Last year, I tested the USWE Outlander XC alongside several other cycling hydration vests. While the Outlander isnt technically a vest, its compact size and No Dancing Monkey harness design are fairly close. But with limited storage and no chest pockets, its perhaps not as vest-like as the competition, comparatively speaking. So, at Sea Otter, I swung by the USWE booth to see if they had anything new or interesting to check out.Thats where I learned about the new USWE Vest VST, a true hydration vest designed to meet the demands of trail runners and cyclists alike. It is lightweight with a streamlined fit and 8 liters of storage capacity spread between its back and chest pockets. Arguably one of its most interesting features is its compatibility with either a 2L water bladder for cycling or 0.5L chest pocket soft flasks for running, or both at the same time. When purchasing, buyers can configure their Vest VST to suit their needs and preferences.I got my hands on the USWE Vest VST in a cycling-oriented configuration with a 2L bladder and insulated bladder sleeve, and Ive been riding and running for the past couple of months. Its the most vest-like (vestiest?) hydration vest that Ive ever worn, impressively stable, and Ive found that it performs well whether Im bouncing down the trail on my feet or on my mountain bike.USWE Vest VSTCheck Price at REISpecificationsMSRP: $135 (vest only), $189 (w/ bladder)Weight: 253 g (vest only), 162 g (bladder and sleeve)Storage capacity: 8 LFront pockets: 1 zippered and 3 stretch (per side)Water capacity: 2 L bladder and/or 2x 0.5 L soft flasksSizes: XS, S, M, L, XLFit adjustments: Adjustable elastic side strapsColors: Black, White, BronzeProsSuper stableVery comfortableFairly lightweightVersatile works great for trail running, tooTons of cargo spaceYou pick the hydration system that works best for youConsKinda expensiveHydration system costs extraFive sizes measure chest/try on to find the right fitPerhaps too many pockets on the frontJeremy BensonVest VST DetailsNo Dancing Monkey is what USWE calls its harness system, and it has a fairly unique design compared to other hydration vests.The Vest VST uses USWEs No Dancing Monkey (NDM) harness technology. This involves more of an X-like design with a single, circular buckle in the center to quickly and easily secure it at the chest. The front straps and shoulders are made from an open, airy, breathable mesh with a finer mesh covering the back panel. Overall, this construction gives the pack very little structure. In that regard, it is quite similar to the superlight Velocio Hydration Pack.Lots of mesh against the body.On the chest, sides, and back, the mesh backing is topped with both mesh pockets and a stretchy polyester/spandex exterior fabric. This stretch material is used for the outermost front/chest pockets as well as the larger storage pockets on the back. On the upper back, USWE also included a Recco reflector for search and rescue situations. The VST comes in three tasteful colors, including black, white, and bronze. Although white will probably get dirty with dust or mud fairly easily, I suspect it might help keep your fluids a tiny bit cooler for longer. Additionally, the VST has reflective logos on the back, sides, and left chest to enhance low-light visibility.The side panels have elastic cords which can be used to adjust the fit.Sizing and FitThe Vest VST comes in five sizes, XS to XL, each of which fits a small range of chest sizes. This five-size range should make it so that users within the fit range can find a relatively snug fit right out of the gate. Elastic cords on both sides of the torso offer a little adjustability to optimize the fit.Its worth mentioning that the Vest VST sizing does not mirror that of shirt sizes, so its important to check the size chart and measure your chest circumference to see where you land. For example, I wear a medium bike jersey, but my 39 chest measurement puts me squarely in a large USWE Vest VST, which Ive found to be a perfect fit.Modular HydrationOne of the more unique features of the Vest VST is that it is designed as a crossover vest for running and/or cycling, and it works with two different hydration systems. You can choose to use it with either a 2L water bladder and hose, two 0.5-liter soft flasks in the chest pockets, or even both at the same time. Mountain and gravel cyclists will likely gravitate toward the bladder, trail runners may prefer the soft flasks, and some multi-sport athletes might spring for both and switch between them.The hydration bladder has a quick connect fitting for the hose with a standard bite valve with a locking, on/off switch.USWE sells the VST on its own for $135, and when purchasing directly from the brand, buyers can choose their preferred hydration methods. The 2L hydration bladder goes for $45, and the insulated bladder sleeve adds another $15. When buying from other online retailers, like REI, for example, the Bike VST 8L Hydration vest comes with all of the above for $189.The VST running setup with the soft flasks with straws. (photo/USWE)For the runners, USWE offers two types of soft flasks for the chest pockets. They come in sets of two, with straws for $44, or with the wide-opening tops for $54. USWE also sells Torr Drysacks in 2L ($22) and 8L ($28) sizes.StorageMy Patagonia Trail Craft Jacket fits easily in the top-loading zip pocket on the VST.According to USWE, the Vest VST has 8 liters of total capacity. Thats somewhat surprising given its relatively sleek and streamlined shape and profile, but its looks are deceiving. Theres a fair amount of stretch in the outer shell fabric, allowing the back and chest pockets to expand and fit quite a bit of gear.The bottom-loading pocket is where Ive been stashing my tools, tubes, etc. The bulk of the storage space is divided up between two large zippered pockets on the back, one top-loading and one bottom-loading, plus the large drop-in sleeve for the water bladder. The zippered pockets are both quite large, but neither includes any organizational pockets or compartmentalization. Its kind of a free-for-all, but theres plenty of space for a packable rain or wind jacket, extra layer, gloves, arm warmers, etc. I found the bottom zippered pocket to be my preferred spot for storing my tools and flat repair items.Moving to the front, each side of the chest has three drop-in pockets and one zippered pocket. The innermost chest pocket is made specifically to fit the soft flasks. The next two are even deeper, with lots of room for snacks, wrappers, spare gloves, you name it. Lastly, the zippered pocket finishes the pocket stack and is ideal for phones or anything else you want secured behind a zipper. Its a lot of pockets on top of each other, more than I found useful anyway, but theres no shortage of places to put your gear.Curiously, there are zippered mesh pockets on the top of each shoulder, and I dont have the slightest clue what they are for.Using the USWE Vest VSTThe USWE Vest VST is quite lightweight at 253 grams for the pack (large), plus 189 grams for the water bladder and sleeve. With its light materials, it has almost no structure when its off the body. When holding it with a full water bladder and some gear inside, its kinda like a floppy bag. That changes very quickly when you pull it on, as its vest-like fit easily conforms to the body, and it takes on a much more streamlined shape.Wearing the VST with a full 2L hydration bladder, all of my riding tools, plus a phone and snacks. In my experience, the VST is more vest-like than any of the other hydration vests Ive tried. It makes more contact with the body, and its snug, body-hugging shape results in very impressive stability, both while trail running and mountain biking. Ive used it for 6- to 10-mile trail runs and 20- to 30-mile bike rides, and it always just stays put. My only real complaint is that while running, I could hear/feel the water sloshing around in the water bladder, but thats fairly standard for running with a bladder. There isnt a dedicated clip for the hydration hose, but Ive found the small elastic loops in the chest pockets to do the trick. I have not used it with the soft flasks, so I cant comment on how that works.With the pockets on the back and the chest, theres more than enough storage for my needs. I can easily fit a light jacket, snacks, tools, flat repair, and my phone with plenty of room to spare. The pack stretches to fit bulkier items like my jacket and it doesnt get round/unstable on the back the way some other packs can when packed full then returns to its sleeker shape when the jacket is removed. Ive already touched what seems like an excess of pockets on the chest, but again, no shortage of options.Its the multiple layers of chest pockets that make some of them feel kinda redundant to me.With jacketNo jacketThe pockets stretch easily to accomodate cargo and the pack slims back down with crago removed.Its worth mentioning that even though the zippered chest pockets are super deep, your phone can fall out of there if they arent zipped. I found this out the hard way at the bottom of a 2,000-foot descent, when I did not notice that my phone popped out of an accidentally unzipped pocket, and I ran it over with my rear wheel on the first turn of the trail.Finding it was a good excuse to do a second lapMy TakeawayIf youre the type of cyclist who enjoys the occasional trail run, or vice versa, the USWE Vest VST could be the ideal pack to cover your hydration needs for both applications. If you purchase both the bladder and the soft flasks, its kinda like having two packs in one. If youre a single-sport athlete, this is still one of the best vest-style hydration packs that Ive tried and a great option for activities that require stable, distraction-free hydration and storage.The main storage is a bit of a free-for-all, but it easily accommodates extra layers and gear for long days on the bike, while the numerous front pockets keep snacks, phones, and smaller items accessible on the move. With five sizes, it should be easy for most folks to find a snug, secure fit. Just be sure to check the size chart and take some measurements, or go try one on before purchasing.The Vest VST is comfortable, breathable, lightweight, streamlined, and very stable. At $135 for the vest alone, $189 for the Bike VST setup including the bladder (or vest plus soft flasks), it doesnt come cheap, but I think its a great hydration vest for cyclists and/or runners, and potentially the perfect quiver of one for multi-sport athletes.uswe.com

