Article by Jeremy Marie
Instinct X10 running vest (150€)
Introduction
Jeremy: We’ve just presented the Instinct Trail brand in our Instinct Reflex belt review, one of the best high capacity, bounce free running belts available, so I won’t go into more details on the ethos of Sean Van Court, Instinct’s founder and constant innovator. Function drives form seems to be his main idea, with clever solutions and especially well-thought pockets disposition and accessibility.
The X10 Running vest sits at the sweet spot of the brand’s pack offering, which goes from the minimal PX 3.1L to the highly functional, high volume Alpi 40L that Sam will review. Their lineup is really extensive and should allow everyone to find precisely the volume and features they need.
One of the distinctive features of Instinct’s offering is their Ergo Quiver II: a never seen double quiver with each holding only one pole, and positioned in diagonal at the back by framing the volume of the larger pockets. I’ll discuss this solution later on but the brand new take on a now classic solution proves how outside of the box thinking can bring improvements even to simple things.
Sean himself suggested the X10 two days before UTMB’s CCC which I raced…after a short “validation run”. Yep, I was this confident. What follows is my detailed review of the X10
Specs
Offering a 10L capacity, the X10 weighs 297g, which is in the upper range of comparable packs. The double quiver adds 70g.
There are no sizes, as for the rest of the backpack lineup: the fit relies solely on the “double S” elastic cords on the sides, and the two front, non elastic chest straps that can slide up and down more than 20cm, as they’re positioned on “rails”.
The front pockets are similar on left and right straps, the former just adding an upper 100mL zipped pocket which hides the security whistle.
The front pockets offer: Two large flask pockets with elastic cord at the top, two highly stretchable mesh pockets at the bottom and, under those, what may be the best zipped, phone compatible pockets I’ve seen in a vest, and on both sides.
Those pockets are directly against the ribs, but position their content perfectly flat, avoiding any pressure point. They both go quite high, actually almost 5cm under the flask pockets, so that big phones fit easily in. Taking a smartphone in and out of them is a breeze given their stretch, and even with the upper nutrition pocket filled with bars and gels. The zippers all slide easily with a nice, easy to grab cord to manipulate them.
There are also elastic cords to hold poles at the front if it’s your favorite location.
At the bottom back, we also find those pole holders' elastic cords, both for vertical and low horizontal positioning (under the pack).
An easy to find, one-side entry kangaroo pocket sits as the lowest part of the X10L, and two large open mesh pockets sit above each other, with diagonal disposition.
Depending on your shoulder flexibility, grabbing their content is possible without taking the pack off.
A main 4 liter U-Shaped zippered main compartment acts as the main back storage. You also get one of trademark features of Instinct packs the 800mL top pocket, with its top opening allowing you to easily get and store your rain jacket for instance. It’s equipped with two auto blocking elastic cords to secure its content.
Finally, underneath all this, there’s a vertical 2L top access pocket with a securing buckle and a velcro strap which is ideal for a hydration bladder…or more stuff should you need to.
That’s it for a very well-thought pockets disposition and accessibility, and personally the offered volume is very comfortable even for ultra races with a long list of mandatory equipment, as is the case for UTMB races.
All those pockets use a 4 dimensions stretchable mesh, but, as with the Reflex belt, it’s almost entirely horizontally stretchable, with just a little bit in the vertical direction. The reason for this is exactly the same: it allows for huge volume in apparently limited space, it perfectly secures its content and most of all, it greatly minimizes bounce while running.
Fit and impressions
Jeremy: Let’s talk first about the fit, as with a one size fits all approach, it’s probably the main aspect that raises questions.
I’ve seen the X10 perfectly fitting Sean Van Court, who is taller and (way !) more fit than me, and thinner too. Me, with my 104cm chest and…more build up stature, so to speak…the X10 also fits perfectly.
The stretchable materials, the long sternum straps and especially the elastic cords on both sides with their “double S” shape all act formidably well to ensure a secure fit, close to the body but in no way constraining.
Directions for adjusting the pack are simple: first set up the front straps, position them at the required height , and then adjust the side cords using the auto-blocking feature. And voilà !
The materials are soft, and with no hard nor rigid parts comes no chafing or pressing against the body. Comfort is really high and despite the bag being brand new. I never felt it during more than 7h of my half CCC (DNFed due to COVID leftovers…).
Nutrition, gloves, buff, poles, waterproof jacket, pants, base layer…and still room left
Flasks are positioned quite high at the front, but this makes sipping really easy on the run. They don’t move too much, but are not as tightly held as in Salomon Sense Pro packs for instance.
The top elastic cords help them not collapse down into the pocket. The advantage of having a more “standard” shape for these pockets is that they can be used with flasks from other brands. I’ve successfully used a Camelbak 500mL flask, replacing the 600mL Instinct flasks. This is a choice I cannot really explain from Instinct: why they use a non-standard volume for their flasks ? Ok you’ll get 100mL more liquid per flask, but we’re used to half-liter ones now so…I don’t find the larger size brings a real advantage.
Instinct flasks have a very cylindrical shape, and a very large opening, easing refill at aid stations or at home. The valve has a moderate flow, more in line with Camelbak's, which is sensibly less than with Salomon flasks. It requires a bit more effort, but it also limits unexpected leaks….Compromises…
The nutrition pockets, despite their apparent limited size, hold an astonishing amount of food. I’ve put 5 bars and two gels in one, and purees and more gels in the other one. They stretch a lot, always more horizontally than vertically, and their content is perfectly secured.
