Trail-Tested: The North Face Summit Series Run Vest 5 Review
The North Face Summit Series Run Vest 5 is designed for runners who want lightweight comfort without sacrificing storage or stability. We put it to the test across long runs, hiking days and more.
(This gear review comes from Trail Run Magazine issue 58, 2026)
The North Face Summit Series Run Vest 5 is designed for runners who want lightweight comfort without sacrificing storage or stability. We put it to the test to see how it performs across long runs, hiking days and everything in between.
After months of running and hiking with the vest, these are the areas where it impressed most:
Best For
- Trail running
- Long runs
- Ultra-distance training
- Race day
- Fastpacking and hiking
Key Features
- Lightweight design
- Soft body-hugging fit
- Mesh harness construction
- Multiple storage pockets
- Included soft flasks
- Zipped valuables pocket
- Dual adjustable sternum straps
- Breathable construction
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable
- Excellent pocket layout
- Secure fit with minimal movement
- Good ventilation
- Plenty of storage for essentials
Cons
- Premium price point
- Humid conditions still generate heat build-up
- Storage capacity may be limited for runners needing larger packs
There are runs where everything comes together, and there are runs where you spend the entire time thinking about the gear you should have brought with you. A humid Saturday long run recently fell firmly into the second category, and the only thing on the mind was how much easier it all would have been with some extra supplies. It’s a reminder that a good quality running vest, like The North Face Summit Series Run Vest 5, can genuinely change how a long day on the trails feels.
Read our The North Face Summit Series Race Day Vest 8 review
Weight is often the deciding factor when choosing a vest, and this one sits at the very light end of the spectrum. It’s the kind of pack that almost disappears once it’s on, with a soft, body-hugging fit that avoids pressure points. Even when loaded with water, food, and layers, it remains surprisingly easy to forget about.
Ventilation is excellent under normal conditions, with the mesh harness allowing air to move freely. On very humid days, though, the same airflow can’t overcome the simple fact that vests add contact area, so you’ll sweat more. It’s not a flaw of the vest so much as a reality of running in heavy humidity, and in all but the stickiest conditions, the breathability performs as well as any lightweight race vest we’ve tested.
Storage is where the Summit Series Run Vest 5 stands out. The layout includes enough room for a lightweight jacket, a PLB, food, the included soft water flasks, and a zipped pocket for your phone or keys. The number of pockets is impressive, but more importantly, each one feels secure, and nothing flaps or bounces around.
The dual sternum straps offer a wide range of adjustability, making it easier to fine tune the fit on the move, and aesthetically, the vest is, to put it bluntly, sexy.
After months of running and hiking, what stands out most is how natural the vest feels while running. It’s light, fitted, breathable, and organised, everything a compact running vest should be.
For runners looking for a vest that performs, The North Face Summit Series Run Vest 5 is a great choice.
VITALS
RRP $250.00 AUD / $280.00 NZD
