What hydration pack for MTB

[SpecialK]

Even though I'm not a fan of the look, the Osprey Raptor kills it as a pack. I've had the Evoc ones but they are more trail bags and do get pretty hot on the back. I'd say if it's for a race then small camelbaks would be an obvious choice but @ 1.5ltrs are you going to get more in than 2 bottles and there isn't much room for storage.  

 

My pack is starting to run out of lifespan (dog has taken to trying to eat it and daughter uses it to transport her manager of soft animals to her social engagements) so I'm going to check out the Shimano Unzen or Enduro Racepack as it look pretty solid and gets some good reviews. Just need to find one locally. 

My boyfriend has had his Osprey Raptor for close to 10 years, and it's still going strong. The only reason why he had to replace the bladder was thanks to the nurse who dropped the hydraulic hospital bed onto the pack...

[SpecialK]

Osprey make hands-down the best hiking/backpacking/climbing packs on the planet. Their hydration systems are on par with Camelbak, perhaps better for mountaineering use. Haven't tried their cycling stuff but will have a look. Thanks

 

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I found the opening mechanism on the Osprey bladder much better than Camelbak, plus the fit was 1000 times better. The Syncro has a steel frame and a mesh back which keeps the pack off my back on hot days. 

Best advice is - try them all in the store and see which one fits best. We did all the standard ranges, plus we went to a couple of motorbike shops. Osprey was definitely the best fit for us.

[V12man]

Drinking with both hands on bars is the biggest thing for me ;-)  

2l should be fine and smaller so you pack in less 

 

Camelbak Classic 2 Litre - Black   has my vote and has being ordered.

 

The ease to fill at WP and less space to pack unnecessary  promoted upgrade from another bigger pack with 3l  water

2 L is probably enough - but some days more is good to have - and you don't have to fill the bladder completely - so putting 2l in a 3l bladder is fine.

 

too much storage space just encourages carrying unneccesary stuff - but I think the classic is a bit too tight for storage space - thus I prefer the Lobo (which has actually very little storage space - even though it is about twice the classic)

 

I also use a pocket bag which my tools and spares go in - so that just goes in the bag as a unit.

 

I pack the top pocket in the Lobo with keys, cell phone (in waterproof packet) and basic first aid stuff (very very basic - just a  space blanket and a couple of wound dressings), and the bottom pocket gets my packet of tools and spares - the space behind the bottom pocket gets a spare tube, and if necessary a raincoat/gilet goes in there too. - The classic is a trifle short on space for everything (sure you can squash it in)

 

When I am not using the camelbak, then I just put the tools in my shirt pocket - bag and all - 1 pocket for food, 1 for tools, and 1 pocket for food wrappers.

 

[Serious Panda]

I recommend a minimal 1.5l 0r 2l camelbak like the camelbak classic. If needed add a waterbottel on the frame. Duck tape emergency tools to the frame. Multitool in cabelbak pocket. Snacks in shirt pockets.  Spread the weight.

[V12man]

I found the opening mechanism on the Osprey bladder much better than Camelbak, plus the fit was 1000 times better. The Syncro has a steel frame and a mesh back which keeps the pack off my back on hot days. 

Best advice is - try them all in the store and see which one fits best. We did all the standard ranges, plus we went to a couple of motorbike shops. Osprey was definitely the best fit for us.

I find that all the bladder openings that use sliders are fine when you have CLEAN hands  - but for riding you really want a bladder that is easy to open and close in a hurry (with wet, dirty and muddy hands/gloves), and more importantly - MAINTAIN HYGIENE while refilling - this is an important thing to make sure of - whatever you choose - I haven't personally used the osprey, but I have used an Evoc - and that one was not conducive to easy hygienic refilling - especially when you hand it to someone to fill at a water point - you never know what's going in the bag you don't want - and that can turn ugly in a multi day stage race... VERY VERY messy indeed...

 

Having lost a partner to a stomach problem, and nearly bailed myself (and suffered mightily for a couple of days) - hygiene is critical - a contaminated bladder is a very very bad thing - make sure you can refill it without contaminating it.

[arendoog]

For Sani u don,t need one .Drink plenty at the water-tables and you are good with 1 bottle.Only time i use mine is on a very hot day and  suspect water table catering  .They are handy to free up both hands thou .Currently i use one XL bottle on the bike

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

_{I have a cheapo Ryder one that I used for years no issue, I didn't overload it and I found 2L of water overkill when you can lekker coke at the stops. I must say, it was comfortable to ride with, no hassles drinking etc. Once I fell off the bike and landed on my back and the hydration pack served as a lekker cushion.}

 

_{Those days I was much slower and hence drank more so it was of great use cos I had enough liquids and solids with me. Nowadays I'm a bit faster and finish races quicker and since I don't mind stopping at a waterpoint ( cos it is going to make no difference to my GC) I can get through a race with just one bottle.}

 

_{But I do think they still have great value, although the tendency is that race snakes will never be seen with one}

[JXV]

I find that all the bladder openings that use sliders are fine when you have CLEAN hands - but for riding you really want a bladder that is easy to open and close in a hurry (with wet, dirty and muddy hands/gloves), and more importantly - MAINTAIN HYGIENE while refilling - this is an important thing to make sure of - whatever you choose - I haven't personally used the osprey, but I have used an Evoc - and that one was not conducive to easy hygienic refilling - especially when you hand it to someone to fill at a water point - you never know what's going in the bag you don't want - and that can turn ugly in a multi day stage race... VERY VERY messy indeed...

