Two weeks ago, I ran a 50 mile trail race. This was in Florida with high humidity and 80* temperatures. As you can imagine, hydration was very important. The race consisted of 5- 10mile loops and had four aid stations where hydration bottles could be refilled. With so many opportunities to refill, I knew I didn't need to carry a lot with me.
Normally for marathons and training runs lasting only a couple hours, I carry a fuel bel(<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Amphipod-RunLite-Hydration-Belt-Size/dp/B002PA4V8A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1399304487&sr=8-2">Amphipod RunLite 4</a>), with 2- 8oz bottles). But for this race, I knew I wearing a belt for 10 hours would be uncomfortable. I searched for a small hand held bottle and found the Nathan Insulated QuickShot Plus. I've carried handhelds before, but never one with a strap like this Nathan. I've also never used a valve like the Nathan race valve. So, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.
Breaking cardinal rule #1 of racing, I decided to use the QuickShot for the first time in the race. And luckily for me, everything turned out perfect.
The bottle fit my hand really well. The mesh strap is easily adjustable via a piece of velcro at the bottom of the flask. The strap is light, breathable, and comfortable. My wife, who has smaller hands than me, used the bottle this past weekend liked the comfort of the strap as well. That tells me this system works well for various size hands. With the thumb hole up top, it's not even necessary to hold onto the bottle. The mesh strap keeps it in place really well.
The race valve worked flawlessly. No spillage or accidental discharge of the contents. Of course, you have to be mindful to not squeeze the bottle when you're cruising along. But I found it to be much preferable to a bite valve or valve that must be manually opened and closed. Just raise the bottle, aim for your mouth, and squeeze. It's a very easy system to use without slowing down.
The insulating feature is nice. If filled with cold liquid, it keeps your hand from being in direct contact with the cold, and keeps your hand from warming the contents. It's not going to keep ice frozen for long periods of time in the Florida heat, but it's a whole lot better than nothing at all, and perfect adequate for my needs. It keeps things cold a little bit longer, and keeps your hand comfortable.
I originally wanted a bottle without a pocket. I thought I had no need for the pocket, but Nathan only makes this particular bottle with the zippered pocket attached. And after using it, I'm glad they made that decision. At the start of the race, I was able to fit in a couple of Hammer Gel packs (although I ended up moving these to pockets in my shorts.) I actually ended up using the pocket for trail trash like empty gel packets, wrappers, etc. But the bottle's zippered pouch really is perfect for any carrying small items. There's a special pocket inside for ID or other flat items, and then a larger pocket for bigger items like gels. The zipper works well, and the pocket is easy to get into.
Aesthetically, the bottle is modern and attractive. It's obvious this is a newer generation product. Not that looks are really important, but it may be something people are interested in.
What amazed me the most about this bottle is the durability. During my first lap through the trail, I hit a hidden root and went flying. I landed hard, face down on the trail, broke my fall with my hands and saved my knees/legs (mostly). The bottle let out a momentary pfffffffft sound as I contacted the ground - it between my palm and the trail below. But to my surprise when I got up, the bottle was completely unharmed. A bit dirty, but no cuts, tears, etc. What's nice though is Nathan's advertised warranty. The card that came with the bottle states something to the effect of "If the bottle wears out before you do, send it back and we'll take care of it." Not having tested their warranty claim, I'm unable to substantiate it. But Nathan's promise is sure appealing. Agreat warranty is nice and all, but if your product fails mid-race, that warranty's not going to help you at that point in time. I'm glad I didn't have to worry about that situation with this bottle.
The fact that this particular product works great, feels great, and appears to be quite durable and heard-wearing makes me a lot more apt to buy more Nathan products. In fact, I'm about to order the 18 oz version of this same bottle. The 8oz capacity of the QuickShot Plus is nice if you are running/racing in mild weather or with ample opportunities to refuel. But I feel being in Florida, I'll run into situations where the extra capacity of the SpeedDraw Plus will be appreciated.
Overall, I'm 100% happy with my purchase.
| Brand | Nathan |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | Lime Punch |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Finish Type | Powder Coated |
| Unit Count | 1.00 ct |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 6.1 x 4.2 x 2.7 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8.27 x 3.94 x 1.34 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.17 Pounds |
| Brand Name | Nathan |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Nathan |
| Part Number | 4849NLP_Lime Punch-u |
| Model Year | 2013 |
| Size | 8 oz. |
