One of the best parts about ditching the roads for the trails — aside from, of course, the views, the mud, the flora, the fauna, the child-like exploration, and the total absence of exhaust fumes — is discovering new kit from lesser-known brands. Harrier is one of them. Founded by trail runner Kate Parker, Harrier have built a solid reputation in the UK for offering high-quality, thoughtfully-designed trail running gear — hydration vests, waterproofs, accessories, and even trail-ready bundles that kit you out from the get-go — all without the usual eye-watering price tags. In this review, we take a proper look at two of their most popular bits of kit: the Harrier Kinder 10L Race (or hydration) Vest, tested by my partner Steph, and the Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket, tested by yours truly under classic Peak District conditions. Between us, we’ve put both through their paces on long runs, soggy hill repeats, and everything in between.

Harrier Kinder 10L Hydration Vest Review: A Fit for Every Frame

How We Landed on the Harrier Kinder

Conveniently, about a week after I first came across Harrier, my partner started looking for a hydration vest of her own. She’d been borrowing my Salomon Active Skin 8 for longer runs but wasn’t sold on the closure system — not helped by the fact we’re built very differently. I showed her Harrier’s Kinder vest and, judging it purely on the admittedly lovely turquoise accents, she decided it was the one. Turns out, picking a vest based on colour alone isn’t the worst strategy.

Harrier Kinder 10L Race Vest: A Petite Woman’s Fit & Comfort Perspective

I’d never actually owned a running vest before this one. I’d borrowed a few from friends and my partner, but none of them ever quite fit right. Being a petite female (just skimming the legal definition of “hobbit”), with a narrow ribcage to match, they always felt a bit too roomy. I knew I wanted something with more capacity than a 5L, and I definitely preferred a clip fastener over the faff of a string-and-hook setup — but that still left me wading through an overwhelming number of options.

Then Chris introduced me to Harrier. Despite what he claims, I didn’t pick the Kinder just because of the turquoise accents (though they definitely sweetened the deal). What stood out wasn’t just their solid reviews or the decent-looking specs — it was that they were local. Not just UK-based, but practically on my doorstep near the Peak District — my regular stomping ground. And of course, I liked the look of the kit too. Harrier proves that functional doesn’t have to mean frumpy.

I went for the Kinder 10L Race Vest in XS. Harrier offer their vests in six sizes, more than any other brand (apparently). I’ve not fact-checked that claim, but I can confirm there’s a choice of six sizes. From XXS (women’s size 8) all the way up to XL (women’s size 18), it’s nice to see a departure from the usual “one size fits all” approach that doesn’t work for those of us on the smaller (or larger) end of the spectrum. Having proper sizing options makes all the difference, and in this case, the XS fits like it was made for me.

Harrier have built their rep on delivering quality gear at a fair price, and based on this vest, I’d say that reputation is well earned. Before an injury paused my running, I used it on four outings (11K, 15K, 20K, and 25K). The fit? Spot on. No bounce, no chafing, no irritating adjustments mid-run. It hugs the body just right — snug enough that it doesn’t shift, but not so tight that it restricts movement. Honestly, once it’s on, I forget I’m even wearing it.

The pockets are well thought out, with a nice mix of accessible and secure storage. I had no issue fitting the usual suspects: gels, two 500ml bottles, my phone, keys, and rain jacket. I’ve even crammed a towel and swimming kit in the back, though admittedly it’s not ideal nor made for that. There’s a place for everything — and importantly, I could get to everything mid-run without performing yoga poses.

Then there’s the material. It’s 100% polyester — but not the scratchy kind you’d associate with your old school PE kit. Whatever wizardry Harrier’s cooked up here, it works. The fabric is soft, stretchy, and feels far more premium than the price tag suggests. Honestly, I love this vest.

Out on the hills, it’s usually a sea of Salomon logos. You’d think they held the global patent on hydration vests. But Harrier offers something different — and in my experience, better. It fits more comfortably, hugs the body properly, and crucially, stays put. No bouncing, no jiggling, no faffing. It just does its job and disappears — the running vest equivalent of a good pair of running shoes you forget you’re wearing. Exactly how it should be.

