 customers mention "Weight"9 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the lightweight hydration pack. They say it's comfortable and doesn't feel heavy once on their shoulders.

"...Light. - surprisingly so. Adjusts nicely. Pros: It gets hot against my back on warm days...." Read more

"...This backpack is very, very comfortable. It's high quality. It's very light. I'm glad I bought it...." Read more

"...Cons; it's not very bladder friendly, but is the largest/lightest for storage I could find...." Read more

"...The super lightweight and breathable materials made is awesome. I'm feel very comfortable while run under Asia hot sun...." Read more

9 customers mention "Comfort"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the comfort of the hydration pack. They find it lightweight, comfortable, and say nothing feels sore after long hikes. The soft edge banding is also appreciated.

"...Two years on, this pack is still going strong. The soft edge banding is really nice, and something I miss when I am not wearing this vest...." Read more

"...And i am delighted. The vest fitted well and comfortably and i didn't feel it much while i was running...." Read more

"...This backpack is very, very comfortable. It's high quality. It's very light. I'm glad I bought it...." Read more

"...I'm feel very comfortable while run under Asia hot sun...." Read more

6 customers mention "Functionality"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the product's functionality. They say it works well for one-day hikes and trail running, and has never given them any problems.

"This product is great. Very high quality ina very functional product...but... I wish it fit. I want this to fit so very much!..." Read more

"...Excellent work Ultimate Direction. One of the best on the market." Read more

"This vest is great. It works well for one day hikes. I have been using it for many long wild trails and it never let me down...." Read more

"...I have used it for 5 times going trail running... So far it never gave me any problems...." Read more

6 customers mention "Quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the hydration pack's quality. They mention it's made of quality materials, is strong and lightweight, and performs well. Some say the pack is more stable and jiggles less.

"...The staple failed before the Cuben fiber tore because Cuben fiber is a very strong laminate...." Read more

"...- This pocket is made of water resistant (or water proof ?)..." Read more

"...On this version 2.0, it seems as though the pack is more stable and jiggles less, but I'm feeling a little more movement in the shoulder straps...." Read more

"...This backpack is very, very comfortable. It's high quality. It's very light. I'm glad I bought it...." Read more

5 customers mention "Design"5 positive0 negative

Customers like the design of the hydration pack. They say it's comfortable, has a good look, and has many pockets for supplies. The material is sturdy, so there are no issues with it breaking or falling apart.

"...there is nothing that fits so well on the market and is designed with such thought. === Update 2014-04-25..." Read more

"The bag looks good but the design can be improved. Pros: 1. This is a good looking, neat bag, lots of pockets for supplies. 2...." Read more

"...Due to its design and material, i don't think there will be an issue even if you are using only half or even less of the vests capacity...." Read more

"Light, confortable and bad ass looking on a trail! 4/5 stars because I wanted to stay hydrated with it and it did not come with the bladder...." Read more

6 customers mention "Jiggles"4 positive2 negative

Customers have different experiences with the hydration pack's jiggles. Some say it doesn't bounce or shift while running, while others mention the main pack side jiggles a little while running and the shoulder straps feel loose.

"...I did not notice bounce or shifting of the pack, and it was fabulous not to have a hip belt that squeezes the belly like the usual running packs...." Read more

"...2. It was tight on back, the bag does not bounce or swing from side to side. Cons: 1. Water bottle leaks when running! 2...." Read more

"...On this version 2.0, it seems as though the pack is more stable and jiggles less, but I'm feeling a little more movement in the shoulder straps...." Read more

"...The pack sits well and generally does not jump around while running. I was able to attach poles by looping the hand strap through the top loop...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2014
    Based on the handful of Amazon reviews on the Version 1 and 2.0 PB Adventure Vests (hereafter denoted V1 and V2.0), I chose to go for the more expensive V2.0. Swapping out the Cuben fiber for silicon-impregnated nylon factored largely in the decision, as there were a number of cautious reviews on V1 because of the mistrust of the Cuben fiber seams. Even though the highly toted Cuben fiber did not work out, UD should be applauded for trying new fabrics in its vests.

