[HAB]

Are great. I don't need to carry much shit with me on most rides, and it's so much cooler not having a pack across the main part of my back. I haven't ridden with a backpack in years. My conundrum is this: I have an older Dakine Hot Laps that I use a lot. It's fine for short rides, but if I wear it for 4+ hours, the coarse mesh chafes my back, and I get a tramp stamp rash. I also have an Evoc 3L which is great if I want to carry more stuff, but is way bigger than I need or want most of the time. So, I'm looking for a new, small pack. Criteria are:

SMALL. I'm going to carry a multi tool, a tube, a really small pump, and that's it.
Must have a water bottle pouch (for beer, duh).
Not a Dakine Hot Laps.

What's good?

 

[StiHacka]

I have one of them double-barrel Osprey hip packs with the air mesh n stuff. It isn't very small though (it is still lightweight), I carry a tiny pump, a spare tube, tire levers, multi-tool and a small hand chain saw to cut downfall.

 

[profro]

Why not just strap that stuff to the frame?

 

[rideit]

I have a new Camelbak that I absolutely love. You can put your beer on ice in the bladder. Totally comfortable. I think it's the Repack.

 

[canadmos]

You can put your beer on ice in the bladder.

Damn, after all these years of using 3 liter bladders, how'd I or anyone I ride with not think of doing that??

 

[marshalolson]

Might be of interest, but I started a little side hustle this summer because I got frustrated with the fanny's all kind of missing on something or another: Some have way too much storage, not enough storage, some carried 1 bottle only, carried bad with only 1 bottle, others had the bottles bounce out, or just generally didn't carry well at all... etc. Have a look, tell me what you think...

www.labaustere.com

if anyone here is interested, pm me for a intro discount code.

 

[HAB]

Might be of interest, but I started a little side hustle this summer because I got frustrated with the fanny's all kind of missing on something or another: Some have way too much storage, not enough storage, some carried 1 bottle only, carried bad with only 1 bottle, others had the bottles bounce out, or just generally didn't carry well at all... etc. Have a look, tell me what you think...

www.labaustere.com

if anyone here is interested, pm me for a intro discount code.

That looks really sweet. PM inbound.

 

[rideit]

Damn, after all these years of using 3 liter bladders, how'd I or anyone I ride with not think of doing that??

I was a professional alcoholic, used to carry two cans of Steel Reserve for long rides. Thought of it immediately when Camelbak made their bladder openings wide enough.

 

[FlipSide]

Might be of interest, but I started a little side hustle this summer because I got frustrated with the fanny's all kind of missing on something or another: Some have way too much storage, not enough storage, some carried 1 bottle only, carried bad with only 1 bottle, others had the bottles bounce out, or just generally didn't carry well at all... etc. Have a look, tell me what you think...

www.labaustere.com

if anyone here is interested, pm me for a intro discount code.

Looks really great! Wow!

I have difficulties visualizing the size of the main pocket from the pics. Is it the central one with a zipper? Can you really put a tube + multitool + CO2 + some other small stuff in it?

 

[HAB]

Ordered one of the Lab Austere ones!

 

[Gary]

a roadie 2x CO2 mount bolted behind seat tube to the DM front mech mount bolts, tube stretchy velcro strapped infront

and a tiny multitool (which has Allen/torx/chaintool/screwdrivers and CO2 head) in a small neoprene bag velco straped under the saddle.
Tyre worms n zipties inside my front maxle, quick link held on gear cable hidden under front brake lever.
Cash and keys in a small zipped jersey;trouser/shorts pocket.
sometimes I take my phone.
Don't need food or drink for rides under 2&1/2hrs
Now the relivant part:
Longer rides I'll carry a 600ml bottle in a runners bottle belt and some sort of bar in my pocket. They cost around £7-10 because no cyclist tax - Beer fits in there too. But over here you're never far from a pub or a shop both of which are alays more than happy to exchange their beer for your cash.

This one:

Has a little pocket (probably just large enough pocket for all the stuff you listed)

 

[MrBaker87]

One up tool has been great to me along with race face stash bibs with a 1.5L bladder tucked In the bladder poach and a water filter. We ride the same trails.

