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Need to carry hydration and stuff on local rides , no bottle cage option, back pack is too sweaty this time of year . Reluctant to spend on a waist pack in case they are a nuisance, tell me any experiences please
I think they’re great. I have an alpkit one with space for two bottles on each side and mid size for stowing tools snacks etc. bottles cinch in and never lost one, but also runs a bladder if you wanted instead, but would of course take up storage space in the main compartment. I also had a very cheap decathlon one which was also good, I just got one of those flexible bottles which I shoved in the main compartment and that did a job.
havent used my camelbak bag for about 10 years since moving to bum bags
i have an evoc one, wide waist strap and super comfy, plenty of room without being in the way
Can I just come on here to say Fanny.
Oh and Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3. Stays tight, room for bottles or bladder. Really ace bit of kit for a 2-3 hr razz.
I'm pondering the same as my new bike has impractical bottle storage. Osprey Savu 5 is looking like the one, a bit expensive but I've had one of their rucksacks for donkies years, so they work out good VFM. That is unless our local RAB outlet place gets the Lowe Alpine Nijmengen in soon. The ones they have in stock just now don't have the bottle stashes.
Hip packs are ace, I used a montane one for a long while which was great but not as stable fully loaded. I recently picked up an evoc e bike one 🙄 which has a wider waist belt which makes it more stable.
I can hold a jacket, phone, keys and 2 water bottles plus some snacker dackers.
only use my pack now when I want to carry loads or want to use the spine protection it has built in.
I have two dakine 2l and 5l. Both great, one with bladder, one with bottle. Tend to use one of those more than a proper backpack as it's all that's needed for most rides. Don't think you can go too far wrong as every brand seems to get recommended.
I like the Camelback Podium Flow (the older one with the off-centre bottle) and it's pretty good value at about £40 including a bottle depending on where you shop around. Enough space for tools, pump and snacks/phone in the main pocket and has a separate small zip pocket for keys/cards etc too so they don't go walkies. The angle and position etc. of the bottle holster(?) is also perfect for access and putting it back in while riding, no contortionist skills required:
Not a fan of them for carrying water. I'm a bit sensitive to straps around the waist, and I only use the bontrager rapid (which is great) for carrying bits and bobs and a bottle in the cage, only occasionally with a bottle in it. I've tried the Evoc one and with a bladder I found it uncomfortable, but also annoyingly bouncy. Popping bottles in and out is never that easy either.
Years of convenience drinking from a bladder and tube that is always handy, has made me not enjoy the compromise of bottles on mtbs. I've not been worried about a sweaty back too much, as I generally get sweaty everywhere anyway. However, for years i've been using a halfway house between backpack and hip-pack and it's ideal for me. I use a wingnut pack (almost impossible to find in the UK now), and I enjoy the mix of stability with lightweight shoulder straps, less back sweat, more stability/weight it still low down like a hip pack. Things like the camelbak skyline, source hipster, henty enduro are similar.
Controversial, but i still think the hydration bladder is a better solution for drinking while riding, than a bottle (OK with bottles on road). At some point hydration packs will possibly make a comeback...though it's starting off with running style 'race' vests in the bikepacking/xc world...
I have an evoc hip pack pro 3 and so far it remains my favourite way of carrying water for up to three hour rides.
I tried a couple of other hip packs but the evoc has a nice padded waist band that just doesn't dig in or move. I've not found another pack that does it this way so when this one dies I'll buy another.
I pierced the bladder a while back so now just stick two bottles on it and drink from those first. Even with the weight in it the pack sits nicely against the lower back as it has decent padding/ventilation that means it doesn't bulge much.
I've been thinking about one of these for a while now as I don't need a full camelbak when I'm only popping out for a 45min blast around my local woods. I just bought a 'new with tags' 5 litre Tuffbag Latrigg from Vinted for a fiver last night. Enough room for a flexy water bottle, phone, emergency mars bar and a wee multitool.
I'm interested to see how my lower back gets on with it!
I've got a Deuter one that I got super cheap in a sale. It's great. My only (slight) complaint is that the hydration hose occasionally comes free from the clip on a climb.