    I already have an Ultimate Direction AK Race Vest (Version 1) and I like it a lot, especially for supported trail races and long day runs. It is so light I barely notice it. However, for multi-day trails, trails in which the elevation gain is significant, and trails in which the temperature fluctuations are significant, having a 11 L pack allows the runner to carry extra heavy clothing. Hence, the splurge to buy a PB Adventure Vest V2.0.

    Right off the bat, I noticed that this vest was heavy. I was also surprised that the back and the shoulder straps were made of a thick mesh, instead of the fine hex mesh found on the AK vest. The hex-mesh is super light, and almost membrane-like in its thinness. The PB Vest is much heavier than the AK Race vest; in fact it is as heavy as my 2008 vintage Gregory Reactor racing pack, which has a much larger volume, and also uses a similar mesh back. The Gregory pack also has Sil-Nylon. With the exception of the front water bottles, Ultimate Direction is using technology that was tried and true way back in 2008. Despite what UD claims, Sil-Nylon is not waterproof. It doesn't take too much rain to soak this fabric. Its advantage over Cuben fiber is that it does not rip as easily when punctured. In deciding to choose between the Cuben fiber-laced V1 or the Sil-Nylon V2.0 PB vest, I took a piece of Cuben fiber, stapled it, and then tried to rip the staple out. The staple failed before the Cuben fiber tore because Cuben fiber is a very strong laminate. But when the staple came out, a slightly bigger hole was observed. After several repeats, it was obvious that compared to rip-stop nylon, Cuben fiber is not as sustainable when it gets punctured. So in places where it is punctured regularly (e.g. seams), it will weaken over time. On a garment like version 1 of the AK race vest, the only places where Cuben fiber is used is on the bottle holders, so that is probably fine, but on the PB vest, where a significant portion is Cuben fiber, then too much Cuben fiber might reduce the pack's life. Plus, UD saves a fair amount of money per pack by using the cheaper Sil-Nylon.

    As this V2.0 vest is made of the same materials as my old Reactor pack, it is going to be hot and sticky in 100 F summer heat. It might even be hotter wearing this vest than wearing a regular pack because it has wider shoulder straps, covers a lot on the back, and has wide lateral pockets that wrap around your sides.

    The two zippers on the back of the PB V2.0 vest are about 23 cm long and the side zipper is about 29 cm long. Even though the compartments are quite roomy, it is hard to get items larger than 10 or 12 inches into the vest. So if you envision this pack for multi-purpose use (e.g. commuting to work and then running afterwards), a computer won't fit, but an 11" tablet would. All three zippers zip vertically, so there is quite an obvious gap at the end of the zippers where rain can seep in. However, the two front zippers have zipper locks, which prevent them from slipping down, which is a nice touch. The side zipper does not have this feature. The internal piece of Sil-Nylon which holds the bladder and inner bungee in place is one part that could have retained the Cuben fiber to lighten the pack.

    While some reviewers have had difficulties reaching the side pockets, I can unzip them and reach inside. It seems to depend on the size and flexibility of each person. The S/M vest fits me reasonably well, although the shoulders are somewhat loose (also observed by the Tekster in his excellent Amazon reviews for PB vest V1 and V2.0). My shoulders felt a little tired after carrying a moderate load (7 lbs) a half dozen miles of up and down trails, but nothing felt sore. I did not notice bounce or shifting of the pack, and it was fabulous not to have a hip belt that squeezes the belly like the usual running packs. That alone is worth getting a UD vest.

