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Post by ooliej on Nov 10, 2011 8:28:19 GMT -5
Thinking about getting a new hydration pack and wondering what packs people prefer.
Currently have the 50oz Camelbak Fairfax which is nice on shorter rides but need something a little bigger in terms of liquid and storage space for longer rides.
What do you have, and do you like it? What features do you like?
If you were buying another one what would you get?
All comments appreciated.
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Post by wala on Nov 10, 2011 8:39:24 GMT -5
I've had a camelbak Mule for several years and Love it. 100 oz bladder and plenty of room for all my stuff. I've packed it full for 12 hour adventure races and it's also not too big for shorter rides when you don't need as much stuff.
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Post by yetichick on Nov 10, 2011 11:06:47 GMT -5
I found the MULE to be too long on my back. I prefer a women specific pack because they definitely fit better. As one option, here is a link to the women specific camelback packs: www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Packs.aspxI prefer to carry the smallest pack I can, but it has to have at least a 70 oz. bladder, pockets to carry keys, a cell phone pocket, space for gels and bars, and some way (bungee cord on the outside, for example) to carry clothes when I layer and want to remove a jacket, etc. I carry tools in a seat pack. |
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Post by dgaddis1 on Nov 10, 2011 13:06:34 GMT -5
I don't understand the why someone would wear a pack to ride....say the Skinny Loop. Perhaps it is just habit and no thought is given to using just water bottles. I used to be a pack-only user, now I'm a mostly bottle only user. The difference? The bike. My old Anthem (full suspension) only had 1 cage, and it wouldn't fit a big bottle. I don't like putting a bottle in my jersey pocket. My 29er hardtails both hold two big bottles. A tip: side entry cages. They let you get big bottles in and out of tight places, like full suspension frames, or seat tube mounted cages on hardtails.  |
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Post by wala on Nov 10, 2011 13:44:39 GMT -5
Up until recently I always used a pack, no matter what the distance is. I've recently tried the water bottle and seat bag method for shorter rides and I'm liking it.
I can put tube, Co2, chain link, chain breaker, zipties, phone, keys, and multitool in the seat bag.
Just to compare, the seat bag full of all this gear weighed less than the camalbak mule empty without the bladder.
I'll still use the Mule for longer rides where I'm a good ways out, so I can fit my first aid kit and more water.
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Post by seenvic on Nov 10, 2011 14:10:18 GMT -5
Up until recently I always used a pack, no matter what the distance is. I've recently tried the water bottle and seat bag method for shorter rides and I'm liking it. I can put tube, Co2, chain link, chain breaker, zipties, phone, keys, and multitool in the seat bag. Just to compare, the seat bag full of all this gear weighed less than the camalbak mule empty without the bladder. I'll still use the Mule for longer rides where I'm a good ways out, so I can fit my first aid kit and more water. Are your jersey pockets empty? I usually have a water bottle back there, plus the tools I need. I have a seat bag or two, but rarely use it. Perhaps I should. I do use a mountain feed bag www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.catalog&CategoryID=2&ProductID=12..it mounts to my handlebar and I love it. It holds a water bottle if I need a third bottle. I miss having two bottle mount on my bike. |
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Post by yetichick on Nov 10, 2011 16:56:46 GMT -5
Since this post was put on the Fat Tire Foxes forum, and not the General Discussion forum, I believe we are looking for female specific information. So, guys, rather than telling us what you use, we would appreciate hearing what your spouses/girlfriends/significant others use for hydration packs. I realize that some of your spouses, etc., do not post, so tell us what you bought them to use. I know this forum is new, but the purpose is to be female specific information. You are more than welcome to post, but answer the questions as they relate to females.  |
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Post by rsmith on Nov 10, 2011 17:13:34 GMT -5
Sorry.......  .. just viewed previous "guys" responses, thought an interesting thread....... and helpful to me....... Forum Mgr. - FYI - for those of us that follow "New Posts", the specific forum is not "highlighted" when you view a new topic (source of post). Yes, it is available in the small print of location line. ... once again, I've `tread on the female conversation..... But then again, other than size - why the gender difference when discussing helpful equip. comparisons.... ??  |
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Post by yetichick on Nov 10, 2011 17:23:35 GMT -5
Because this is a gender specific forum.  |
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Post by dgaddis1 on Nov 10, 2011 17:37:22 GMT -5
Bottles are gender neutral ;D
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Post by ooliej on Nov 10, 2011 18:52:23 GMT -5
OK, happy to hear all opinions but nice to hear some female specific pack recommendations too as I'm on the smaller side. I did the water bottle, seat pack for a long time and on the trail I'm not so good at riding and snagging my bottle out whereas with the pack I tend to drink a lot more. I was happy to switch. Not to mention its a good cushion for falling backwards, don't ask. I think the Mule is a little bigger than what I'm looking for. I'm thinking something around 70oz and approx 300-500 cu inches for cargo. The Consigliere and the Octane are appealing but was not sure what else was out there. I do have a bottle too btw, but only space to hold one on bike in a pretty much unreachable spot. I keep my Gatorade/non-water drink there for when I stop. |
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Post by chaosx44 on Nov 10, 2011 20:12:39 GMT -5
Julie, my favorite hydration pack is the one you gave me.... ;-)
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Post by wala on Nov 10, 2011 20:35:24 GMT -5
sorry ladies. didn't see which forum this was in. Couldn't tell by looking at the "10 newest posts" as rsmith stated.
Anyway, my wife uses one of the women specific versions of the camelbak. It's a 100oz also, but has less capacity for junk.
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Post by yetichick on Nov 11, 2011 8:06:56 GMT -5
Understand, guys. I've never gone to the threads in that manner, but go to the main forum page and scroll down. Your way would be a time saver. The mountain feed bag was interesting. I wouldn't want it on my bike, though, unless I was riding the Great Divide Trail in Colorado. Just kidding! I do know you guys ride some long connector rides. I do use a larger pack when we do a connector and trail work. It has a 100 oz. bladder, and I also carry a water bottle w/an electrolyte drink in it. Don't know the name of the pack, though. I strap Michael's chain saw safety helmet on the outside of it when we b.o.b. in for trailwork. Why a pack and not a water bottle for short rides? I don't want to reach down for the water bottle while on a trail. I also don't stop to drink and tend to drink small amounts frequently so having the water easily available works better for me. Wala, which model does your wife use? Chaos--which model is yours? |
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Post by wooglin on Nov 11, 2011 8:54:19 GMT -5
but has less capacity for junk. lol. As does the women's forum. /sorry, just too easy to pass up. |
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Post by wala on Nov 11, 2011 9:32:23 GMT -5
she's using the camelbax luxe. It' an older model. The new ones have been redesigned.
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Post by Mark Y. on Nov 11, 2011 18:37:35 GMT -5
Ladies, generally being more fastidious than men, might appreciate this : www.hydrapak.com/It is a reversible bladder that is very easy to clean. Just turn it inside out and let it dry. I can't speak to other packs, but it has the same dimensions as my Camelbak bladder. Only two sizes though, 70 and 100. Their packs look decent too. |
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Post by ooliej on Nov 13, 2011 17:10:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. Looks very interesting. Nice mix of bladder and pack sizes. Like the California names of the packs. The Selva is looking like a nice size. Its going to be hard to decide what pack to get with all the choices. :-)
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