I like the Camelback Podium Flow (the older one with the off-centre bottle) and it's pretty good value at about £40 including a bottle depending on where you shop around. Enough space for tools, pump and snacks/phone in the main pocket and has a separate small zip pocket for keys/cards etc too so they don't go walkies. The angle and position etc. of the bottle holster(?) is also perfect for access and putting it back in while riding, no contortionist skills required:
I have one of these and I do like it, but the bottle is a bit small for longer rides (even with a 750ml bottle). Luckily I can run bottle cages too, but if I couldn't then I'd probably look at alternative hip packs with a small bladder.
My third bum pack seems to work for me, I had RF single bottle thingy but flexible waist belt does not keep it in place and then BD Pursuit but it does not fit properly in riding position. On both putting bottle back is almost two-hand operation.
I have now Rapha Trail pack which fits well and stays put but replacing bottle is still faff.
I Have a Camelbak repack. it's great for stuff, but I can't use it as is with the bladder as it's too heavy and pulls too much on my waist.
however, I have used it quite successfully with a bladder with a set of these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196813666424
no sweaty back, but enough lift from the shoulders to take up the weight of the bladder.
I have the evoc pro as well. Great pack for anything up to 3 hours really
I Have a Camelbak repack. it's great for stuff, but I can't use it as is with the bladder as it's too heavy and pulls too much on my waist.
That's the pack I use most. It's rarely filled with water - 1.5l is too much to carry on a normal 1-2hr ride - so I don't encounter that problem. It's a decent pack size for not overfilling with stuff I don't need, so I've got a multitool, water, phone, keys and a bit of spare space if I need a light windproof. If I need to carry anything more, on a longer ride, then I'll use a standard shoulder pack.
Osprey Seral 7 user here, takes a 1.5l reservoir, or two bottles under the compression straps. Tube magnet could be stronger, but on short rides I just a bottle cage anyway. I really like it, comfortable and stable, nestles into my lower back, plenty of space for spare clothing, tools etc. often half price at Sport Pursuit.
I had (still have in the shelf) the Camelbak Repack (??). But I changed to the Seral 7, which can hold much more stuff.
live been back and forwards between backpack, hip pack +bladder, hip pack + bottles, no pack at all. Bottles in the hip pack are too inconvenient for me. It looks great, but I’ve been used to sipping from a reservoir for years, and dislike having to stop to have a drink (first world problem). The biggest disadvantage of a reservoir in a hip pack is stopping the tube coming loose. But I’ve just discovered a great tip on YouTube. I bought one of those little retractable work pass thingys. Now, even if it comes loose, my drink tube doesn’t fall away. Simples!
I have an evoc one that is quite good, but pretty narrow application for me. I only ever use it on an enduro bike because they can't typically take a small saddle pack, and I don't have any fancy tools-on-bike gadgets. Other than that I never use it - no pack mainly or a backpack if I was going remote.
It is good, though, to ride with as long as you're not stowing it out - you really don't notice it. If you're a bit of a kitchen-sink merchant they won't work well.
I've found the Serial 7 on Go Outdoors for £44.95 which is half price when you buy a members card for a fiver 🤔
My only issue is , is it so big you end up carrying more than you need for a couple of hours ?
That’s a great price. I wouldn’t hesitate. The Seral has the ability to hold more, but that doesn’t mean you need to fill it. Also, the reservoir on the Seral is really good - it’s wide and lower profile than the Camelbak one. It’s a great pack.
Sorry - just to be complete in my thoughts. The only downside I can think of for the Seral is no bottle holders. I’ve personally decided that bottles on a hip pack aren’t for me. But I have friends to use bottles in their hip packs. And im just back from Morzine where tons of people were doing the same. But there’s no bottle holders on the Seral. That’s offset by the greater capacity and the bladder. But it might be an issue for you. The new Mule has one. And I think the Rapha packs are currently on sale - which also take bottles.
the big issue for me in any hippack is jackets. If it’s a wet day, and your jacket is on the outside of your hippack, it’s doing to get really dirty. With the Seral, it’s will be inside. But to be fair, many hip packs will take a small jacket inside. I was recently at Dyfi, and my large waterproofness fitted inside the Seral. It’s not very packable, so I am certain it wouldn’t have ditties inside the Mule or Rapha (but would have stashed on top of either).