I’ve got an osprey two bottle and it’s alright, but I don’t think the buckle is a wide enough so that might irritate on longer rides.

I also have an older camel pack fanny with a 1.5 L and it’s good.

JC Canfield up in Bellingham makes the HighAbove fanny packs and is a great guy. I don’t have one myself, but know a lot of guys who do and they look money. It’s on my list for winter.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

Might be of interest, but I started a little side hustle this summer because I got frustrated with the fanny's all kind of missing on something or another: Some have way too much storage, not enough storage, some carried 1 bottle only, carried bad with only 1 bottle, others had the bottles bounce out, or just generally didn't carry well at all... etc. Have a look, tell me what you think...

www.labaustere.com

if anyone here is interested, pm me for a intro discount code.

Wow, this thing looks great PM inbound.

 

[Bikael Molton]

La Bustier looks cool! I might have to grab one when hot laps dies.

 

[toodles]

I've heard good things about the Bontrager one - https://www.bikemag.com/gear/apparel/packs/beatdown-bontrager-rapid-pack-60/

 

[mtg]

Queue up another order for the Lab Austere. I've been using a Mountain Smith for a few years, and it's been just good enough not to get fired...err replaced. Marshal's version looks great.

And, before seeing that, I was going to (only partially seriously) recommend this:
https://jerryoftheday.net/collections/accessories/products/respect-the-send-fanny-pack-c5-pre-order-est-ship-out-date-november-7th

 

[Nick]

@marshalolson ... nice job! good luck with this.


I tried the Evoc but can't get used to wearing it around my fat belly. If I can't do the ride with a bottle on the bike, I'm stuck with the backpack.

 

[marshalolson]

Looks really great! Wow!

I have difficulties visualizing the size of the main pocket from the pics. Is it the central one with a zipper? Can you really put a tube + multitool + CO2 + some other small stuff in it?

Hey man, cooking dinner for the family, will try to snap a few pics this eve after.

There are 4 main pockets:

• Two slash pockets on either side of the water bottles. The material is super stretchy on the outside of these pockets. I put my wallet/keys in one pocket and my phone in the other.
• The main/central storage pocket. I store allen keys, C02, chain breaker, small chainlube bottle, and a small bag with odds and ends like a few 4mm and 5mm bolts, chain links, a spare valve stem, zip ties etc. I'll add a few granola bars on big rides too.
• There is also a velcro pocket with super stretchy material on the front of the central pocket. I leave my spare tube in there, and it will fit a well packaged and rolled up shell jacket or a bag of trail mix or whatever pretty easily. If its super dusty, I have both a tube and my chain lube bottle in it.

There are also 2 small hip pockets.

• one side has a few salt pills and a sunglasses cleaning cloth
• the other side has TP and a small bit of duct tape.

Oh, and the key to wearing this thing is having it up high enough on your hip bones, with the belt right under your belly button. Not heard anyone thinking that was uncomfortable, but YMMV.

Hope that helps...!?!?!

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

purchased

 

[FlipSide]

Hey man, cooking dinner for the family, will try to snap a few pics this eve after.

There are 4 main pockets:

• Two slash pockets on either side of the water bottles. The material is super stretchy on the outside of these pockets. I put my wallet/keys in one pocket and my phone in the other.
• The main/central storage pocket. I store allen keys, C02, chain breaker, small chainlube bottle, and a small bag with odds and ends like a few 4mm and 5mm bolts, chain links, a spare valve stem, zip ties etc. I'll add a few granola bars on big rides too.
• There is also a velcro pocket with super stretchy material on the front of the central pocket. I leave my spare tube in there, and it will fit a well packaged and rolled up shell jacket or a bag of trail mix or whatever pretty easily. If its super dusty, I have both a tube and my chain lube bottle in it.

There are also 2 small hip pockets.

• one side has a few salt pills and a sunglasses cleaning cloth
• the other side has TP and a small bit of duct tape.

Oh, and the key to wearing this thing is having it up high enough on your hip bones, with the belt right under your belly button. Not heard anyone thinking that was uncomfortable, but YMMV.

Hope that helps...!?!?!

That does help a ton. Thanks!