    A couple of items which I found odd: (1) the bottle holders have a foam bottom; not sure if these are needed, as they add weight to the vest, and are not found in the AK vest. (2) the cell phone and Locator pockets on the shoulder straps are a mixture of Sil-Nylon and mesh - what is the point of having the Sil-Nylon when the mesh allows all the rain to soak right into these pockets? (3) the extra side pockets for storing water bottles are not padded - if you put bottles in there, they will dig into your sides.

    A lot of negative reviews on the UD vests are about the bottles and not about the vests. I still have not figured out how to effectively use the bottles which come with the UD vests. They work the first couple of sips, and then nothing comes out until they get "burped". Maybe people like me am not drinking from them properly.

    Version 2.0 is definitely worth the money if you want a pack with front bottle holders and a moderately-sized volume. Don't let its weight scare you off. I give it 5 stars because there is nothing that fits so well on the market and is designed with such thought.

    ===

    Update 2014-04-25

    I have used this pack frequently, and the most being for 5 consecutive days. Here is what I could stuff in the pack: one T-shirt, one tech long sleeve, one pair of trousers, one lightweight longsleeve cycling jersey, and one 1.5 L Pyrex bowl (for boiled potatoes or hearty soup). I have not burst the seams or zippers yet. I think if I continue stuffing so much into the main compartment, the seams will separate somewhere, just don't know when or where. I have run with 10-13 lbs, and this vest feels incredibly comfortable. I could give it 5* if I could, but if the seams burst, then a 5 is still pretty good.

    One item I would like UD to change for future iterations is the bungee clip that hooks onto the loop. This clip is too small, and frequently comes undone. A clip that is designed to grasp the loop without letting go so easily would be more reliable. Other than that, this is my favorite pack yet. If it was one or two liters bigger, I would use it for all my trips.

    ===

    Update 2015-04-10

    I patched the first hole in the pack with duct tape. The Sil-nylon was punctured, but did not tear.

    ===

    Update 2016-06-04

    Two years on, this pack is still going strong. The soft edge banding is really nice, and something I miss when I am not wearing this vest. The Sil-Nylon on the front bottle pockets has started to yellow so the vest always appears kind of dirty. The rest of the Sil-Nylon is also showing some degree of yellowing. The bungee clip that hooks onto the loop on the back of the vest, which I found annoying when I first used the vest, is still annoying. This clip is too small, and frequently comes undone. However, after purchasing some of the newer UD products which I find disappointing, I really think that Signature Series V2, especially this PB Adventure Vest 2.0, is the culmination of vest design with quality materials.
    30 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2015
    Size: Small/MediumColor: GunmetalVerified Purchase
    This product is great. Very high quality ina very functional product...but...
    I wish it fit. I want this to fit so very much! I'm only 5'3" tall with a 36" chest and a 32" waist. So it seems like a size SMALL/MEDIUM would be the perfect size. IT SHOULD BE THE PERFECT SIZE. Afterall, the only other size offered is a MEDIUM /LARGE. I hardly resemble someone of that stature. Yet this size only fits when the sraps are let out to their maximum width...while only wearing a T-shirt. If I need to wear a jacket, this would have to be left at home. Its literally made for elves. I will gladly update this critique when I actually get to try out a functional version of this backpack. But that'll have to wait while I exchange this in for the larger size. Therefore, bing currently a useless doorstop, I can only give it one star.