First world dilemma now ! Been thinking the Savu 2 half price about £25; on Sports Pursuit seemed ideal for shorter ( 2 hour ISH ) local rides which was my original plan but maybe the Serial 7 might be that good id ditch the backpack on all but the big days out ( Evoc with back protector)
My buddies go on big days out (in my world) with hip packs rather than back packs. For me, once we go above 2 hours, I prefer a backpack. But that’s because I sweat a lot, and try to drink 1.5 - 2 litres of water if I’m out for that long. If you need less than 1.5 litres of water, I think the Seral can do any length of outing.
I've found the Serial 7 on Go Outdoors for £44.95 which is half price when you buy a members card for a fiver 🤔
My only issue is , is it so big you end up carrying more than you need for a couple of hours ?
Great price, it's a quality bit of kit. It's not that large in honesty, especially if you use the reservoir, some of the quoted capacity is in the zipped side-pockets. I usually carry a spare tube and tyre levers some sort of very lightweight windproof, a One Up EDC pump with integrated tool, my phone and some snacks/bars etc. Oh, and a small first aid kit. I'm not really convinced it's seven litres at all tbh, feels like just about the right size for a non-winter, three-to four hour ride. It's fine part loaded as well. I'd always rather have slightly too much capacity than too little, ymmv, but it's not that big anyway.
I like being able to carry a shell or a light insulated gilet.
With my tech head on I can tell you that the way pack brands measure capacity is variable. Often they fill the pack with beads then check the volume of those.
Sorry - just to be complete in my thoughts. The only downside I can think of for the Seral is no bottle holders.
I’ve found you can stow bottles under the compression straps. I don’t think it’s intentional, but it works surprisingly well and they stay in place, just not ideal for use on the move.
Dakine Hot laps user here, it has two water bottle 'straps' either side, so you can load it up, but I rarely use them (bottle in frame is my prefernce) but I can get everything else in them, snacks, tool, tube, keys and phone, and you can strap a jacket to it easily. V comfy.
More confused than ever ! I'm pretty sure the Savu 2L and a water bottle fits the bill for me but the Serial 7 at that GO price is so tempting! But I'm not sure if I wouldn't rather use a bottle 🙄🙄🙄 At the moment for those 2 hour ISH rides I used a discontinued Camelbak The Capo which apparently is 14L and while I only put about 750ml in the bladder and carry very little it's still way OTT
So go small Savu or step up to Seral and no bottle option 🤔🤔🤔🤔
@BadlyWiredDog: I had read that before - perhaps from a previous comment from yourself. So, after reading that I tried it for myself. But unlike yourself, I did find that the bottle slipped, no matter how tight I tried to cinch the straps.
More confused than ever ! I'm pretty sure the Savu 2L and a water bottle fits the bill for me but the Serial 7 at that GO price is so tempting! But I'm not sure if I wouldn't rather use a bottle
At the moment for those 2 hour ISH rides I used a discontinued Camelbak The Capo which apparently is 14L and while I only put about 750ml in the bladder and carry very little it's still way OTT
So go small Savu or step up to Seral and no bottle option
I think it depends a bit on what you plan to carry and how to carry it - sorry, crashingly obvious. I'm Peak based and mildly cautious in that we get changeable weather and I run hot, so I like to be able to carry or stash a wind or waterproof jacket, plus I always carry a basic, lightweight first aid kit, a phone and a few bars and I like having the option of a hydration system on longer / hotter rides.
You can, of course, find ways of stashing all this on the bike and/or in pockets. I could mount my One-Up EDC pump and tools on the bottle cage, strap a tube to the bike and do the same with a lightweight jacket too, it just feels like hassle, particularly if you have more than one bike. I think the bottom line is that the Seral 7 isn't so big that there's any issue with carrying it part loaded and while it will carry a bottle - see below - it's not really optimal for that. So if bottles are you chosen hydration method, go for something else.
