![]() Two external side pockets are deep enough to hold a yoga mat or foam roller for taking to the gym, and a bungee cord in each pocket helps keep them secure. And don’t worry, large shoe sizes and Hokas still fit. Our favorite feature is the separate shoe compartment, perfect for muddy spikes during cross-country season or carrying dress shoes on your commute to the office. While it doesn’t look like it, the RunAway still has space for a hydration bladder, with a slot to route a hose over your shoulder. It looks like an everyday backpack and provides just as much organization as the classic L.L.Bean ones many of us took to school. And the RunAway is a simple running backpack that can get the job done without breaking the bank. Going to the gym or carrying extra gear on race day doesn’t need to be complicated. Related video: Great gym bags for runners. Based on my own research and testing as well as that of the Runner’s World gear team, these are the running backpacks we recommend. I evaluated how I could carry each load without it slowing my stride or causing me problems. I hauled tablets, diapers, puffies, shells, first-aid kits, bear spray, bars, books, booze, and water through more than one urban environment over every surface imaginable, as well as hiking and running through the woods to determine if these packs could hold up to their hype and handle the environments for which they’re made. From quick trips across town to longer peak bagging excursions, I loaded more than a dozen packs with the essentials and took them out at various speeds and distances. ![]() Commuter packs don’t have much in common with fastpacking bags, so don’t expect them to fit, feel, or function the same way. Each pack here fulfills a different need, so it’s important to test a pack in its natural habitat. There’s no way to know how a pack will fare on a run without taking it out for a spin fully loaded, so I did just that. The vest-pack hybrid we’ve selected performs exceptionally well on runs and hit the 15- to 20-liter sweet spot that’s big enough to carry most of what you’ll need without really hindering your stride. If you’re small-framed, you’ll have to really cinch the backpack straps down, leaving lots of annoying, dangling ends that need to be tied down or they’ll drive you crazy. While backpacks typically hold more gear, they also tend to come in single, “universal” sizes and therefore don’t ride as well as vests. ![]() It’s important to note some of the general pros and cons between backpacks and vest-pack hybrids. When testing larger packs, we found bags with sternum straps and hip belts worked best-this becomes truer as the weight of the load increases. Hydration vests are designed to fit close while managing the weight of a one- to two-liter bladder of water plus race essentials. Also make sure to choose a pack with a well-designed harness system, which keeps the bag stable and ensures a comfortable fit. Dedicated laptop sleeves secure the added weight by positioning it closest to your body (bladder compartments in hydration vests work well for this, too). If you need to carry a laptop, look for a pack that’s at least 11 inches wide with a minimum 10-liter capacity. Packs with six to 15 liters of cargo space are generally spacious enough to haul your gear without impeding your mechanics. Larger packs extend farther from your body, which could offset your center of gravity or just shift too noticeably to be comfortable while you’re running. Smaller packs in the six- to eight-liter range can pack tight to your body so you barely notice them but seldom have space to haul more than small essentials and a few clothes. Most packs are measured by cargo space volume. The Best Sports Bras With Pockets for Storage.When choosing your new running pack, first consider what-and how much-you need to carry. Modern running backpacks have ventilation channels to circulate air across your back, and ergonomic harness systems to help you tote your belongings without them bouncing around, messing up your form, or causing injury. Running backpacks have come a long way from the battered Jansport you hauled around in school. When I’m not in front of the computer, I’m out on the trails and slopes surrounding my home in Colorado. I’ve ticked off numerous 10Ks and half-marathons over the years, but spend more time now on mixed surfaces than road so I can take my kids along for the fun. I’ve written for and contributed to various publications, including Backpacker, Men’s Health, Gear Junkie, 5280, and Elevation Outdoors. As a professional gear tester for more than 20 years, I’ve had the opportunity to see some amazing places. Show more The Expert: I started backpacking as a Boy Scout when I was 14 and have been venturing outdoors, camping, climbing, trail running, and backpacking ever since.
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