[Damo]

So I'm back working on the boat, but find I'm getting a fair bit of bike time during the week. Today's ride was a good long one, but I way underestemated my water supplies. So, with only my iPhone and slow ass 3G Internet, I'm looking for hydration pack.

The Camelbak Mule looks good, but it's a bit too big for what I need and over priced compared to other brands.

All I want is 1 to 2 liters water plus room for rolled up rain jacket, pump, multitool, couple tubes and a snack.

What's out there for me?

 

[Mr Jones]

So many options. I use a cheapy high sierra hydration pack from Costco. $20. 2L, expandable, has a tuck away waist strap, tuck away helmet net, ext. bungee, and the main compartment has a sleeve for a bike pump.

 

[TheMontashu]

I have the small dakine pack, it's a 3 liter and is perfect for a tube, pump, snack ext. with LITTLE more room. There's a spot to strap a full face on the back and a spot to strap knee shins, the spot where the full face straps too it works for jackets as well. I have found this pack to be ALMOST too small every once and a while, so really it's perfect for what I need

 

[Da Peach]

pricepoint sells some cheap ones.

I've got a Dakine Nomad that I like.

 

[stoney]

I picked up my Camelback Mule on steepandcheap.com a year back.
Any pack will work, but I've found my camelback bladders are nicer than others I have used.

 

[DaveW]

I still use and like the Lezyne pack I had when I visited you the other year Damo, perfect size for the amount, but I see after a bit of googling that they no longer make that size bag.


This is the closest I could find to it....
Amazon.com: Lezyne Smart Pack 2L Hydration Pack Black/Gray: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31x1r1rdYWL.@@AMEPARAM@@31x1r1rdYWL

 

[Quo Fan]

I am currently using a Hydrapack Ammo. 100 oz of fluid, and plenty of room for my gear.

 

[rigidhack]

I like my Dakine Nomad, but it is definitely bigger than what you are after I think.

 

[eric strt6]

Camelback blowfish might do the job

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=opera&hs=hNm&rls=en&q=camelbak+blowfish&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8544670224668214992&ei=9hSDTPnuI4q2sAPa2_32Bw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDoQ8wIwAg#

 

[Krzr3000]

I've found wingnut packs to be a lot better than the usual camelback/hydrapak.

http://www.wingnutgear.com/

 

[Damo]

Can I add another criteria? It needs to have good back ventilation. I'm not bothered if it has straps for helmets or shin guards. It will be used for xc/trail/road riding only.

But it needs good back ventilation. It gets real hot around here and I sweat like a fat chick on a bouncy castle.

Insulated bladder would be nice too...

 

[sanjuro]

Unless you are planning on two camelbaks, I would not get a two liter, 70oz camelbak, simply because when you need to take as much water as you can carry, you're screwed.

You can always fill it with less, and a camelbak that can accomodate a 100oz bladder is not much larger than a 70oz.

 

[henrymiller]

Big fan of Deuter bags. The aircomfort or airstripes system keeps your back dry.

 

[J-Dubs]

I had a Deuter bag for years and loved it, but this season I went with an Osprey Raptor 10 and love it even more. Perfect pack for me. Svelte and carries a lot.

 

[bizutch]

Camelbak Mule is tiny brother and will carry exactly what you need. It has two external straps if you ever need to strap a windbreaker to it or shin pads/helmet.

The 100oz bladder is very ergonomic and well insulated.

As a side note, I'm always surprised by the guys who just fill their bladder and off they go. I'm the only one I know who turns it upside down and squeezes all the air out. It makes the pack sit better on back and cuts down on bulk. I just wonder if most people hate a hydration pack b/c they don't bother with this step.

 

[TN]

Been using a camlebak mule for over 7 years now. i like it a lot. I use it for festivals, hiking, whatever....it is a nice one.

 

[Silver]

Can I add another criteria? It needs to have good back ventilation. I'm not bothered if it has straps for helmets or shin guards. It will be used for xc/trail/road riding only.

But it needs good back ventilation. It gets real hot around here and I sweat like a fat chick on a bouncy castle.

Insulated bladder would be nice too...

Deuter has already been mentioned for ventilation.

I've got this one:

http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=RaceEXPAir&sub=hydration&tert=race

It sits away from your back, resting on a hammock type of structure. Works great for ventilation.

Also, you don't need an insulated bladder, that's going to steal a ton of space. Fill the fvcker full of ice. It's easy to do with a Deuter, the bladder opens totally up on the top.

 

[DaveW]

Another option might be one of these Damo, they look pretty good to me.
http://acousticmotorbike.co.nz/products/ride-packs/p3-pack

 

[Damo]

I ended up just getting a Camelbak Basic. I think that's what it's called. The one which holds 2l of water and bugger all else.

It can hold an innertube, my mini pump and a multi tool tucked in with the bladder plus a couple wee nicnacs in the tiny pocket. I can attach my raincoat with the bungees and I'm good to go.

Best thing? it was 30 euros.

And it works.