I'm new to trying mountain biking. Yesterday I carried a small backpack for everything. On my road bike, I have a bag under my seat and a bottle cage on my frame.

I feel like all the jostling around on the trails could mean my seat bag and/or water bottle could disappear.

What do folks use to carry their gear around, specifically:

• Phone
• Keys
• spare tube, tools and CO2
• Water (camel pack is one obvious answer - is that the only answer?)
  

I been using this under seat bag and has been great for years. Even with my tool kit, phone, key etc in it. I drive down the interstate at 75 with it on the bike and it's still there.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3W8FFM
The rear support strap goes theough the seat rails and around and under the bag and supports the weight unlike some bags that just have it sewn on the top. I have the large.

For lose water bottles, I wrap a piece of velco around the cage/bottle. It still comes in and out when I want it too but makes it tighter.

You Stuff your Stuff into Stuff Sacks, of course..

I carry all my stuff in a CamelBak. This one specifically:


It's a 12 L pack, with a 3 L reservoir. I'll usually have a spare tube, multi-tool, tire levers, mini-pump, shock pump, phone, keys, and a couple of energy bars in there. If there's a chance of rain or in case it gets a bit chilly, I'll have a windbreaker/rain jacket stuffed in there as well.

In terms of hydration packs, CamelBak isn't your only option. Plenty of good packs available out there. Dakine (I have an older 18 L pack that I don't use anymore), Osprey, and USWE all have very good offerings.

For short scouting or hard pushing days I like to use my Shimano Unzen 2, and for longer day rides or events I use a Camelback M.U.L.E.
Both have plenty of room for tools, FAK, and food.
I'll still carry two bottles in the cages, but they are for Gatorade & NUUN drinks.
A mini bungie cord holds the bottles in place.

Have both a saddle bag and a Camelbak. Never had issue with a quality saddle bag getting loose

Camelback M.U.L.E.

I even carry a bigass Gerber tactical knife in it in case I have to take down a mountain lion.

Just kidding.

Sort of.

When mountain biking, I carry pretty much everything in a Camelbak Hawg (Water, food, tools, keys, extra layers.... everything). The only thing I ever carry on the bike is an extra water bottle if it is a longer ride and I want some sport/energy drink. I find that the more weight is off the bike and on me, the easier the bike handles.

When road biking, I carry it all on the bike.

On shorter rides or when the trails are all close to the parking lot, I just have a small under seat bag with a couple of tube patches, a small multi-tool, and a granola bar. I have
a frame mounted mini pump, and I use a Looney Bin bottle cage. It is adjustable and holds my Apex stainless bottle fine, even through crashes.
On longer rides, I use a hydration back pack. Similar to Rasheed's with more bars, and an extra tube, bug wipes, a rag and bigger mulit-tool.

https://www.dakine.com/en-ca/bags/ba...tion-backpack/

I love my Dakine stuff. I got this bag from a buddy probably about 6 years ago and its still awesome. Tons of space for carrying everything I need to get me out of minor trouble. If I could recommend one thing, get one that has two straps in the front. (Around your waist and chest.) I find it to not feel secure enough with only one, however, this could just be me.

Lots of people like Camelbacks or the equivalent. I don't particularly like them, although I do have one. Instead I prefer a small backpack.

I carry a lot of stuff, since I've been in situations a couple of times where I was injured & really needed something. I usually carry water bottles, pump, first aid kit, tools & spare parts, tube, gauge, tire repair kit, bike chain lube, plus a couple other small items.

And I'm not fast, so it doesn't bother me to carry a pack. Although it could provide a good excuse for that slowness...

Steve Z

A Camelbak is just a backpack with a water bladder. They come in all sizes.

Yeah, I know what a Camelbak is. I have one.

I also have a respiratory issue that makes it difficult for me to drink while riding. So the bladder & tube is not particularly useful to me. I prefer a water bottle, and that's why I use them.

Steve Z

I'm quite new to Mountain biking as well and I started with a bottle cage and small back pack. Now I use a Camelbak Mule..I love it. I carry tools, first aid, tube, phone, energy bars and sometimes a long sleeve shirt or whatever else I might need. It's not too heavy if you pack smart and I like that there's straps for the chest and midsection. As I've gotten more brave on jumps, it helps to keep that pack close to my back instead of it lifting up when I get a little air.
Between the hydration and storage....it's perfect in my opinion. [MENTION=454965]Kapusta[/MENTION] said it best. While mountain biking I want my bike to be light and agile. When I'm commuting or road biking, I put everything on my bike.