{"id":351,"date":"2026-05-22T09:36:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T07:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/?p=351"},"modified":"2026-05-18T09:40:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T07:40:30","slug":"what-i-carry-running-vest-vs-mtb-backpack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/2026\/05\/22\/what-i-carry-running-vest-vs-mtb-backpack\/","title":{"rendered":"What I Carry \u2013 Running Vest vs. MTB Backpack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over time, I\u2019ve realized that what I carry on a run or a ride says a lot about how I approach it. Somewhere between \u201cjust heading out for a quick loop\u201d and \u201cthis could turn into a small adventure,\u201d there\u2019s a threshold where pockets just aren\u2019t enough anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s the point where the <strong>running vest<\/strong> or the <strong>MTB backpack<\/strong> comes into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Truly Minimal Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For short runs or rides close to home, I go as minimal as it gets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Garmin watch<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keys<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s basically it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I\u2019m in the mood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Headphones<\/strong>, with music directly from the watch<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No phone, no food, nothing else. Just out the door and go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Threshold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything beyond that depends on a mix of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>time out there<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>how far I am from home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>weather uncertainty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>how annoying it would be if something goes wrong<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once things move beyond \u201cI can be back quickly if needed,\u201d I switch modes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Running \u2192 vest<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MTB \u2192 backpack<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if I decide to take a vest or backpack, there\u2019s one rule that always applies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc49 <strong>First thing I pack: a small first aid kit. No exceptions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Running Vest Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The running vest is about staying light while still being reasonably prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Essentials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>First aid kit<\/strong> (always first in)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water \/ soft flasks<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phone<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ID + some cash<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nutrition<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>energy bar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>salt pills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Depending on the situation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Light jacket (weather dependent)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gloves \/ buff<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sunglasses<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GoPro + spare batteries<\/strong> (if I feel like filming something)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is simple: carry enough to feel safe, but not so much that it starts to annoy me after a few kilometers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MTB Backpack Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The backpack is a different story. Once you\u2019re on the bike, being unprepared can quickly turn into a problem. Mechanical issues are just part of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Essentials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>First aid kit<\/strong> (first thing in, again)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phone<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ID + cash<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nutrition<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>energy bar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>salt pills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bike-specific gear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Electric mini pump<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emergency tire fix foam<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spare tube<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spare valve<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tube patches \/ stickers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chain lock<\/strong><br>(only if I plan to stop somewhere for a while)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the stuff that turns a potential long walk home into a quick fix and continuing the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optional extras<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>GoPro + spare batteries<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jacket (often, especially with elevation)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gloves<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sunglasses<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Common Ground<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter if it\u2019s running or riding, once I go beyond the minimalist setup, a few things are always there:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>First aid kit<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phone<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ID + money<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Basic nutrition<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve definitely gone out too light before and felt it. And I\u2019ve also carried too much and ended up annoyed the whole time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So this is where I\u2019ve landed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Minimal = watch, keys (maybe music), nothing else<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Running \u2192 vest when needed<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MTB \u2192 backpack with tools<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not optimized, not perfect \u2014 but it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And yes\u2026 the first thing that goes in is still the first aid kit. Every time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over time, I\u2019ve realized that what I carry on a run or a ride says a lot about how I approach it. Somewhere between \u201cjust heading out for a quick loop\u201d and \u201cthis could turn into a small adventure,\u201d there\u2019s&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/2026\/05\/22\/what-i-carry-running-vest-vs-mtb-backpack\/\">Continue Reading &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"googlesitekit_rrm_CAow-4DgCw:productID":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/351","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=351"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":354,"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/351\/revisions\/354"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trailrunning.madmap.at\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}