Hydro Flask 5 L Down Shift
The Hydro Flask 5 L Down Shift Hydration Hip Pack was designed to keep your water cold and back ventilated while offering lumbar hugging stability and comfort. The pack provides 1.5-liters of chilled hydration for biking and hiking with optimal airflow, and it features Hydro Flask’s innovative Cold Flow System that keeps water cold for 3+ hours.
The 5 L Down Shift Hydration Hip Pack will be available in Sapphire (tested) and Black colors and will retail for $99.95.
The Hydro Flask 5 L Down Shift Hydration Hip Pack with its 5-liter capacity was just about perfect for most mild mountain biking forays. The pack’s storage layout with its two elastic hip sleeves and front pocket offered outstanding organizational characteristics. The main with the long curved zipper had a functionally wide opening, making gear retrieval easy. The front compressions straps provide additional carrying capacity for armor, jackets, and bulkier apparel.
The innovative Hydro Flask Cold Flow System utilizes a 1.5-liter HydraPak IsoBound reservoir and an insulated sleeve in the pack that works together to keep iced water cold for around 3+ hours. The HydraPak reservoir, with its slider-top, made the filling and cleaning easy, and the bite valve offers an excellent draw and flow.
Once the waist belt and compressions straps were tightened down, the pack sucked snuggly and conformably into your back, for a Velcro-like fit, with tons of stability, security, and comfort, even in the dynamic motion encountered during rough rides. The padded backpanel and hip belt worked in synergy to help this design become part of your back, with an almost invisible feeling while wearing the pack.
Click here to purchase the 5L Down Shift
USWE Epic
The new USWE EPIC series of hydration packs offer mountain bikers a fully-featured pack with an innovative 4-point harness system that keeps it securely on your back even in the gnarliest terrain. The packs are equipped with their bounce-free No Dancing Monkey 1.2 harness system, with integrated elastic straps that allow freedom to breathe and move in action.
The tested EPIC 8 features a main storage compartment for the hydration bladder and larger gear and a smaller zippered front organizer pocket for tools, equipment, and food. It has an integrated stretch mesh helmet holder, which can also carry a jacket or armor. The Epic 8 has 8 liters of storage, a 3-liter bladder, and comes in Blue/Black and Red/Black color schemes and retails for $139.95.
The Epic Series comes in three sizes, Epic 3, Epic 8, and Epic 12.
The superb NDM (No Dancing Monkey) harness system kept the pack stable and secure on my back on any terrain, and it felt like it became one with my back, without any excess movement or bouncing. It was simple to adjust the Velcro shoulder and chest straps to alter the trim of the pack depending on load and personal requirements, and I loved the center connector with its easy one-button release. The packs’ flexible backpanel with its raised foam pads and elastic harness straps provided excellent comfort, stability, and breathability.
Click here to purchase the EPIC 8 in Black/Red
Click here to purchase the EPIC 8 in Black/Blue
CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro 14
The CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro 14 features their all-new Air Support Back Panel, plus a few essential additions to take your ride to the next level. Designed with body mapping technology to address areas that retain the most heat, maximum air flows across the back panel to provide comfortable cooling. A lightweight and breathable 3D vent mesh harness help to keep your load light. A large capacity 3-liter Crux Reservoir, hip belt with cargo carry, and bike tool organizer make it easy to plan for a full day’s ride. Upgrade to max performance – this pack is also Impact Protector ready and e-bike battery compatible so that you can go all out.
- Air Support Pro Back Panel: Designed with body mapping technology to identify and ventilate the areas of the body that generate the most heat. Lightweight and breathable high pile mesh construction.
- 3D Vent Mesh Harness: Lightweight and breathable with added cargo. Designed for all-day comfort.
- Hip Belt With Cargo: Added stability and quick access to essentials
- Helmet Carry: Stow and secure helmet
- Integrated Tool Roll: Keep your CO2 cartridges, multi-tool, and tire levers safe and secure
- Adjustable Sternum Strap: Offers a range of adjustments for a custom fit and increased stability
- Impact Protection Ready: Compatible with the CamelBak Impact Protector (sold separately)
- E-Bike Battery Sleeve: Securely and safely ride with a second e-bike battery for all-day adventures
- Stretch Overflow Pocket: Quickly stash or shed an extra layer
- Cargo Compression: Cinch down jackets or other items to keep the footprint small
- Soft Lined Pocket: Keep your glasses or goggles safe and scratch-free
- Magnetic Tube Trap™ Management: Keeps your tube secure and accessible when you need it
- Reflectivity: For low light safety
- Light Loop: Clip-on a light to make the ride to and from the trailhead safe
- Armor Carry: Stow and secure knee and elbow pads on the climbs
The M.U.L.E. Pro 14 is the perfect all-day pack, with plenty of features and storage. The Air Support Pro Back Panel provided plush comfort and good ventilation. The 3D Harness system and Hip Belt offered a stable and secure load. If needed, you can get the optional Impact Protector for optimal crashworthiness. It’s the perfect mountain adventure pack with gobs of functional storage space and a tools roll, compressions straps, overflow sleeve, magnetic tube trap, and armor carry attachments.
