Trail running with running poles or not? It’s a question I’ve asked myself a lot. Yes, I like the poles while running uphill, no I don’t like them going downhill. So where to leave them? Well in the Quiver of Salomon, an extra bag you can attach to your running vest. I bought it and tested it for you, and for me.
My vest is a Salomon running vest. I used to have a Nathan, but when I went to Scotland, to run the Three Mealls Trail race, I had to upgrade, because I needed more space for all the mandatory clothing. I like this Salomon vest, the only downside is that it doesn’t have a good place to store my running poles, if I don’t want to keep them in my hands.
True, there is a back pocket in the vest, but I’m using that for my rain jacket. The vest does offer other options to put away your running poles. They all involve using the elastic straps. That probably works, but when I’m running downhill I like to keep my eyes on the road, and not on the straps.
Plus, if I put them in the straps, the top of the poles sits around my armpits. That doesn’t feel fine. It also makes it harder to grab something out of my pockets. Besides, I have to attach one pole left, one right and pull 4 straps. It’s not a lot, but I prefer something quicker.
That’s why I bought the Quiver, and took it with me to Spa, on a trail running weekend in the Ardennes in Belgium. I have to say, I am pretty happy with it. I run with the Leki running poles. They fit in perfectly. Pulling them out, over my shoulder goes very smooth. Putting them back in is a little bit more of a hassle, as I have to find the opening, but it works. I think it’s just a matter of getting handy at it.
What I don’t like, is the clicking and ticking of the poles when they are in the Quiver. I can pull the strap on the bottom tight, but it would have been great if there was an extra strap underneath the opening at the top. That way I could silence the poles. I can put a quick release band around them, but that means I have to leave that somewhere when I’m using them, and it’s another thing to do.
The downhills in Spa were pretty challenging. I ran, jumped and stumbled, but the running poles stayed in the Quiver. That’s another plus. Just like the weight: 38 grams.
As it sits on top of my back pocket, which is filled with my waterproof pants, dry shirt and emergency kit, I don’t feel it at all. But even if my back pocket would be empty I don’t think it would be a problem, as the top is padded. The bottom of the Quiver has eyelets, so water, snow or dirt can just run off, without getting trapped.
To attach it, my Salomon ADV Skin 12 has loops on the shoulders, where the hooks on the top of the Quiver fit in tightly. The bottom I secure with the strap of the Quiver to another loop on my vest. If you want to use it on any other vest, make sure you can connect it.
To summarize it; is the Quiver something I am going to use? Yes. I’ve got it with me to my first ultra in Sussex, this weekend, I’m planning to take it with me in May to the 25k in Snowdonia, and if I am still happy with it, it will come with me to the Dolomiti Extreme Trail in June, my big goal this year.