My problem/question is that work, family and craft beer got in the way and now I'm fat too. Any problems wearing it for someone wearing size 36 pants? Like Nick mentionned, a belly and hip pack often don't mix well.

 

[StiHacka]

Got me one, too.
Side note for @marshalolson : If you add the wallet for $9 to the order, the shipping increases to $20 which is a little steep.

 

[marshalolson]

Got me one, too.
Side note for @marshalolson : If you add the wallet for $9 to the order, the shipping increases to $20 which is a little steep.

good call out! Yikes! Free shipping on wallets effective immediately.

 

[marshalolson]

That does help a ton. Thanks!

My problem/question is that work, family and craft beer got in the way and now I'm fat too. Any problems wearing it for someone wearing size 36 pants? Like Nick mentionned, a belly and hip pack often don't mix well.

I dunno man... i am 35-36" waist with no issues. But i am not fat, just big boned. lol.

free free to send it back if its no-bueno.

 

[Nick]

hey marshal - just curious, are you making these in Utah?

 

[boostindoubles]

I have a Hunter cycles fanny pack that works well. My only gripe is no water bottle storage. It holds lots of stuff including a pump, tube, food, tools, phone, keys, windbreaker, and helmet light.

Marshal's fanny looks rad though. Nice work!

 

[marshalolson]

hey marshal - just curious, are you making these in Utah?

Hey man, I live in Utah, but production for this first round was in Hong Kong. If it all proves out, I would love to produce domestic.

 

[canadmos]

Interested!

How do the bottles not fly out on ruffff steep stuff?

 

[marshalolson]

Interested!

How do the bottles not fly out on ruffff steep stuff?

It’s all about the angle of the pockets and how the pockets are fitted.

I actually went through 5 designs over the last 1.5yrs to land on what it is now. So the design now allows the bottles to slide in easily while riding bit not really falling out

 

[kidwoo]

if I wear it for 4+ hours, the coarse mesh chafes my back, and I get a tramp stamp rash.

That's not the pack, that's jesus.

And his smite.

 

[jonKranked]

That's not the pack, that's jesus.

And his smite.

his smite has a slightly different shape.

 

[HAB]

That's not the pack, that's jesus.

And his smite.

I think jesus has bigger bones to pick with me than my mountain biking fashion sense.

 

[shelteringsky]

Was expecting this to be a pisstake thread.... Christ, how far we have fallen.

 

[FlipSide]

purchased

Me too! I am eager to try this thing. Hopefully, there are still warm days ahead here in the North so that I can try it properly before winter.

 

[CheetaMike]

High Above , best hip pack I have used. Put it on and forget it,s there , even with a water bottle in the side pocket.

http://www.highabove.net/

 

[roflbox]

Was expecting this to be a pisstake thread.... Christ, how far we have fallen.

it would appear you are not very ENDUOUROUROURO

 

[StiHacka]

Me too! I am eager to try this thing. Hopefully, there are still warm days ahead here in the North so that I can try it properly before winter.

I started wearing one during winter - camelback with winter clothing is a major PITA.

 

[FlipSide]

I started wearing one during winter - camelback with winter clothing is a major PITA.

Indeed...

Now that I think of it, I already have a fanny pack for skate XC skiing, but it's the weird type with a rigid plastic water container and with very little space for anything other than an additional layer and my car keys. It's fine for XC skiing, but I'll try the Lab Austere one. There are good chances that it will turn out to be much superior.

 

[kidwoo]

Was expecting this to be a pisstake thread.... Christ, how far we have fallen.

There's only one of me. Hacktastic and udi probably ride with the damn things now so they're useless.

You and me. We got this.

I'll start: Hey HAB is that a fanny pack or a gut bumper pad for all your buddies you shop for fanny packs with?

 

[StiHacka]

There's only one of me. Hacktastic and udi probably ride with the damn things now so they're useless.

You and me. We got this.

I'll start: Hey HAB is that a fanny pack or a gut bumper pad for all your buddies you shop for fanny packs with?

You sound jelly.

 

[jonKranked]

I started wearing one during winter - camelback with winter clothing is a major PITA.

How much freaking clothing are you wearing