Ahhh Patagonia. It's no secret that here at LFTO we love the high quality, sustainable products this brand are known for, despite the eye-watering price tags which so often accompany outstanding performances. So, with an excellent environmental reputation preceding them, our freelance sustainability geek Lara has high expectations for the Patagonia Slope Trail running pack. Here, she puts the vest to the test over several weeks running in Edinburgh and the surrounding hills.
LFTOPros
- Really lightweight and breathable
- Superb fit and moves with body without chafing
- Great sustainability credentials
Cons
- Pricey
| Materials | Body: 100% recycled polyester stretch ripstop with a durable water repellent finish (made without PFCs); Mesh panels: 72% recycled nylon and 28% elastane power; Back panel: 100% recycled nylon monomesh. |
| Size range | XS, S, M, L |
| Colours | Green |
| Weight | 196g |
Comfort and fit
How well the vest fits and how comfortable it is to wear are perhaps the two most important factors (for any piece of running kit really), and this vest delivers. The Slope Trail Runner is super comfortable. Lightweight and made with a ripstop mesh, the vest is smooth against the skin and highly breathable. The durable water repellent finish helps with that. It is surprisingly comfortable for a running pack, even on long hot days.
In fact, it fits so well that it is easy to forget you are wearing it. With multiple points for adjustment, it locks down water and load really well. The low-profile front pockets keep full flasks stable. We found the pack completely chafe-free, and the various elastic loops for adjustment meant we could always find a way to reduce the pack’s movement if there was some.
Pockets and smaller features
The attention to detail on Patagonia’s Slope Runner is outstanding. Whilst it looks simple, there are more adjustment loops and pockets than you’d think. It has four medium-sized stretched pockets at the front. For two of which, two 500ml Patagonia-branded HydraPak® flasks are included. Easy to sip and leakproof, these soft flasks (total = 1L) are one of our favourite features of the Slope Trail Runner.
The carefully thought-out set of pockets is another favourite feature. The other two front pockets we’ve mostly used for snacks and gels for easy access whilst running. A lower back pouch with entry from both sides is great for stuffing in those extra layers and snacks. A well-sized zip pocket keeps valuables like phones, monies and keys secure and stable between your shoulder blades. There is also space for a good-sized hydration reservoir to be slipped in behind these back pockets if you need (although the stability of it depends on the shape of the reservoir).
In short, this vest has enough space for everything we’d generally take for a few hours out on the trails.
Sustainability
If you aren’t aware of Patagonia and their reputation for having a genuine outlook on effective sustainability, welcome. They have changed and continue to change industry standards and assumptions about what is possible for a big clothing company.
One of those industry assumptions about what is possible on a large scale is their commitment to a new model for the production, consumption, and ownership of apparel. They take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products and are upfront about what they pollute, who they employ, and what they waste. Going further than just recycled materials and organic cotton, they invest in soil health and regenerative fibre farming. They care for their workers, with openly published statistics showing that over 85% of their products are made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, whilst about 34% of their apparel-assembly factories are paying workers a living wage. We hope one day these sorts of numbers will be 100%. But for now Patagonia are on a sound course, thoroughly acknowledging their impacts, and pushing themselves and others to do better.
Fixing gear is part of this new model and their Ironclad Guarantee policy ensures that. Features like the vest’s ripstop fabric demonstrate that their products are built to last. Durability-wise, we have noticed a wee bit of stretch on the strings that go across ones upper body. It’s not dramatic but it just means the vest is not as tight as it first was. That a large majority of their synthetic materials (including the ones in this vest) are made with recycled plastics is pretty cool though. So whilst no one (company) is perfect, Patagonia are one of - if not the - most people- and planet-friendly large companies out there at moment.
Verdict
The verdict? We LOVE the Patagonia Slope Runner vest. Soft, sleek, sustainable and gloriously comfortable, Patagonia have delivered. The only downside is the price tag. However if you can afford it (especially if you plan on only buying a vest once), the Patagonia Slope Runner is definitely the one for you.
How we tested
This running vest was tested by Lara Chapman, LFTO's freelance sustainability geek. Lara tested the Patagonia Slope Vest in and around the hills of Edinburgh and the Borders, where she has been a student for the last 3 years.