 

Having lost a partner to a stomach problem, and nearly bailed myself (and suffered mightily for a couple of days) - hygiene is critical - a contaminated bladder is a very very bad thing - make sure you can refill it without contaminating it.

Osprey bladders have a large screw top similar to Camelbak. They can be filled without touching the internals (unless you're careless). I like the moulded-in stiffening plate in my Osprey bladder that I use with a mountaineering pack. Makes it easy to load and unload. The bladder does not fold, twist or wrap around stuff when its less than completely full. Not sure if the cycling packs have the same.

 

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[Mawbs]

I have a Camelback Lobo and wont ride without it for a few reasons.

1. you dont get dirt/poop in your water when riding ..like you do on bottles

2. you water/juice stays cooler for much longer

3. hands can stay on the bars

4. they dont eject themselves off the bike when you hit the real bumpy stuff

 

my 2c worth

[V12man]

Osprey bladders have a large screw top similar to Camelbak. They can be filled without touching the internals (unless you're careless). I like the moulded-in stiffening plate in my Osprey bladder that I use with a mountaineering pack. Makes it easy to load and unload. The bladder does not fold, twist or wrap around stuff when its less than completely full. Not sure if the cycling packs have the same.

 

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The ones I have seen have all had a slider - like this - absolutely might be different on different models - but very similar to the evoc one I had:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5LeNphErlE

[V12man]

_{But I do think they still have great value, although the tendency is that race snakes will never be seen with one}

That's not true - some of them do use them - Grant Usher for one...

[CJ Van]

The ones I have seen have all had a slider - like this - absolutely might be different on different models - but very similar to the evoc one I had:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5LeNphErlE

This is the latest version of their hydration bladders.  Have not seen it in the shops yet.  The older version has the screw top. 

[Grease_Monkey]

Been using my Camelbak mule for about 10 years, 5 of which were Enduro motorbiking, other 5 mtb. Still going strong and showing no signs of needing replacement.

 

No experience with other packs - but you won't go wrong with Camelbak!

[Milosh]

2 L is probably enough - but some days more is good to have - and you don't have to fill the bladder completely - so putting 2l in a 3l bladder is fine.

 

too much storage space just encourages carrying unneccesary stuff - but I think the classic is a bit too tight for storage space - thus I prefer the Lobo (which has actually very little storage space - even though it is about twice the classic)

 

I also use a pocket bag which my tools and spares go in - so that just goes in the bag as a unit.

 

I pack the top pocket in the Lobo with keys, cell phone (in waterproof packet) and basic first aid stuff (very very basic - just a  space blanket and a couple of wound dressings), and the bottom pocket gets my packet of tools and spares - the space behind the bottom pocket gets a spare tube, and if necessary a raincoat/gilet goes in there too. - The classic is a trifle short on space for everything (sure you can squash it in)

 

When I am not using the camelbak, then I just put the tools in my shirt pocket - bag and all - 1 pocket for food, 1 for tools, and 1 pocket for food wrappers.

 

20160820_132517.jpg

 

I did not go for lobo as i like the easy access to the screw top, a down side of the first accent , but did not actively check the lobo , only the Mule 

 

 

I will keep the First Assent 3l for self support rides , I was heading more for less packing space as I err on to much stuff and believe 2l will be enough between WP with a water bottle Albeit warm on the frame as a reserve.

 

Classic was delivered to home today , will test on 2D Berg And Bush and revert.

 

 

Hmmm  i see the rogue has the space for rain jacket ....

[NE1L]

I use the Osprey Raptor 10 that I got from Due South and all I can say is I love it.

 

You can get a smaller one and a cheaper one but decide what boxes you need to tick. I like having an organized pack that I can compartmentalize items with easy access.

 

I have also never filled the actual bladder or the packing space but its a nice to have and when you need to take a windbreaker off you can just toss it in so a little bit of extra space is a nice to have. 

 

Below is a good review

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hydration-Pack-Reviews/Osprey-Raptor-10

[SpecialK]

This is the latest version of their hydration bladders.  Have not seen it in the shops yet.  The older version has the screw top. 

 

This is the one that came with my Syncro. Added bonus that I can take off the tube at the top of the bladder for easy filling and cleaning.