The sun rises across Wyoming’s Absaroka Range as I run along a narrow alpine trail en route to my objective: Trout Peak, the tallest mountain in the area. As the sun crests the ridge, the temperatures finally climb out of the 30s, and I can begin to shed some layers. Already loaded with bear spray, two thousand calories of fuel, satellite messenger, phone, and a liter of water, my running partner is astounded as I then proceed to stuff a windbreaker, long-sleeve shirt, buff, and gloves into my seemingly small capacity vest.
With fuel, hydration, and layers adequately stowed, I continue, ready for whatever 25 miles in Wyoming’s high alpine can throw at me.
While not yet a household name, Terignota is breaking onto the trail running scene for its high-performance products at a price that won’t break the bank. The brand’s motto is, “on a mission to make trail running accessible to all”, and the Valhalla running vest is the perfect example of this. Coming in at half the price of other vests, it still comes loaded with premium features like highly elastic materials, two locking bottles, and a variety of storage options.
In short: The Valhalla is a worthy companion for anything from after-work jaunts to all-day adventures in the mountains. Any trail runner will appreciate this vest’s intentional design and attention to detail. After performing multiple stress tests, pushing this pack to its limits, we found the durability to fall slightly short. But by taking care not to overpack, the Valhalla is an excellent choice for the entry-level enthusiast and season veteran alike.
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(Photo/Miles Knotec)
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(Photo/Miles Knotec)
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(Photo/Miles Knotec)
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(Photo/Miles Knotec)
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(Photo/Miles Knotec)
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Accessible price point
- Highly elastic materials that can fit a surprising amount of items.
- Two included 500ml soft flasks with locking caps
- Attachment points for pole quiver
- Very breathable
Cons
- Material stains easily
- Sizing runs a little large
- Limited durability for heavy use
Terignota Valhalla Vest Review
Design and Construction
With a 7-liter capacity, the Valhalla strikes a balance between having enough capacity for mountain adventures while still being sleek enough for races or daily training. Starting at the front of the vest, each side comes equipped with a water bottle sleeve and zippered pocket. The left side has a front stuff pocket, and there is also a small side mesh pocket where the vest wraps around the rib cage on either side.
The vest remains closed with two adjustable bungees and hooks. To adjust the top strap, press the black dot on the right side of the vest to release the cord lock. Pull slack in or out as needed. Press the black dot on the left side to adjust the bottom. This system is great for making micro adjustments on the go.
The vest also comes with a small zippered pocket on the right shoulder, perfect for small items like salt tabs, and comes equipped with a safety whistle.
Moving to the back of the vest, the main storage compartment is closed via a vertical zipper. There is also a horizontal pass-through pocket along the lower back that I primarily used for both fuel and hydration storage, but can also easily fit extra layers or trash.
While Terignota does not list the Valhalla’s materials, it is extremely elastic and stretches to fit whatever it carries. The chest straps have strategic padding around the bottles to improve comfort when fully loaded. Designed with a lot of mesh and with its white color, the Valhalla is exceptionally breathable, perfect for hot days.
In the Field
The Terignota Valhalla was tested over the course of three months. I experimented with the pack, from trying different gear carrying configurations to intentionally overstuffing it. The vest was used on runs ranging from 1-8 hours. On a trip to Wyoming, I brought the vest along for two 20+-mile backcountry runs.
From daily use to backcountry adventures, my testing of the pack has yielded a thorough and well-rounded evaluation of its performance.
What I Loved
In an age when many products feel overengineered or covered in bells and whistles, I love the Valhalla’s stripped-down performance, while still having all the features I need for a vest. Zippered front pockets are a huge bonus for me. I love knowing that my phone and other essentials are secure and won’t fall out.
Similarly, the rear zippered pocket ensures worry-free cargo carrying. While not zippered, the lumbar pass-through pocket proved itself to be much more useful than expected. I was able to fit both a 500ml soft flask and two bags of snacks in it without them sliding out.
As someone who runs daily in bear country, being able to carry bear spray comfortably is crucial. I’ve always struggled with carrying bear spray in a chest bottle pocket, but thanks to the strategic padding, I was able to carry a can of bear spray comfortably for 8 hours on the move.
It’s impossible not to love the Valhalla’s price point. Coming in at half (or less) the price of comparable products on the market, this $89 vest is an excellent choice for the value-minded runner.
Room For Improvement
After three months of being rough on this vest, the only area for improvement I see is in the durability. When testing how well this vest works with a pole quiver, I ripped out the bottom attachment point. After my 8-hour run in Wyoming’s Absaroka range, I was dismayed to have fully busted one of the chest zippers and to find the stitching of the rear pocket’s zipper starting to come undone.
To be fair, I was placing significant strain on these points. The front pocket contained my cell phone, and when paired with a full water bottle on that same side, it was definitely pushing that pocket’s limits. Similarly, the rear zipper also took a beating from being pushed to capacity by many layers and over 2,000 calories of food within it.
With slight improvements for durability, this vest could easily become the one I reach for on big mountain adventures every time.
Conclusion: Who’s it For?
The Valhalla is a highly capable vest that is versatile enough for after-work jogs to all-day mountain adventures. For a reasonable price, it offers features found in vests twice as expensive. While I pushed this vest to its limits and found them, I am still impressed with this vest’s capabilities of being one for big days in the mountains requiring a lot of gear. Seasoned veterans and newcomers alike will find the Valhalla a worthy addition to their gear selection.
