Dynafit is best known for ski touring and high-alpine gear, but the Austrian brand has also carved out a real place in trail running in recent years. The Ultra 12 vest proves it: 190 grams, 12 liters and a price well below the specialist competition. Here's what it's really worth over long distances.
© Dynafit, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Dynafit Ultra 12 is a 12 L trail running vest built for long distances and ultras, with 12 smartly distributed pockets and a removable waterproof pocket for your smartphone. At 190 g, it's one of the lightest vests in its volume class, at a price well below the Salomon or Ultimate Direction benchmarks. Its weak spot is access to the back pockets, which is less intuitive than on competing vests.
Founded in Austria in the 1950s, Dynafit first made its name in ski touring and light alpinism, then spent the past few years building a full trail running line, led by the Ultra collection. The Ultra 12 vest is one of its pillars. Designed specifically for long distances and ultra trail, it goes straight after the 10-12 L vests from specialist brands like Salomon and Ultimate Direction, with one hard-to-beat argument: a much lower price for the same weight or less.
The snow leopard logo on the back and pockets isn't just a design choice. It reflects the brand's commitment, since 2007, to protecting this endangered species, a core part of Dynafit's identity.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dynafit |
| Model | Ultra 12 Running Vest |
| Type | Unisex long-distance and ultra trail running vest |
| Weight | 190 g |
| Volume | 12 L |
| Pockets | 12 storage spaces in total |
| Soft flasks included | 2 x 500 mL (dedicated side pockets) |
| Hydration bladder | Compatible with a 1.5 L bladder (not included) |
| Waterproof pocket | Removable, for smartphone and valuables |
| Pole holder | 3 attachment systems (front, vertical back, V-shaped back) |
| Sizes | XS to XL, unisex |
| Material | Non-stretch mesh, PFAS-free |
| Price | From €130 |
© Dynafit, official photo used for editorial purposes
The number is almost a marketing wink, but it reflects real design logic. On the runner's left side: a small closed, breathable pocket, a flask sleeve and two large stretch side pockets. On the right side: an open pocket for your safety whistle, a flask sleeve and two large side pockets, one of them zippered. On the back, two large stacked compartments. The first opens from the top and the bottom (ideal for a rain jacket or a hydration bladder). The second, an outer overflow pocket, is harder to reach and best kept for gear you rarely touch during a race.
A real differentiator: a removable waterproof pocket tucked into the back, fully sealed off, designed for a smartphone or ID when it rains. That's the kind of detail that truly matters on a multi-hour ultra in wet weather.
© Dynafit, official photo used for editorial purposes
On the trail, the first thing you notice is the lightness: at 190 g, the Ultra 12 clearly disappears on your back compared with heavier vests of the same volume. Loaded with two soft flasks, a rain jacket slipped into the back compartment and a few gels, the vest stays put like a second skin, thanks to a fabric that hugs your torso without excess stiffness.
The side and front pockets are a real strength. They're easy to reach and hold their contents snug against your body with no bounce, a detail many competitors don't handle as well. The flasks slide in without forcing, even with a loaded vest, and the wide neck makes it easy to refill with isotonic drink powder on the move.
The downside, flagged by several French testers, is at the back. The large back pocket is manageable, but the overflow pocket above it is much less practical, and the side zip on the back pockets asks for an awkward arm movement mid-run. Another thing to watch: loaded only with the flasks up front and no counterweight at the back, the vest tends to tip slightly forward. That imbalance goes away as soon as you add a hydration bladder or some gear at the back.
RunMorph's tip: always fill at least one back compartment of the Dynafit Ultra 12, even lightly, to balance the weight of the front flasks and avoid that tipping feeling on fast descents.
© Dynafit, official photo used for editorial purposes
Both vests target exactly the same volume and the same ultra-distance use, which makes this a particularly telling head-to-head. The Salomon S/Lab Ultra 12 benefits from a highly refined SensiFit fit and a low back pocket you can reach from the side, but it costs a lot more. The Dynafit Ultra 12 matches most of the key features (soft flasks included, bladder compatibility, multi-position pole holder) at a slightly lower weight and about 70 euros less.
| Criterion | Dynafit Ultra 12 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 190 g | 205 g (empty) |
| Volume | 12 L | 12 L |
| Price | From €130 | €200 (€230 with quiver) |
| Soft flasks included | 2 x 500 mL | 2 x 500 mL |
| Dedicated waterproof pocket | Yes, removable | No |
| Back pocket access | Side zip, needs work | Low pocket reachable from the side |
On a tight budget for a first ultra or a full season of long trail races, the Dynafit clearly comes out on top. If you want the most refined fit on the market and money isn't an issue, the Salomon keeps a slight edge in comfort on technical descents.
Just 190 g for 12 L, among the lightest in its class. Much cheaper than the Salomon and Ultimate Direction benchmarks. 12 well-designed pockets, with very accessible side and front pockets. Unique removable waterproof pocket for your smartphone and ID. 3 different pole-carrying systems.
Back pockets harder to reach than the front ones. Back-pocket zips need an awkward movement while running. Slight tendency to tip forward without counterweight at the back. Brand still little known among mainstream trail runners in France.
© Dynafit, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Dynafit Ultra 12 is aimed first at runners preparing for a long run or an ultra trail who want a complete, light, well-organized vest without paying the price of the established specialist brands. Its 12 pockets and waterproof pocket make it a solid ally for self-sufficiency over several hours of effort.
The Dynafit Ultra 12 shows that the Austrian brand has done its homework on long-distance trail: low weight, smart organization and a sensible price make it a credible alternative to the segment benchmarks. The only real fix needed is the ergonomics of the back pockets, which take some getting used to.
RunMorph verdict: 8/10. An excellent ultra trail vest with a very convincing weight-to-price ratio, as long as you accept back access that's a little less direct than on premium rivals.