A racing rucksack. Although Evoc highlight activities such a running and bikepacking, we got our in-house gravity racer to review it.
- Brand: EVOC
- Product: Hydro Pro Ultra 1.5 + Hydration Bladder
- Price: £119.99
- From: ZyroFisher
- Tested by: Aran for ?? months
The EvVOC Hydro Pro could be what was missing from your enduro set-up (you do have an enduro set-up, right?). It certainly was for me.
I really do not like riding with a rucksack, a big flappy weight on your back when you’re trying to ride or race is just not a nice feeling. I also don’t think bum bags are an amazing option either. I’m always relieved when it gets to summer and I can mostly ride without taking a bag (for spare clothing layers/gloves etc).
However, when it comes to racing, last season I felt that my set-up was just lacking a little storage. Once I had taped and zip tied an arsenal of items to my bike, Mrs Armitage style, only to find I still ran out of water half way round the lap, I began questioning my anti-bag stance. In my stubbornness of not wanting to face having a full rucksack or bumbag, I found the solution to my set-up woes in this EVOC Hydro Pro.
Sitting tight on the back with just enough space for the bare essentials the Hydro Pro strikes a perfect balance between unencumbered riding and storage. It’s super-stable and very forgettable, allowing you to carry just what you need and not be inhibited by it.
Usually, I would carry the 1.5L bladder, a small pump, multi tool and a couple snacks. Or I remove the bladder and replace it with a lightweight rain jacket. This is strictly an either/or situation; it is a hydration pack OR it’s a storage pack, it cannot fit a jacket and a bladder in (especially not if you want it to be comfy).
My main niggle with the Hydro Pro is in the adjustment and sizing department. I don’t consider myself especially large. Yet with a 38 inch chest measurement, I am already at the upper size limits for the Hydro Pro (and pushing this limit even harder when wearing upper body armour). The Hydro Pro fits me comfortably, but the straps are all the way open with nowhere to go for bigger folk than myself.
The vest design is also fairly limited when it comes to adjustment, there is only so much stretch to the under arm strap before it becomes tight and restrictive. However, the flipside to this is that when it does fit you, it is incredibly comfortable and stable. The large under arm elasticated straps secure the pack tightly to your back but don’t restrict movement at all.
The bladder uses a ziplock style opening, with a plastic slider to keep the zip secure. Perhaps a classic screw in plug would have been simpler here, but the ziplock system works fine once you’ve got the knack for it.
The magnetic hose attachment is handy and a much better solution than a clip. 1.5L of water is a good amount especially if you are using the bladder on top of a water bottle on the bike. You can also fasten items to the outside of the pack if you’re stuck for space. On occasion I’ve even hung a full face helmet off the two attachment loops on long sweaty climbs.
The two netting pockets on the straps are nice and secure with overlapping netting to keep gels, snack bars or even a multitool extra secure. Utilising these loops and the side pockets the most I have been able to carry is a full bladder, rain jacket (on the loops), mini electric pump, a multi-tool, some tyre levers and a couple of snack bars. For such a small bag, I’d say this is mighty impressive and certainly enough to keep you going on a long day on the bike.
From the reflective panels and graphics on the rear to the comfortable strap material the Hydro Pro is clearly a thoughtfully designed, high quality piece of kit. If you’re after an alternative to a small hip pack/bum bag or larger rucksack set up, then the Hydro Pro is a great option. My only real complaint is that without size options the pack can be a little on the tight side for riders with a larger frame. Whilst this is a necessity to achieve such a stable and secure fit it would be nice to see a larger size option available for bigger riders.
Overall
Every now and then I get to test a product that actually transforms how I ride. The Evoc Hydro Pro is one of those products. If you’re fed up with lugging mostly empty rucksacks around and don’t like the feel of a bum bag, you should probably look into the Hydro Pro. To me, it solves all the irritations of bags and bum bags. it is secure, comfy and very easy to forget you’re wearing it.
Product specifications
- Weight: 220 g
- Measures: 23 cm x 33 cm x 2 cm
- Colour: black or sand
- Art. No.: 100429100
- Volume: 1.5 L
- Material: Polyester 50%, Recycled Polyamide 50%
