Gregory Women’s Pace 3 Hydration Pack

Trail runners: you need a pack that can carry gear and handle abuse, all while staying light enough to not slow us down. Ladies will love the Gregory Pace 3, an affordable pack that holds up come race day. We took this pack on one of the most test-worthy runs of all time: The Tough Mudder. The course was 11-miles long in 80+-degree weather, and our tester was in and out of water, over and under obstacles, and rolling through the mud. Needless to say, she was impressed with how the pack held up. There was no strap snagging as she crawled through mud pits, and after getting the pack drenched it was still breathable and dried rather quickly. The Pace 3 did take some tweaking before our tester found the right fit. Thankfully, there’s plenty of room for adjustment. With a speedy flick of the straps, runners can customize the pack to their optimal fit, minimizing movement and bounce. Once snug, the pack is hardly noticeable.

The only frustrating piece of the pack was the hydration hose and bite valve. The hose is on the short side, so our testers had to crane their necks at times to get at the valve, which didn’t always provide the best water flow. One of our favorite features, however, was the front strap pocket that could fit an iPhone case. It’s a great alternative to the armband and, let’s be honest, way better than sticking your phone in your sports bra. That said, the pack maintains a low profile, hugging the curve of your back, even when filled up with water and gear. Very useful when crawling under barbed wire.