Scout353

I'm looking into getting a pack for mountain biking. I've narrowed it down to the H.A.W.G. or the Rim Runner. Both on www.campmor.com. If you have any other suggestions please post them. I also want to be able to use this bag as a daypack for hiking but the main purpose still being for biking. Any suggestions on ethier or on any other similar bag I could use?

Scout353

eric1971

I have used the same M.U.L.E. for 6 years. No complaints. Don't think you can go wrong with the Camelbak brand.

RT

I have an '04 H.A.W.G. as I prefer as much storage as possible. Fits nice and snug, but none of the hydration packs have enough cargo space for me. If you're getting it mainly for hydration, you're on the right track. If you need cargo space, you might be better off getting a Wal-Mart backpack and buying the bladder alone to insert into the back cargo area. Just a thought.

cmfx_2

I bought the MULE earlier this year, couldn't be happier with it. 3L water capacity, plus I'm able to fit all my tools, spare tubes. Even have space left over to pack some snacks and a change of shirts if needed. If you're in need of much space the HAWG may be the better bet but the MULE's done everything I need it to!

cydewaze

That about sums it up for me too.

Stubacca

I use a Blowfish.

3L water capacity, plenty of space for tools, jacket etc, plus expandable for really big loads. The expandable bit is good - it keeps the pack smaller and more compact when you don't need the extra space.

CranxOC

I use the MULE and, unless you're going to be humping a lot of stuff onto the trail, this is about the largest one you'll actually need. The HAWG and Blowfish have all kinds of great storage capacity but, for most riders who aren't going off on 60-80 mile epic rides on a regular basis, they're simply overkill and extra weight.

willtsmith_nwi

Walmart vs quality

I'll take quality and the HAWG.

I have an 04 HAWG and I love it. Previously had a '98 Mule and it was a bit restrictive. You can always cinch down the HAWG for extra space. But you cannot make a smaller pack bigger.

When it comes to the bladder and the bite valve, no one beats Camelback.

willtsmith_nwi

Well, that is unless you want to be PREPARED. I like to carry a little medkit as well as bugspray and a folding pruning saw (I like to stop to maintain the trail where it's needed). Plus if you like carrying an extra tube, you need room for that too.

Unless you are racing ... why do you want to shave pounds by sacrificing gear that can come in handy. If you're training for races, more weight will help condition you.

If you can't take a little extra weight, your not in very good condition. Especially when your only talking about 5-10 pounds of gear.

Scout353

OK its ethier the MULE or the H.A.W.G or the Rimrunner most likely. I would be getting the 2004 model on the H.A.W.G. as advertised on www.campmor.com. They are all Camelbaks. I know camelbak makes great hydration packs so I'm most likely going to stick with that brand.
I want to be able to use it for day hikes also and what worried me about the H.A.W.G. was the waist strap. I wasn't sure if it was suitable for a day hike and if on the 2004 the shoulder straps were padded. I can't seem to find all of the specs on it from the Internet(2004 model).

My main use would be up to 3 maybe 4 hour rides. I don't do any real long excursions. I do have a bag which I would use for an overnight ride.

I don't need a whole ton of gear, I usually carry: cell, gps, compass, map printouts, wallet, extra shirt(small), small first aid kit, bug spray, sunblock,extra socks, and snacks. Tools and lock go onto the bike itself along with anything else that can fit(not much). It usually fills up most of my quite small orange shoulder bag.

I'm wondering if the MULE will have enough space. From photos it looks quite small.

I like the H.A.W.G. becasue I can fit in all of my gunk into it for a day hike and squeeze it down to size for a quick bike ride.

eric1971

In my MULE I usually carry: spare tube, multi-tool, mini pump, cell, wallet, keys, patch kit, and a Power Bar. I could carry a few more small things if need be. Granted, this is an older model. Don’t know if the newer one carries less/more.

CranxOC

I have all of those same things (except the saw) in my pack and still have room for my camera, leg and arm warmers, extra food (for longer rides) and all of the other essentials. Most people will never use the extra space on the larger packs so having it is just overkill. Plus, the bigger packs mean more coverage on your back which means less airflow which means more overheating. Again, the bigger pack is simply overkill for
most riders, not all riders; don't take it personally.

