The inov-8 Race Elite is a minimalist running vest that weighs 210 g and carries up to 3 liters of fluid or about 4 liters of kit, with two 500 ml bottles included [1]. It uses stretch mesh pockets with no zippers, which makes it fast to use with cold hands [1]. It no longer appears in inov-8’s current vest range, so most buyers today will want one of the newer inov-8 vests covered below.
Status: older model, not in inov-8’s current vest lineup
The version most retailers still show is the Race Elite Running Pack, AW20 (autumn/winter 2020 season), listed by UK retailer SportsShoes [1]. We did not find a Race Elite vest in inov-8’s current vest range. The inov-8 web address for a “Race Elite Pro 5 vest” now loads the Race Ultra Pro 5 Vest instead [2], and inov-8’s related-product links point to its RACEPAC vests [2][3]. The Race Elite name does live on in a waist pack, the Race Elite (3L) Waist, which inov-8 still sells [3].
We could not find a statement from inov-8 that the vest is formally discontinued, so treat it as an older model you may still find as leftover stock, not as a current product.
Specs
| Spec | inov-8 Race Elite (AW20) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Up to 3 L of fluid or 4 L of clothing and kit [1] |
| Weight | 210 g (6.8 oz) [1] |
| Bottles included | Two 500 ml bottles [1] |
| Reservoir | Compatible, not included [1] |
| Sizes | One size [1] |
| Construction | All-mesh with fixed adjustment points [1] |
| Pockets | Large stretch mesh pockets that double as bottle holders; no zippers [1] |
| Extras | Whistle, rear pole loops [1] |
| Materials | Nylon, polyester and spandex [1] |
What the design is good at
The Race Elite is built around simplicity. The no-zip stretch pockets are its main selling point; SportsShoes notes they are easier to use with cold or numb fingers [1]. The all-mesh body keeps weight down to 210 g [1], and including two 500 ml bottles means you can run with it out of the box [1].
The trade-offs are fit and storage. It comes in one size with fixed adjustment points [1], so it will not fit every torso as well as a sized vest. And open stretch pockets are quick but less secure than zipped ones for keys or a phone.
Who it suits
- Runners who want a light, simple vest for shorter races and long training runs.
- Cold-weather and fell runners who value zip-free pockets they can use with gloves [1].
- Runners whose chest size works with a one-size design [1].
Who should skip it
- Anyone who wants a sized, highly adjustable fit; this is one size only [1].
- Ultra runners who need to carry a lot of mandatory kit; 4 L is a modest capacity [1].
- Runners who want guaranteed availability and current warranty support from a new purchase.
Current alternatives from inov-8
| Vest | Capacity | Weight | Flasks included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race Ultra Pro 5 Vest | 5+ L | 274 g without bottles | Two 500 ml Ultraflasks plus a Speedcup [2] |
| RACEPAC 8 | 8 L (up to 3 L fluid) | 230 g | Not stated; front pockets fit two 500 ml soft flasks [4] |
| VentureLite 4 Vest | 4 L kit or 3 L fluid | about 142–145 g | Not stated; front fits two 500 ml soft flasks [5] |
Race Ultra Pro 5 Vest. The closest current replacement and the vest inov-8 now shows at the Race Elite Pro 5 web address [2]. inov-8 describes it as a five-liter-plus vest for training runs through ultramarathons, at 274 g without bottles, with two 500 ml Ultraflasks and a Speedcup included [2]. It comes in two sizes, S/M for chests of 75–105 cm and L/XL for 90–120 cm, which solves the Race Elite’s one-size limitation [2]. It showed as out of stock on inov-8’s US site when we checked [2].
RACEPAC 8. If you need more room, inov-8 lists the RACEPAC 8 at 8 liters for fluid, kit and nutrition, weighing 230 g, with front pockets for two 500 ml soft flasks and a rear pocket for a 2 L bladder [4]. The page does not say whether flasks are included [4].
VentureLite 4 Vest. The lightest option here. Pro:Direct Sport lists 4 L of kit or 3 L of fluid, a weight of 142–145 g (the listing gives both), air-mesh inner fabric, side and front adjustment straps, a whistle and rear pole loops, and room for two 500 ml soft flasks [5]. Check whether flasks are included before you buy [5].
Bottom line
The Race Elite was a light, simple, one-size vest with zip-free pockets and two bottles included. If you find one in your size at a fair price, it still does that job. For most runners, though, inov-8’s current Race Ultra Pro 5 is the natural successor, with sized fits and included flasks; the RACEPAC 8 adds capacity, and the VentureLite 4 trims weight.
Sources
- SportsShoes — Inov-8 Race Elite Running Pack (AW20) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- inov-8 — Race Ultra Pro 5 Vest (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- inov-8 — Race Elite (3L) Waist (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- inov-8 — RACEPAC 8 (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Pro:Direct Sport — inov-8 VentureLite 4 Vest (accessed Oct 8, 2026)