Uswe Outlander 2 Hydration Pack

[Johan1983]

How comfortable is a Hydration pack for long rides?

Any strain on your back?

[Skubarra]

10 minutes ago, Johan1983 said:

How comfortable is a Hydration pack for long rides?

Any strain on your back?

I suspect this is a personal preference thing, you wont really know until you try it - maybe a good idea to borrow one if you can before buying if you are concerned.

Personally I find them comfortable to wear and haven't had any back issues.

[waveduke]

I've got an USWE Outlander pack and I find it very comfortable to wear.

What I dislike about the USWE is that it moves up and hits my helmet once the bladder is empty because it sits so high on the back. I guess it depends on your position on the bike and how your utilize the straps. Might be a non-issue for other people.

Also with the 2l there is not much space besides the bladder. I can squeeze in a key - maybe a cellphone.

[Pieterlab1]

1 hour ago, Johan1983 said:

How comfortable is a Hydration pack for long rides?

Any strain on your back?

Very.

[Hilton.]

1 hour ago, Johan1983 said:

How comfortable is a Hydration pack for long rides?

Any strain on your back?

Very comfortable. Not a problem at all.

And I have lower back issues on long rides. Completely unrelated to the USWE. The water pack doesn't make any difference.

[guidodg]

the running packs are very comfy, particularly the 10L and 15L one from Decathlon… and at amazing prices 

have done many rides with them and can guarantee they work

[ChrisF]

I hated the idea of a hydration pack.

 

Once I started doing long rides I had no choice but to get one.

 

NICE !!

 

I have since gotton a larger one, not for more water, but for more packing space during winter rides.  As the ride heats up I now have space to store the layers of clothing.

 

 

 

Sure, a frame that allows for two large bottles is a better option, but for the rest a hydration pack does a good job.

[Skubarra]

1 hour ago, waveduke said:

I've got an USWE Outlander pack and I find it very comfortable to wear.

What I dislike about the USWE is that it moves up and hits my helmet once the bladder is empty because it sits so high on the back. I guess it depends on your position on the bike and how your utilize the straps. Might be a non-issue for other people.

Also with the 2l there is not much space besides the bladder. I can squeeze in a key - maybe a cellphone.

I have the Uswe Outlander 3 1.5l, what is really useful is the pouch you have the option to click on, I keep all my tools in there if I do a long ride with the Uswe. I guess that extra weight helps with the moving up because I have never had that issue.

[fanievb]

I've got the outlander 3, and agree that they are very comfy.

also agree with @waveduke about touching the helmet.

Only downside is that the strap goes right over the highspot on my collarbone repair which gets a little uncomfortable and I need to adjust the strap every now and again. 

[madmarc]

I have the Airborne 3 - its very comfortable - Also has the additional clipon pouch which i would only use on longer rides is a nice feature - But like others have said, with a full bladder there not much else you can fit inside - I can get my cell phone and car keys on the inside pouch - Spare AXS battery is hidden in there somewhere as well. But i'm a less is more believer, the more pockets you have the more cr#p you will pack in.

It has a zip system to fill it up so its easier to clean and i think the mouth piece is far better than Kamelbak

But some points before you buy

1. Local prices are insane, i bought mine on my last trip to UK was 1/3 of the price.

2. Not sure if this is offered locally, but when i bought mine i could choose a size in terms of harness - I got the XL (cause i'm a phatass) and its set at max and still fairly tight and took some getting used to.

 

So I would first try the fit before you buy 

 

Edited July 15 by madmarc

[DieselnDust]

Hydration packs are very comfortable. Everyone has improved their straps and made their traction better.

I have several ranging from 30year old Camelback Rogue, 20year old Mule to a smaller pack I cant remember the model name and an USWE Outlander 2. although I like the no dancing monkey idea its not a real gamechanger but since I paid <R1000 to import it direct form USWE in 2019 I thought its was great value. The bladder is no where near as nice as a camelbak bladder an now they cost R3000-00 from Sportsmanswarehouse so I won't be purchasing another USWE. That's just way too expensive when Camelbak is still the benchmark and Decathlon have high quality options at 1/3 of that price. Those are super too btw!