I have a 12l eclipse vest like this, and it's the best vest in my life, it's multifunctional, durable, comfortable, stylish and generally it's cool! Hello from Russia
I absolutely love the Instinct Trail packs and the Eklipse is great. As a larger (52" chest) I find that most packs don't fit or adjust because of the mesh sides. Instinct shockcord lacing makes them able to fit most sizes and allows for customisation to fit any size. They are really well made too. I find the Eklipse slightly warmer because of the waterproof compartment - the smaller models are much more breathable mesh.
Hi Loyd, great review! I really appreciated it. I'm the owner of a Instinct X 10L backpack and I'd like to share some thoughts also in comparison to this Eclipse 12L. X10 is quite lighter (297 gr) and cooler. I find that my x10 is cooler than my Salomon Adv Skin 12L, for example. But x10 has something that I really don't appreciate in running backpacks: the mesh used for softflask is too flabby. When the softflasks are full, no problem but when they are 1/2 full some issues are rising and the flasks start bouncing. No way to avoid that annoying issue. Kailas found the solution (they use the same flabby, soft mesh as Instinct) in their recent backpack "Fuga Air II 8L". They have another chord half height (sorry if it's not clear but if you take a look at the FUga AIr II image, you understand what I mean). WIth rigid flasks no issues, of course. This is the only reason why I still use my Salomon Adv Skin 12L for training and racing. I'm curious to know what do you think about it... Cheers from Milano, Italy
That’s good to know, thanks 👍 I’ve actually tested out a couple of packs from Kailas and you’re right about their cord system, it does work well. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Superb vest. I ran Andorra by UTMB and the North Coast 110 with this pack in 2023. Amazing gear. Ooooh, and I've got their 18L on the way to hopefully run the TOR Des Geants.
I have the belt and this pack, used them on the traverse and the rat and they've been faultless, not the lightest but totally bulletproof and just the right pocket placements. The elastic on the side isn't only for fit, it's there to make it easier to breathe as it'll move with you. It's fine in hot weather, but yeah it does get hot.
Huge thx for the video! I was thinking to buy Instinct PX 3.1 for summer light runs but didn't know the company and wasn't sure of the build quality. Now I think I'll go for it🎉
I have the 4.5L Ambition version as well as the Eklipse12, it's a brilliant pack, much lighter and more breathable than the waterproof Eklipse and it's great for summer (I used it I Lanzarote). I would absolutely recommend.
@@allanriggs788Huge thanks for the comment!!! I thought 4.5 is more on the warm side - I tend to sweat a lot in summer -,than 3.1 but like it has option for poles on back. On the 3.1 has no back carrying feature just on front side.
Loyd, did you keep your insoles in your Merrell AP 5's? I found the arch support a bit too much in mine and swapped them out. Although I am still experimenting. Thanks for the review.
I dunno, I’m a salamon 12litre user, and all the other vests seem to have a more sturdy fabric, but seem to miss the lovely large wrap around pockets you get with the 12 litre.. they hold so much stuff and accessible too. Would like to try other brads, but they are a deal breaker.
Great video - may have found my Christmas present! A couple of questions: 1) has Liga tried this on and does it cinch down small enough for a petite woman? 2) can you get the soft flasks into the pockets whilst wearing the pack? (That’s my gripe about the Salomon 12L - I absolutely can’t get the soft flasks back in at an aid station without first removing the pack!). Thank you! 😁
Have you tried blowing air into the flask to make it more rigid. This little trick has solved that problem for me. Only need to make sure there’s nothing in the pockets below getting in the way.
@@atleastIdietrying thanks, yes I do that when inserting the flasks when I’m not wearing the vest, but I still can’t get them into the pockets whilst wearing the vest, even inflated!
My issue with this (also have it with my Harrier) is that there is no insulation between you and the water bladder, this means that the water ends up getting warm and isn’t good to drink. At £165 that is just a ridiculous price!
The problem with adding insulation between your back and the bladder compartment is the pack/vest won’t be as breathable. I personally think the bladder system is a bit dated now and carrying your fluid on the front of your pack is a better option. It’s easier to fill the bottles at check points and you can monitor your hydration a lot better 👍
Quality looks top but I don't personally like all them cords and strings. I hate when they flap around when running. One size could be both a positive and negative. When you're build in a different way, I'm tall and pretty' slim, nothing really seems to fit proper. This could be the solution.
I have a 12l eclipse vest like this, and it's the best vest in my life, it's multifunctional, durable, comfortable, stylish and generally it's cool! Hello from Russia
I absolutely love the Instinct Trail packs and the Eklipse is great. As a larger (52" chest) I find that most packs don't fit or adjust because of the mesh sides. Instinct shockcord lacing makes them able to fit most sizes and allows for customisation to fit any size. They are really well made too. I find the Eklipse slightly warmer because of the waterproof compartment - the smaller models are much more breathable mesh.
