First Look: Orange Mud Gear Vest Pro
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Weight: 11.4 oz
Sizing: 25″ to 54″ chest / one size fits all
Bladder compatible: Yes
Whistle: Yes
Best feature: Bladder Velcro lock
MSRP: $130 ($140 with trekking pole hardware)
Available on the market as of February 2019, the Gear Vest Pro is a blend of the Orange Mud Endurance Pack and Gear Pack. A divergence from the signature “water bottle” holster style of pack, the Gear Vest can still hold traditional water bottles but cinches make the pockets compatible for soft flasks as well. All told, the vest can hold up to 75 ounces of water.
The pole hardware clips to the front webbing loops, allowing poles to be super handy while racing.
Inverted shoulder pockets can hold things that don’t mind being loose (arm sleeves, hat, etc.). The bladder pocket features a Velcro clasp that slides through the top of the bladder, stabilizing it in place. The rear cargo also has a zipper-secured pocket for essentials and a bulky-storage pocket between the bladder and zippered pocket for extra layers. A 1L bladder is included with purchase and the optional trekking-pole hardware retails for $10.
Orange Mud has purposefully sized this pack as one-size-fits-all so that the wearer has more of a customized fit: larger during winter with more layers, smaller during summer.
Fit notes: To fit properly, tighten from the side to where it’s snug, then adjust the front straps accordingly. Note that adjusting the front straps first to find fit won’t work as they can loosen up. This is to control tension and fit for maximum stability from the sides which anchors them to the front of your shoulders. The front chest straps will be constantly under tension if adjusted this way, and will not loosen.