New Pinnacle 12L Hydration Vest Earns REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award

“The Holy Grail of Running Vests!”

We are thrilled to announce that our latest innovation in hydration vest technology, the Pinnacle 12L, has earned the REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award. These awards honor the top-performing gear carried by the retailer, and our new Pinnacle vest struck testers with its ingenious storage design and lightweight materials.

The Pinnacle 12L, launched May 2021, was designed to be 20% lighter and more breathable than any of our other packs, with the addition of thoughtful storage solutions. The 12L vest has a total of 13 pockets, including a large, easy-entry diagonal zipper pocket across the back and two water-resistant pockets on the chest for your phone and other essentials. Tapered panels along the back of the vest offer a chimney wicking effect to keep your back dry throughout your run, and a newly-designed longer back panel helps disperse carrying capacity. The Pinnacle 12L comes with a 1.6L insulated hourglass bladder.

"We strongly share REI's belief in the inspiration of the great outdoors."

Mary Harden, Director of Brand Marketing, Nathan

“It is an honor to receive an Editors’ Choice Award from REI,” Mary Harden, Director of Brand Marketing at Nathan, said. “As the leader in outdoor retail, REI’s dedication to accessing and elevating the outdoor experience is unparalleled, and just one of the many reasons they’re an exceptional partner to Nathan. We strongly share REI’s belief in the inspiration of the great outdoors, and our Pinnacle 12L Vest was designed to help runners achieve and enjoy that experience in total comfort with no performance compromise. This award validates the hard work and thoughtfulness that went into the design and development of the Pinnacle 12L Hydration Vest.”

According to the REI editorial team, “The Pinnacle 12L stood out for its unmatched comfort, performance and capacity. Whether we loaded the vest down with gear and snacks, or simply used it to stow water and keys, the Pinnacle 12L consistently felt light on our backs. This is far and away our top pick for runners going any distance, but especially those headed out for several hours.”

The REI Editors’ Choice Awards are determined by months of field testing, evaluation and looking into manufacturing practices. The highest-scoring equipment and apparel are featured in Gear Guides, and the absolute best of the best are honored with an REI Co-op Editors’ Choice Award. The Pinnacle is also available in 4L, and Unisex and Women’s sizes.