A 5-litre vest for fast runs and a 12-litre pack for ultras, all in one product. The Inov-8 Ultrapac Pro 2in1 promises to spare you from buying two different packs. Out on the trail, that versatility comes at a price, and not just in euros.
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Ultrapac Pro 2in1 pairs a 5-litre running vest with a removable 7-litre compartment secured at 4 anchor points, giving you an adjustable volume of 5 to 12 litres depending on the run. The two included 500 ml soft flasks with long straws let you drink without slowing down, but one tester who compared this range with other packs on the market found the bite valves need work. List price sits around 155 to 180 euros depending on the French retailer, while street prices are much lower (108 to 157 euros), which changes the value equation entirely.
Picking a trail pack usually runs into the same dilemma: a light 5-litre vest is plenty for a short trail or a marathon, but too tight for a self-supported ultra. Inov-8 tackles the problem with the Ultrapac Pro 2in1, an evolution of the Race Ultra Pro 2in1 released in 2025, which improves comfort, fit and on-the-move pocket access over the previous generation.
The concept is the same as its predecessor: a 5-litre vest that works on its own for short runs or races, and a 7-litre compartment that clips on in seconds at 4 anchor points to reach 12 litres for long days out. One piece of kit for two uses, instead of paying for two separate packs.
| Brand | Inov-8 |
| Model | Ultrapac Pro 2in1 |
| Type | Modular trail pack, vest + removable compartment |
| Volume | 5 litres alone, 12 litres with the 7-litre compartment attached |
| Approximate weight | 330 g (full 12 L setup) |
| Hydration included | 2 soft flasks of 500 ml, long straws |
| Compartment attachment | 4 anchor points, quick on and off |
| Pole storage | Front and rear pole holders |
| Sizes | S (81-93 cm chest), M (89-102 cm), L (97-109 cm) |
| Accessories included | Cup, whistle, reflective details |
| List price | 155 to 180 euros depending on the French retailer |
| Street price (France, 2026) | 108.50 to 157 euros depending on promotions |
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
The base vest carries most of the total weight once the rear compartment comes off, which makes it a running vest almost as light as a dedicated short-distance model. The 7-litre compartment attaches to the back of the vest at 4 anchor points and locks in place with an extra safety button. A full-length zip lets you get into the compartment without detaching it, and two side bungee cords compress the load to limit bounce once the pack is full.
The extra compartment also takes a bladder (sold separately) on top of the vest's two flasks, pushing total hydration capacity well beyond the 2 x 500 ml supplied out of the box. Pole storage is built in both at the front of the vest and at the back of the compartment, a welcome touch for runners who switch between carrying and using poles on the same route.
Despite extensive research, we found few French-language field tests dedicated to this exact model: the product is still fairly new and technical, and the available feedback comes mainly from English-language buying guides, backed up by the editorial product page of a specialist French outdoor retailer that singles this pack out as a staff pick for its originality and versatility.
One independent test bench, winner of a "trail gear of the year" award from a specialist magazine, describes sternum and rib adjustments that keep bounce in check, with one caveat on sizing: on a slim female frame, even the S still feels a bit big. A second independent review, written by a running physiotherapist who tested the pack over several long runs, confirms very stable carry once the vest is dialled in, but flags two concrete issues: the flask valves need harder sucking than other models the same author has tested, and back ventilation is only average once the 7-litre compartment is loaded and attached.
Both independent reviews agree on the essentials: a 2in1 system that delivers on its versatility promise and a fit that works well overall, with consistent reservations about flask ergonomics and ventilation in the full setup. These are details, not deal-breakers.
| Ultrapac Pro 2in1 | Salomon Adv Skin 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | Adjustable 5 to 12 L (removable compartment) | Fixed 12 L |
| Weight | About 330 g in 12 L setup | About 244 g (size S) |
| Hydration included | 2 x 500 ml flasks, long straws | 2 x 500 ml flasks |
| Pole storage | Front and rear | Front and rear |
| Positioning | One pack for two uses (5 L and 12 L) | Dedicated 12 L benchmark, very snug fit |
The bottom line: the Salomon Adv Skin 12 is lighter and more refined on pure fit if all you need is a permanent 12-litre setup. The Ultrapac Pro 2in1 makes sense mainly for runners who don't want to buy a second pack for short runs, even if that means accepting a weight penalty in the full setup.
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Ultrapac Pro 2in1 is aimed first at runners who want to streamline their kit rather than stack up a pack for every distance. The weight penalty and the ventilation in the full setup are worth it as long as the goal is to avoid buying a second pack just for ultras.
The Ultrapac Pro 2in1 delivers on its versatility: switching from 5 to 12 litres genuinely works on the trail, and the carry stays stable once the vest is properly adjusted. The score is held back by two deliberate trade-offs, flask suction and back ventilation under a full load, which matter more for heavy ultra use than for occasional outings.
7.6/10: a two-in-one system that really works, as long as you accept the compromises of a versatile product against more specialised single-purpose packs.
© Inov-8, official photo used for editorial purposes
