Camelbak Hydrapak etc
 

My lovely wife has offered to buy me a hydration pack for my impending 35th. The thing is I can't decide which one would be a most suitable.

I do a lot of 2/3 hour XC but occationally spend all day out on the trails - So a pack with a bit of storage would be good. However, I don't want to have a great big back pack that will flap around when it only holds the bladder and a gel pack.

Oh yeah it also has to look good too - to match my good looks. :eek:

Any ideas?

take a look at the Mule.
Pricepoint.com has the '04 on sale for a very reasonable price
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/113...elbak-MULE.htm

edit: sorry didn't notice you are in the UK, I doubt my link will be of much use to you besides reference.

Ditto

Camelbak Mule - Yeah - that does seem to be a name I've heard alot.

See if you can pick up an 05 Camelbak Mule pretty cheap as there is a new model out, they are a pretty good size. Try somewhere lik www.merlincycles.co.uk or www.wiggle.co.uk

The Camelbak Blowfish is a good pack. I juggle between that & a Pricepoint Sette hydrapak.
The Blowfish opens & closes according to how much space you need.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226

The 2005 Mule is also on campmor for $40. At least it was there a week or so ago when I bought it :)

I have a H.A.W.G and like it a lot. It is bigger than the Mule, but it has cinch down straps on the top and bottom, so that it can be compacted down very small when it is not full. You can always make the H.A.W.G smaller, but you can not make the Mule bigger if you need more space, just something to consider.

if i may, halfords sell an own brand hydration systems, for £40 you can get a 2lt pack with detatchable backpack (hydration only for short rides, both packs for longer stints), alot of storage, alot of pockets, helmet pouch, extendable waterproof cover. its well ventilated, no sweaty back. use one myself, it does more then most camelbacks, and for a lower price.

That Halford one sounds interesting - can't see it on their website though. Do you know what it's called. Perhaps I can pop in on my way home from work tomorrow and check one out.

yep, i had a hydrobak, but i hated it because i couldnt carry anything. but i got a mule for christmas and i havent taken it off of my bak since

So, you sleep on your stomach?? :eek:

mule. hands down

Mule, perfect size and versitile

+1. Got a Rogue before, but it couldn't carry anything. Using a 05' Mule now, got it on closeout, I'm sure you can do the same.

Bit surprised at this. I've used a Rogue for years, and I've never had to leave stuff at home that I wanted to take, including gilet, arm warmers and knee warmers, spare tube, mobile phone etc. My friends have Mules, but all it means is that they carry everything in that rather than putting some stuff in jersey pockets. The extra litre would be useful in summer though, but then i just carry a bottle as well.

Having said all that, if I was going to buy a new one just for mtbing, I'd probably get a Mule. But for road use as well, I'd go for a Rogue again.

i just bought a Camelbak Bigwave for $20 at Big Five Sporting Goods it carries half a liter and i dont drink that much water and it has storage for a little thats all i need. But i would go with the Mule if you have the money its alot nicer!

not got it infront of me so i cant give you a name, its one of the bikehut ones, the larger of the 2 models on offer.

i just replaced a Camelbak Rimrunner (huge! nice for some of the long/high up rides) with a Wingnut Gear Hyper 3.0 only one ride with it so far, but it rocks! good storage, and feels way better, riding low on the back. keeps the weight low, and doesn't shift about while moving around on the bike/on ugly techy stuff.

the Rimrunner was nice, this is nicer. though not sure if you can get them over there, or something similar. the owners are apparatnly pretty cool; not sure if they'd ship over there or not.

https://www.wingnutgear.com/product_details.cfm?id=116

I use a hydrapak. It's not a huge one, but I've been quite happy with it. I like the innovations they have.

http://www.hydrapak.com/packs/hydration_packs.html

Camelbak HAWG.

The Mule has some packing space, but you loose all the real cargo capacity when you fill the bladder. The Mule is really only appropriate for holding a frame pump and a handful of small items.

The HAWG will cinch down to about the size of the mule. But it holds WAY, WAY more. If you're planning the occasional day trip, the HAWG is your best bet in the Camelbak line. You should still be able to find '04s for cheap, probably even in the UK. I'd stay away from the '05s because last year Camelbak seems to have had a "queer eye" year in '05 where they made all their packs look like they were marketing to little girls. The '06 models however are VERY cool. They've gotten a little "squarish" and tough looking. They all look a little more like military packs now.

There are some other lines out there, notably Oakley. And Oakley is good because they do NOT make bladders, they just sell you the pack. Nobody out there does bladders and valves as well as Camelback.

There are some systems out there that are designed to ride VERY low on your back in order to lower your center of gravity. These are worth a look, but just remember that a normal pack tends to sag low anyway. Once the bladder is half empty, it will all be the same.

Blowfish here. Holds 3 liters and I use it all. Pack is expandable and can hold all you want.

For my newest pack I went with a Dakine Nomad. It's not their biggest hydration pack (the Apex) but it easily holds more than I normally need to carry. The next smaller size is the Drafter. It's a huge improvement over Camelbaks in my opinion. (No I don't work for Dakine, but it's sure going to sound like it after I'm done.)

The back panel (what rests against your back) is made out of some sort of molded foam rubber that doesn't absorb sweat, so you don't get the "soggy backpack" syndrome. The straps are thicker than the Camelbaks that I've tried so they're more comfortable but still not so thick that they get sweaty. The waist straps can be removed if you don't need them (they're held on by a large amount of velcro, but don't worry: they're very solid and won't move when installed).

The compression straps hold closed a big fold out pocket for either quick access items or even helmet storage. The bottom of the pack has the normal straps for armor carrying or otherwise. There's an eyewear pocket, a compartmentalized pocket, and a huge pocket (which has the mesh pocket for the bladder inside of it) to complement the fold out pocket.

The hydration bladder is one of the best parts. Along with the essentials like a large filling opening and a very functional bite valve (with lock so it won't leak if someone sets something on it in the car) it also offers little features such as the tube can disconnect at the base of the bladder (without leaking) so that you can refill the bladder without taking the tube out of the pack.

If you do look at Dakine packs, the newer models do have big improvements over models from a couple years ago, so don't get a closeout one if you can.

In short: I'm a huge fan, best hydration pack ever :D.

Deuter M3 $60 here but I understand they are less expensive across the pond. they have 100floz( 3 liter for you brits), tons of well organized storage space and even room for your helmet if you let the bungee stuff out.insulated and by far the best venting across your back pack on the market

Im not sure which bag should I buy? This will be my first hydration pack system, im looking to a 2litres of water system and a bit of storage to keep my handphone, some medical stuffs and a bike lock. Any suggestions?? Im thinking of LOBO?