Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0 Review

Overview of the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0

The Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0 is the updated Scott Jurek Signature Series vest for 2018. Now on to the fourth (or fifth if you count the Scott Jurek FKT vest) iteration of the Jurek vest we see some major changes in this version compared to the previous models. The most notable change is the inclusion of the Comfort Cinch ™ system which UD is touting as a more comfortable way to make lateral adjustments leading to improved sizing and stability. Is this true? Does the Ultra Vest 4.0 unseat either of my two, current favorite running vests? Read on to find out!

Specs:

Weight: 119g (4.2oz) without soft flasks or a bladder (note: that’s REALLY light for this much storage)
Storage volume: 10.3L
Size options: three (S, M, L)
Included water storage options: Two 500ml wide-mouth soft flasks
Bladder compatible? Yes, up to 2.0L
Pole storage options? Primarily on the front with dedicated pole straps on each shoulder strap but could be stored on the back as well under the external bungee system in a pinch.

Presenting the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0

Now for more details. In this review, we’ll break things down in to six areas:

What’s good: the new, differentiating, or simply well designed or built features or aspects of the vest.
What could be improved: tweaks or improvements that could be made to make the vest better.
When to use it: the situations or scenarios where the vest excels.
How it compares: my current go-to running vests and how this vest compares.
Should you purchase? My overall recommendation on whether to purchase this vest or not.
Purchasing Information: where to go to purchase this vest.

I’ll try to be as succinct as possible. After all, you’ve probably got more running you can do today!

What’s good?

Advanced materials. The main material against your clothing/skin is what UD is calling Knit Mono Mesh. I can certainly vouch for how soft and comfortable it is. Additionally, the front pockets and rear bottom pocket use a really stretchy material with plenty of expansion.

The mesh used on the inside of the vest is comfortable and breathable

Improved front pole storage. The top, pole attachment point on each shoulder strap is now an elastic strap connected to the shoulder strap via a snap button. I like this design better compared to the bungee system used before as it is more secure and potentially faster to use on the fly. I do worry about long-term durability here at the snap button attachment point as I’ve had bad luck with snap buttons attached to lightweight fabrics like this before but UD did a great job of reinforcing the way the snap button attaches it appears.

The front pole storage attachment point at the top has been improved compared to previous versions.

Innovative idea. I really applaud UD for the Comfort Cinch ™ idea. Instead of potentially using side adjustment straps to laterally tighten the vest for your body shape you simply pull down on a single bungee cord on either side. Then, this system tightens up around your lower back which should, in theory, then compress the side straps more. I say “in theory” because while there is definitely some compression that occurs when yanking down on the bungee cords I don’t believe it is enough if the front of your vest is loaded up with 500ml soft flasks. Some bounce still occurs. On top of that it’s a little cumbersome to then loosen the bungee straps if desired while on the run due to the placement of the attachment points. The idea is sound but the execution needs a bit of improvement in future versions of the Signature Series vests.

The Comfort Cinch ™ is a novel idea that could use some minor tweaks in future versions.

Increased storage in a lighter package. We see a jump from 8.5L of storage volume capacity in version 3.0 to 10.3L in this version. And that’s in a lighter package this time around too. Two additional front pockets have been added on top of the right soft flask pocket. Plenty of rear storage is available too with three different secure pockets to choose from. Yes, it’s 2L bladder compatible as well with an attachment point at the top to keep the bladder from sliding down. A bladder hose can be passed through either shoulder strap to keep things nice and tidy too.

Plenty of rear, secure storage options.

What could be improved on the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0?

More front and lateral compression. As briefly mentioned I like the idea of the new, rear bungee system to compress the fit of this pack. However, it doesn’t compress enough and as a result it bounces a bit more than I would like when loaded up in the front. Similarly, UD again chose to make only one of the two chest straps elasticized. I’m sure there is a distinctive reason behind this but I’ve never understood this design choice. The best fitting vests I’ve worn are those where both chest straps are elasticized. Increased front and lateral compression would lead to a significantly improved fit when you want to load up the front of the vest with water, poles, etc.

Increased lateral compression is needed

The top chest strap is not elasticized while the bottom chest strap is partially

Larger front pocket for phone storage. As currently designed you can just barely fit up to a 4.7” smartphone (e.g., iPhone 7, 8) horizontally in one of the bottom, front pockets. And that’s the non-zippered pocket that really has to stretch to accommodate the 4.7” phone. A 5.5” smartphone (e.g., iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus) can only fit in one of the two pockets I would rather use for soft flasks or bottles. So, your only other choice would be to use the bottom, rear zippered pocket. It fits in that rear pocket with plenty of room to spare but I would prefer a better front storage option.

