CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro 14 Review

“Hydrate or die.” This is one of my favourite ever marketing slogans. CamelBak came out with it in the nineties, and while it’s ever so slightly melodramatic, it has a point.

• Price: £140.00
• From: zyrofisher.co.uk

While the risk of death from running out of something to drink during a mountain bike ride in the UK is slim, there is definitely something to be said for proper hydration on proper rides.

No, a water bottle won’t cut it. Neither will two water bottles in the unlikely event of your bike frame being able to accept two bottles.

A basic rule of thumb is at least one litre of water for every two hours of being in the mountains – and don’t set off thirsty. I hate riding with a backpack as much as anyone, but I hate being dehydrated on a big ride even more. When you get dehydrated you go wrong. Going wrong is not good.

Like good ol’ M.U.L.E. packs of yore, the Pro 14 is aimed at big days out and comes with loads of genuinely useful storage arrays. The back panel is most excellently called ‘Air Support’ and really does help reduce sweaty back syndrome.

It wouldn’t be a CamelBak without a reservoir and the CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro 14 features the excellent Crux Reservoir which holds three litres. As well as a compartmentalised main storage chamber, the M.U.L.E. Pro 14 has a hip belt with cargo carrying capability (which is a must) and a removable bike tool organiser wrap thingy. You can also insert an optional ‘Impact Protector’ spine protection armour into the pack.

It’s not until you’ve had a CamelBak for a decent amount of time that you begin to appreciate what their real USP is: they are extremely flipping well made. CamelBaks just keep on going year after year. And in my opinion they still have the best reservoir and bite-valve design out there. By miles.

On the trail, the CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro 14 is as ‘forgettable’ as backpacks get. Forget that you’re actually wearing it, in other words. For such a capacious pack, it’s significantly more invisibly comfy than packs half its size. It just has a great combination of security and stability around your torso without having to be cinched up to 11.

If you’re going on a ride where you need to carry more stuff than usual and a bumbag just won’t cut it, the M.U.L.E. Pro 14 is as good as hydration packs get.

This product features in our Daytrippin’ Kit Essentials buyer’s guide

Review Info

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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