Any experience with the Camelbak MULE or the Deuter Hydro M3 or Deuter Race X II? Important issue would be the valve and locking system

Thanks.

My friend got the MULE with a 100 oz reservoir the other day and he likes it quite a bit... Personally I'd suggest the HAWG or Blowfish... His didn't come with the nice new reservoir that has the 90 degree bite valve, though. I like the blowfish because it's actually expandable. The only thing about it I don't like is the fact that it doesn't have any exterior bungees like the MULE and HAWG have. As far as the Deuters are concerned, I've never even heard of them so I can't make any comments about it.

I was thinking about getting the Camelbak MULE, and a friend of mine has one. I found it was too small for what I wanted to carry. I picked up the Camelbak HAWG. I love the bite valve and capacity of it. The MULE has another loop in the other large pocket so it can hold 2 reserviours, doubt Ill ever use the other though. My deciding factor over the Blowfish was the bungies and straps to tighten the bulk. I didnt like the idea of unzipping the Blowfish and only having 2 sizes, didnt see any straps to tighten bulk.

Camelbaks are very well made. Ive fallen on mine once, on a large rock, and no leaks. It was kinda like falling into a bag of air. Consider it a multitasking piece of saftey gear. So far no tears but Ive only had it about 2 months. The fabric is nice and tough with strong seams. Very comfortable to wear, I dont really notice its on me. I havent noticed my back getting hot at all. The temp was still in the 80's here when I got it. I do notice now that its cooler that if I take it off for a few min and put it back on its kinda cold.

I put a lot of ice in my camelbak. One thing I loved was even after riding in the afternoon, there was still ice in it the next morning. The water in the tube gets warm but I suck that up and spit it out then drink the cold water. It also works to blow the water back in then suck it back out.

Theres other stuff I love about the HAWG but those are the major points I think. My only complaint is it bugs me theres pockets and loops that I dont know what to do with.

Donno anything about the other hydration system you mentioned. Check out the MTB gear review site. I dont have it book marked on this computer. If you have trouble finding the site Ill dig it up tomarrow.

Camelbak makes a hanger for the reserviours. Do yourself a favor and get it (assuming you go with camelbak).... Got mine last week and its so much easier to dry out that way. Also, camelbak makes cleaning tabs...Ive read unflavored denture tabs do the same thing.

although i have not tried other brands, camelbaks have a good valve system that locks up as soon as you let go of the tube (basically the valve opens when you bite and closes tight as soon as you stop biting) no fuss whatsoever

I own several Camelbacks and I'm very happy with them. I don't care for their colors too much, but their features are nice.

Deuter makes an excellent product as well. I know people with Deuter packs that have lasted for years of regular use.

I don't think you could go wrong with either product.

I have also heard good things about Deuter and am seriously considering getting one (not sure what model). I have used a Mule for 3-4 years and its been holding up great, along with a couple other Camelbaks. Had an issue w/ the cap leaking, but customer svc said it was from a faulty batch (undersized) and sent a replacement immediately. Problem solved. One thing to note is that when the bladder is full, the pack becomes rather cylindrical and thus doesn't sit that nicely on the back. Some Deuter reviews I read mentioned that it stays flat and sits better on the back. It also mentioned that the back portion works fairly well at circulating some air through it.

Let us know how it turns out, especially would like to hear if one of the Deuter works out for you

Dave

I bought a Camelbak MULE earlier this year and it's great. It's my first back mounted system, and kick myself for not getting one sooner. I have nothing to compare it to. I have frieds with LOBO and Blowfish models.

The LOBO seemed a bit small to me - 70oz and fewer compartments. The Blowfish had more cargo capacity than I'd need. I like the external stuff areas on the MULE - very versatile.

My MULE has the 90 degree valve and that works great. I also like the fact that I can easily get replacement parts (like the valve) fairly easily at most sporting goods stores. I also bought the $20 brush cleaning kit when I got my MULE. I have yet to use it. (I soak the innards in a bleach solution every two weeks or so to clean.) I think they make more off the accessories than the main product!

