The Best Run Commuter Pack In Existence
Also my favorite all around pack over the last several years.
Since I began my run commute journey several years ago, I have struggled to find the right pack. For years, I used my GoRuck GR1 with a couple sternum straps and a waist belt attached to it. It looked like I was running with a centipede strapped to my back with the amount of straps I had holding this thing in place.
Even though the GoRuck was serviceable, the abrasive fabric still hurt my shoulders, not to mention the pack being heavy on its own (4.5 lbs).
Then GoRuck came out with a new fabric on the back paneling. I decided to get the Bullet Ruck 16L one to give it a shot for run commuting.
It was okay but I still found that it wasn’t enough space for many days I would run. I felt like I had to get the perfect configuration of my items or it wouldn’t work.
There’s a few problems you can have with running with a backpack on. One is weight balance. If the weight is low and around your lower back, you’re going to get a lot of bounce and that’s no fun for your shoulders and back.
Another problem is comfort. Most packs do not design straps that are specifically for running. Most packs are either designed for hiking or they’re too small and designed for ultra marathon running. I could never find something that was in between. Most ultra marathon running vests are flimsy and designed to basically just carry water and gels for well… an ultra race.
Hiking packs are typically massive and have trouble compressing if they’re too big. Finding the right frame of a hiking pack for this can be difficult without getting road rash on your lower back.
Then one day, after I previously wrote an article about run commuting, someone from Substack DM’d me asking if I had ever heard of the Zip Running. I had never seen a pack like this. At first, when I saw the roll top design, I was skeptical. I’ve always been someone to use a pack with only zippers for the main compartment and the thought of having to unroll and re-roll every time made it look inconvenient.
Let’s just say my first impulses were wrong. Now let’s talk about why this might be one of my favorite backpacks ever.
Recently I have been able to test out the new Zip Running Commuter pack over the last month and I can tell that Zip Running took every detail seriously.
Zip Running Commuter Pack
At first when you look at the new Zip Running Commuter Pack, it look similar to the old first iteration. The big difference is when you start to look at the details. The first big one is the difference that the new one eliminated the classic sternum strap for webbing system similar to a Salomon pack. I own some Salomon packs and at first I thought this would have ruined the sternum support but I am happy to say I was wrong again. The webbing is far sturdier than Salomon’s webbing and better quality.
Another thing you may have noticed in the photos above is that the top part of the straps on the 2.0 look more like backpack straps and no longer have that pull straps. In my opinion, this was an improvement because what would often happen is if you pull the straps too far up on the 1.0 the straps would crumple at the top of your back, which wasn’t awful but made it slightly uncomfortable. The 2.0 completely solves this problem and eliminates it.
The inside compartments of both packs are about the same. Although, I’ll note that the 1.0 on the inside says it’s 20L and the 2.0 on the inside says it’s 15L but quite honestly, it’s not that noticeably different. Maybe the 2.0 does seem slightly shorter than the 1.0 but I can fit the same amount of things in it anyways.
Now I’m a sucker for details and I love this one. The 2.0 on the bottom has a little air valve that lets air out but does not allow water to get in. Little things like that can be the difference between feeling like you’re running with a balloon on your back or have all your gear properly decompressed. Another add that makes this design even better is the hidden compression straps within the water bottle pocket.
I can also confidently say that your gear will stay dry in the rain. I have run through some downpours and never had any water get inside the main compartment. I’m still paranoid and put my laptop in a dry bag but the dry bag has never shown any sign of water on the inside. The main material the pack is made out of dries fast as well.
More On The Design
A few years ago, I was skeptical of the roll top design of the pack. I was never a person who had used a backpack like this and thought I was set in my ways of using a pack with a zipper. The roll top design makes perfect sense for a running backpack. It allows you to shrink and expand the pack depending on what is inside and it also gives you better water resistance.
Other parts of this that I have not used is that you have the option to put in a hydration bladder as well a couple soft flasks. If I was going to do an intense self sufficient run, I would probably use it. In the meantime, I prefer to just stick a Nalgene water bottle in the pocket myself for most days (it’s never fallen out).
The front straps have two zipper pockets that you can stick a cellphone and wallet in each (one of them has a generous lengthy key holder).
There are also other small mesh pockets on the sides where you can stick a gel or anything you want in there that isn’t too valuable.
I have begun to use this pack for more than just run commuting. I use it for running errands, going on a run to the lake to just hang out and read a book and I plan to use it for any days I’m planning on doing an extended trail run. For a training run, I don’t need to have my super light Salomon Advanced Skin vest. I can pack this with some extra gear and take it casual. Sure, it’s a little heavier than an ultra marathon vest by about 1.5 lbs but when it’s nearly empty, it fits like a glove.
The Zip Running Commuter Pack is like the perfect marriage between a backpack and a race vest. It’s something that I wish I saw more of on the market now. The only company I’ve seen that’s even attempted something like this is maybe Janji with their new running pack or Ultimate Direction with some of theirs.
Here’s a link to the Zip Running Commuter Pack. It looks like it’s on preorder now so I would recommend to place yours soon!
It really looks cool, but I have to say the price is shocking me.