I do think the Seral carries really well, Osprey are good at this stuff and the padding, shape, belt etc are all spot on for me. I'm sure there are plenty of other perfectly decent alternatives out there. I know the brand from mountaineering and hiking, so I have a certain amount of trust in it, plus am on my second Raptor, hydration pack from them which is a great bit of kit.
@BadlyWiredDog: I had read that before - perhaps from a previous comment from yourself. So, after reading that I tried it for myself. But unlike yourself, I did find that the bottle slipped, no matter how tight I tried to cinch the straps.
I picked it up from a review somewhere, maybe MBR, can't remember. I use standard Camelbak Podium bottles and they're fine, but I guess it will depend on the contours of the bottle and its capacity. I only do it very occasionally and you can't use the bottles on the move, so it's far from ideal, but if you absolutely have to stock up on water, it is possible.
I think I'll shut up now 🙂
Had a Dakine Hot laps 5l for 6 years that I never really liked but it did the job and is still in good shape. Just replaced with a Thule Rail 4, much more comfortable but is taking a bit of tine to get used to after so long with the Dakine.
My mate has got the Osprey Serial 7 he's going to let me try to see if it gets on my nerves !
I have a savu 5, which is very similar looking to the serial 7 above. However it has the ability to have a bottle either side of the pack (&/or badder). Can find them for about £50-55. Am just working out how to strap a jacket to it before all the monsoons appear and I could be set up for all-dayers
I've got an Evoc pro waist pack that I never use because the bladder tube is just too short for a tall person. I looked into buying a longer tube and couldn't find one. I'd just use it to carry water, my wee electric pump, and a jacket as I've got one of those one up edc things, which carries a lot of tools. I stick the pump in a short pocket when going out for anything up to 1.5 hours, where I don't need a drink.
Anything over 1.5 hours, I just use my big Evoc backpack (with a first aid pack, spare hanger, spoke key, toothpaste tube for tyre slashes, shock pump) plus my electric pump and jacket. I know that's a lot of stuff, but no point in not taking it when I'm carrying water in the backpack bladder.
In this environment, I just don't need the waist pack.
The Henty Enduro has been my go to for the last six years or so. Its a fanny pack with rucksack straps - in my mind the best of all worlds.
It takes up to a 2 litre reservoir, allows for the drinking tube and doesn't require the strap tightened enough to cause a hernia to stop it moving. It carries a tool kit, spare tube, has a padded phone pocket and it will also take a rolled up jacket (or knee pads/elbow pads), for those occasions where the weather is either too hot or too cold, too wet or nice and dry, where you either want a jacket or not.
I'd, as others have mentioned, highly recommend the Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3 as the wider (and velcro-assisted waist strap) is so much more comfortable than the much skinnier waist straps on others - like the Osprey pack I had previously.
Tempted to get a Wingnut Gear low-rider type pack imported from the US...
I've got a couple of the wingnut bags and also one of the latest Camelbak Skyline packs, the skyline is almost a copy of the wingnut but better made
Hmm... yes, I think I've read elsewhere that Wingnut packs might not be the most robust. A far more expensive, but far more robust looking, alternative would be from Oregon Pack Works:
I'll look at the Camelbak.
I also have one of the Henty packs (yes I have a problem) again it's similar in principle to the wingnut but it's also much better quality (probably better than the Camelbak) biggest draw back with it for me is the side pockets are too small for my phone
Tried my mates Osprey Serial 7 today , got one on order from GO 👍
- Thanks for all the suggestions folks . Those packs that have shoulder straps will be the same ( for me) as travelling light with the Camelbak The Capo ie sweaty back which is where I came in .
Well, after much swithering and inspired by the discussion here I ordered a Kitanica Scorpion lumbar pack and water bottle holster direct from them in the US. I was delighted to find it arrived in exactly one week using FedEx, I didn't get stung by Border Force, and it was a total of £110.24 incl. delivery. I could of course have paid £169.95 from Heinnie in the UK but my gamble paid off.
