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What is your favorite hydration pack these days?

aenema

almost 100% positive
Sep 5, 2008
305
111
I used to run a Dakine Nomad pack and when it came time to retire it, purchased an Osprey Raptor. I have been less than happy with the fit of the Osprey as I have to cinch it down stupid tight to keep it from bouncing around while going downhill on my bike. I know that a lot of people will choose to go without a pack but I am of the camp that think they are essential for enjoying myself on all day lift access excursions. Everything from the water, to the tools and tubes and food it can haul makes it worth the inconvenience of wearing one. Just to include all the details, I am 6'2" and weigh 185. Standard body shape, in my opinion.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
The evoc pack I have with back protection is awesome. Fits me well and does not make me hot as hell. Unfortunately the price isn't so awesome.
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,289
5,029
Ottawa, Canada
I have an Osprey Viper 5. I really like it. I find the opposite of your Raptor, in that I can wear it without cinching down any straps and it stays put nicely. I just find it lacks one compartment. somewhere to store a pump and tube.

I bought it to replace a Camelbak Mule, which I found heavy and bulky. I still wind up going back to that Mule in the early and late season when I have to carry around a bit more gear (windshirt, tuque, gloves, spare battery, arm & knee warmers get added to the pack when it gets cold and wet). As much as it's size and bulk annoy me, it's a very functional pack... The Viper 9 might be a good option to the Mule.
 

aenema

almost 100% positive
Sep 5, 2008
305
111
I can get pro deals on Leatt stuff and was looking at their H4. Downside of all their packs for sure is the crappy bladder they use. Andybody tried one and seen what replaceable bladders fit in it?
 

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
I can get pro deals on Leatt stuff and was looking at their H4. Downside of all their packs for sure is the crappy bladder they use. Andybody tried one and seen what replaceable bladders fit in it?
I really like my leatt pack. It's nice and small and stays put. I use it for resort riding. Just enough water for a few laps, and the pocket is just big enough for my phone/wallet/keys/multi tool. The bladder is fine though. Not sure what your issue is with it? It looks and feels cheap but works just fine. It's lasted a while too. I've used it at least...20-30 times so far. You can always put any bladder you want in there. No reason a camelbak one wouldn't work.
 
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aenema

almost 100% positive
Sep 5, 2008
305
111
I really like my leatt pack. It's nice and small and stays put. I use it for resort riding. Just enough water for a few laps, and the pocket is just big enough for my phone/wallet/keys/multi tool. The bladder is fine though. Not sure what your issue is with it? It looks and feels cheap but works just fine. It's lasted a while too. I've used it at least...20-30 times so far. You can always put any bladder you want in there. No reason a camelbak one wouldn't work.
The Leatt bladders are marketed as disposable. Not really sure why they would provide disposable bladders, reviews have said that they tear and leak easily. I have not personally used or seen one, just going by what I have read so your feedback is valued.
 

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
The Leatt bladders are marketed as disposable. Not really sure why they would provide disposable bladders, reviews have said that they tear and leak easily. I have not personally used or seen one, just going by what I have read so your feedback is valued.

Yeah they do say disposable, and they are like... $5/piece shipped, at retail. So I don't think anyone can complain about that. I haven't had any leaking issues. It's definitely seen a few crashes too. I certainly won't sweat it when it does fail on me.

Edit:

I think I'll order a pack of 5 of them right now just to replace it since its been sitting for a few months and I bought it a year ago.
 
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Verskis

Monkey
May 14, 2010
458
8
Tampere, Finland
The evoc pack I have with back protection is awesome. Fits me well and does not make me hot as hell. Unfortunately the price isn't so awesome.
My Evoc FR Enduro pack is awesome too. It stays really well in place during riding.
But I would say it is hot as hell, it covers a lot of skin compared to some packs. The added security (as in both safety and staying in place) is worth it though.
 

dan-o

Turbo Monkey
Jun 30, 2004
6,499
2,805
I just ordered an Evoc FR blackline.
Not cheap at $200 without bladder but it comes in an XL size and my f'd up back will appreciate the protection.

My Dakine Nomad was nothing but a disappointment: crap fit, hot, lame zippers
 

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Can someone tell me why these hydration pack companies for the most part do not show ANY pics of the pack opened, or the interior of it on their website? Complete marketing failure.
 

dan-o

Turbo Monkey
Jun 30, 2004
6,499
2,805
How old was it though. Them new ones is fancy.
It was old, I think the first gen of that model.
I had a couple early DaKine packs that I didn't like, mostly because I'm too tall for them.
My Terminal day/travel pack is awesome though.
 

HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,630
5,444
Deuter Race X Air, mine is 10 years old and the zips are just starting to die. I bought a MULE to replace it but it was garbage so I threw it in the bin and went back to the Deuter.

 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
It was old, I think the first gen of that model.
I had a couple early DaKine packs that I didn't like, mostly because I'm too tall for them.
My Terminal day/travel pack is awesome though.
Yeah I've got one of the old grey camo ones.....that one sucks. It was like a river of sweat on my back.

The new ones are a totally different design that have one of those mesh screens that hold the pack away from your back. Sounds like you're all set but I wouldn't write off anything called a nomad that's been made recently.

Hey hardtailhack: is deuter still making their packs out of that thin ripstop nylon? The ones I saw last year looked like they'd explode at the first tree branch hang up.
 
