Anyone tried one of these? Was it comfortable? Enough storage? Or did you find a bit lacking?
Depends on what you want to do with it as far as storage goes, but it is by far the most stable and comfortable camelbak I have come across. I hate the things, but use them because I hate muddy water bottles more.
I have only had it a couple of months, so can't comment on how it will feel in mid summer, but so far so good.
Like the sound of it already. Only real downside i can see is only 1.5 l bladder. Would need to have one bottle as backup. Where does most of weight sit? I have always found weight always ends up dragging on shoulders rather sitting on back
I can see a downside. I have crashed a couple of times and injured my ribs in the exact spot those side pockets are. I can imagine having a multi-tool in there could make a nasty multi-tool shaped hole in your ribcage.
Hmmmm. Am due a crash as well😬
I've had mine for about a month now and so far so good.
To be honest, the main motivation was that I was getting fed up with having to remove my pack every time I wanted to get my phone out, which I seem to be doing more and more these days (checking maps, taking pictures, working out what that peak is called etc). I'm not sure how risky having the phone in the front pocket is (I'll let you know when I crash) but it's in a lifeproof case. I did decide against having a multi-tool in the front pocket though and the other side houses some snacks and some first aid stuff (bandage, dressing etc). The last two serious crashes were both broken arms and both times I was unable to get my pack off, rendering my first aid kit somewhat superfluous.
In general I find the storage about right. My previous pack had a 3L bladder plus a fair bit of storage and I always tended to carry too much. The 1.5L of the chase seems about right for UK riding. There isn't a great deal of storage and I did have to "invest" in a smaller pump, but I can basically carry all I need and nothing I don't. It does sit high enough that you can also access the pockets of a roadie jeresy too though, if you want extra space, which increases the versatility a fair bit. The front right pocket will also take one of those soft bottles if you want to carry a bit more liquid.
Comfort wise I find it far better than my previous Evoc pack. Mainly because it's a lot lighter, but it also sits quite nicely and does indeed feel more like a heavy vest than a pack. Being able to reach the phone and my snacks means that I'll often leave it on for the whole ride.
Of course I haven't tried it in the summer yet, so can't comment on warm weather performance.
Only one real niggle; the loop that you hang the bladder from is too small. Easy enough to insert, but fiddly to remove when you come to refil it.
Good summary roverpig - what size pump will it take? Wondering if a topeak mountain morph will fit?
It was a mountain morph that I replaced 🙂
There are some loops in the stretchy outer section and you can stick the morph in there. I dare say it would stay in place, but it does protrude above the top of the pack. I went for the shorter lezyne alloy drive, which fits inside the pack just fine.
Mountain morph in a chase vest
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I really like this idea, I'm usually taking 0.5l of drink most rides so this is ideal, but I can't feel.comfortable with the rib breaker pockets. USWE might be an alternative though...
molgrips, if you look where it says chase bike vest there is a zipped pocket, i have a multi tool on one side and a couple of co2 canisters on the other.
Phone and cash/card go in the front pockets.
Cheers roverpig.
https://marathonmtb.com/2018/03/25/camelbak-chase-bike-vest-review/
might help, a fair few images.
Yep read that revie, thats what got me thnking
I’ve got one - bought as I’ve started doing long (100k or so) gravel rides, so extra storage is always useful and I liked the fact I could still access rear jersey pockets and the front pockets for stowing gels etc is useful for off-road stuff with easy access
I’m impressed with it - does everything I need and comfortable.
I’ve struggled with camelbaks since a bad collarbone break (since the break I’ve used a charge LR with the lumbar bladder to ease pressure on the site of the break, as straps sit right over the commutated bone) -but this is perfect!
Carries enough fluid for what I need (usually just water in the bladder with an energy drink in bottle on the bike) and the stretchy storage panel/pocket easily allows me to stuff a lightweight rain cape/jacket in.
Only thing I did (well, the MiL!) was to make a longer lower sternum strap as the original one pulled the shoulder straps in a bit too much over my collarbone break.
HTH
A
