Swedish Stefan Ehrin is 38 years old and works as a chef in Gävle. When he's not creating culinary magic among pots and pans at Le Bon, he's out on long trail runs. Stefan has won both the Kullammanen 100 miles race and conquered the tough Trans Gran Canaria. Here, he shares how he utilizes his running vest on both short and very long running adventures.
For those who are not familiar with you: Who is Stefan Ehrin? Give us your elevator pitch!
I've been called Mr. Full Gas a couple of times. Restaurateur, chef, and ultrarunner, life is at 180, and I love it, haha!
When did you start using a running vest with soft flasks?
Very early in my running career, right from the beginning, you could say. It's very convenient to have with you when you start exploring longer distances.
For those who are not familiar with a running vest, or hydration backpack as it's also called, what is it, according to you?
A vest that fits snugly on the body and is easy to pack with both fluids, energy, and lighter gear.
When is it appropriate to use a hydration backpack?
During transport runs, long runs, or races!
Let's talk about bottles: Which ones do you use and why?
Salomon running vests, my favorites being the ADV Skin and SENSE PRO models, are designed to be compatible with 500ml soft flasks so that you can carry a liter of water by placing one flask in each of the two front chest pockets. A soft flask is like a small bag with a large and good cap, easy to refill from a tap as well as a mountain stream. The bag expands as you fill it and then shrinks while you drink—nothing that clunks annoyingly when you run.
If I'm going for a shorter run, I like to use an Active Handheld, which is incredibly convenient, holds half a liter, and has a minimalist and comfortable handle. Easy peasy.
What size is your hydration backpack? Or do you use several different ones?
I use Medium and Large. I have a larger size for backpacks that can accommodate more gear, just because if I pack a Medium size fully, it feels a bit too tight.
How do you pack your hydration backpack for a really long distance, let's say the Kullamannen 100 Miles?
First and foremost, I test run with my intended packing a lot to make sure nothing rubs or jiggles and to get my body used to the extra weight. But in terms of packing, it includes fluids, gels, bars, mandatory gear, small rewards like candy, blister plasters, toilet paper, wet wipes... the list is long.
How do you keep your soft flasks fresh?
If I only have water in them, I rinse them out and let them dry thoroughly. If I have sports drink in them, I wash them a bit more carefully after the run or race. You can turn the actual bag inside out and put the cap in the dishwasher, and then it becomes sparkling clean and fresh.
Anything else to add? What is the most common rookie mistake with a hydration backpack?
Choosing a size that is too tight! If you're between sizes, I personally go up one size. Even if the flasks don't rub, it can become uncomfortable if they lie against the ribs after 10-12 hours of running ;)
