Gear Category: Hydration (Vests/Belts/Bottles)
Name of Gear: UltrAspire Zygos 6.0
Typical Price: $199
Where to Buy: Running Warehouse or directly from UltrAspire
Best Use, What did you use this piece of gear for the most? Roads, track, trails, long runs, post-run, workouts only, racing only?
The Zygos 6.0 is my go-to for long training runs, adventure outings and ultras from 100K to 200+miles in any environment. With 14 liters of storage capacity it has plenty of space to accommodate whatever gear the race or terrain requires. I love using the Zygos 6 on lengthy mountain missions which the weather patterns are fickle. I can easily fit an insulated layer, foil bivy, joggers, hat, gloves and rain shell in the main compartment and ample nutrition and water on the outside pockets. Conversely, in the desert there are countless configurations available for carrying extra water using a bottle, bladder and/or various sized soft flasks. The vest can also be compressed down and used comfortably during shorter outings without chafe of bounce making it a versatile option if I’m traveling and not bringing my entire vest quiver!
Additional Sizing Comments: I have found that the Zygos 6.0 fits true to size.
Comparison to Past Models: As someone who was absolutely in love with the Zygos 5.0 for several years, it was difficult for me to comprehend what could be done to improve on what I thought was already and absolute masterpiece. I 100% loved the vest as it was aside from black being the only color option. However, when I received my first protype I was amazed by the upgrades and innovations. The chart below outlines the key differences.
| Zygos 5.0 | Zygos 6.0 | |
| Trekking Pole Storage | Trekking pole shock cords on bottom of the vest | Trekking pole shock cords on bottom of the vest & UltrAspire Quiver compatible |
| Pocket Setup | Eight easily accessible pockets to organize your nutrition, hydration and gear. Pockets are not completely symmetrical and setup is different on each side of the vest. | Ten easily accessible pockets to organize your nutrition, hydration and gear. Pockets are on either side of the vest are symmetrical (identical) |
| Stretch Fabric | Pockets built with 4-way stretch fabric to accommodate gear of different sizes. | Pockets built with 2-way stretch fabric to minimize bounce of objects within. For example, water bottles pockets stretch side to size to accommodate different flask sizes, but not up and down. |
| XT Fabric | Robust XT fabric used on high wear areas to increase durability. | Robust XT fabric used on high wear areas to increase durability. Additional XT fabric utilized on the bottom of the back pocket in order to accommodate trekking poles if user prefers to stash them or other sharp objects there. |
| Main Compartment Fabric | Mesh fabric on main compartment of the vest reducing weight. | Laminated gird fabric on the main compartment of the vest increasing durability and water resistance. |
| Hydration Storage | Compatible with a 2-liter bladder. Two pockets up front designed to cold 300-500ml soft flasks. | Compatible with a 2-liter bladder. Two pockets up front designed to cold 300-800ml soft flasks. Two additional soft flasks can be stowed in the easily accessible side pockets (the blottle hose attachment works great with this option!). |
| Hydration Included | 2L bladder | 2x 800ml Soft Flasks |
| Color Options | Black | Black or Steel Blue |
Comparison to Other Brands: The Black Diamond Distance 15 is a similar sized adventure/race vest with hard-wearing material. There are less pockets, hydrations storage options and only one way to stow poles. I personally also find their fabric to be abrasive on the skin. Salomon carries several vest models in the 12-15L range. However, every Salomon vest I have ever tried has caused substantial chafing and only lasted a season before developing holes and/or getting too stretched out to fit properly.
Durability:
After a season of rough mountain use, including a journey across the San Juans during Hardrock 100, this vest looks like it did when I received it… though it has accumulated some dirt!
Changes for the next model: I’d love to see a green version and an ice axe attachment point.
The True Test If your friend were looking for a piece of gear in this category, would you recommend they buy it and/or would you give this as a gift to that friend because you like it so much? Would there be something else you recommend they get instead because this gear doesn’t fit their needs?
Just like the Zygo’s 5.0, the 6.0 version is a thoughtfully designed and sturdy running vest perfect for ultras or long adventure days in the wilderness. I highly recommended it to athletes in need of a robust, high-capacity workhorse vest.
Full disclosure, I am sponsored by UltrAspire, but was using their products well before I had a relationship with the brand. I do not get anything from the company for leaving a positive review. I received this vest for free as a prototype before it was released. I was also involved with some of the research and development surrounding the creation of the 6.0 version.
Dandelion is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.