The Mule is ok if you want to carry minimum items but as a day-sack it is too small for what I need to carry around. The Deuter is not bad but the absence of decent pocket space inside pisses me off as everything gets messed up. I prefer compartments - easy to get to, easy to find what I need. Otherwise if it's just for the bike then any will do but if you want it as a carry around with you, get the larger bags.

I have a deuter race x air, not sure what the difference between the race x air 1 and 2 but i absolutely love mine. It has really good air flow on the back and the straps breath well. The pockets are perfect size for me with the small one at the front to put wallet/keys/phone etc in to and the larger pocket for anything else i might have with me. The feature that really made me decide to get it instead of the camelbak was the mesh section at the back, it has a tight section of mesh like material which goes from the top of the backpack to the bottom so the actual pack makes minimal contact with your back. Which means you don't feel sweaty and nothing in your pack can poke you.

So from my experiences with both companies (also have the small 2l camelbak) i would pick deuter, but in saying that both companies make respectable products.

this year's blowfish has pads on the back of the bag to give some airflow space between the pack and your back. I know the 04 models didn't seem to have it and I'm not sure if they've done it with the HAWG or not, but my Blowfish has it. I do wish the blowfish had tie-downs and straps on the outside. The pockets themselves are quite useful and I like it a lot, I just wish it had a little different configuration. I also do like the expandable part. I do wish it was a bit more water-resistant, though. Aside from the lack of exterior tie-downs, that would be my biggest complaint about my camelbak.

My wife and I have had Deuters. They look very appealing, but after a while the "warts" start getting to you. This is especially the case when you get a CamelBak for comparison and you ride a lot. We gave the Deuters away and now we have 5 CamelBaks between us. Nothing compares to the later CameBak designs.

Al

I am the one cryogenic is referring to. I like mine for it's purpose, but don't plan on taking anything big with you...I hold 2 pairs of glasses, bus schedules, ipod, keys, 3 pairs of gloves, and a bavaclava. That's about it. I could find room for some more, but that basically takes car of it's capacity.

Camleback...simple reason...never heard or seen a deutrers (sp)

camelbaks are used by the service...they're known for their durability. I've never heard anyone complain about the actual quality of a camelbak. I myself ordered a fieldcase so that I can take my laptop to/from work with me.

I've owned a MULE since the beginning of last year. It is very durable, and works very well. I have no complaints.

dueter makes great packs!! ride w/ a few that have them and they love 'em.

if anyone cares to send me a dueter I'll test it,

I think Camelbak is the only company that uses HydroGuard; it's an anti-microbial treatment that should significantly reduce the funk that will grow in the reservoir if you don't clean it.

I just rinse mine regularly and no funk has grown yet... lol

mine has yet to have any funk grow...butttt....I guess what you keep in it and how often you rinse it out matters alot.

check out golite's hydration packs, particularly their new pulse or the fruita pack. really cool looking.

Ive had to clean out a little funk in my Camelbak once. Ive only ever put filtered water and ice in it. I suspect its from one of my lazy days when I emptied the camelbak after a ride and didnt bother to let it air out. Got the hangar drier thingie and it makes lazy easy.

Yeah, I wash mine out with hot soapy water before each use, and keep it dry in the meantime. I only put water in mine also.

I agree. They are lighter than the Camelbacks with comparable storage capacity. I've had one for awhile and am perfectly happy with it.

www.golite.com

I bend a wire coathanger to make my own cheapo camelback drying rack hanger.

I have a MULE iits called a MULE cause like a mule, its compact and carries a lot for its size.

In my MULE I usually have:

Adjustable wrench.
Spare tire
Tire pump
first aid kit
3 or 4 power bars
Parktools Multi-tool
Leatherman Multitool
My wallet
chaintool
My car keys
tire patch kit with 3 levers
And more stuff I cant remember right now.

And still have a little more room to stuff more junk in.

I like it a lot. I wouldn't mind something a little bigger for rides that are more than 30 miles long (singletrack off road I mean...), but for sub-30miles the MULE has served me very well.

I haven't tried the other company tho.. Been seein it in magazines lately tho.. Looks like they can carry A LOT, includin kitchen sink.