The Harrier Kinder 10L Race Vest is currently available for £69.99. We’ve teamed up with Harrier to offer readers a 10% site-wide discount. Use code GRITTY10 at checkout (or follow our links).

Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Jacket Review

Why I Picked the Harrier Exmoor Waterproof?

On what turned out to be a truly British summer’s day, I headed into the Peak District and got absolutely drenched. After Steph’s glowing review of the Kinder vest — and how impressed I was with the feel and build quality — I started eyeing up what Harrier had to offer in the rain-protection department. If their waterproofs were anything like the vest, I figured I’d be in good hands.

There’s really only one option — the Exmoor. And honestly, that’s all there needs to be. No faffing over features, no endless comparison charts, no decision fatigue. One jacket. One spec. One price. Job done.

If buying a waterproof in the middle of summer sounds like a financially questionable move, then you’ve clearly never lived in the UK. One minute it’s blue skies and sunshine; the next, you’re soaked through and shouting into sideways rain. Knowing full well another downpour was just around the corner, I picked up the Exmoor and put it to the test.

The Exmoor represents outstanding value. For under £100, you get a 15,000mm waterproof rating, fully taped seams (a must for some ultra race kit checks), clever hydration vest integration, and more ventilation options than most jackets twice the price. Here’s a closer look at what you’re getting.

Key Features of the Harrier Exmoor Jacket

Hydration Vest Compatibility

The pleated back is designed to accommodate a hydration vest underneath, without compromising fit. Two diagonal front zips let you access bottles and snacks on the move — no need to unzip the whole thing or soak your gear. It’s a small feature that makes a big difference when the weather turns.

Ventilation

Breathability is handled well here. Alongside the main zip, you get pit zips, a secondary chest zip, and a central stud that allows further manual airflow. It’s all built to keep breathability high without losing the waterproofing.

Rain Protection

With a 15,000mm hydrostatic head and taped seams throughout, this thing is built for proper UK weather. I haven’t yet tested it over multiple hours in heavy rain (oddly, British summer hasn’t been quite as British this year) but when classic Peak District conditions have hit, it’s kept me bone dry so far.

Softshell Feel

Like the Kinder vest, the Exmoor uses a soft, slightly stretchy fabric that feels great next to the skin. There’s none of that plasticky, rustling nonsense you get with cheaper shells — none of that bin bag-like feel. It’s comfortable, effective, and excellent value.

Harrier Exmoor Waterproof Review: Final Verdict

Trail-specific waterproofs don’t usually come cheap — and for good reason. They need to handle rough conditions, breathe well, move with you, and stay light enough for long efforts. It’s a tall order. But with the Exmoor, Harrier have seriously shifted the benchmark. This jacket does exactly what it needs to: keeps you dry, keeps you comfortable, and doesn’t get in the way.

I picked mine up for £75.99 in a sale (down from £94.99), which already felt like a bargain. But with code GRITTY10, you can knock it down to £68.40. For a fully featured, race-ready waterproof? That’s a steal.

Harrier Run Free Review: Trail Gear Without the Price Tag

We’re big fans of what Harrier are doing: bringing high-quality trail running gear to market at genuinely affordable prices. It’s not just good value — it’s a conscious step toward making the sport more accessible. That spirit of accessibility runs through everything they do. Take the six available sizes in the Kinder vest — a direct challenge to the tired “one size fits most” approach that rarely fits anyone well. It shows they understand that trail runners come in all shapes and sizes, and that good kit should serve everyone, not just the industry default.

Where inclusivity is concerned, Harrier’s approach feels like a move in the right direction. We’re here for it.

Where to Next?

If you’re ever on the lookout for a GPS running watch with a boat-load of trail running features, we’ve written what practically amounts to a dissertation on the Suunto Race S. Read our review here.

Fancy some more gear? Why not check out our best gear roundup list.

Need a pair of trail running shoes perfect for the UK weather? We recommend Inov8.

Our favourite running clothing? Janji’s our pick for comfortable, functional, and sustainable options.