ud jericho endurance waist pack you deserve it

In July, I participated in the 2017 FKT Four Cities Hunt sponsored by Ultimate Direction and won second place in the Wuxi region. The reward was a new Ultimate Direction Scott Jurek endurance waist pack, which is destined to be extraordinary given its association with Scott Jurek.

Ultimate Direction, abbreviated as UD, is a niche American trail running backpack brand founded in 1985. It is the inventor of the hydration pack and designs sports backpacks in collaboration with athletes, which are well-loved by many enthusiasts. It has a good reputation in China's trail running community. This year, UD signed an agency cooperation agreement with Himalaya, officially entering the Chinese market, so we can finally say goodbye to purchasing through intermediaries!

UD's most well-received products in China are the AK series co-designed with Anton Krupicka and various popular waist packs, which are common sights in Chinese marathons and trail races.

The brand's motto is: Designed by athletes for athletes.

This endurance waist pack, co-designed with Scott Jurek, is a new model for 2017. It has been slightly upgraded from the previous generation, with the water bottle capacity increased from 300ml to 350ml, total volume increased to 1.2L, and weight increased to 223g. The Duraflex buckle has been replaced with a Velcro waistband, the side pockets have been removed, the reflective area has been enlarged, and new colors—Meadow Green and Knight Gray—have been introduced. It also features a light rain layer to protect your phone.

The new Meadow Green color is quite attractive.
The back uses non-elastic MonoRip mesh material.

The continuous mountain pattern is inspired by the Appalachian Trail, using 60D silicon-impregnated nylon fabric. This material is waterproof and increases tear resistance. The soft edging fits closely to the skin, and the reflective strips with 'JUREK' indicate that this is a co-designed product with ultramarathon legend Scott Jurek. The large reflective coating on the front and back, as well as on the elastic cords, enhances safety during night runs.

I tested the capacity: the inner pocket can hold a 5.8-inch phone, bank cards, keys, etc. The outer pocket can hold several energy gels, energy bars, salt tablets, and a thermal blanket. The elastic cord can secure a windbreaker, disposable raincoat, or trekking poles.

The waist pack comes with FlexForm semi-rigid water bottles that are easy to remove. The dual 350ml bottles are sufficient for short-distance races and regular trail runs, lasting until the next aid station. I tested that 700ml of water is enough for a trail run of over ten kilometers or a half-marathon on the road (except in the height of summer).

The slanted bottle opening design fits the waist curve better and is easy to handle. The bottle mouth is a bit hard and requires some effort to use. The water bottles have no odor, but mine got stained by the bottle compartment, which might be an isolated case.

I ran 22 kilometers with a friend, including 15 kilometers of mountain trails. This UD Jurek endurance waist pack was comfortable and had no chafing issues. The dual 350ml bottles can hold water and sports drinks, maintaining balance without the wobbling of a single bottle. There was no sagging during the run, and the semi-rigid bottles were easy to handle for hydration on the go.

Here's a video to give you a better feel.

After some time of trail running tests, I've summarized some pros and cons:

Pros: This UD Jurek endurance waist pack is suitable for short-distance races and regular trail runs. It fits well around the waist, is comfortable, and leaves no marks. The dual 350ml bottles are just right, offering a clear advantage over a single bottle by maintaining balance without wobbling. The elastic drawstring can hold many accessories, such as a windbreaker, raincoat, bib, folding stool, trekking poles, etc. The large reflective area significantly enhances safety during night runs. The semi-soft waistband buckle reduces skin friction, and the silicon-impregnated nylon material is durable and rain-resistant. The detailed craftsmanship is excellent, and the soft edging material fits closely to the skin without causing friction.

Cons: The only drawback I feel is that the Velcro area is too small, only covering the tip of the waistband. It feels like it doesn't stick well. Adding another piece of Velcro in the middle of the waistband would make it perfect!

This product is designed for short-distance races and regular trail runs. Highly recommended!