When to use it?

Anytime you want to wear a running vest when you don’t plan to load up the front with too much weight

Similar running vests to compare with:

Salomon Advanced Skin 5 Set Pack (review here): If you have read my review for the Salomon Advanced Skin 5 Set Pack you know that I love that vest. And I still do. It’s a better overall vest I believe due to the side and front compressive design/materials that keeps front bounce to a bare minimum.
Raidlight Responsiv 10L Race Vest (review here): I believe I noted the Raidlight Responsiv 10L was my second favorite vest at this point behind the Salomon Advanced Skin 5 and that is still true today. The Ultra Vest 4.0 is better than the Raidlight in some ways (e.g., the back is more breathable) but the overall design / compression / fit / front storage of the Raidlight is better in my opinion so the Raidlight wins out here.
Nathan VaporKrar 4L Race Vest (review here): The Ultra Vest 4.0 breathes much better and is more comfortable overall. Despite my best efforts both vests bounced when loaded up front with soft flasks. However, given some of the additional features (e.g., front pole attachment points and a rear bungee system for external carry) the Ultra Vest 4.0 wins fairly easily here for me.

Should you purchase?

So, the $150 question – should you purchase the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0?

In a word, maybe. I’d recommend trying it on first, loading up the front with soft flasks and/or poles, and seeing how it rides. If the vest fits you well and doesn’t bounce I think you will like the comfort, weight (or lack thereof), breathability, and design of the Ultra Vest 4.0.

Questions, comments, or feedback on this vest? Please share! And thanks for reading!

Purchasing Information

If you’re interested in purchasing this vest, please first check availability at your local, independently owned running specialty store. They need your business and are a great resource for the community.

If that’s not an option, please consider using sites like Running Warehouse once it’s available online. Thank You!

Meet Your Reviewer: Ben Zuehlsdorf

I am an avid running gear junkie. When I’m not smelling new shoes I’m usually running or racing around the local trails in Marin County, California or talking shop with the San Francisco Running Company community of friends. I was once a road marathoner but now have transitioned almost exclusively to the trails and racing ultras the last few years.

Disclaimer: This vest was provided to URP/Ben for testing purposes. All words and thoughts are ours and no compensation was offered or received.

28 Responses to "Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0 Review"

Ben Zuehlsdorf says:

January 18, 2018 at 7:36 am

Following

Reply
1. Jason says:
  
  January 18, 2018 at 11:09 am
  
  For me the Raidlight sits to high up on your back but the side dial system is great. I use the Nathan krar but with the raidlight long straw soft flasks which are a perfect fit with zero bounce. Also I took the bungee straps off a inov-8 race vest and put them on the front of my krar vest for my poles to create a great ultra vest
  
  Reply
  1. mcgovski says:
    
    January 18, 2018 at 12:02 pm
    
    I agree, I got a Raidlight and it doesnt work well because of how high it sits on the back. sigh, I have sooo many vests! the quest for the perfect one contiues
    
    Reply
    1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
      
      January 18, 2018 at 2:14 pm
      
      If you can tell me what you have, and have not worn, I might be able to offer some ideas. It would be helpful to hear your use cases and what vest was your favorite thus far and why (and what could be improved on that ‘favorite’ from your perspective). Thanks.
      
      Reply
      1. mcgovski says:
        
        January 18, 2018 at 4:22 pm
        
        cool. I have used several Nathan vests, the best so far being the VaporAir, it isnt racy but just works. UD SJ 3.0 , UD AK mountain vest 3.0
        several Salomon vests. Raidlight. Osprey (cant remember the name) camelback Ultra 10 vest
        I think a lot of it is me. skinny chest but long torso.
jetguat says:

January 18, 2018 at 7:52 am

Its a bit older now, but how would you rate this 4.0 version to the SJ 2.0 version? Thats what i have had, and has worked well. Its a bit worn, but not sure i NEED to replace it just yet. The SJ2.0 came with the 20ounce UD bottles (not soft flasks). I am not sure I am a fan of soft flask. The handhelds I’ve tried I didnt care for. If you run in in the 4.0 with bottle does it bounce even more than with soft flasks?

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1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
  
  January 18, 2018 at 8:37 am
  
  Hi jetguat – I never wore v2 of the Jurek vest but I still own v2 of the Anton vest. Overall, the materials have gotten lighter, softer, and more breathable since v2 of the Signature Series vests. Hard, or some of the newer semi-soft, bottles sometimes bounce less than soft flasks. I’ve found that when half-full, as bottles or flasks often are, the bottles can actually bounce less because they have more surface area in contact with your chest and thus have more friction. However, the downside is they slosh around then and you have to deal with that sound with every step. If the sloshing around doesn’t bother you then I’m a big fan of the semi-soft bottles available nowadays. UD and Ultraspire both make great bottles like this.
  
