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Has anyone used both of these hip packs? Are they both great, or does one have specific advantages over the other? Does either have greater internal carrying capacity for waterproofs etc? Or are they both similar in capacity? Thanks.
I've got a Repack and if you fill the the bladder there's bugger all space for anything else. The pocket on the front doesnt fill me with confidence. I'd pop snacks in it but certainly wouldn't risk my car keys in there. Can't speak of the Evoc waistpack but I have got an Evoc Trail 26 and it's a brilliantly made bag.
Got both, only use the Evoc 3L, much prefer the velcro style waist adjuster, extra room and of course, 2 bottles you can carry and ignore the bladder, it's comfier and just makes more sense in the layout, the repack is weird with the zips bottom and top, i've yet to understand why someone would need a zip at the bottom of a pocket to quickly release everything in that pocket!
The waist belt is great on the evoc. However if you are on the smaller waisted size (a dying breed) you find that you have a big tail of strap tucked round your waist
I find the Repack ok, especially for the price. I fill the bladder and get a fair amount of stuff in it. Hope bag with dynaplug, tp and ibuprofen, small oneup edc pump.
Car keys in the main pocket on the hook or zipped side pocket.
I’ve got the repack - if you have a full bladder and some tools I don’t see you getting a waterproof in there as well. Even without tools but a bladder you haven’t got acres of room. The front pocket is a weird one - it has 2 zips and isn’t fully stitched at one end (has velcro). I’m confident a phone won’t fall out - but I wouldn’t leave keys loose in that pocket. There is a mesh pocket within that pocket that has a strap to connect keys to so I do that.
Personally I like the bag but it could be improved with just a few tweaks.
If you’re an aggressive rider you can pull the repack tighter as you drink water to stop it moving around.
you ain’t getting a coat in either.
I have the Evoc. It's fine with a bottle but you'll feel it bouncing if you're doing jumps. They do a rain cover for it, good for keeping it clean, just rinse it off.
internal carrying capacity for waterproofs etc?
The main compartment of mine will be full with: micro rain jacket (Endura MTR shell), mini pump, sandwich, banana, phone, car key, first aid kit. The external bottle holders have cinch straps around the top, so I can stuff some things in dry bags and put in one/both of those.
I have a Repack and echo the comments regarding lack of room when the bladders in, Also find it doesnt hold enough water for a 'big' day on the bike, especially when its hot. Though I just use my bigger Evoc backpack on those days, prefer a hip pack though!
Rarely use my repack for water, as a 750ml bottle in the frame does me a couple of hours. When I have put water in I’ve rarely filled the bladder fully but it’s been really stable. Really like mine - better than the dakine it replaced.
Got the repack and confirm it's difficult to fit a waterproof shell when the bladders full.
I'm trying to think of a way of adding a cargo net or bungee straps to hold a waterproof similar to the new mule 5 waist pack.
I have the Evoc Pro 3L, I've made some modifications to it though, it now has an external raincover pouch and some cinch straps to carry a jacket. I've also fixed velcro on the tails of the internal strap to stop it working loose over a ride.
was happy enough with the repack, using it for a good few years. i drink a lot so needed the bladder full for any decent rides so was a tight sqeeze getting everything else in and no room for a waterproof.
now gone onto the evoc and prefer it. bladder is better and there is a bit more space, i can fit my waterproof into one of the bottle holders.
i'm a small 34 waist and like mentioned above there is a lot of excess strap on the evoc that very occasionally needs tucking back in( very rarely like once every 15/20 rides so a non issue really)
I was just about to ask a similar question.
Does anyone have a Osprey Seral 7? I cant make my mind up between the Osprey and the Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3L.
If it's large capacity you need then have a look at the dakine hot laps 5l. 2l bladder and plenty of room for other essentials. Happy with mine but haven't tried the others.
Will a camelbak 2L bladder fit in the Dakine Hot Laps?
Not sure about that Mounty, it would depend on the shape and I've not used the repack. But the dakine comes with a decent 2l bladder.
<p style="text-align: left;">Can't comment on the 7 but I have the Seral 4 which is poor. The bladder takes most of the room and is a pain to get in when full. The bite valve and tube have a magnetic locator which is useless. Every time you move it comes off and dangles in your chain.</p>
Oh, and there isn't a proper exit for the drinks tube, it just has to poke through the main compartment zip .
I like the look of the Evoc Pro 3l and would prob have that if I didn't want to be able to carry more stuff on my rides
I use an Osprey Seral and it happily covers 3+ hour rides up to a whole day out. Regular loadout is full bladder, smallish FAK, dry bag with spare bits (space blanket, headtorch, tissues, voile strap), gilet, arm warmers, at least one very light long sleeve layer or a LS windproof and insulated gilet, snack or two, phone, keys etc. Been using mine regularly for over 2 years, working pretty well for me. Only tweak I would make is to move the location of the rear light loop, it's too low down for my liking
Apologies - what is an FAK?
I have a repack and have used it for a couple of years. Didn't use the bladder, bottle on the bike and a soft bottle in the pack to top up the bike bottle. Also fitted in FAK, snacks, tools, phone, keys, etc lightweight gilet and windshell jacket.
Recently got the Osprey Seral 7 and easily fits the same as above, minus the soft bottle which has been replaced with the 1.5 litre bladder (no longer have bottle on bike). Fits me well and doesn't move about, neither did the repack. The seral is a little warmer as it covers a bit more of your back. A little button neodymium magnet helps the hose stay in place, as does tucking the end in the top cinch strap.
Edit: The hose exiting out of the main opening on the seral makes it easier to remove/refit the bladder to refill than rethreading on the repack
I and most of the guys I ride with have the Evoc, works brilliantly - I use the bladder and still get plenty of stuff in plus there are the 2 external bottle nets for carrying food and gillets/shells etc.
So, an update from me, the OP. (Just in case anyone searches for threads in this subject in future). I was pretty much set on the Evoc until someone on this thread mentioned the Osprey Seral 7. So I went and checked the Osprey out at my local Go Outoors, and couldn't resist.
ive only been on 2 rides with it so far. My comments so far:
-The Seral certainly has loads more space than the Camelbak, but I don’t notice the pack feeling bigger on my back. For the first time, I’m not able to carry my shock pump as well as a tyre pump. I probably could carry a small packable waterproof as well as a Gilet. I’m not sure in winter if the pack would hold a small fleece.
- the magnetic catch for the drinking tube is not as secure as the Camelbak. On the first ride, it kept popping off. But it hardly came unhooked on the second ride. So hopefully this won’t be an issue.
- the side pockets seem easier to access, but maybe I’m imagining it.
- there is a little flappage of the waist straps when cinched in. But the strap seems easier to adjust than the Camelbak, and a little flappage doesn’t seem to be an issue so far.
- it seems a bit easier to spill water when filling the bladder. The bladder structure seems to have a central section and 2 side sections.
- having the bladder in the main compartment, and having the drinking hose come out through the main zip has been a total non-issue so far.
i think the drinking valve on the Camelbak is better for sipping water from.