It might look a bit military with the colour and Molle attachment points but it has turned out to be a fantastic purchase; I use it instead of a small backpack when out and about with the dogs, plenty of room inside for small Leica binoculars, all the Type diabetes and associated paraphernalia, and I suspect there would be plenty of room for an appropriately shaped water bladder. The waist strap is nice and stiff yet padded at the hips.
I'd certainly consider using it for mountain biking.
I have a couple, tbh I don't like em but I like a lot of what they do. For a quick ride, zero faff, throw some water in a bottle and go they're great, for some reason that trivial difference really does get me out the door when somehow just filling up a camelbak seems like SO MUCH WORK, don't ask me why. No sweaty back is good.
Do they move around, absolutely ****ing yes and it's rubbish. As soon as you put the weight of water in, it's kind of inevitable unless you're of the rounder persuasion and have a built in belt retaining bump. I'm skinny, therefore they bounce around, it's annoying as all hell.
But sometimes it's still worth it. my old "from the door" ride was technical enough that the movement was a pain but I still used them just because on balance it was worthwhile. For a golfie ride or similiar I wouldn't dream of it.
Dakine Hotlaps 1L comfortably carries all this for me & I still have the bottle holder free for an... energy drink.
I've got three.
Repack was good but eldest kid uses it most of the time as his bike has no bottle holder and he drinks like a whale.
Dakine is ok if I'm doing a short ride as it has no bladder.
Evoc pro 3l is the winner as it's more comfortable than all of them and has a bladder.
I don't have any issues with them moving when I ride regardless of how full they are. Don't even notice them.
I got the Osprey Sera 7 in the end , it's working fine for what I wanted it for . As my mate said there's not really a perfect solution . I do find though my HT/ gravel mashup with bottle mount and a Topeak seat bag is pretty close for riding the local non tech moors .
Still don't regret getting the Curtis frame for £1K less though 😁
@kiwijohn - that’s good to know, I want a small one but was worried it might be too small, that looks perfect for me.
As soon as you put the weight of water in, it's kind of inevitable unless you're of the rounder persuasion and have a built in belt retaining bump
I actually find hip packs sit and stay in place much better when I'm skinny and are a pain in the arse when I have a gut
I'ts pretty snug with the raincoat, my usual Rab windbreaker is a bit smaller.@kiwijohn - that’s good to know, I want a small one but was worried it might be too small, that looks perfect for me.
TPU spare tubes are super small but tough.
Only carry the saw in the straps when it's been windy, otherwise elbow pads fit nicely.
I've tried several, and the only one that doesn't end up sliding down my arse and into the back tyre, is the Camelbak Podium Flow Belt with the off centre bottle holder... Somehow, even with a 1L bottle in over rough terrain, it manages to stay absolutely put, which as far as I'm concerned is pretty impressive.
I'm sure if I had child bearing hips or slightly less of a middle aged aerodynamic hump on my belly, that more of them would work well for me... But the reality as a 45yr old bloke is that they don't!
Do they move around, absolutely ****ing yes and it's rubbish. As soon as you put the weight of water in, it's kind of inevitable unless you're of the rounder persuasion and have a built in belt retaining bump. I'm skinny, therefore they bounce around, it's annoying as all hell.
I think retention is more down to the shaping of the back panel rather than any particular quirk of individual anatomy unless you don't have any sort of glute muscles whatsoever. If you look at the Osprey lumbar packs, they're contoured to sit neatly at the point where your butt curls outwards at the base of your spine rather than relying on belt-tightening. The shape of your gut, if you have one, is irrelevant. The other crucial factor for comfort and support is getting the density of the foam just right.
A lot of the offerings from specialist bike accessory brands seem shaped to sit basically flat against the back. I figure pack brands like Osprey and Lowe Alpine have way more experience with lumbar pads garnered from designing and manufacturing walking, backpacking and mountaineering packs for years, so they understand lumbar pad shaping and foam densities better.
