REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Functional hydration system
Minimalist
REASONS TO AVOID
Low carrying capacity
Complicated sizing
Naked High Capacity - Women's Review
The snug fit and intelligent pocket placement on this vest make it great for daily runs when you need to carry the essentials and not much else
The internal compression system of the Naked vest helps ensure bounce-free jaunts.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
The Naked HC is unlike any other hydration vest we've tested in that it takes its female-specific design to a whole new level, fitting more like a secure sports bra than a hydration pack. Because of this design, there is minimal opportunity for your gear and water to slosh around while you move. We love how the pockets hug the body's curvature, and the mesh material is far more breathable than we initially expected. The Naked HC is a great vest for daily runs where you only need to pack a few things. This might not be your pick for an ultra, but the comfortable, clothing-like feel make it a great minimalistic choice. Compare it to top competitors in our review of the top women's running hydration packs.
Editor's Note: This review was updated on December 1, 2022, to add in more helpful recommendations after our fall round of testing.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Naked High Capacity - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Light Days |  Best Overall Running Hydration Vest for Women | Best Hydration System Versatility |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best for Race Day |
| Price | $150 List | $119.99 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $119.73 at REI | $115 List $114.95 at Backcountry | $99.44 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A tight-fitting vest that provides enough comfortable storage for the essentials without weighing you down | A soft and spacious running sidekick with plenty of room for all of the essentials and then some | Versatility, comfort, and easy-to-use function all come together to make this pack one of our favorites for trail and road runs of all distances | A mid-sized hydration vest with great features and all-day comfort available for a reasonable price | This pack is a winner if you want a comfortable vest that you can use to haul a ton of gear on your long, single-day adventure |
| Rating Categories | Naked High Capacity... | Nathan Pinnacle 12L... | Salomon ADV Skin 12... | Salomon Active Skin... | Ultimate Direction... |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Features (25%) | |||||
| Hydration System (15%) | |||||
| Volume-to-Weight Ratio (15%) | |||||
| Pockets (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Naked High Capacity... | Nathan Pinnacle 12L... | Salomon ADV Skin 12... | Salomon Active Skin... | Ultimate Direction... |
| Measured Weight (Without Hydration System) | 5.1 oz | 7.2 oz | 9.6 oz | 7.5 oz | 9.2 oz |
| Advertised Carrying Capacity (Volume by Liter) | 3.0 L+ | 12.0 L | 12.0 L | 8.0 L | 10.1 L |
| Advertised Included Liquid Capacity (Volume by Liter) | 1.0 L | 1.6 L | 1.0 L | 1.0 L | 1.0 L |
| OGL Volume-to-Weight Ratio (Bigger Is Better!) | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Number of Pockets (Including Hydration) | 8 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 |
| Included Water Storage | Two 0.5 L HydraPak soft flasks | 1.6 L hourglass-shaped insulated reservoir | Two 0.5 L bottles | Two 0.5 L soft flasks | Two 0.5 L Body Bottle III soft flask |
| Optional Water Storage (Not Included) | Reservoir compatible up to 1.5 L | Two soft flasks up to 0.53 L/ea | Reservoir compatible up to 1.5 L | Reservoir compatable up to 1.5 L | Reservoir compatable up to 2.0 L |
| Available Pockets | 2 front flask/stash pockets, 2 lower front stretch pockets, 2 side stretch stash pockets, dual entry back kangaroo pouch, 1 back reservoir compartment with clip | 4 front flask/stash pockets, 2 water-resistant chest zip pockets, 1 interior key/pill pocket, 2 side stash pockets, 1 back stash pocket with velcro tab, 2 rear kangaroo stash pockets (1 side access and 1 side + vertical access), 1 large back diagonal zip pocket, 1 reservoir compartment with velcro tab | 2 bilateral front flask/stash pockets with elastic loops, 2 bilateral side stretch pockets, 2 bilateral front zip pockets, 2 shoulder stretch pockets, 1 interior trash pocket, 1 large back zip compartment, 1 rear dual-entry tunnel pocket, 1 top stretch pocket, 1 insulated rear reservoir sleeve with hook | 2 front flask/stash pockets, 1 front zipped pocket, 2 front stretch pockets, 1 back main zip compartment, 1 small interior stash pocket, 1 back reservoir compartment | 2 cinching flask/stash pockets with loops, 2 (low) front stash pockets, 1 water-resistant chest zip pocket, 1 water-resistant shoulder stash pockets. 2 rear zippered lat pockets, 1 water-resistant main back zip compartment, 1 stretch mesh back stash pocket, 1 reservoir compartment with snap hook |
| External Storage Options | Lash loops | None | Dual-side bungee | Back bungee | Back bungee |
| Pole Holders | Front/side loop attachments | 1 vertical entry rear kangaroo pocket | Elastic bungees and loops (front and rear options), custom quiver compatible | Custom quiver compatible, back bungee | 4 hooks and bungee loops (front or back closure) |
