Camelbak/Hydration Packs Review(merged)

This brand pack has served me well. I especially like the fact that it has an internal frame system where it keeps the actual pack a bit away from your back so that your back actually breathes and stays relatively dry in comparison to others that I have used.

http://www.deuter.com/en_US/backpack-details.php?category=127&id=1762&title=Race%20Air%20Lite

 

Your Octane 24 carries a conventional bladder similar bike-specific packs. The Octane XTC that MojoCP is considering has the lumbar bladder that runs horizontally in the bottom of the pack and in the wings of the belt. To be honost, I've never ridden the with the Octane XTC but I think it would be a much different feeling to have more weight in the belt. Different might be better or worse depending on the rider. I just thought MojoCP should be aware since the XTC is a departure from the more conventional bladder systems.

Hey MojoCP - if you go with the XTC let us know how is rides.

 

Went by REI yesterday afternoon and got REALLY close to buying it. My only hesitation is whether having that water weight down lower would affect my steep-angle climbing balance (lifting the front tire)..... and emphasizing my love handles

I also saw that shorter-wider race-style pack there. It has a rigid insert against the back. Unfortunately, they had it designated as a "women's pack" and only had flowery designs....

 

I got the 2011 Mule NV at Redlands Cyclerey for 89.99 which is about twenty dollars cheaper then anywhere else and love it to death. It's light and feels great with tons of storage for whatever you want.

 

Hydration Pack Bladder Capacity

This is merely an informational post that I thought might be useful for some folks since I haven't seen it listed anywhere else.

I recently picked up a USWE F4 Pro Hydration pack(uses a hydrapak bladder) and absolutely love it but noticed that I seem to run out of water quicker. It seemed like it didn't hold as much as my Camelback despite both being 3L bladders so I decided to measure the bladders that I have available. (all are 100oz/3L rated bladders)

Hydrapak - 86oz - 2.54L
Camelback - 110oz - 3.25L
Osprey - 140oz - 4.14L

another note: the hoses on the hydrapack and camelback are interchangeable.

 

They look ready to burst upon crash landing. :lol:

Thanks for doing this research. I found it interesting and useful.

 

Wow, that Osprey bladder is HUGE.

 

I never knew I was getting gypped water capacity... Now I know my 3L Hydrapak is nowhere near 3L's. #-o

 

Thanks for the research! Good to know I can push the Camelbak to 110 if I need to...

 

Thanks. On big rides, I supplement the Camelback with water bottles. The Osprey offers an additional one-bottle capacity.

 

Noticed the same thing on the HP bladder, but you can separate the internal baffle to get full capacity.

 

Who cares about the bladder; I want to hear about the USWE F4! Interesting about the capacity though. How do you like it? Where did you get it? How does it compare to other packs? I want to replace my 10 year old Mule.

 

Thread merged with existing thread: Camelbak/Hydration Packs Review(merged)

which is found here: Links to Stickys: Search here for General Info Stickys

 

I have the Osprey Manta 28 that come with the 100 oz bladder. It is cool with the handle, but is very heavy compared to the camelback 100 oz bladder. As e pic above shows, the Osprey bladder dwarfs the other two bladders, and when you pick them up you can feel the difference. My full Camelback Mule fully loaded weighs less than my Osprey with just a full bladder of water.

 

absolutely love it. Seems like the perfect size for most all uses. The straps are great. I hated the waste strap on my camelback, I always unclipped it while climbing. Dont have to deal with that anymore. I do wish there was a pocket accessible without taking the pack off. I'll likely add one to the front for snacks. The bladder is a bit smaller than advertised but for most rides its not an issue. I ordered it direct with the 10% off code they offered.