Nathan has 3 main waist packs for running: the Trek, the Triangle, and the Velocity. For this review we’ll be discussing the Trek, which looks a lot like the Triangle. Gosh, that was a lot of Ts…anyways, on to the review!
The Good
- Easy and quick adjustment
- Angled holster allows for better balance
- Storage accessible during run
The Bad
- Water bottle holster seems a bit loose (unless you use the bottle strap)
The Bottom Line
This running waist pack isn’t going to blow you away, but it’s definitely a solid pack. If you live in a warmer climate where it’s just uncomfortable to lug around a full running backpack then the Nathan Trek will be a good fit.
Full Review
As we mentioned above Nathan makes 3 different waist packs, but this review is solely for the Nathan Trek Waist Pack.
For starters the Trek is available in 3 different colors: black/black, red/gray, purple/gray.
Comfort and Fit
The pack is easily adjusted with a strap and the conventional hard plastic clips. In addition to the strap being adjustable it’s also elastic.
This pack should fit waist sizes 26″ to 46″ with no problem.
Overall it’s got a solid build and at just over 6 ounces you won’t even notice it 5 minutes into your run.
Hydration
The hydration holster is angled and sized to fit a 22 ounce bottle and while the pack comes with a Nathan water bottle you can easily substitute one of your bottles.
There’s a shock cord (or strap) to secure the bottle into the holster and this will be a must for most people, especially if you have any “bounce” in your stride.
Nathan did add one neat feature which is insulation around the holster to help keep the liquid of your choice cold (or at least cool).
Storage
For some reason we see a lot of packs that unzip in the wrong direction making it difficult to reach and access anything you’ve tucked in the pocket during the run. This pack zips right to left and sits to the left of the holster which is perfect for easy access during running, though it may take a few runs to get used to it.
It’s not a lot of storage but it’s enough to fit the usual: phone, keys, cash or card.
There’s also a headphone port in the pocket, perfect for running with your iPhone or other MP3 player.
Final Thoughts
Nathan is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to running waist packs. So, ultimately there is no real concern about quality here. It just comes down to whether this style pack meets your needs.