All these fits in one front pocket
I find them to be nicely positioned and easy to reach, and that’s the same for the two underlying zipper pockets which I’ve already praised. My iPhone 12 easily fits in, as does my wife’s 14 Plus. Items you put in them do not impair the amount of stuff you can put in the above stretch mesh pockets also, nor the flasks that come above this zipped pocket content.
The only pocket which does not really convince me is the tiny zipper pocket on the top of left shoulder strap. But I have the same feeling about that exact same pocket on Salomon Sense Pro 10 .
The X10 lacks side pockets, as the double-S elastic cords are located there, but I’ve never missed this space. And I actually appreciate the lack of items and bulk here, as it totally frees arms movement.
The back side of the pack is an equal homerun for me. The main U-shaped zipper pocket allows one to put all the “mandatory but will probably not use” equipment, ideally in ziploc bags to protect them from getting wet.
Both external pockets above the main one store a fair amount of equipment also, and can be accessed while running, more or less. The stretchiness of the mesh still makes wonders here and it’s possible to stuff them with additional layers, gloves, headlamp, or even more nutrition.
My favorite feature is the top pocket which makes taking a waterproof jacket on and off a breeze, thanks to the global high positioning of the pocket on the pack.
Finally, the double Ergo Quiver. What I found being a bit gimmicky at first proved to be an astounding invention. It’s just a little bit longer to put poles in a separated quiver than in a standard one, but you gain a lot of stability and balance, as the load is symmetrically arranged.
Plus, as each quiver only has one pole to hold, you don’t need to fasten it to avoid movement. Just put the pole in and you’re good to go, without movement, noise, nothing.
The only drawback I found is that they impair access to the kangaroo pocket located back down the X10 rear.
On the run the X10L is perfectly stable, no matter the amount of equipment you load it with. I used for CCC, so quite full, as well as for training runs after that with only 2 flasks, a bit of nutrition and a phone, and I’ve never felt I had “too much” on my back.
This proves that spec weight is just that, a spec weight, and it does not tell much on how the pack will feel on the run. The side cords are the real trick here, allowing you to tighten the pack without constraining the body at all. As those are elastic, they move with your thoracic cage movements, hence they do not impair breathing and cage expansion at all, while still holding the pack tight to the body.
I’m just a bit bothered by the amount of elastic cords here and there, but this is a compromise to allow everybody to put poles where they prefer. And there are loops in order to tuck the cords in and limit their movement. Once again, proof of the attention to details that is put in Instinct’s packs. Reflectivity is excellent, with many reflective additions to loops all around the pack.
Conclusions:
As you might have guessed by now, I find instinct’s X10 pack to be amongst the best I’ve tried, and even better than the Salomon Sense Pro 10, and I’ve been a big fan of Salomon backpacks for years.
The X10 is perfectly stable on the run, widely adjustable, and offers a really well-thought-out pockets disposition, each being easily reachable and usable.
Functionality is key here, and the craftsmanship of the bag oozes quality and durability. The pockets allow for a huge storage of food and other items, the zippers all slide easily, and Instinct’s trademark features, the double quiver and the top pocket at the back, are incredibly efficient and useful on the run.
The high positioning of the pack as well as the “naked” more open sides free arms movement and this is something I appreciate a lot, as I swing my arms a lot when going downhill.
I have a hard time finding real flaws with this pack, and if the rest of the lineup is at this level I think Instinct’s going to also be a hit in the US once they’ll be more widely available there later this year.
Comparisons
Salomon Sense Pro 10 (RTR review): My go-to pack for years, which came after the Slab Sense 8 which was my previous go-to pack, which already followed another Salomon pack…well you got it, I’m a real fan of Salomon packs. I love the very large and stretchy front pockets, the soft fabric used, and of course its minimal weight. The X10, I think, surpasses it in almost every aspect, except for weight and maybe flask holding…but the Sense Pro is limited to Salomon’s flask, and the difference is really minimal.
Camelbak Zephyr Pro (RTR review): A pack I wanted to like more, but I think it falls short on pockets volume, especially at the front, and disposition. The back kangaroo pocket is not secured enough due to its shape, and the front pockets disposition is not good: once the flasks are in, they eat the space available for nutrition in the dedicated pockets…and that’s still without a phone in here. Lack of stretch in those pockets kills them, IMO. The hideable quiver is funny but actually has no point: you either use it, or not. And if not, why would you keep it in the bag?
There’s no discussion here, the X10 is a way better thought out pack.
Sean Van Court, Instinct Founder presents the Instinct Line at UTMB 2024 (6;39)
The Instinct X10 L & the rest of Instinct Trail line is available now (US end of 2024)
Jeremy MARIE, French, 44y/o. Running since 2013 and quickly transitioned to trails, focused on ultras since 2015 : TDS, Maxi-Race, “100 miles du Sud”, 90 kms du Mt Blanc, GRP 120 kms, Some shorter more mellow races (Saintelyon 45 kms, Ecotrail Paris 45 kms…) with always in the mix road and flat running, but not many road races. Also active cyclist and 70.3 Ironman. Recovery/easy runs ~4’45/km - 4’30/km. He has an un-official marathon PR of 2h54 (solo) and 10K PR of 36’25. He does few timed road races.
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
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Are these hard flasks or soft flasks? If the former, do soft flasks also work with this pack?
Hello Todd, 5anls for reading the review. Those are soft flasks, 600mL, and the pockets work with other flasks too (Camelbak, and the Salomon speed, which are a bit taller but it’s ok).
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