Montane Gecko VP 5+ Review: The Complete RunMorph Test

Montane and trail running: a Spine Race brand chasing speed

Montane built its reputation on the harshest English winters: the Spine Race, a midwinter crossing of the Pennine Way, remains the brand's defining running event. That origin explains DNA geared toward reliability and toughness in bad conditions rather than fast running on dry singletrack. Even so, the Gecko VP 5+ marks a clear shift toward skyraces and short trail races, a segment where Salomon, Ultimate Direction and NNormal have been fighting over club runners for years.

The new Gecko doesn't try to reinvent the trail vest. It goes after the category's number one flaw: gear bouncing at high cadence. It's a technical bet rather than a marketing one, and that deserves to be checked on the trail, not on the spec sheet.

Gecko VP 5+ specs: what you need to know before you buy

RAPTOR Flex Lite fabric and Uni-Form harness: what changes on the run?

The Gecko VP 5+ starts with a fabric called RAPTOR Flex Lite, a recycled nylon with differential stretch: it stretches more horizontally to absorb whatever you load into the pockets, and much less vertically to limit the up-and-down sway that wears out your shoulders over time. On paper, it's the same logic as the anti-bounce fabrics Salomon and Ultimate Direction already use, but Montane claims a lighter version than the previous Gecko generation.

The second pillar is the Uni-Form harness: a single elastic cord system that tightens the top and bottom of the vest at the same time, with symmetrical anchor points on both sides so the vest never sits crooked. In practice, one pull sets the overall fit, and two secondary toggles let you fine-tune top and bottom independently, even with gloves on. That's a real plus on winter runs or at altitude.

Locking YKK Natulon zips round it out: in the down position, the slider can't open on its own, which spares you nasty surprises on technical descents when the vest rubs against brush or rock.

Field test: from hill repeats to skyraces under 50 km

We wore the Gecko VP 5+ on everything from hill repeats at 4:30/km to technical long runs averaging 6:30/km, about 90 km in total including two skyrace-format races. From the first fast strides, the difference from a conventional vest is obvious: even with full flasks, your torso barely moves, and the fit holds without retightening mid-effort. That isn't always true of vests with simple straps.

The zippered back pocket works well for a folded windbreaker, but closing it on your own while moving takes some contortion, especially on fast descents. The two front flask pockets stay within reach without breaking your stride, a detail many runners overlook before buying that makes all the difference in a hard-paced race.

RunMorph tip: with a vest this snug, don't skip the in-store fitting if you're torn between two sizes. Two extra centimeters around the chest and the whole anti-bounce benefit disappears: the vest becomes just like any other.

The vest hits its limit as soon as the race goes beyond standard skyrace territory. When your water and nutrition have to last several hours, 5 liters fill up fast with a mandatory jacket, a reusable cup and a survival blanket. That's not a design flaw, just a reminder that this vest is built for a specific job.

Montane Gecko VP 5+ vs NNormal Race Vest 5L: which one to pick

In the same capacity segment, the most direct rival is still the NNormal Race Vest 5L, co-signed by Kilian Jornet and already reviewed by RunMorph. Both vests target the same use (skyrace, short to mid-distance trail), but with different philosophies.

More stable than the NNormal at fast paces thanks to its Uni-Form harness, the Gecko VP 5+ is also 28 grams heavier and about thirty euros pricier. The Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6L, more versatile with its extra liter, remains a credible alternative if you want a bit more room without moving up in price.

Montane Gecko VP 5+ pros and cons

Our field verdict: who is the Gecko VP 5+ for?

Skyrace and short to mid-distance trail runners

The ideal profile. On a well-supported 10 to 40 km race, the Gecko VP 5+ delivers: maximum stability, quick access to the flasks, and a reasonable weight for this level of hold.

Self-supported ultrarunners

Skip it if this is you. On an 80 or 100 km race with full mandatory gear, 5 liters quickly turn into a packing puzzle. A 10 to 12 L vest like the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 12 is a much better fit.

Runners who want one vest for training and racing

With reservations. The Gecko VP 5+ does the job very well in training, but its €150 price is hard to justify if you mostly use it for interval sessions or long runs with nothing at stake.

RunMorph Coach verdict

The Montane Gecko VP 5+ delivers on its technical promises: the Uni-Form harness and RAPTOR Flex Lite fabric effectively solve bounce at high cadence, a real weak spot on many competing vests. Montane has built an honest product here, with a clear commitment to recycled materials and a lifetime warranty that's reassuring for the long haul.

What cools our enthusiasm is the capacity-to-price ratio: €150 for 5 liters is expensive against rivals that are just as serious and often cheaper in the same format. The Gecko VP 5+ earns its place with skyrace runners who demand stability, but it stays a niche purchase if value for money is your priority.

Final RunMorph score: 7.5 / 10, for a technically polished vest priced in a segment that limits our recommendation to runners who truly demand a locked-in fit.

Does the Montane Gecko VP 5+ work for a marathon or half marathon?

That's not what it's built for. The Gecko VP 5+ is designed for trail and skyrace; on the road, a vest this structured adds nothing and will be less comfortable than a belt or a simple flask holder.

What size Gecko VP 5+ should you get?

The vest is unisex and covers chest sizes from 76 to 114.5 cm across three sizes (S, M, L). The fit is snug: if you're between two sizes, try it on in store rather than ordering online at random.

Does the Gecko VP 5+ work with a hydration bladder?

Montane doesn't list a dedicated bladder compartment on this model: hydration relies on the 2 included 500 ml flasks. The zippered back pocket can in theory hold a small bladder, but that's not what the brand designed it for.

What's the difference between the Gecko VP 5+ and the Gecko VP 12+?

The Gecko VP 12+ uses the same Uni-Form harness and RAPTOR Flex Lite fabric, but with 12 liters of storage at 219 g, which makes it a good option for longer formats without leaving the product family.

Key takeaways for your training

• A harness that holds without retightening: the Uni-Form system stays stable even after several hours of effort, a real comfort gain on hard long runs.
• 5 liters, no more: save this vest for well-supported races; beyond 50 km self-supported, go for 10 to 12 liters instead.
• Fit beats the spec sheet: a poorly adjusted anti-bounce vest loses its whole point, and trying it on is still the best guarantee.
• The included flasks are worth it: factor them into the purchase price, since they spare you an immediate extra outlay.
• Check what you really need before paying full price: if you don't run skyraces, a cheaper 5-6 liter vest will do the job just as well.