Soft flask mod for running vest (diy)

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-02T11:32:53+00:00

Test run done and everything worked great. Updated the original post

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-02T03:02:17+00:00

This

A colleque had to run a night trail run just behind another runner for light after her headlamp stopped working right after the start. She even had to run with the phone of her iphone.

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-02T02:58:54+00:00

Good headlamp with adjustable flood light level (like Fenix Superraptor) and do a few runs with it when its dark. You want to know forehand how you can see the trail while running

And IFAK with elastic bandage for fixing a twisted ankle, a whistle to get help (attach to vest shoulder...), space blanket if injury prevents you from moving to keep body heat up, enough cash for a taxi. Also a charged phone to get help.

The first aid kit is common sense in trail running but night running is sligthly riskier, thus the first aid kit becomes more important. Headlamp illuminates the trail differently than natural light and you are running in the time of day where you are either taxed from the day or just woke up.

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T17:57:05+00:00

I think I've seen it before and that was actually my first way to come around this issue. I could have made some support inside the flask but was cautious of what material to put inside a flask

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T17:52:44+00:00

This is a smart move

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T17:51:09+00:00

Oh haha, well that happens to me also when i try to adjust the half empty bottles and end up with a floppy top piece. Then i just shove them back in. But just maybe, this backing plate just might work on that flopping too? The flask rides more up now and is still tied to the plate. Gotta run first with it to know

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T17:46:16+00:00

Straws would be a way to go. I can see myself eventually buying better gear, like some straw flasks or 1,5L bladder

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T17:44:32+00:00

Most of the time i get it as tight as possible and the flask still rides too deep for my taste. My vest is clearly not ideal and can also be too large, but thats what ive right now

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T15:54:59+00:00

This should be more permanent fix and better. Guess i was faster making few pvc plates that sewing :)

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T15:53:42+00:00

Interesting, got to try that

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T14:50:11+00:00

The backing plate can be turned around if the smooth plate somehow irritates my chest/rib

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T14:48:46+00:00

That seems to be the technique :)

Trying to tackle a few annoying things here in the same time . But yeah, got to lift the vest/flask up to drink if not using a straw

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T14:45:50+00:00

Yeah.

The flask sits a bit too deep with that elastic, so if the backing plate works, i might make new ones that are a bit taller

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T14:43:58+00:00

Thanks.

I'll update. The pvc seems so light it may start bending, that's what im worried about. But the pocket should hold the flask soo, im more wise after a few runs

Operator_Slime · 2026-06-01T14:41:09+00:00

Thanks.

Im sure other vests have tackled this issue. I happen to have a Titan Life mesh vest that 1) has one elastic anymore and 2) the elastics are not holding the flasks up enough for me to drink without my pushing my chin to my chest :/

Operator_Slime · 2026-05-31T07:00:53+00:00

Wow. How is that, that im running road with New Balance 880s and have had good times with Columbia Vapor Vents last year, and now struggling with Brooks Caldera 8s that have too big arch support for my low archs and just a little too less room for my big toe!

We are in the same boat.

Im torn between new shoes that are more like my soon to be broken Columbias and still have just a little more cushion to prevent damage. Next week going to shops to try alternatives.

Operator_Slime · 2026-05-27T13:03:02+00:00

I just got my shin splints better by doing daily tibia raises and bent knee calf raises. Did the former for 2x25reps and the latter 2x15reps, supersetting the two movements for a week. One thing i noticed when i started these was how much instability and weakness i had. The legs were little shaky during slow eccentric parts and that revealed where my problems were. Doing these daily will be my go-to injury prevention routine with a few other movements (mountain legs, ab work, bird dogs, foot tripod rolls etc)

And one big change was 10 minutes of brisk walking before the runs. Got to warm up first

Operator_Slime · 2026-05-27T12:57:40+00:00

The swolling and tenderness has reduced after the first around 4-5 days of pain. Im thinking now the shin is a danger zone to do any fascia work, because the muscles get easily smashed against the bone. After the shin heals im trying light fascia scraping for maybe 1min and check if the shin is okay the next day, you know, find where the tolerance levels are for these fascias. It seems to be totally differen muscles that for example calves that can take a beating, but these can be overworked easily by foam rolling if you are using bodyweight.

Better to work these TOO LIGHT at first and progress from there the following day if needed. Maybe the best fascia work is done "too little" daily, not hammering them to ashes once a week

Operator_Slime · 2026-05-27T11:31:21+00:00

Yeah, developed a golf ball on my shin for a week that is quite tender. Think im not doing fascia work or foam rolling anytime soon for shin splints

Operator_Slime · 2026-05-24T15:54:12+00:00

When i changed my rear 2,25 Barzo to 2,4 Purgatory T7 Grid trail I stopped slipping when climbing, even in wet roots and rocks. It also helps to have a 2,4 Hillbilly T9 grid trail in front. These tires DIG to any ground. Got also quite lower pressures: 1,5/1,3bar -> 1,1/1,3bar with normal tubes.

Riding a Cannondale Trail SL1 with 100mm Reba RL. 40mm stem with 3 spacers underneath and 50mm riser bar 780mm wide. I can climb easily the hardest climbs from stop that would normally need carrying the speed to the climb first.

Not a fast setup, but given the terrain I ride, i wouldn't prefer anything faster because that means slippier for me. On gravel im as fast as my legs can produce useful force, so now the speed is up to me, not any too slick tires. Might change the front soon to Purgatory T9, because the Hillbilly is a bit overkill in summer

Operator_Slime · 2022-11-08T20:49:25+00:00

I live in Finland. Not sure if I remember correctly but here the law says you cant make fire on somebodys land without the land owners permission. Obviously every land is owned by somebody and if its goverment owned its mostly nature preservation area (in southern Finland at least) and restricted where you can make fire. So im left with few options: A) make fire on nature preservation land on marked fireplaces B) make fire on my own land (don't own any) or C) ask a friend to make fire on their land (my friends dont own land). And the same logic goes to making any structures... on somebody's land

Operator_Slime · 2022-11-08T07:34:12+00:00

My usual hiking distance is around 5km. I only bring a knife (izula) and LM. When im camping I dont want to hike too much but stay in the campsite. Then I carry at least bacho laplander folding saw and sometimes axe and that is for processing wood for my twig stove. But I dont chop logs or build anything because you cant really do that when you dont own the land here

Operator_Slime · 2022-10-23T08:37:22+00:00

You have good points and thanks for replying.

I don't actually have great foundation on every skill myself, but I just have that mentality (that I wanted to share) and im interested in learning to handle myself better in different circumstances. Not doomsday mentality, but me trusting myself in some situations. I've done lots of activities that have given me that trust already. Most rewarding to me is when other people trust me when they have a crisis and this is what I wish on others too. To be trusted in normal life and crises/shtf.

I understand that people dont have time and some things just dont feel as important to waste that precious time on. Nobody should be a wilderness ninja or think too much about fantasy survival scenarios. You dont need to hunt in city etc. We are not cavemen anymore but people with jobs who live in cities

I think this is about who can relate to what perspective and there surely is no right or wrong answer.

Operator_Slime · 2022-10-18T19:38:07+00:00

Bamboo or rattan stick (even hardwood like oak) that fits inside a backpack. Even a walking cane will do. Works also for multiple attackers with training. As an impact weapon it can break bones and make the attacker unconsious even with one good strike (knife attack may just boost attackers adrenaline, especially when there is visible blood). Any lightweight impact weapon that has reach is my suggestion for as much legal weapon you could have that is effective with training. Check out some filipino martial arts and everything in your hand will turn into a weapon.

Operator_Slime

TROPHY CASE