| Extra Features | Rear pocket security clip, safety whistle, reflective detailing, hose locking points, speed zipper | Adjustable sternum straps. loops/hose guides and magnetic latch safety whistle, reflective detailing | Torso cinch system, hydration flask loops, dual side compression laces, safety whistle, interior key clip, reflective loop for light, bottom hose port and shoulder guide | Torso cinch system, safety whistle, loops, elastic key clip, bottom hose port and shoulder loops/guides | Comfort cinch torso adjustment system, adjustable sternum straps, shoulder port for hose, key clip |
| Sizes Available (Size Tested) | Size 1/30 in - Size 12/41 in (Size 5/34 in) | XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL (Size S) | 2XS. XS, S, M, L (Size S) | XS, SM, MD, LG, XL (Size SM) | SM, MD, LG, XL (Size S) |
| Additional Capacity Options (Included Hydration) | N/A | Pinnacle 4 L (1.2 L), Pinnacle Featherlite 1.5 L (0.4 L) | ADV Skin 5 L (1.0 L) | Active Skin 4 L (1.0 L), Active Skin 12 L (1.0 L) | N/A |
| Gender Specific or Unisex | Women's (Men's model also available) | Women's, (Men's model also available) | Women's (Unisex model also available) | Unisex | Women's (Men's Vest also available) |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Naked HC sports bra-like vest is super comfortable, even when its 3+ liter capacity is maxed out. This vest has all of the features of a bigger, heavier vest but weighs in at only 5.1 ounces for a women's size 5. It is crucial to get the sizing right when purchasing this vest to help ensure comfort and prevent chafing. If you're in the market for a tight-fitting, supportive, breathable, and minimalist vest, the Naked HC is a great choice.
Performance Comparison
Evening neighborhood jaunts are super a breeze with the garment-like comfort of the Naked High Capacity vest. Pictured here with only one hydration flask.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort
We were pleasantly surprised by how much comfort the Naked HC hydration vest provides. The component that tops our list as the most exceptional is the breathability of the mesh — we never felt like our bodies heated up beyond normal. The nylon mesh is also very soft. We've found that more breathable mesh can sometimes be rather stiff and irritating, and soft vests are often not as breathable as we prefer. Happily, the Naked HC hits a perfect balance of these two crucial elements of comfort. We truly forgot we were toting gear while ripping up mountain trails in this vest.
The Naked has an elastic band that snuggles in below the breast line. The purpose of this band is two-fold: it provides extra support, but it also helps ensure that the vest stays in place during even the most technical maneuvers. The speed-zippered front closure is another unique and lovable element of this vest. The zipper makes for strong, complete closure and offers a compression-like feel. As a bonus, the zipper never needs to be adjusted like many of the bungee-closure options.
The semi-lock zipper helps prevent this pack from opening while on the move.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Purchasing the correct size of the Naked vest is vital to ensure a comfortable fit. It is available in 12 different sizes, and a size chart is available to help you find the right one. If you do not choose the right size, you risk being unable to zip this vest closed. Or, if you choose a size that is too big, it won't have the delightful compression effect and thus won't be as comfortable. Though we love the comfort of this vest, we acknowledge that its shorter body and sports bra-like fit won't suit everybody. We personally love the anti-chafe body and seams, but as usual, we recommend trying this vest on before buying. Once you get the right fit, we bet you'll love the comfort of the Naked HC hydration vest as much as we did.
The elastic banding around the edges of the Naked hydration vest fit like a sports bra - that is why it is important to ensure you buy the right size to fit your body.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Features
The Naked HC packs a ton of features into a vest with a really low carrying capacity. It holds around 3 liters of gear, but the maximum capacity depends on your purchased size. This vest includes designated pole holders, though we found our cumbersome trekking poles too big to carry comfortably with this pack.
You'll get more use out of the pole holders if you have lighter and smaller poles. However, because of this pack's low capacity, it isn't our first pick for long trail days anyway. The Naked HC includes a safety whistle, a feature we take very seriously, and the heat transfer reflective logos add an extra bit of safety if you run in lower visibility areas.
A look at some of the helpful loops and bungees on the Naked HC vest.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our favorite feature is definitely the internal compression system. This thoughtful design creates this vest's overall comfort, and we don't think it would be the same without it. This system maintains its shape and compressive properties even when wet, which is important since this vest rides so close to your sweaty skin. Though this is not advertised, we found that this vest was also the absolute best for repelling odors. Perhaps because of the highly engineered mesh and the nylon body, this vest never smelled even after our steamiest runs.