Hi Loyd, great review! I really appreciated it. I'm the owner of a Instinct X 10L backpack and I'd like to share some thoughts also in comparison to this Eclipse 12L.
X10 is quite lighter (297 gr) and cooler. I find that my x10 is cooler than my Salomon Adv Skin 12L, for example.
But x10 has something that I really don't appreciate in running backpacks: the mesh used for softflask is too flabby. When the softflasks are full, no problem but when they are 1/2 full some issues are rising and the flasks start bouncing. No way to avoid that annoying issue. Kailas found the solution (they use the same flabby, soft mesh as Instinct) in their recent backpack "Fuga Air II 8L". They have another chord half height (sorry if it's not clear but if you take a look at the FUga AIr II image, you understand what I mean). WIth rigid flasks no issues, of course.
This is the only reason why I still use my Salomon Adv Skin 12L for training and racing. I'm curious to know what do you think about it... Cheers from Milano, Italy
That’s good to know, thanks 👍
I’ve actually tested out a couple of packs from Kailas and you’re right about their cord system, it does work well. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Superb vest. I ran Andorra by UTMB and the North Coast 110 with this pack in 2023.
Amazing gear.
Ooooh, and I've got their 18L on the way to hopefully run the TOR Des Geants.
I have the belt and this pack, used them on the traverse and the rat and they've been faultless, not the lightest but totally bulletproof and just the right pocket placements.
The elastic on the side isn't only for fit, it's there to make it easier to breathe as it'll move with you.
It's fine in hot weather, but yeah it does get hot.
Good description. Like to Run4adventure. A nice saturday for everyone.
Huge thx for the video!
I was thinking to buy Instinct PX 3.1 for summer light runs but didn't know the company and wasn't sure of the build quality.
Now I think I'll go for it🎉
I have the 4.5L Ambition version as well as the Eklipse12, it's a brilliant pack, much lighter and more breathable than the waterproof Eklipse and it's great for summer (I used it I Lanzarote). I would absolutely recommend.
@@allanriggs788Huge thanks for the comment!!!
I thought 4.5 is more on the warm side - I tend to sweat a lot in summer -,than 3.1 but like it has option for poles on back. On the 3.1 has no back carrying feature just on front side.
I wish i could find this in the US. That pack looks almost perfect.
Loyd, did you keep your insoles in your Merrell AP 5's? I found the arch support a bit too much in mine and swapped them out. Although I am still experimenting. Thanks for the review.
I dunno, I’m a salamon 12litre user, and all the other vests seem to have a more sturdy fabric, but seem to miss the lovely large wrap around pockets you get with the 12 litre.. they hold so much stuff and accessible too. Would like to try other brads, but they are a deal breaker.
Thx for the review, can you stack 500 ml flasks in it? Or will they flop over that pocket 😮
looks good.
Great video - may have found my Christmas present! A couple of questions: 1) has Liga tried this on and does it cinch down small enough for a petite woman? 2) can you get the soft flasks into the pockets whilst wearing the pack? (That’s my gripe about the Salomon 12L - I absolutely can’t get the soft flasks back in at an aid station without first removing the pack!). Thank you! 😁
Have you tried blowing air into the flask to make it more rigid. This little trick has solved that problem for me. Only need to make sure there’s nothing in the pockets below getting in the way.
@@atleastIdietrying thanks, yes I do that when inserting the flasks when I’m not wearing the vest, but I still can’t get them into the pockets whilst wearing the vest, even inflated!
My issue with this (also have it with my Harrier) is that there is no insulation between you and the water bladder, this means that the water ends up getting warm and isn’t good to drink.
At £165 that is just a ridiculous price!
The problem with adding insulation between your back and the bladder compartment is the pack/vest won’t be as breathable. I personally think the bladder system is a bit dated now and carrying your fluid on the front of your pack is a better option. It’s easier to fill the bottles at check points and you can monitor your hydration a lot better 👍
💙🌱💙
Have a great Christmas 🙏🙂
Quality looks top but I don't personally like all them cords and strings. I hate when they flap around when running. One size could be both a positive and negative. When you're build in a different way, I'm tall and pretty' slim, nothing really seems to fit proper. This could be the solution.
does it have 15 lt or 20 lt ?
The name of the pack is a bit of a giveaways, it’s called the EKLIPSE 12L? I’m sure the brand makes some lager packs if you are after 15lt or 20lt 👍
£165 !!! The price of these packs not just the Instinct are off the scale