CranxOC

Try this: take all of your stuff to a LBS or sporting goods store that sells both the MULE and the HAWG and see which one if fits into better. If you really do carry all of that stuff onto a trail though (I'm not quite sure why you need all of that but, to each his own) then you might be better off with the HAWG.

supcom

This is difficult to do as the storage space in a MULE decreases drastically when the bladder is full of water.

Scout353

I'm describing my normal day pack, I carry less gear when biking. No one within 50 miles of me sells the 2004 H.A.W.G., but several sell the MULE. I was going to get the 2004 H.A.W.G. from Campmor as they have the cheapest price, the others are 30 dollars more and are the 2005. No one near me sells any H.A.W.G.

Now on the Campmor website it shows the same picture for the HAWG 2004 and 05. Everything is the same except for the space size. Could the 05 be with water and the 04 be without water?

I'll be going to visit the MULE soon and will be looking at it for space. My biker friend has a H.A.W.G 03 so I know wat that ones size is.

Any other user reveiws for ethier of these bags? MULE or HAWG

Also can anyone comment on the waist and shoulder straps of the MULE and '04 H.A.W.G. both can be found on www.campmor.com if you want to read about them.

Thanks.

jameyj

The size is the same. That is an error stating different sizes. The only difference is the 2005 model comes with the anti-microbial reservoir. The straps are padded and the waist strap is sufficient.

I really like my H.A.W.G. It is not that big and I can ride comfortably with mine for hours. I like having the extra room and the size/weight difference is not that noticeable.

iovnow

I was about to buy a MULE until I actually saw it. i felt it was too small for me.

I went with the HAWG and couldnt be happier. I like how I can carry tons of gear and still have some room to carry other peoples gear. It cinches down real well so its not bulky when its not full. I also like how there are outside easy access pockets so I can put a rag in there to wipe the sweat off with. When I get into riding I dont notice Im wearing it. The few times Ive gone out without it Ive really missed it. Water bottles are so prohibitive as they arent as easy to drink from and the water gets warm fairly quickly.

I dont know anything about the rim runner. I really suggest, like others, that you actually go to a sporting goods store or LBS and look at some of them to get an idea on sizes and styles.

willtsmith_nwi

They all have water. Otherwise they wouldn't be a Camelback ;-)

Pricepoint has the 04 Camelback Hawg in red for $60. It's a good deal.

The best I can tell, for the 05 they've change the airflow padding (area between your back and the pack) and made it look like a little girls overnight bag. I made sure I got an 04. I don't know WHAT Cambelbak is thinking with their 05 styling.


this ...


vs this ...

Scout353

Does anyone have any problems with the '04 H.A.W.G.'s airflow padding? At the moment the '04 H.A.W.G. is winning but would still like to hear what people have to say about it.

hooligan

I'm still thinking if that much is worth the money. Is the stitching and everything done well? Do the bladders stay leak free for a long time, assuming you dont shove sharp things into it?
I mean normal backpacks are so much cheaper, what makes camelbak special? The water bladder and the strap, but is the pack itself designed strongly and well? Do the buckles break or do the straps rip off? I want to know if it's worth it since I pack a lot and I don't mind a big pack.

jameyj

Works great. Like I said earlier it really is a nice pack. Very well made and the bladder is very good.

CPW

All the bigshots around here use the M.U.L.E. and I rarely ride for more than 3 hrs at a stretch so I went w/ the MULE and it works great. I carry tube, pump, multi-tool, tire irons, snack, cell phone, keys and water in the bladder and I still have room to spare. Looked at the HAWG too but I already have a small backcountry skiing pack w/ bladder pocket if I need more space.
MULE gets my vote.
CPW

supcom

Camelback makes first rate stuff.

Scout353

I'll be checking out the MULE and other EMS backpack www.ems.com this afternoon. Any other information on the 04 HAWG or the MULE, pro, cons, first hand accounts etc.

iovnow

The stitching and materials are excellent. Ive been using mine for about a year and notice nothing falling apart on it. Ive fallen backwards onto pointy rocks with my MULE on and it really felt like falling onto my bed. The bladder was unharmed. It also fits much better than a backpack and the airflow design on the back works real well. In my opinion its really worth it.