  Reply
Ultra Trail Daily News | Thursday, Jan 18 | Ultrarunnerpodcast says:

January 18, 2018 at 7:56 am

[…] Interested in the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0? Check out Ben’s latest review right this way. […]

Reply
mcgovski says:

January 18, 2018 at 12:05 pm

I have tried several UD versions and they have all been taken out of use. all of them have rubbed on my neck enough to cause bleeding. I also found them to be pretty sloshy. Can you comment on the pack straps / material and fit near neck?

Reply
1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
  
  January 18, 2018 at 2:12 pm
  
  The straps/material is probably the softest & most comfortable materials I’ve seen used in a vest to-date. I didn’t notice the back fo neck fit / rubbing like I did on the Raidlight. No concerns for me there on this vest.
  
  Reply
  1. mcgovski says:
    
    January 18, 2018 at 4:23 pm
    
    cool. thanks
    
    Reply
    1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
      
      January 18, 2018 at 5:17 pm
      
      What do you like versus not like about the VaporAir? What do you feel like it is missing?
      
      Reply
      1. mcgovski says:
        
        January 19, 2018 at 7:52 am
        
        i would say its a little chunky and a bit fragile. I have gone through 2 of them. I also wish it was as soft on the skin side of the pack as the Krar version.
ken says:

February 7, 2018 at 2:57 pm

That comfort cinch design is a nice idea but looks like a big point of failure on these new vests. That cord looks like it won’t hold the vest snug enough and is going to wear over time. At the very least, give an access point to re-string it when it eventually breaks. I have a Gen 1 UD PB vest that I had to re-string because the cords on the bottle holders wore out and broke. I much would prefer the old style UD Wasp method of cinching up the vest. I know it’s extra weight, but not having a vest bounce and having the cinch straps not wear out is a big deal.

Reply
Kristian Joergensen says:

February 19, 2018 at 1:30 am

Hey there, now i have tried the vest on several runs, and have to agree. The vest bounces and swings around, specially when loaded at the back, as the lower part have no attachment point, so when your heavy stuff drops to the bottom it’s impossible to get snug, no matter how much you tighten it up, it will still swing. Have you got the same experience, or am i adjusting it wrong?

Reply
1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
  
  March 13, 2018 at 3:35 pm
  
  I’ve not noticed that type of swinging as you described it. Then again though, I don’t load up the back pockets with a ton of weight usually.
  
  Reply
James says:

March 9, 2018 at 7:51 am

I just purchased this pack. I have owned two other Jurek Vest (with the hard bottles). I don’t understand soft flasks. They are pretty much impossible to pull in and out of the vest while running. Is the point of the soft flask to put your head down and drink while the flask is still inside of the vest? This is the only practical way I have found to use the flasks. I would love to hear what everyone else is doing.

Reply
1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
  
  March 13, 2018 at 3:42 pm
  
  I don’t think that is the point necessarily, but I find it faster and more efficient to drink from soft flasks like you described. Or if you can stand it to attach the drinking straws as well.
  
  Reply
Isaac Schultz says:

March 11, 2018 at 4:28 pm

Hi there, thanks for the review. How would you compare the Ultra Vest 4.0 to the SJ ultra 3.0? It seems that there are still some of the previous version on the market and I was wondering if the compression issues make the 3.0 the better purchase.

Reply
1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
  
  March 13, 2018 at 3:50 pm
  
  Overall, I would say the 4.0 vests are lighter, stretchier, and more breathable. However, they don’t compress as well to the body for heavier loads. If you can find a 3.0 significantly discounted though I would probably say go with one of those as the lack of serious compression on the 4.0s is enough of an issue where I still like the 3.0s.
  
  Reply
Paula Gaudry says:

March 22, 2018 at 2:15 pm

I bought the UD Adventure Vesta and I’m not happy with it. The cinch cord part at the back goes into a long plastic piece that over long distances rubs I got really bad welts. I have had to put a towel in. And when I have filled it with my mandatory gear (2litres of water and heaps of clothing) it is so damn tight and hurts my back as there doesn’t seem to be any give. I wish I hadn’t bought it.

