You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Time to replace my Camelbak
Thinking of getting a hydration pack with spinal protection - but wondered if they are worth it. Do they offer anything over a normal pack? I.e. does the pack stay in place well enough to be useful in a crash?
Anyone got one?
I wear one snowboarding. I’ve turtled down a hill on mine and it stayed in place.
It is warm though, which is usually a benefit 🙂
Yep, I’ve had an Evoc one for a few years and just replaced it with a new one. Main downside is that they’re quite warm in summer for trail riding, and the extra protection makes them a fair bit heavier than a normal pack. However, I find the Evoc ones are very stable in the rough and when loaded up with winter gear - and I don’t really notice the weight once it’s on my back. Ran out of talent and took a tumble at Innerleithen, and was glad I’d got it on!
If you want to try a budget one, I can sell you my old Evoc freeride trail😁
I’ve got a camelbak one, protector 10 I think. It’s very comfy to wear. Tested it 2 weeks ago went over the bars at 17.7mph and landed flat on back in middle of trail, coccyx hit something and it’s proper bruised but rest of back is fine, convinced it helped save me from more damage, I’m old enough to know better but glad I had it on. Did squash my biscuits though 😁
, I’m old enough to know better but glad I had it on. Did squash my biscuits though
Oof. Arnica cream rubbed in should help.
I'm on my second Evoc. Fr enduro now. I really like the feeling of it offering a modicum of protection. It also fits very closely and securely with the large waist band. Good packs.
My osprey raptor 14 3-litre hydration pack served as a spine protector for an off in France. Was full, went OTB spectacularly, flipped in the air and landed on my back.
Full hydration pack burst. Back was fine 🙂
I've used my snowboarding back protector under a normal backpack. Had a thin base layer, then protector, then long sleeve top, then back pack. That was at BPW on a hot day. Yeah was warm but I didn't notice it when moving and it actually made my backpack feel more stable.
I have two Evocs. A big one that’s really a winter pack and the FR lite one bought off sports pursuit earlier this year. They do run a little warmer but they are comfy packs and really stable.
I think some versions you can just run with the protector and nothing else. I did have a Kudu from Camelbak which never felt as comfy/stable, but I think the new one is a lot better. It was £120 without the bladder tho when I looked at it.
Never really tested mine, but glad I had it. Did do an OTB without it a couple of years ago with a non back-protector pack and bruised myself quite badly. So now I’ll deal with being a bit sweaty for the insurance value of the protector.
Thankfully I havent had the need to test it yet - but I am using the Scott trail protect, which is a very comfy bag to wear, with seemingly suitable protection!