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shirk007

Monkey
Apr 14, 2009
499
354
I use the Deuter Compact Air EXP 12. Mine is going on three years now and it has been great.

kidwoo no it doesn't explode at the first tree hang up. The Hexalite on the Race X shown above is actually pretty surable, but it is a compromise compared to the heavier fabric used on the pack I linked above.

*disclosure I work for Deuter's Canadian distributor so I am biased.
 

frorider

Monkey
Jul 21, 2004
971
20
cali


also: the lumbar camelback stealth fanny pack. it's got these fancy yellow tightener thingies that really draw the weight down on to the hips. great for enderpo-allmountaining. i think it's called a charge or volt or something like that. too lazy to check. good pocket for knee pads, and these little plastic clips for attaching your helmet for climbing....that actually work.
 

Da Peach

Outwitted by a rodent
Jul 2, 2002
13,681
4,904
North Van
My nomad is a few years old, it's still holding up alright. I wouldn't call it luxuriously comfortable. Keeps me hydrated high above the forest floor on my 2x4 hijinx.
 

HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,630
5,444
Hey hardtailhack: is deuter still making their packs out of that thin ripstop nylon? The ones I saw last year looked like they'd explode at the first tree branch hang up.

That's why I haven't replaced this one, the new ones look pretty crap in comparison, material seems more like tissue paper than something you'd put on a hydration pack. Also have a Deuter Giga Office that's about a year old that has done some trips through the bush with laptop inside but it is pretty **** compared to STM pooter bags.

Has anyone tried the Kriega(sp?) packs? I was flicking through an old Dirt mag and they seemed to dig them but they were probably a UK based company but Dirt gets an instant broner for stuff made by their homies no matter how **** the product is.
 

Damo

Short One Marshmallow
Sep 7, 2006
4,603
27
French Alps
I will never buy Camelbak again after using my new Dakine Amp:

1/ Great airflow with the mesh back. Comfortable fit.
2/ Great easy to open reservoir with wide opening, allowing ice etc to be added easily. Unlike the damn Camelbak ones which I can't even open.
3/ The inside of the sack is a bright light lime green allowing me to see everything in there easily. Plenty of organising pockets plus a fold away rain cover.
4/ Hose unclips easily so it can be kept attached to the bag while you refill the reservoir.

I haven't had a long time with this bag yet, but it seems pretty damn good.

Two negatives I have with it is:

1/ The hose clip is on the left hand shoulder strap and can't be changed to the right (where I want it).
2/ The bladder needs to be washed and dried immediately after your ride (in fact, I just empty it and throw it in the freezer). I could forget about the Camelbak bladder for a few days, then use it again no problems. This one turned the water slimy and murky a couple days later. It also tasted like rubber for the first few times used. Now I put a squeeze of lemon juice in there with the water to offset the plastic taste.
 

-C-

Monkey
May 27, 2007
296
10
I tried a load of different EVOC packs and they were all uncomfortable - the ones with the protectors in them were even worse. The combination of the massive footprint on your back & the super wide waist strap felt like I was being mauled by a fat, sweaty man.

They are also all HUGE! What of earth do people fill them up with?!

Most recently i've been using using the Camelbak LR pack - it's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. I can't imagine it lasting very long if I crash on it, its made of super thin material, but it's very light.

If I can, i'd just ride with a bottle, but my luck dictates that never really works out for me!
 

Verskis

Monkey
May 14, 2010
458
8
Tampere, Finland
The combination of the massive footprint on your back & the super wide waist strap felt like I was being mauled by a fat, sweaty man.
That makes it also very secure on your back.
I would rather ride with a fat sweaty man that's staying put on my back, than with a skinny and sweat-less girl that bounces all over the place and is constantly trying to climb over my head.

They are also all HUGE! What of earth do people fill them up with?!
It's nice to be able to carry a foldable saw to cut off smaller fallen trees, an insulating jacket for pauses during colder months, lots of water, two tubes if I get double flats, some snacks, some tools etc.
My 16 liter pack is rarely absolutely full of stuff, but it's nice to have the option and the empty space does not weigh much, does it?

In my opinion the hotness and the price are the only downsides of the Evoc protector packs, but I accept the shortcomings for otherwise really great product.
 
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norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
I really like my leatt pack. It's nice and small and stays put. I use it for resort riding. Just enough water for a few laps, and the pocket is just big enough for my phone/wallet/keys/multi tool. The bladder is fine though. Not sure what your issue is with it? It looks and feels cheap but works just fine. It's lasted a while too. I've used it at least...20-30 times so far. You can always put any bladder you want in there. No reason a camelbak one wouldn't work.
I'd use them but for some places I have to have 3l of water so it would last me the whole day. Then it's not big enough
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
My Evoc FR Enduro pack is awesome too. It stays really well in place during riding.
But I would say it is hot as hell, it covers a lot of skin compared to some packs. The added security (as in both safety and staying in place) is worth it though.
I'm used to riding with full upper body armor so for me the pack isn't hot. Hell sometimes in PDS where I go to harder tracks like chapery I use body armor + the pack (not using body armor for that track will take me some time)
 
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Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,853
9,557
AK
I like some features of my osprey, the hose is a double edged sword though, it gets in the dirt way too easily and then it's just gross, especially on muddy days. I have a winter camelback where the hose is inside the shoulder strap in it's own compartment. When you want water (or to leave it open) you unzip the strap. That's genius IMO, keeps the hose out of the nasty when you want. Unfortunately said camelback isn't great for short rides or summer, but the low-hanging hose on the osprey is it's negative IME.