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Bought a Camelbak Skyline LR last year on the back (ahem) of good reviews saying how stable and great it was
It’s the least stable pack I’ve ever used! It’s always bugged me a bit but the hot weather means I’m carrying 3L, plus I’m riding rockier stuff than I was a few months ago and I’m getting a bit fed up with the pack trying to fling itself over my shoulder.
To put it on I:
1. Make sure the reservoir tab is in the yellow pocket, and hook the reservoir onto one of the black loops (there are two loops- not sure why)
2. Slacken all the straps
3. Pull the main waist straps fairly snug
4. Tighten the grey straps to compress the bladder (I also cinch these up throughout the ride; which is a bit annoying)
5. Tighten the shoulder straps to hold the pack but make sure weight is on the hips
Am I missing something really obvious?!
Why do you release the straps? I've got that and find it really stable - what else are you packing in it?
I just put mine on and ride. Never had any issues.
I release the straps to make sure the reservoir is sitting where it should. You have to release the grey cinch straps anyway but I thought resetting them all every time might help the stability (it doesn’t really)
Only have a few tools, tube etc I’m apart from the water.
Do you clip the top of the reservoir to one of the little loops?
As per @DickBarton, like any other pack I never adjust the straps once set for myself. The waist strap should be in the normal backpack waist strap position. I never bother with the grey compression straps either. Always find the water flow to be just fine without worrying about that faff.
1. Make sure the reservoir tab is in the yellow pocket, and hook the reservoir onto one of the black loops (there are two loops- not sure why)
The handle of the pack specific bladder slots into the big grey loop in the reservoir section deigned specifically for it. Never even noticed black loops (maybe I have an earlier model)
Are you hooking the hard plastic stalk on the reservoir over the grey loop in the bag? Mine has always been amazing. You must be doing something weird.
Seems a similar system to the Camelback Mule LR15 which I have, which is a brilliant pack. Almost all the weight of the pack, and all the weight of 3l of water is kept in the same position as a hip pack, and the shoulder straps have very little weight going through them.
I do cinch down on the waist tightening straps as the ride goes on which help it stay nice and snug in the small of my back.
No offense intended, but are you 'ahem' carrying a bit more weight than some? I find these packs work best if you have a waist for the pack to sit 'in'.
Are you hooking the hard plastic stalk on the reservoir over the grey loop in the bag?
Yes
You must be doing something weird.
I know!
No offense intended, but are you ‘ahem’ carrying a bit more weight than some? I fend these packs wor best if you have a waist for the pack to sit ‘in’.
Not really- I’m only 63Kg. I have skinny hips though, so I wonder if that means the pack doesn’t have anything to rest on/against
If this crap forum could easily host pictures you could show us. But instead you’ll have to upload them to flickr or somewhere and then if you have a PhD in software development you’ll be able to load them onto the chat. Instead we’ll just keep asking one thousand questions!
I have a pretty skinny waist (30" or less) and mine works just fine. In fact, I have narrow (weedy) shoulders too so I like the fact that the weight is supported around the hips and not on my shoulders. It's never tried to jump off.
Right then- based on the above I’m definitely doing something special!
I’ll have another look tomorrow
Thanks all!
is it the new design with the bladder 'handle' facing forward (towards your back) or the older one with it facing back? Either way, it looks like you just put the handle into the loop, and then do up the waist belt, and tighten down the straps to cinch the bladder into your waist. On my Mule I find these straps can take a couple of attempts to get moving, but once they're tight, you know it!!
actually, seems there another, older version which the bladder pocket is at the front, not at the back, but regardless, they all tuck the handle into a pocket and use the straps to tighten it down.
Mine is older as my water bit is bright green. Bladder handle sits in big green handle inside pocket and zipped close. Waist bit goes round my waist (I think - maybe just above as my insulin pump is on a belt and the waist strap would squash it).
Shoulder straps don't get adjusted but the strap that joins them gets done up as well.
I've got water, a multi-tool, pump, inner tube and some easy-eat snacks in bag. A light jackets folded and strapped to the bottom.
I suspect I'm not riding rough enough stuff but it doesn't move.
If it's any consolation I found mine exactly the same and went back to my Osprey. Sold the Skyline recently.
And for reference, unlike my username might suggest, I'm 72kg with a 31-32" waist.
Found mine much comfier and more stable than the Osprey I had previously. Using a Camelbak waist pack with bottle now as it's even comfier.