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Wellness finds to live better, not perfectly

One of our reviewers spent more than a month researching the top running vests—a literal vest you wear that is fitted with compartments to store things like hydration packs, gels, snacks, a wayfinding device, phone, and other gear (with an emphasis on hydration).

Runner and outdoor gear enthusiast Jessica Bernhard looked at over a dozen products and landed on the five customer favorites on the market right now. Just so you don’t have to, we took each vest on at least one short and one long run, logging sixty miles and twenty hours of running time.

Our top pick is the Salomon ADV Skin 5 Running Vest because it’s lightweight (“feels more like an extra layer than a vest”), has zero sloshing or bouncing (essential), contains two soft flasks, and carries a safety whistle. It’s $140, which is equivalent to about a nice pair of running shoes, but if you are running long distances, or in a warm climate, or have a health condition necessitating snacks and other items while working out, it’s a solid investment.

We also really liked the Nathan Pinnacle 12 Liter Hydration Race Vest (Best for Ultrarunners), Ultimate Direction Race Vesta / Vest 6.0 (Best for Racers), Osprey Dyna / Duro 1.5 Running Vest (Best for Trail Runners), and REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest (Best For Extended Sizes). You can read in more detail what we love about each in our review.

If running is not your favorite pastime (I can relate), these activity vests (I rebranded) also feel like a convenient investment for other workouts where you might get thirsty or snacky but don’t want to tote a whole ass backpack. If I’m out on a many-mile walk on the beach or on a long bike ride or hitting the trails, a lightweight vest with all my essentials is enticing. I also appreciate the ease of not having to reach around to my backpack every time I’m thirsty. And they’re kinda stylish.

AND, as one of my friends training for the New York marathon pointed out, water fountains were often closed and always unappealing during the pandemic (germs), and so she invested in a running vest and loves it.

Do you use a hydration vest? Respond with your favorite!

Melanie, editor at Nessie Sightings

PS—A final note about sizing and gender from our editors: Some running vest brands make women- and men-specific running vests, while others take a more unisex approach. You may want to take this into consideration if you’re wanting a vest that’s specially designed for your body shape and size. It probably goes without saying, but just because a vest is marketed to “women” or “men” doesn’t mean it’s designed with your unique shape in mind. When it doubt, head to a store and try on a couple of vests. Or, shop online and order two or three vests, returning the models that don’t work.

First Sightings 👀

I learned about Ruby, an organic sparkling beverage brand with no added sugar or acid. The website has funky little aliens on it, which is appealing to me, personally. Flavor options like blood orange and concord grape are also appealing to me, personally

I have been long anticipating journalist Rina Raphael’s book The Gospel of Wellness, which is now available. It explores the insidious side of the wellness industry with a focus on how it's seducing women to drop big bucks on self-care, revealing “how this obsession is a direct result of women feeling dismissed, mistreated, and overburdened.”

I came for the dinosaur illustrations, and stayed for the mess-free fruit bars in edible paper (these are technically for kids but I don’t see why an adult can’t enjoy them, too)

Can’t wait to try Halmi’s sparkling version of SuJeongGwa, a Korean cinnamon punch

This Reformation active minidress—the Milana Ecomove Dress—has somewhat of a cult following on TikTok. TBD on how effective it is at a high-intensity workout (the sweetheart neckline is really cute but I imagine a wardrobe malfunction doing a burpee), but it’s one of the more street style-aesthetics of the workout dress space

New Brightland olive oil alert: rosemary-forward Aurora

New Peloton equipment alert: A pretty (and pretty expensive) rowing machine. If you make rowing machines that are under $1,000 and fit for an apartment with minimal open space, hit me up

I’m so excited for Andrea Pons’ (you’ve seen her here before!) expanded edition of her MAMACITA cookbook, which is now available for pre-order. Pons says the generational recipes in the book “have allowed me to reconnect and heal my relationship to my Mexican heritage,” and believes “that food can be the bridge that allows us to speak up about immigration and create more empathy towards our migrant communities.”