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Geoffrey Cheshire says:

September 19, 2018 at 3:57 am

Hi thanks for the detailed review. I have the Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra Set. It’s a great race vest that has served me very well in both races and training. However, a major criticism I have is that the zippers are not painted/powder coated subsequently leading to corrosion, jamming & eventual failure if not consistently maintained and lubricated. Ultimate Direction seem to have a very good reputation for the quality and build of the materials used but what about the zippers?

Reply
1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
  
  September 24, 2018 at 11:05 am
  
  Hi Geoffrey – that’s a great question. Let me see if I can get an answer from the folks at UD.
  
  Reply
Paula Gaudry says:

September 21, 2018 at 12:41 am

I have an update onmy women’s Adventure Vesta V4. I am really happy with it now. I made padding to go over the cinch cord area and I also sewed in soft padding over both the shoulders. And then I took apart an old Camelbak and took the piece that sits behind the water bladder and I insetred that into the pack and attached it to the mesh so that the water bladder isn’t sitting against my skin and heating it up. So I made it into my own series and am very happy. But I shouldn’t have to do all this for an expensive pack.

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Pug says:

September 26, 2018 at 4:43 pm

I purchased the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 4.0 when it was released. Within a month the zipper pocket’s stitching came apart at the top of the pocket. I ended up sewing it myself, than having UD fix or replace it, due to the fact that the stitching on all of the vest seems subpar.

The plastic cinch cord mechanism is another problem with the vest. The Plastic rubs my back and the cinch cord is due to wear out, with no options for securing the sides of the vest, and leaving the vest useless.

After two months dealing with the SJ 4.0 vest, I switched to the Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 5 set. Love the Salomon vest. It fits like a glove, doesn’t bounce and the pockets can be packed with supplies.

Ultimate Direction should take some direction from Salomon’s design and use of materials.

Reply
Geoffrey Cheshire says:

September 27, 2018 at 4:21 am

Thanks Pug this is really important information. I’m prepared to by convinced by the merits of this vest & the testimonies of other contributers because even in Europe & the UK I see so many people wearing these. Part of the overriding reason for my interest in Ultimate Direction was the supposed durability of the materials but if that’s not even solid then I’m going to pass on this. The softer materials througout seemed to be undermined by the use of plastics in the clinch system. I really don’t want any chafing issues caused by a pack, especially near my back, during a 100 miler. The pole storage also seems not to be dialled properly. There’s still reported bounce or insufficient compression despite the clinch system & I really like two big stretchy front pockets for nutrition and a side zipper pocket for my smart phone. I think I’ll revert back to Salomon with an Advanced Skin 5 or 12 and just take good care of the zippers this time. A Scott TR6 looks like it could also be another option. If there’s anyone who’s evangelical about the benefits of this UD vest post a comment please.

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1. Geoff says:
  
  October 24, 2018 at 9:25 am
  
  I finally had the chance to get my hands on one of these today and, if anything, my opinion has become even more negative. One thing I really appreciate and need on a race vest, particularly up to 100km, is biggish front stretchy dump pockets. I carry all my powdered nutrition and a gel flask in these, so I can have speedy transitions through aid stations. This can mean some pretty loaded front pockets. The Ultra Vest really suffers on two counts here. First, the materials used might be more stretchy than previous iterations of the signature series, but they are woefully short of the stretch of similar Salomon and Raidlight vests. Second, all the pockets are pretty small on the front. The shoulder pockets are minuscule compared to Salomon’s. Rather than two dump pockets, one has a zipper on the front. This makes it more fiddly for me not accessible. It’s too small for most smart phones and since the vest has no side pockets, it’s not practical to carry both nutrition and your phone in a race ideally where you need them most, close at hand. I don’t really want my smartphone in a pocket behind me where I can’t use it quickly or notice it if it fell loose. Even the one pocket that runs over the flask pocket has limited capacity because it is segmented into two pockets. You can get some gels and chews in there but little else. The pole system seemed great in theory but was poor in practice. It limited access to the flasks and caused undue lateral stress on the shoulder straps rendering them slightly uncomfortable.
  The one aspect I did like was the loops to put flask straws through or a bladder hose right or left. This is lacking in anything offered by Salomon though Raidlight offer an even superior system.
  For £130 here in the UK I would not even this a second glance compared to a Salomon Adv Skin 12L or 5L.
  
  Reply
Paula says:

October 24, 2018 at 1:17 pm

Another update on UD 4.0 Ultra Vesta. The cinch cord frayed and broke. I agree about the small pockets at the front that when the vest is on and is pulled taut, you can’t really fit anything in them. I hope Ultimate Direction take notice of these comments. I don’t seem to be able to find any “real” reviews of the pack. I can’t believe that pro athletes can run 100miles in one loaded up without chafing.

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