R700 FAQs & Setup Guide

Congrats! You've secured the coveted R700 Hydration Vest. Now, it's time to put it to use. We've noted down a few common questions that we receive about the R700 below, as well as a few personal tips.

Do I need to clean the water bladder before using it?

We highly recommend giving both your water bladder and two soft bottles a good rinse + hang dry before using it.

To do this, slide off the water bladder lid, fill it with lukewarm water a few times, rinse it, and let it hang dry. Do the same for the soft bottles.

If you want, you can also use a little bit of bicarb soda + vinegar (or lemon juice) to give it an extra clean.

Some runners also like giving it a rinse with cordial too as it can get rid of that 'brand new' taste straight away.

How do I get water to flow from the hose?

You can call it a tube, a hose, whatever you like. The important thing is to get that water flow! Firstly remove the protective plastic cover.

With your hands you need to move the black plastic piece upward to unlock the water flow. After you've had a drink, push it back down to lock the water flow and avoid leaking.

To sip, simply place your mouth/teeth over the mouthpiece and apply some pressure to release the valve, and simply suck the water in.

If you're not used to this type of water bladder, it can take some time to get used to.

We've designed this hydration piece to restrict leakages. As you use it more you will likely experience more flow as the material softens just a little bit.

Which pockets do I put the soft bottles in?

You will notice on the left and right chest there is a really deep pocket. The soft bottles are designed to go in there so that they won't jump around while you're running.

If you're new to hydration vests, it takes time to get used to.

If you wear your new running hydration pack for the first time and it feels weird, just know that that is very normal!

Wearing a pack across your chest and carrying 2.9L of water when you've never done it before takes time to adjust.

For most people, it takes about 10 runs to really get the hang of.

Many runners get so used to it, they can't run without it. It feels naked to run without it!

Where do I store my phone?

There are actually two dedicated pockets for your phone. One on each side of the front of the vest. They are both water-resistant too, so you don't need to worry about sweat making its way in.

If you're worried as to whether your phone will fit, we've designed it so that the pockets are on an angle to reduce the risk of dropping your phone accidentally while taking it out of the zip.

Simply put it in on an angle, straighten it up once in the pocket and zip it closed!

Which compartment do I put my water bladder in at the back?

This is up to you, but we would suggest the middle compartment for ease of access and there is an extra layer between your body heat and the water bladder so that the temperature of the water doesn't rise too quickly.

How do I adjust the size of the pack?

There are four ways to adjust the pack to fit. We've designed this pack as a 'one size fits most' design. It won't fit everyone, but it should fit around 90-95% of people with our special design features.

There are two adjustable straps on the front of the vest. These can be tightened or loosened.

If you need to make more space, remove the hose clip and reposition it on the strap where it's not in the way of you tightening or loosening the vest.

On each side of the vest there is a stretchy adjustable clip that you can tighten, or loosen. This is effective in giving you more or less space on the sides of the vest and under the arms.

Is the R700 Hydration Vest reflective?

Yep, you bet. There's a bunch of reflective strips across the vest which makes it really easy to be seen at night.

One runner sent us a photo at the starting line of a race which started in the pitch black darkness and said how easy it was to spot the Runly runners because the vests were so beautifully reflective.

How do I clean the water bladder + soft bottles?

Similarly to how you cleaned them the first time, we would recommend giving it a good rinse each and every time you use them to maintain their longevity. 

Make sure you hang dry them out of direct sunlight.

How should I store my soft bottles?

Soft bottles are just as the name suggests, they are soft and not rigid like the water bladder. You do need to take some care when storing them.

After your soft bottles have been hung dry, store them flat and out of direct sunlight.

Don't fold them, don't keep them creased and especially don't fold them and keep them in the bottom of your bag to get crushed, that's how potential holes and wear and tear can occur.

How do I clean the actual vest?

We tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to caring for the vest. You've invested in a great running vest for yourself, so ensure that it's kept clean and well-maintained.

Remove the water bladder + soft bottles and simply dunk in a tub of lukewarm water. Let is soak for 5-10 minutes. You could use to use some very light eco-friendly soap, but it may not be necessary after each run. Rinse it off.

Hang dry and store flat, or hang from a clothes hanger.