New Therabody products alert: The $249 RecoveryTherm (customizable heat and vibrations on your back and core) and $199 SmartGoggles (these apparently use biometric sensors to find treatments to help with things like headaches, eye strain, and sleep issues)

Natreve makes plant-based protein powders, like this french vanilla wafer sundae one

Pisces is a deathcare company focused on aquamation: A water cremation described as “gentle, human, and eco-friendly”

All spices and swag are 15% off on Diaspora Co. right now (like their Baraka Cardamom, Naga Hills Hibiscus, and Kashmiri Saffron)

REI is also having a major sale right now on camping gear. This Poler 2+ person tent is 70% off, and this discontinued green REI sleeping bag for two is 50% off

When I think of medicine cabinet aesthetic, it’s essentially a CVS aisle vomited into my shelving system, a big question mark on whether that bottle is a relic from a decade’s past or good to consume. My long-winded introduction to Cabinet, which makes minimalist, refillable OTC medicine essentials. The brand has starter sets for allergy relief, cold & flu, digestive health, pain relief, and sleep & stress.

Shoutout to this week’s Scouts for their tips! Ness social strategist Sydney K. was drinking a Chobani Complete during one of our meetings this week. I hadn’t heard of the lactose-free (!), probiotic-filled Thicc Drinks (like a kefir), but am ready to head to my nearest Target to try the Banana Cream flavor. My other colleague Sara H. described it as like “a grownup Danimals”

Amy Z. shared Laird Superfood, a plant-based creamers and coffee (and snacks, etc.!) brand started by big wave surfer Laird Hamilton. Specifically, she shared their Super Adaptogen Blend, which is a limited-run product that’s currently 15% off

And grateful to my friend Maria H. for sharing a meme on her IG stories which ultimately led me to Brad Pitt’s genderless skincare line. I would say it is inclusive except that the anti-aging serum is $385. If you do happen to have enough disposable income to try a product “enriched with two vine flower sister cells”, let me know how it is

👀 Be one of our scouts! 👀

Did you spot a cool new (to the world or just to you!) wellness product? Are you a brand dropping something cool soon?

In the wild 🌾

Cooking chicken in Nyquil: Still very bad

Jergens tapped a group of BIPOC skin and beauty experts for its Glow Collective to figure out what its “glow” products means for non-white consumers. The brand has, to date, catered to Caucasians with its fake tanning line, but thanks to the collective’s input, will drop a Melanin Glow product

Meta is in hot water over its collection of sensitive medical data, like doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, and medical conditions

A closer look at the aforementioned Cabinet and how it’s trying to get rid of single-use plastics in your bathroom, a major sustainable pivot in the pharmaceuticals industry

Fact-checkers found that there’s misinformation in 20% (!!) of TikTok videos found through the app’s search engine

A recent survey from CFO’s The Balance newsletter found that only a small percentage of respondents felt that their companies actually cared about their well-being, with few accessing or even aware of employer-sponsored stress-management programs. A tip for employers: Make accessing these programs easy, convenient, and affordable. When you’re burnt out, you don’t want to jump through hoops to find some support.

An interview with the 24-year-old, first-time US Open ball boy who was on the court during Serena Williams’ final win

Unsurprised and appalled to learn that sexual violence survivors have been paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket on average for related emergency room visits

An independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention in the U.S. just recommended routine anxiety screenings for adults under 65

Audiologists tested telemedicine as a way to diagnose and treat hearing loss in a rural Alaskan town, where specialized in-person care is hard to come by

Appreciate this take that egg freezing—a physically taxing, expensive, far-from-guaranteed procedure—is not for everyone

A deal! 💸 And a challenge! 🏆

On Monday 9/26, obé is kicking off its CORE Challenge. Here’s how it works: Start the Challenge, do one 10-15 minute Express class each day for two weeks (complete by 10/10!) and you’ll get one free month of personalized vitamins from Care/of. If you’re not already an obé member, readers can get the first month free with the code OBENESS or at this link.

There are four class types in this challenge: Pilates Core, Sculpt Core, Strength Core, and Stretch Core. I’m going to be doing it, BTW! And I’ll give little candid updates in each issue on how my journey strengthening my obliques, pelvic floor, lower back muscles, and abs is going. If you’re also going to join in, my inbox is open for thoughts and feelings

We write for people looking for approachable health and wellness finds and insights. All products and services are independently selected to provide recommendations you can trust. We may receive commission on purchases made from some of our links, but that’s not why we’re here. We just want to help you find good stuff.