Innovation or Complication? Vessel Athletics ‘Hydration Shirt’ Review

The act of running is simple. Left foot, right foot, repeat. Yet runners, especially those who travel considerable distances, have a tendency to develop complications. Whether it is blisters, bonking, cramps, overheating, or dehydration, there are many ways to be suboptimal on the move.

In an effort to relieve the burden, running brands innovate ingenious (or sometimes cumbersome) solutions to many of the obstacles runners face: springy footwear with carbon fiber plates, breathable and moisture-wicking apparel, and lightweight gear to carry water and fuel.

Traditionally, those latter two products remain separate. Runners often have a fleet of running shirts and a preferred running vest to layer over them. Runner Jasmine Sanchez thought this was a cumbersome approach. Why not combine the two and create a hydration shirt with a water bladder and a pocket for stashing snacks?

After 5 years of design and prototyping, Sanchez and co-founder Jalen Brown launched Vessel Athletics, and the Hydroshirt was born. I tested this novel concept over five to six runs — and one race. The runs varied in terrain and duration. They were typically on hilly trails and somewhere between 25 minutes and 2.5 hours. The temperatures ranged from the mid-60s to the high 80s.

I wanted to see if this odd concept relieved some of the burdens of running with a hydration vest — or if it added to them.

In short: The Hydroshirt is an all-in-one shirt and vest hydration option for minimalist runners who don’t need to carry much besides water. Though it provides a convenient, lightweight option for race day, it lacks everyday versatility. It won’t replace my running vest since I often prefer the ability to layer over the T-shirt I will still wear post-run. But it stands out for providing a cold, comfortable way to stay hydrated on the move.

If you’re looking for running packs and vests, check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Running Packs & Vests.

Vessel Athletics Hydroshirt

CHECK PRICE AT VESSEL

Specifications

• Primary shirt fabric: Nylon/spandex blend (treated with a wicking and antipilling finish to enhance durability and comfort)
• Secondary shirt fabric: 100% spandex for durability
• Sizes: S-XL – men's; XS-XL – women's

Pros

• Unique, streamlined, lightweight way to carry fluid and small items while running
• Water stays colder longer
• Straw access via magnetic clip is super-convenient

Cons

• Not suited for pre- or post-run wear
• Will require laundering in between each use
• Multiple parts can take time to set up

Alex Tzelnic

Vessel Athletics Hydroshirt Review

The Design

To accomplish the shirt/vest combo package, Vessel started with a nylon and spandex shirt (though there is no information about the blend’s makeup). Then, it added a hydration bladder pocket. To support this, the shirt carries an overarching chassis that goes from the back over the shoulders and closes with three adjustable strips.

The shirt comes with a 1L lumbar-shaped hydration bladder. That fits into an insulated sleeve and slides into the bladder pocket in the upper middle of the back.

A straw with a soft bite valve slides through an opening in the bladder pocket. It extends over the right shoulder, where it is secured to the chassis via a loop. It curves in front of the chest, where a magnet secures the valve to the left.

Other features include reflective details and small pockets along each sleeve to stash fuel and valuables. Overall, it is a smart design. It marries the simplest version of a vest with a standard modern running shirt.

For now, the only color option available is black.

Performance

Once I got going, I appreciated the ease of the Vessel Athletics Hydroshirt. I’m used to carrying water in HydraPak bottles on my chest, and the weight being transferred to my back made a lot of sense.

The shirt didn’t bounce nearly as much as some running vests and backpacks I’ve worn. Because the chassis is sewn into the shirt, I experienced less friction and pressure points. I’ve had pain from over-tightening vests in the past. The Hydroshirt offered a close-to-the-body fit that kept everything secure.

The shirt itself has a snug fit that helps the system feel streamlined. The perforated back panel dumped heat as temperatures increased. I stashed energy chews in the left sleeve pocket for easy access. Most importantly, it was super-easy to unhook the valve from the magnet and hydrate.

During my runs, the water stayed acceptably cool in the insulated bladder pocket.

Still, I wasn’t sure if the performance while running was worth the somewhat complex setup. The Hydroshirt is not exactly a grab-and-go option.

As a parent of two young kids, my running windows can be tight. So, I was worried about the time spent filling and sealing a water bladder and threading a straw through the shirt. But with some practice, I became much more efficient at setting it up. Even still, this is an Achilles Heel of the Hydroshirt design.

Downsides of Design

This shirt is somewhat difficult to set up. My first attempt at putting everything together was clunky.

Vessel provides a useful video on how to attach all the components. The brand also sends varying straw sizes with the hydration bladder to suit different length needs or body types. Once I had it down, it became easier to utilize on subsequent runs.

These pockets also lack the ability to hold supplies that heavier-duty running vests are designed to carry. So, if you need a place for trekking poles, a first-aid kit, keys, food, and earbuds, the Hydroshirt isn’t going to work.

Another downside of the set-up is that the shirt is not super wearable when you aren’t running. Unlike the fleet of running shirts I might normally wear for an ultra race, I couldn’t wear the Hydroshirt on the car ride there. The hydration bladder was uncomfortable in a seat.

And you can’t really run in this shirt without the hydration bladder. Without it, it’s just a strappy and overbuilt shirt without much function.

For the same reasons, it is not a good après-race option. If you like to end your runs at a brewery, it can be annoying to be stuck to your hydration apparatus. Some people would much rather just slip a hydration vest on and off and carry on with their days.

There is also the laundry issue. With multiple running shirts in my quiver, I can throw my vest over them and have hydration for several runs without doing any laundry. Since the Hydroshirt is integrated with the “vest,” it requires much more frequent laundering.

Conclusion: Vessel Athletics Hydroshirt

This hydration shirt for runners won’t be for everyone. I personally found the inability to wear this pre- and post-run a dealbreaker, as I often leave the house in athletic gear and grab a run when I can. Stashing a vest in my bag is preferable and takes up less space than stashing an entire Hydroshirt setup to change into.

I might still wear the Vessel Athletics Hydroshirt when I’m running races. It could appeal to runners who want a secure hydration setup and a single, grab-and-go solution versus a collection of shirts and a proper vest.

At $129, it is on the pricier side. But if you add up the cost of a premium running shirt and a premium running vest, it lands in the same ballpark. Just remember to pack a non-Hydroshirt for any après-run activities.

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