A running pack made to perform over long distances, the Silva Strive Light Black 5 is a five-litre hydration pack with an attractive price-tag. Expert tester Terry Rogers puts it to the test during some endurance runs in the Cotswold countryside.
First impressions of the Silva Strive Light Black 5 are good. What first struck me was the reflective detailing integrated throughout the pack’s design and the abundance of useful features. Silva says the Strive is made in collaboration with ultrarunners, so I was keen to see whether the features and capacity would offer everything I needed for my ultra training sessions.
Features and performance
First off, the dual entrance pocket on the rear of the pack is perfect size to store a running jacket and easily accessible whilst out on a run, so no need to take the bag off if a shower threatens.
The whistle is a welcome touch to the bag, which I think should be a mandatory item on any outdoors pack, especially as you’ll normally see a whistle as part of the essential kit listed for endurance races. The whistle can be moved around to a few different locations to suit, but I found it to be well located where it sat clipped onto a front pocket as you could easily stash it out of the way.
Though we didn’t test this feature, the pack also has a shoulder strap mount and rear mount for those carrying poles and in need of a means to stash them away when not in use. If you’re a fan of the Silva headlamps, then the Strive also has as pouch to hold the battery and a cable outlet along the shoulder to connect up your headtorch.
Pockets
The Strive comes with a hidden pocket inside the bladder area which is perfect for the not so necessary items which you would not need immediate access to (rough size 4x4"). The front zip pocket is a very good size and able to fit a large phone, it took mine just right (6.7") and was also able to accommodate keys with the use of a key hook.
Over on the opposite side sits an additional stash pocket which is perfect for tucking away solid food and gels for easy on the go access. As for the small mesh pockets on the straps which sit over the flask pockets, these appear to be somewhat of an afterthought. Silva suggests that they could be used as gel pockets, but in reality they’re not large enough for this and I used them as handy little pouches to tuck away rubbish.
Hydration system
When it comes to the hydration system, there’s capacity for both soft flask bottles within the front two pockets and a 1L bladder in the reservoir compartment at the back. This compartment is held up by a Velcro tag, which I’m dubious as to the durability of, but it can also double up as a hanging point to dry out your bag at the end of the day.
Like many packs, the bladder itself sits directly onto the back of the body, so whatever it is you have in there will heat up with your body temperature. The tube for the bladder can be fed through either side and also held in place by a clip on the front straps. It’s worth noting that the Strive doesn’t come with a reservoir, which can be purchased for an additional £34.99.
As a nod to affordability, Silva have included two 240ml soft flasks for free with the pack (normally £20 if bought separately). I found the flasks performed averagely when in use; they could do with longer straws for drinking out of as you really have to bow the head to drink out of them, which then obstructs breathing. The pocket itself also seems a little big for the bottle, which when not completely full would fall down inside the pocket.
Fit
The overall fit of the bag could be improved. I class myself as having a large athletic build and had the top sternum strap done up tight, which still did not give me snug fit on the size M pack. As for the bottom chest strap, I found it kept riding up to meet the other strap, which caused the bag to move freely instead of hugging the body. However, I liked the location of the pockets, especially the side ones which were set at a good point to reach without having to be extremely flexible.
Verdict
All in all, I must admit that Silva’s Strive Light Black 5 comes with many useful features which held me in good stead during my long training runs. With plenty of capacity to stash multiple gels, bars, a phone, and valuables, along with up to 2L of fluids, you should be able to carry everything you need with you in your trail training or racing.
Though there were a couple of niggles when in use, the main issue for me was the fit, which just requires a little fine-tuning to turn the Strive pack into a great little pack for running adventures. What you get for your money is pretty impressive though. For well under £100, you get not only a pack filled with features, but also a hydration system in the two included softflasks.
Features 3/5 | Performance 3/5 | Value 5/5 | Sustainability 4/5
Overall score: 75%
Pros: Practical pockets, different hydration options, affordable price-tag
Cons: Lacks a snug fit
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