CamelBak Chase 8 Vest
Hydration and organization for a full day’s ride. The lightweight Chase 8 Vest packs 2-liters of hydration in the Crux reservoir with Quicklink and features six more liters of strategic stow options for gear, phone, fuel, and more. Small details like secure zip pockets, an integrated tool roll, reflectivity, portable pump loop, and stretch overflow pocket make a big difference. 3D vent mesh allows for cooling airflow. Sits above jersey pockets.
- 3D Ventilated Mesh Harness: Lightweight and breathable with added cargo
- Dual Adjustable Sternum Straps: Offers a range of adjustments for a custom fit and increased stability
- Secure Phone Pocket: Keep essentials safe and easy to access
- Stretch Overflow Pocket: Quickly stash or shed an extra layer
- Integrated Tool Organization: Keep your CO2 cartridges, patch kits, and more right where you can find them
- $125
The Chase 8 Vest offers lightness, comfort, excellent ventilation, and conformability. The Chase disappears on your back and carries its small load in an evenly distributed manner. Even with just 6 liters of storage capacity, it holds a surprisingly decent amount of gear and can get you through plenty of rides. The back and shoulder harness pockets provide ample room to carry items, and the large middle sleeve offers the ability to bring a jacket and other apparel items. The front zippered pocket is perfect for tools, a wallet, a smartphone, and anything you want to keep secure. The 2 liter Crux reservoir provides enough water for most rides.
CamelBak M.U.L.E. Commute 22
An everyday carry essential for the daily pedaler, the M.U.L.E. Commute 22 Backpack features a roomy single-compartment design that comes equipped with a weatherproof laptop sleeve, side pockets for beverage or U-lock carry, and safety-conscious details like a bike light loop and 360-reflective detail. The Command Center Harness is adjustable for a customized fit and offers quick and organized access to phone, keys, and other small items. The body-mapped Air Support Back Panel keeps air moving for a comfortable ride. The exterior shell is water-resistant and durable for years of daily miles.
- Weatherproof Laptop Sleeve: Rolltop waterproof sleeve to keep your laptop protected
- Air Support™ Back Panel: Designed with Body Mapping Technology to allow for maximum ventilation on the hottest areas of your back
- Command Center™ Harness: Easy and secure access to phone, keys, or any other essentials
- Helmet Carry: Stow and secure helmet
- Light Loop: Clip-on a light for added safety
- 360 Degree Multidirectional Reflectivity: Reflective material on all sides of the pack add safety in low light conditions
- Side Pockets: Large side pockets for water bottle and U-lock storage
- Reservoir Compatible (not included)
- Removable Waist Strap: Added stability when you need it
The M.U.L.E. Commute 22 is a perfect pack for bike commuting, air travel, everyday adventures, heading to the coffee shop, and going to work. It’s an ideal pack for daily life in the great outdoors with excellent features such as the laptop sleeve, Air Support back panel, multiple overflow stretch sleeves, and protective weatherproof fabric.
Mazama Designs Intake Reservoirs
Mazama set out to address two common deficiencies of current reservoirs: ease-of-fill up and reservoir drying. Other top-fill reservoirs tend to close up on themselves, requiring extra manipulation during fill-up. After rigorous development, Mazama is proud to introduce the innovative INTAKE, featuring a unique expandable top opening that combines with an internal spring baffle to keep the bladder in an open position during filling. This same technology allows the reservoir to dry out more thoroughly, discouraging bacteria growth.
Along with the self-expansion technology, INTAKE offers a thoughtful combination of features to make hydration efficient and reliable. The fold and lock closure ensure positive sealing in a slim and lightweight configuration, and the drink tube connection is quick and easy with the integrated mid-line quick connect. The full-length handle helps with filling, packing, and loading and keeps the reservoir upright in a pack. This low-profile replacement reservoir is shaped to ride stably and comfortably in a wide variety of packs. High-flow tubing and the proprietary GYZR bite valve allow streaming flow and efficient drink tube drying. A no-slide magnet built into the bite valve body ensures secure valve tethering to a pack using Mazama’s auto-locate retainer.
INTAKE reservoirs are available in 4 different models: 3L with full-length handle ($36), 2L with full-length handle ($34), 2L with short handle ($28), and the Intake Insulated 2L (434). All products are BPA and PVC-free, with a lifetime guarantee. The patent-pending reservoirs are made with high-quality, USA-sourced film that is taste-free and anti-microbial.
The INTAKE is an innovative hydration reservoir that offers a plethora of features. My favorite was the stiff handle system, which made it easy to hold onto the bag while filling and made insertion into the pack effortless; no more floppy reservoir! The fold and lock closure system was simple to use and offered a secure seal.
Purchase at mazamadesigns.com
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