The greater the load you carry in a bum-bag, the more crucial that stuff gets if you want a carry that's stable and comfortable at the same time. The advantage of something like a Wingnut, pretty obviously, is that they throw some of the load onto the shoulder straps and stabilise things with a heavier load. All imho. My Wingnut, years ago, died because the waist-belt wasn't a continuous loop and the stitching where it was attached to the bag just self-destructed, good idea, not brilliant execution, they may have improved - that was over a decade ago. I liked it while it worked though.
one that doesn't end up sliding down my arse and into the back tyre, is the Camelbak Podium Flow Belt with the off centre bottle holder.
I have also found this very secure and not annoying. I've used it for almost every ride of the past few years. Just needs cinching up a few times per ride.
Didn't get on with a bigger Osprey pack w/bladder, which would bounce around a lot more.
Tried a few waist packs many years ago and hated them but have been really impressed with Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3. At least as stable as a backpack for me (I use an Evoc stage 18 when I need more than 1.5L of water). It's not that big - the water takes half of it so it's basically phone and tools and some jelly babies shoved in one of the bottle holders - but I've realised for a lot of my longer rides can top up water at lunch rather than carry all I need for the day.
I've got an Evoc pro waist pack that I never use because the bladder tube is just too short for a tall person
this is a slight issue, it's not as easy to drink from as my backpack. I'm pretty sure you could buy some suitable tube and make it longer with their attachments on either end but that would increase the risk of hooking in on something. I'm using a camelback magnet/clip I found to hook it up now.
How much liquid do you need?
The camelbak podium flow belt I use all summer carries a bottle and has enough space for a tube, multitool a few snacks and a small pump (I have a lezyne pocketdrive)
I dont notice it when its on, its a few years old and been used loads and still in good condition, I thought Id only use it occasionally and keep my backpack for most rides, but I use it way more than I thought I would, barely use the backpack now
https://enduro-mtb.com/en/camelbak-podium-flow-2020-review/
Haven't read the whole thread, but I use a bumbag on all of my MTB rides, I would go for one with a bottle pocket(or pockets) rather than a bladder but that's because I'm lazy when it comes to keeping bladders in good shape. Absolutely no issue with jiggling or anything, but I am used to my own personal jiggling so YMMV.
If your bike has no practical cage mounts, I'd suggest getting one or more of these Topeak mounts, that can be placed on the bars or seat post. Example link, no idea if cheapest...
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Cage-Mount_34453.htm
As for carrying other stuff, a jersey/jacket with three rear pockets and maybe a zipped chest pocket for your mobile?
It's been ~8 years since I last used a bum bag on a ride and I simply can't remember how it worked out.
I do remember stupidly taking "everything including the kitchen sink" in a rucksack for my one and only ton road ride back in May '18, it must haved weighed ~3Kg including a 2l bottle of water and carrying it was such a bind, in that my back couldn't breathe and so I had to take all those climbs totalling just shy of 9000 feet so gently to prevent getting in a sweaty mess.
Seatpost/saddle bags can be handy for extra gear, but it's something I so rarely need and use.
I think retention is more down to the shaping of the back panel rather than any particular quirk of individual anatomy unless you don't have any sort of glute muscles whatsoever. If you look at the Osprey lumbar packs, they're contoured to sit neatly at the point where your butt curls outwards at the base of your spine rather than relying on belt-tightening. The shape of your gut, if you have one, is irrelevant. The other crucial factor for comfort and support is getting the density of the foam just right.
See, my experience is that this is all great for having it sit well and not move around when it's pushing downwards, but it all goes out the window when the thing's getting properly bounced around. If anything I almost prefer my cheapo crap shapeless one for harder riding, it has none of the nice shaping that makes my good one sit so much better, and relies on the belt but while it bounces around a little bit all of the time and it's always annoying, it just feels a bit less bad when clattering down orrible steep stuff. No idea why. Maybe I just get more used to the movement because it does it all the time, while the Dakine feels so planted most of the time so when it moves it's really noticable? Don't know.