Another sprint stage and probably the last.Nevers revers: Mathieu van der Poel was the first to attack and the other sprinters teams were having none of it on the wet roads. After a few moves the first hour covered 53km while a four rider break of Julian Alaphilippe, Matthis Le Berre, Anthon Charmig and Nelson Oliveira struggled to get more than a minute by which time the sun came out. The speed barely dropped below 50km/h all day.The only slow point in the day came when the break was caught and the peloton spread across the tarmac, a rolling road block from about 5km to 2km to go and the speed dipped. Did this allow some to recover energy? Decathlon-CMA CGMs Tiesj Benoot restarted things.With 500m Decathlons Bol surged, presumably to take his sprinter Kooij clear but in between them was Jasper Stuyven who dipped his head, looked back and then swung across creating a gap that left Bol clear by himself.Everyone seemed to look at each other but this moment saw Sren Wrenskjold come up the barriers with 350m to go and with some momentum allowing him to surf into Bols slipstream briefly and then came out of this and surged to the line. A sprint or an attack?Wrenskjold was clear. Philipsen launched with Kooij joining him and the image above doesnt do the gap justice, it was big. The pair were chasing but ran out of road and Wrenskjold won. Uno-X now have a stage win after a spell in yellow.For Wrenskjold a quality win to add to Het Nieuwsblad and a rainbow jersey from the U23 time trial and where hes been working on his sprint more. Hes not a big name but has quietly said he turned down the chance to ride for UAE as he didnt want to promote the Emirates; similarly he declined to take part in the Al Ula Tour. Now his name goes in the record books as the winner of the fastest ever Tour road stage, 50.910km/h to beat 50.4km/h from 1999. There wasnt even a tailwind this time either.The Route: 179km and 1,800m of vertical gain, quielty backloaded in the second half. The start is on the Magny Cours motor circuit. The final 40km is on hillier terrain but these are still rolling roads, more than climbs proper. The roads after the final marked climb are exposed too amid the vineyards of the Cte Chalonnaise. These are roads where baroudeurs can try to take on the sprint teams.The Finish: flat and exposed roads on the approach to town. A tight bend with 2.4km is part of the same final as in Paris-Nice in 2017, a flat run along the Sane.The Contenders: last chance? Some sprinters might have a go in Paris but the Montmartre circuit could see some of them ejected on the climb. So the sprinters and their teams have to seize the chance. Only plenty of other riders and teams might try attacks too as the hillier finale helps, as does mounting desperation for winless teams.Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quickstep) was out of the sprint on Stage 11, probably tired from his chasing all day on Stage 10. Well see if hes fresher here as when he is able to contest a Tour sprint finish hes the fastest. Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) finished second and third yesterday so are easy picks for their consistent presence.The breakaway could win but its got to be a strong rider. Kasper Asgreen (EF) and Matej Mohori (Bahrain) have won this way and the former has made moves so far but the latter hasnt shown form yet. Filippo Ganna and Josh Tarling (Netcompany-Ineos) can try, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X) is a breakaway specialist and the team showed on Stage 11 they can put a rider in the breakaway and win the sprint. Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5), Ewen Costiou (Groupama-FDJ), Michael Matthews (Jayco) and Liam Slock (Lotto-Intermarch) are other picks.MerlierKooij, PhilipsenGirmay, Asgreen, GannaWeather: 31C and a chance of a thunderstorm and downpour. If so the wind will pick up but otherwise its a light SW tailwind.TV: KM0 is at 1.40pm and the finish is forecast for 5.30pm CEST.The post Tour de France Stage 12 Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.

