UltrAspire Io Product Review

                         

I recently had the opportunity to test a new product from local St. George running company UltrAspire. Their products range from small handheld water bottles, and waist belts all the way up to full hydration backpacks for long distance running and biking. Running in the cool winters and hot summers, key items need to be close at hand.  The product is called the Io (get it!) a minimalist waist pack that offers a lot more than meets the eye.

Patent-pending Max O2 Waist™ attachment system.

The Max O2 attachment is like nothing I have seen before. I personally think it is great design, ease of use and uniqueness. Basically it is a bungee system with a hook that gives a wide variety of size options. The Large will work on waist 30”-41” and still be comfortable. I am a 38 waist and the Io gave me more and faster adjustability that my main waist pack. The adjustability comes from a locking clip that the bungee slides into that stays secure. It had excess bungee and there is a nice loop to tuck in any extra.

Minimalist weight and design.

The Io weights in at .11 lbs with a decent sized mesh band in sizes small, medium, and large with a large zippered pocket. The Io can even hold an iPhone 6 thanks to its gusseted pocket. I hardly noticed the weight carrying my phone, keys, Gu, ID and other trinkets. In addition, there are reflective points front and back to add visibility and safety.

Additional thoughts.

If I could make one change in the design, it would be in the zipper pull. It has a unique red plastic pull that kind of sticks out and if doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the design. Changing that pull to a smaller gray bungee pull similar to the Max O2 system would make the pull easier to grab, less likely to snag on a shirt and make a more cohesive design element.

I have really come to admire the products that have come from UltrAspire. I have seen them in action around Southern Utah, and can say they are a quality product. They focus on “comfort, fit, freedom of movement, function, and ease of access”. If you are running a race or taking a course that has water spots or dropped water, I would highly recommend this pack. On the other hand if you are running a cupless race, or going somewhere without water spots, I would go with something to ensure you stay hydrated. It is available at the St. George Running Center, located at 2736 E. Red Cliffs Dr. St. George or online at UltrAspire for under $30, that’s a bargain for a quality, easy to use product.