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If you’re headed outside in the summertime, you’re undoubtedly thinking about bringing some sort of water bottle with you. If it’s just a walk around the park, the regular water bottle would work well. If you’re headed out for a jog, or maybe a longer hike, though, you’ll want something that’s a bit more hands-free. That’s where the Nathan Limitless 8L Sling comes in.
What is it?
It’s pretty much in the name – the Nathan Limitless 8L Sling is a one-strap sling that goes around your body, and also offers a smaller (750 mL) hydration bladder. So, basically, you’re able to carry along your water, some snacks, and even have some spots to stash your keys, phone, and wallet.
How does this differ from other hydration packs?
As soon as you saw that hydration bladder, you were probably comparing this against any sort of Camelbak-style bag you might already have. In fact, I’ve got one as well. Those are great for carrying a larger amount of water, but they can also have a larger footprint against your back, making you that much sweatier. They tend to be backpack style as well, which holds in place on a steady walk, but can get bouncy if you’re jogging or running.
With the sling style, plus an additional cross-body stabilization strap, the Nathan Limitless 8L Sling is held very steadily in place. With an 8L volume, it’s also a much smaller bag, which can help you keep a bit cooler as well. The final difference is in the hydration bladder. Sure, it’s smaller, but what I really appreciated was just how easy it was to remove from the bag and clean out.
How does it perform?
As with anything else I’ve had from Nathan, the Nathan Limitless 8L Sling is thoughtfully designed and works quite well for the task it was made for. In a jog, the bag didn’t really move around, which keeps it from being an annoyance. On some hikes, it still had enough water for me to get through, along with giving that space to keep some snacks and a pair of binoculars. And, if you wanted to, it would be easily enough to remove the hydration bladder and tube, and then you’ve just got a compact bag to carry some things around your day.
Would we recommend it?
If you’ve already got a hydration pack, and it’s working well for the tasks you’re heading off to with it on your back, perhaps not. However, if you’re looking for something that’s very running-specific, or you just want something small and light, then the $120 Nathan Limitless 8L Sling could be a very solid option. You’ll find it in black/red as we reviewed, or in a bright blue, directly over at nathansports.com