If you want a vest that helps hold your gear and your body in the right place, this bounce-free vest is the way to go.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Hydration System
As far as soft flask hydration systems go, the Naked HC vest delivers. It includes two ultra-soft, 500mL flasks, and since the vest is meant to be worn high on the body, the mouthpiece of each flask is always close by.
The Naked vest doesn't feel top-heavy or cumbersome, unlike other high-riding vests with similar hydration systems. This is due to that compression system we love, which has convinced us that soft flasks can actually be a comfortable and non-bouncy option. We aren't even upset about the inability of this vest to accommodate a hydration bladder because of how comfortable and functional the soft flasks are. While you could shove a bladder onto the back pocket, this vest is not really designed for that, and after testing, we discovered that it doesn't really work.
Shoving a hydration bladder into the back side of this vest isn't something we recommend. The Naked vest performs much better with only one liter of water stashed in its front pockets.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
We recommend other options if you want a vest that can interchangeably accommodate a bladder and flasks. The one-liter total liquid capacity is spot on when considered in relation to this vest's overall capacity. You may not be able to carry the kitchen sink with this pack, but it can comfortably hold enough water and gear for shorter excursions.
The soft flasks included with the Naked vest are pretty standard, but they work as well as they need to.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Volume to Weight Ratio
The Naked HC vest has an average volume-to-weight ratio. It weighs in at 5.11 ounces for a size 5 and can hold around 3 liters, give or take.
Despite its standard ranking, the tight fit of this pack makes a full 3 liters of gear and water feel like much less during runs. Though we deducted a few points based on this ratio, if you are looking for a minimalist vest that will comfortably hold the essentials and nothing else, this is a great option for you.
Though this vest is lightweight, its minimal carrying capacity makes it less impressive in terms of volume to weight ratio.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Pockets
We love the versatility of the pockets on the Naked HC. Aside from the ones for the soft flasks, all of the pockets are versatile enough so that you can choose where you stash your goods. As experienced long-distance runners, we have preferences for storing our gear, especially on race day. We like choosing what goes where instead of storing things the way the manufacturer thinks we should. This might be splitting hairs, but since it matters to us, we think it might matter to you too.
There are two pockets on the front of the vest for your flasks. The pockets are deep enough to accommodate different brands of flasks, which is nice. This also helps with the mobility and usability of the flasks. For example, if you pull one out at an aid station, you'll want the pocket that it goes back into to be big enough that the full flask slides right in. There is nothing worse than fighting with your hydration system while precious race minutes tick by. Atop these flask pockets are bilateral half-sized pockets with elastic at the top of each. Each elastic edging has a loop — we liked hooking our keyring to this and then tucking it in the pocket. The tight fit of this vest made it so that these pockets and their contents were secure against the flasks.
Though the Naked HC lacks the huge storage compartments of much of its competition, it can hold some water, dog treats, and a few other essentials with ease.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Each underarm panel has a small mesh pouch with elastic edging. The one beneath the left arm has a small clip, which is another secure location to stash your keys. The backside has a deep pocket that runs the entire length of the pack. This pocket has a clip closure to keep your items safe. We love that the pocket with the largest volume sits directly against the body since this further cuts down on any bounce. Superficial to this large pocket, a wide pass-through pocket is a great place for stashing any layers you choose to shed. Overall, the Naked HC vest pockets are well-placed and highly functional, making every ounce of storage space usable.
The back pass-through pocket is super snug and totally flush if you don't tuck anything into it.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Naked High Capacity?
The Naked vest is a fantastic minimalist choice that quickly became one of our favorites. Though it doesn't hold as much as other options, its durability and usability make it well worth the cost. We even felt like we learned how to become more minimalistic on our runs thanks to this vest. We love a 12-liter capacity for ultra-distance days, but the Naked vest quickly became our daily choice for toting a bit of water on our shorter runs. This vest fits well because of its compression system, even if the only thing you stash in it is water. We never had any issues with sloshing and often opted to run with only one flask in front, saving the opposite pocket for iPhone storage.
The compression system and snug fit of its vest make it one of our favorites for a bounce-less running experience.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Running Hydration Vests Should You Consider?
The Naked HC vest is unlike others we've tested. From its comfortable, bra-like fit to its smooth and seamless edges, this has become our daily running vest. It could be the perfect fit for you if you are looking for the most comfortable minimalist vest made especially for women. Another low-volume carry option without excessive bells and whistles is the Black Diamond Distance 4. If you want a sort of minimal vest but want to be able to carry more or have the option to insert a hydration bladder, check out the Osprey Dyna 6 - Women's. The Dyna 6 has a contoured fit but comes with a 6-liter storage capacity versus the 3-ish of the Naked vest, and offers more pockets for easy storage.
The Naked HC pack in action! Our main tester ran a 16-mile mountain race in this 3-ish liter vest.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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Ally Arcuri
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