Raide Research LF 5L Running Vest Review

Living in Alaska, a place with notoriously bad weather and possibly even more notorious apex predators, my everyday kit for a local trail run may be more substantial than most. If I’m heading into the alpine of the Chugach Mountains behind my home, that kit includes gloves, buff, wind or rainshell, food and water, and bear spray, plus trekking poles or an ice axe, layers, fuel, and hydration.

To carry all this kit, I need something light, with enough capacity for my essentials, and well-constructed enough to carry it bounce-free. Enter the Raide Research LF 5L.

Raide Research has developed a cult following over the last few years among mountain athletes. It makes some of the most well-engineered, highest-quality pack-and-carry systems on the market, including the revolutionary LF 2L belt. In its first move into the running vest market, the LF 5L continues Raide’s legacy.

In short: The Raide Research LF 5L is a premium, mountain-focused running vest built for long days where efficiency, bounce-free stability, and thoughtful organization matter. Its 5L capacity strikes an excellent balance with multiple stretch storage pockets for easy access, innovative vertical back pockets for trekking poles, ice axe, or additional water flasks, and an excellent sternum strap compression system. It does have flaws. The vertical carry system may be uncomfortable with trekking poles. The snap dividers also opened when carrying full water bottles.

Raide Research LF 5L Running Vest Review

Design and Construction

The Raide Research LF 5L is built for runners who want the carrying capacity of a running vest without the bulk, bounce, or instability that often come with larger-volume packs. Every aspect of this vest’s construction prioritizes low weight, breathability, and bounce-free load carrying, resulting in a vest that remains comfortable whether carrying a few essentials or packed to its full 5L capacity.

The foundation of the LF 5L is its 100% Dyneema mesh. Dyneema is one of the strongest fibers available by weight, allowing Raide to create an exceptionally light vest that maintains its shape and tension under load while maximizing airflow across the back and shoulders.

The pockets and main compartment of the pack are made of 20-denier Dotair Fabric composed of a recycled nylon-spandex blend. This provides excellent stretchability while keeping items snug and secure without stretching out. This apparel-inspired material provides significantly more stretch and ventilation than thicker materials, allowing the pack to conform closely to the body without restricting movement.

Chest Tension System

The LF 5L has an integrated chest tension system that connects directly to the front flask pockets. Tightening the sternum straps compresses the flasks and the front of the vest simultaneously, dramatically reducing bottle movement and bouncing.

Internal side adjustments further fine-tune the fit. Even when fully loaded, the LF 5L remains secure whether scrambling over technical terrain or pounding mountain descents.

Rear Storage

The rear storage system is, without a doubt, the most unique and innovative that I’ve seen. Raide has developed what it calls a flex carry system. This consists of two vertical compartments that can adapt to different objectives and needs. They can serve as an integrated pole quiver or ice axe carrying system for alpine missions, or carry additional soft flasks and extra layers for long days on the trail.

Snaps allow these vertical pockets to be segmented or opened to access the lower compartment of the pack, increasing capacity as needed. They are closed at the top by a simple elastic loop.

A large rear passthrough pocket features internal silicone grip dots that prevent layers and gear from shifting while running. Items are easily grabbed from this pocket while on the go. A small zippered compartment protects valuables such as a headlamp or a cellphone.

Combined with two included 600mL HydraPak locking flasks and the ability to carry up to 3 L of water, the LF 5L blends premium materials with thoughtful engineering to create one of the lightest and most capable running vests on the market.

In the Field

I tested the Raide Research LF 5L on the trails and mountains in the Chugach Mountains surrounding my home in Anchorage, Alaska. Over the course of 2 months, I covered over 100 miles. Adventures included multi-peak traverses, 2-hour trail runs, and daily training workouts.

During my testing, I experimented with the pack, from trying different gear carrying configurations to intentionally overstuffing it. My real-world use creates an accurate analysis across a range of conditions. I also tinkered with the pack in a more lab-like setting to isolate specific aspects of the pack I was seeking to examine.

What I Loved

What sets the LF 5L apart from the pack, and this goes for all Raide products that I’ve used, is innovative materials and an extremely well-thought-out design. You can tell that the designers at Raide spent many painstaking hours thinking out every aspect.

The Dyneema construction makes the LF 5L one of the most breathable, durable vests I’ve tested. While breathability usually comes with the tradeoff of durability, not so in the LF 5L. On hot summer runs, I wasn’t plagued with the dreaded sweat-soaked back so common in other vests. Instead, the Dyneema mesh helped to wick moisture away, keeping me cool.

The LF 5L’s front pockets, combined with an innovative sternum strap system, carry water flasks extremely well, avoiding all bouncing. I love this vest for hot weather runs especially, but it is great for any occasion where I need to carry more items for longer days on foot.

Room for Improvement

During my testing, the biggest area of improvement I encountered was in the design of the two vertical rear pockets known as the flex carry system. While I was initially very excited about the opportunity ot have a built-in pole quiver, I quickly found that it did not work quite as well as hoped.

When the rear zippered pocket and pass-through pockets were full, I struggled to fit my trekking poles all the way into the sleeve without them hanging out and flopping while running. When the rear pockets were empty, and I could push the poles all the way down, I was troubled by chafing from the poles. The thin material offered little protection between the poles and my back, leaving me with a large chafe mark on my middle back.

Designed as a way to carry extra water capacity, I also found that the flex carry system fell short. Snap buttons at the bottom of each vertical sleeve keep the pockets segmented. But with the weight of a full water flask, these buttons came undone, leaving the bottle to slump to the bottom of the pocket and out of reach.

While an excellent idea in theory, the flex carry system could use some improvement, namely with some strategic padding to be able to carry poles more comfortably, and a stronger snap system to keep bottles in place.

Conclusion

In their first move into the running vest market, Raide continues its legacy of innovative design and high-quality materials in the LF 5L vest. In an already crowded market, the LF 5L is a unique product. I loved how light and durable it is, thanks to its Dyneema construction.

Thoughtful features, such as an ice axe carry system, a safety whistle, and included locking 600mL soft flasks, demonstrate Raide’s commitment to backcountry travel and attention to detail.

In its first iteration, it does come with a few quirks, namely in its vertical back pockets known as the flex carry system. With a few small improvements, such as a stronger snap system for compartment segmentation and strategic padding to prevent chafing while carrying poles, the LF 5L would only enhance its current successes.

Made with premium materials, this vest comes at a premium price. Those willing to invest in this top-shelf product will be rewarded with a vest sure to hold up to years of use and function to the highest degree.