[Closed] USWE hydration packs-any reviews?!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=uswe+review

Brilliant. Original and funny. I've done that and not turned up anything useful. I was after specifics on their mountain bike packs. Funnily enough I thought a mountain bike forum might be an appropriate place to ask. Silly me.

Yip, spent a bunch of time trying to find some write ups on these.. Think I found one blog post from a guy who said it was good. Other than that I can't find diddly.
The info that I did find was on the hydrapak bladder that it comes with, seems good but a couple of comments about the rollover top not being particularly durable but I've got a camelbak bladder lying spare so I wasn't too worried.

I did discover that the shimano unzen pack uses the same style, single buckle chest strap, the few reviews I was able to find mentioned that it had a tendency to shift from side to side on your back. Can't say if the USWE would suffer the same as the strapping seems to be a bit more developed/thought out than the unzen bag.

That's all I know, would love to hear from anyone who has actually used one as I also can't find anyone in the uk even remotely close to me that sells them.

Thanks H1ghland3r, yours was the only other post I've seen addressing these packs[b] when I searched extensively both here and on Google[/b]! I take it you havent purchased one yet? I was tempted to email them and ask for one for free in return for a review, but figured a random irregular poster on a internet forum might not sell that too well!

😀

Gotta be worth a try.! I'm thinking that the Steve Peat endorsement might count against your chances there though. I didn't get one yet as I'm deep into trying to pull together enough cash for a whole new bike, it is tempting though as I'm really not getting on too well with the current stable of Camelbaks and I don't fancy spending more money on them if there is something better out there.

Sorry I couldn't be more help on finding some info. Will be sure to post if I do find something.

That bladder looks a lot like a re-branded [url= http://www.merlincycles.com/hydrapak-reversible-reservoir-60526.html ]Hydrapak[/url] one. (The epoc ones are too).

I got one with a [url= http://www.merlincycles.com/hydrapak-tamarack-hydration-pack-60540.html ]Hydrapak Tamarack[/url] and it is quite a nice bladder, but the water flow is a little slow for me.

Also, the Hydrapak Tamarack was £35. While not perfect, it's nice and cheap.

eltonerino, did the tamarak come with a bladder?

H1ghland3r- don't be daft-glad it's not just me who's failed to turn up more info. Likewise I'll be sure to follow this up if I get one. Ps. Steve who? 😉

@eltorino- thanks for info re. The bladder.

Kimbers - yes, a nice [url= http://www.merlincycles.com/hydrapak-reversible-reservoir-60526.html ]3 litre one.[/url]. It has a quick release tube (so you don't have to thread it every time), a twist lock mouth piece and a baffle thing in the middle stops it from ballooning out. There aren't quite enough small pocket things for me in the rucksack part of things. My spare batteries float about loosely in the small pocket. But other than that it is good (and slim fitting).

I think they USWE might've just recoloured the photo of the 2L hydrapack...
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

Looking at those pictures I'd have to agree!

Makes me think very much of the Kriega R15

arse, there was me thinking id got a bargain ordering a new hydrapak bladder for not much less!

now ive just seen your link to the same bladder, even cheaper!

right that ones goin back!

UPDATE: I've ordered one! Detailed review coming once its arrived!Really looking forward to trying it out and ditching the bouncy camelbak.

Good stuff Ashy, will be very keen to hear your thoughts. Have almost pulled the trigger a couple of times but will happily hold off now while you play the part of consumer guinea pig.. 😀

Did you order direct or were you able to find a uk distributor..?

Happy to play the role of guinea pig...and yes, I ordered direct. I eventually decided that Steve Peat probably wouldn't use something that was rubbish. Didnt go for the peaty special edition in the end, as the only difference between that and the standard F4 pro was that it came with a hands free kit for full face helmets. Anyway, I'll pop a detailed review up when I've got it and used it in anger.

So, its arrived! Overnight. From Sweden! Which is impressive.

It comes nicely packaged in a box with some stickers! I haven't had chance to ride with it yet,but have filled the bladder and packed it with a load typical to what I would take riding. First impressions are very good! There's very little movement in any direction, even with the bladder full, and it feels far less restrictive than the camelbak its replacing.
The bladder is a hydrapak bladder as mentioned above and has a few natty features like a quick release hose and baffles to stop the water sloshing about.
There are numerous pockets to store bits and pieces and its easily big enough for a windproof/lunch/first aid kit/tubes/tools/pumps etc.
It seems very well put together and adjusting the straps is easy.
I'll do a full review once I've ridden it but I'm genuinely looking forward to testing it- I think my camelbak is destined for the back of the cupboard!

I'm interested to know how much it moves about while riding and hitting some jumps/jumping over roots etc. that kind of thing.

From my tests so far throwing myself around the house it seems to bounce less than my camelbak with the same load. It feels like a limpet clinging to my back. I'll feedback once I've ridden it, but I have high hopes!

Well man..!? What's the word? You must have ridden with it at least a couple of times by now!! 🙂

Not had a chance yet! I'm riding Dalby tomorrow evening so that ought to be a great test. I promise I'll update as soon as I've ridden tomorrow!

Good man. Enjoy the ride.

Just got in so I'll just give my first impression. It wouldn't be an overstatement to use the word "revolutionary"! Its really that good. In use you can't tell its on. Really. There is no movement at all, its completely unrestrictive. I can't praise it enough really. The hydration bladder/bitevalve is very good. I'm so so so pleased with it. 10/10. Buy one, you won't be disappointed! It honestly feels like you're not wearing a bag at all!

Ashy - Member

Just got in so I'll just give my first impression. It wouldn't be an overstatement to use the word "revolutionary"! Its really that good. In use you can't tell its on. Really. There is no movement at all, its completely unrestrictive. I can't praise it enough really. The hydration bladder/bitevalve is very good. I'm so so so pleased with it. 10/10. Buy one, you won't be disappointed! It honestly feels like you're not wearing a bag at all!

I fear that comment may have sealed the fate for my money. lol
Though it'll have to wait as there's a few things I want first. (this MTB lark does a good job of keeping you spending money)

It does indeed. Seriously well worth it though in this case. They've got 10% off via twitter too at the moment.

I've enquired as to whether they'd offer an additional discount for STW members. They haven't said no, so I'll post on here if I'm successful. Fingers crossed!
Chris

Ashy, i like the look of that. How much space does it have internally for jackets, food, tools etc?

Cheers 🙂

Any link to the 10% discount, can't see it anywhere ? Cheers

@cnud-10% is if you follow them on Twitter. Just follow the links from their page and they message you a discount.

@mactheknife. Its about 9 litres of storage. I've managed to fit a v. lightweight windproof, some sandwiches, multitool,2 pumps, spare tube,gloves etc. That's with the hydration bladder full. The best thing is that the stability etc doesn't change whether its full or empty. It simply doesn't move!

Here's a pic to give an idea of the size of it in use.

[img] .html[/img]

Or not.[url= .html]click[/url]

Nice one, cheers for that. i do think its too small for what i need but its an interesting bit of kit.
🙂

Full review [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/uswe-f4-pro-mountain-bike-hydration-pack-reviewed?replies=1#post-6131351 ]here[/url]