Article by Nico Wagner
SCOTT RC PRO TR' 4 Hydration Vest (129,95 € )
Pros
- Super breathability & light color for hot days
- All pockets are super accessible while running
- Quiver compatible
- Zero bounce
Cons
- Flask size: slightly shorter than 'normal' (Salomon) flasks, I wish this was the same for all manufacturers
- The front open elastic pockets could be a little deeper
Stats
Weight: 130 gr.
Volume: 4 Liter
Sizes: XS - S - M - L/XL
2 Scott Soft Flasks (500ml) included
Available now for 129,95 € at Scott Sports
First Impressions and Fit
The low weight is noticeable as soon as you unpack it - the vest weighs just 130 grams. The material feels robust, stretchy and at the same time very breathable. I particularly like the light color for races or runs on hot summer days, as sonothing heats up unnecessarily.
The Fit
I am 1.79 m tall, weigh around 70 kg and have a chest circumference of 94 cm. According to Scott's size chart, this puts me exactly in size S, which is what I tested.
Fits like a glove. The vest hugs the upper body well and thanks to the easily adjustable chest straps, nothing wobbles (even when the flasks are full and it's a technical downhill on the run). Even with a mid-layer or rain jacket underneath, there is still enough room to move without it getting overly tight.
Features and Storage Management
Scott has given the vest a well thought-out layout. The stated 4 liter volume really does feel like 4 liters, so you shouldn't expect a space miracle. But the storage space is absolutely sufficient for the intended purpose. I had no problem storing everything I needed for a race with mandatory equipment (first aid kit, rescue blanket, rain jacket, arm warmers, leg warmers etc.) and food.
All pockets are accessible without having to contort yourself or take off your vest.
Front: Here you will find the two pockets for the supplied 500 ml soft flasks. These can be easily secured with an elastic band. Underneath are two elastic, open pockets for gels or bars and two zippered pockets above. My iPhone fits in here well and is therefore safely stowed away.
Poles: The poles can be attached vertically at the front. Those who prefer to use a quiver will be pleased to hear that the vest is compatible with it. A small emergency whistle is also integrated.
Back: At the back there is a large, vertically open compartment for mandatory equipment and a light jacket and above it the aforementioned pocket, which is horizontally accessible from both sides.
Summary & Recommendations
The new SCOTT RC PRO TR 4 is super light, fits superbly and has great breathability. The feel and the close fit remind me a lot of one of my long-time favorites, the Salomon Sense Pro 5. For fast training runs or competitions it is an absolute recommendation. However, when I go into detail, there are two small things that I would like to see changed:
Firstly, the open compartments at the front could be a tad deeper.
The second concerns the soft flasks. Scott's are a little shorter than the "standard bottles" that we are used to from Salomon, for example. This is not a problem in itself, the bottles supplied are great. But over the years, most of us accumulate a lot of bottles from different brands. So if I want to use a different bottle, it doesn't fit quite so perfectly in the pockets provided. A uniform standard from all manufacturers would be desirable.
Despite these minor criticisms, the vest is a very good product. If you're looking for a lightweight, stable and well thought-out race vest, this is the one for you. And for those who need more space for longer adventures, there is a 10 liter model.
SCOTT RC PRO TR 4 Hydration Vest Available now for 129,95 € at Scott Sports
Tester
Nico Wagner (Innsbruck, ~70kg, middle and forefoot runner). My running career began in the classic way with road running. To make my training more varied, I have occasionally explored the trails around the Kahlenberg in the north of Vienna. After moving to Innsbruck in 2020 and my enthusiasm for the mountains, I now mainly run on the trails of the Innsbruck Nordkette and have taken part in various events such as the Grossglockner Ultra Trail or the Innsbruck Alpine at different distances (20-85 km). In the off-season and in winter, I also like to spend my time ski touring, mountaineering or climbing.
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