Hydration Packs

How does it sit? Does it move around much when you're riding? Is it confortable to wear?

sorry about the inquisition..... nobody expects an inquisition.

MTY

The Mule carries 2.5-3l when full. It's got a nice small pouch at front (good for couple of tools, powerbar + gels), and mesh/elastic area one can even ram a small rain jacket in. It's also got a main pocket that is very limited in size when the bladder is full. Even so, this always has shock pump, gaffer tape, spare tube and brake pads in.

As it empties this does begin to move around a bit on your back, but just give the shoulder/chest straps a quick tug and it's nice and snug again.

Every ride I've done since 2003 has been with this on my back. Say no more.

Until recently, I was using a Camelbak Blowfish. Nice and light, comfy, good visibility and plenty of storage space. 2L bladder.

It did get a bit warm in summer, but it's more of a hiking pack. I'm really impressed with the durability - it's been through about 2000km of road cycling/touring, 1000km of MTB, lots of hiking and scrapes in tight underground spaces, a dozen 6hr adventure races, weekly grocery haulage for a year, and about three years of day-to-day commuter use. The small zipper doesn't close properly any more, but otherwise it's still going strong.

I'm using the new-model Camelbak MULE now. 3L bladder, much less storage, but it's a little cooler and lighter. Visibility isn't as good; it's grey with orange accents, so I much prefer the Blowfish for commuting (bright red). The straps are a bit better designed and so it's more comfortable. Removing and inserting the bladder is a lot easier, though it does cut into your cargo space when it's full.

I don't like weight on my shoulders, so I tend to run the packs low on my hips - they can both be adjusted well for that. Many of the small roadie Camelbaks have no waist strap at all.

i have 2 that i use, both Camelbaks, i have tried cheaper ones in the past but found there bladders to be absolutely crap, so only stick with Camlebak now.
1: Camelbak Blowfish - this is for longer rides where i need extra stuff like clothes, food, more spare etc, generally if the ride is 3hrs or more i use this pack, has 3l bladder and heaps of storage, even when packed full does not feel heavy or look awkward on your back, does not move around if straped on properly, have had it for approx 7 yrs, same bladder and all and straps and material is still in good nick, do for replacement soon though - will get another blowfish or mule.
2: Camelback Lobo - i use this for rides of 2hrs or less, has 2l bladder only and has storage for, wallet, keys, phone, 2 x tubes, tool kit, tyre levers and chain links, thats it, no room for clothes, food or anything else, very compact, dont even fell like its there. I use this for races also as with only water, tubes and tool kit it pretty much weighs nothing. Very good pack, has excellent ventilation system between the pack and your back for beter airflow.
Always ride with one or the other on the mtb. You will wonder how you lived without one after you get it.
Don

which will probably end up closer to a dollars worth. My immediate reaction reading your first post was, you should have asked this before you ordered, a 1.5l pack won't be anywere enough, but then I thought you have been surviving on a bottle per ride so you may be OK.

Couldn't agree with Rob more, don't put anything but water into it, you will regret it later.

I started with a small 1.5l pack, problem was I found it just too small to ever get comfortable on my "bulky" frame. It felt great in the store but as soon as I put water in it, I just could never get it comfortable. This never made it out of my house, my daughter now uses this for short bushwalks we do.

Camelbacks are obviously at the top of the pyramid when it comes to this, along with another brand made for the Israeli army (sorry name escapes me at the moment) Unfortunately this normally means a price to match.

There are cheaper options but the thing to watch for is the quality of the bladder, after all if it leaks its no good and if your water tastes like plastic that'd be no good either.

I've gone for a cheap MKIsmo "hydro" pack with no bladder that I bought from a local camping shop of Victoria Rd Ryde. Cost about $25 3 years ago. It has a large main compartment that has a neoprene divider in it, obviously where the 3l bladder goes. This compartment is also expandable so there is plenty of room for my batteries, jumper etc etc, have yet to fill it. It also has a smaller compartment on this that has more than enought room for tools, tubes, pumps, spares, food and a rain jacket. It then has elastic cord on the outside of this that is great for putting my armour into if I decide not to wear it anymore.

The bladder is a "Platypus" bladder I got from Katmandu, $25 on sale again 3 years ago. I have had numerous OTB stacks, landing on shoulders and back heavily and have had no problems with either pack or bladder. No leaks and still tastes like Sydney tap water.

Good luck with your purchase, hope it works for you.

after my original reply i checked out my 7 yr old Camelbak Blowfish. The bladder was pretty bad and i think quite a few types of mould and fungus have been living inside, went out today and got a new camelbak Mule, pretty cool, nice compartment size and should hold enough stuff for a days out. Will test it out on the weekend at the 24hr race.
Don

Lots of good info there. Thanks.

@Stuart M. Yeh. I tend to make decisions and then think about them later . I was going to see if Aldi had any of those packs that someone left a link to here last week, however neither the Manly no Warringah Mall stores had them.

I think if the one from torpedo7 doesn't work out then I'll definitely will give the camelbaks's a go. I'll still keep the bottles and use them as well.