The 2026 Tour de France will take place from the 4th to the 26th of July. Throughout the21 stages, the peloton will be racing through the mountains, sprint stages, cobblestones, individual and team time trials, and even. We take a look at all stages, their official profiles, and preview the days -...

Thats right, folks, Maxxis is entering the sealant market. Its called MaxxSeal, and its the brands first tubeless bicycle tire sealant. Its set to hit dealers in early August 2026.While its designed with Maxxis Tubeless Ready tires in mind, it works with tubeless-ready tires from other brands, too. It covers a wide range of tire styles like road, gravel, urban, MTB, and downhill.(Photos / Maxxis)It also comes in four sizes: 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 liter, and 5 liters. So whether youre maintaining a single bike or managing a fleet o bikes, theres a size that will fit your needs. The sealant uses a synthetic latex formula that coats the inside of the tire casing and can seal punctures up to 7 mm while you ride. Maxxis says that it will not clump up between refills, so youre not dealing with dried chunks rattling around inside your tire. 500ml250mlIts also compatible with CO2 inflation and tire inserts, and the ammonia-free formula is skin-safe and wont damage tire casings or rim materials.Maxxis recommends checking your sealant levels every 36 months. More frequently in hot climates or during heavy use. Maxxis also says that you can top off through the valve without pulling the tire off, as long as the existing sealant is still liquid. 1 Liter5 LiterA full refresh, which involves removing the bead and cleaning out residue, is only needed when the sealant has dried out completely or after a significant puncture.Maxxis Maxxseal DetailBest sealant for MAXXIS TR tiresRace-proven across Downhill, MTB, Gravel, and Road applicationsWorks in all weather conditionsSynthetic latex formulation: ammonia-free and skin-safeDoes not form clumps and remains active between refillsCompatible with CO inflation and tire insertsSeals puncture up to 7 mmSafe for tire casing and rim materialsMaxxiss use of synthetic latex formulation also avoids any natural rubber latex harvesting, which Maxxis notes as part of a more responsible material approach. The product has been tested across downhill, MTB, gravel, and road applications, and detailed safety data sheets are available in over 20 languages on the Maxxis website.For more info, hit the link below.Maxxis-Europe.com

Juan Ayuso celebrated Lidl-Treks hold on three Tour de France classifications after safely negotiating the record-breaking Stage 11 between Vichy and Nevers. Ayuso retained the white jersey as the leading young rider, Mads Pedersen remained in green and Lidl-Trek continued to wear the yellow helmet...

Soren Waerenskjold produced one of the biggest surprises of this year's Tour de France by winning stage 11 in Nevers. The Norwegian outsprinted the likes of Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen after launching a long sprint in a chaotic finale, while pre-stage favourite Tim Merlier was unable to contest...

The 2026 Tour de France classifications will shift across three weeks of racing, from the Grand Dpart in Barcelona on 4 July to the final stage in Paris on 26 July. Across time trials, sprint stages, breakaway opportunities and the high mountains, each day can alter the shape of the race for yellow...

: by ASO [See image gallery at www.irishcyclingnews.com]