    Updated: Amazon expedited sending me out a replacement Adventure Vest, this time in a size Medium/Large. They also arranged for a pickup of the one I returned by UPS which provided me with a return label as well. For that, Amazon gets SIX out of five stars for exceptional service that's above and well beyond what I expected. And for that, I continue to be a loyal customer and have now been using Amazon for nearly all my purchases other than grocery items. BACK TO THE ADVENTURE VEST...I had been debating purchasing one for sometime, as I enjoy riding my mountain bike on dirt hiking and biking trails that crisscross our many parks and estuaries. The vest now fits perfect (with chest and belly strap out all the way) and is able to carry everything I like to take along. It can get a bit heavy when loaded up with all the water its designed to carry, but once on my shoulders, the weight seems to simply disappear. I like the fact that I've got secure room to carry my phone, energy bars, extra lights and batteries if needed, and even my gun, which fits perfect in one of the pockets (I have a conceal carry permit). In addition, there's still plenty of room left over for a change of clothes and another pair of shoes. There's simply nothing I need for a full day's outing that it can't carry. From my impression during the first two uses, I would certainly purchase again (depending on how well it holds up...will update as needed). One important note though, this vest is sized MUCH smaller than I expected. I'm a relatively small person, yet I'm now using the largest size this vest comes in. The Small/Medium size was just entirely too small. Again, I have a 36" chest and a 32" waist. So if you're larger (which most people are), this vest simply may not fit you. I think the company that produces this product needs to offer it in a few more (larger) sizes.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2017
    So I've run 2 50Ks and 2 trail marathons (plus many long runs) in this vest. The short version is that I'm very happy with the vest and I'm glad I have it. I'll nit pick a few points, but overall it's worth the money. I thought I would like running with chest bottles, but I don't. It's no biggie because the bladdder makes it Ok.

    Pros:
    Storage, storage, storage! - There is so much room in this sucker I feel like I could back pack across Europe for the summer with only this! Without the chest bottles the two big pockets hold my phone plus a few bars. I'll use the little side pockets (on the water bottle pockets) to hold my chap stick and a roll of TUMS. The chest pockets expand to hold odds and ends (toilet paper, band aids, etc.). The 4 waist pockets hold more food plus a outboard battery. I can fit my gloves, a hat, and a tech shirt in the back compartment.
    Light. - surprisingly so.
    Adjusts nicely.

    Pros:
    It gets hot against my back on warm days.
    Not so easy to take the bladder out if you are in a hurry. Like in a race.
    Compression panel for the bladder is confusing and hard to make right.

    The cons are minor points. If you are in the market, this is the SUV of vests!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2017
    Size: Small/MediumColor: GunmetalVerified Purchase
    The bag looks good but the design can be improved.

    Pros:
    1. This is a good looking, neat bag, lots of pockets for supplies.
    2. It was tight on back, the bag does not bounce or swing from side to side.

    Cons:
    1. Water bottle leaks when running!
    2. The positions of two water bottle pockets, in my opinion, are too wide apart. My arms always rub against them, especially when I ran uphills (when my arms swang mostly in front of my body). It is tolerable with long sleeves. But in summer this is big issue for long distance.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars muy bien
    Reviewed in Spain on November 27, 2016
    Aunque al pricipio tuve problemas ya que se desengancho un enganche, tras ese percance todo muy bien. Es mas hice una trail y perfecto.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2016
    love it! been using it since winter on my trail runs.
  • Kindleユーザー
    2.0 out of 5 stars 改悪
    Reviewed in Japan on October 5, 2016
    Size: Small/MediumColor: GunmetalVerified Purchase
    以前のバージョンを愛用しています。
    そろそろヘタってきたので買い換えようとバージョンアップしたこちらを購入。
    ポケットが大きくなったせいか、持った瞬間にわかるほど、重くなりました。
    以前のほうが、良かったです。
    改悪。
  • Neil Woods
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great fit, comfortable with clever storage for all running your gear
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2015
    Lightweight innovative design with excellent access on the fly. Materials lightweight but appear robust - not used enogh to date to really know. Fit is superb and without doubt the most comfortable running pack I have owned (and I've owned several). Would recommend strongly.
  • Amazon カスタマー
    4.0 out of 5 stars 付属の水筒はちょっと
    Reviewed in Japan on November 2, 2016
    Size: Small/MediumColor: GunmetalVerified Purchase
    小さい方を選んだのですが、やはりちょっと小さかった。でも水筒を硬くて飲みにくい純正品からSALOMONのフレキシブルに変えたらショルダーベルトのゴロゴロ感もなくなりいい感じです。