Beenlooking at getting a new camelbak for a few months and just about to splash out.
Ive had an old camelbak mule for about 6yrs which is still going strong but I need something bigger for those bigger rides (carrying armour, lunch and cake) and also something for going snowboarding with.
Been looking at the updated camelbak Mule or the Hawg but cant make my mindup. The MULE looks ok but I worry it might be slightly too small but the Hawg feels slightly too heavy.
Anyone used either and can give some advice?
Cheers and meery xmas
In true stw style,
Osprey zealot. 😀
+1 for Osprey...
I found my MULE wasn't quite big enough for all day cake carrying, so got a marginally larger Dakine, draft iirc. Nice sturdy bag, comfy straps, good bladder system and big usable storage area.
Just spent a bitof time looking up the Zealot, nice looking and sounding option, but 10 or 16?
I've got the ten.
Carries tools, waterproofs, hipflask etc, without being opened up. Still feels good when empty too.
Helmet carrier works well too.
From reading the size specs it looks like the mule is inbetween both in terms of capacity
DIe hard Osprey Raptor user here.
Osprey in the appropriate size. (I have a viper which probably too small for you)
Evoc CC16 😉
How about the new camelbak volt?
Source Widepac bladders all the way for me. Easier to fill, easier to clean, detachable hose, and the valves are at least as good as CamelBak these days.
Osprey Raptor hands down the best pack I've had (previous two were Dakine Nomad and a Mule)
Evoc CC16 again here as well, cracking pack. Back protector, space for stuff
and 3L. Clings on like a randy limpet.
I've got a Raptor, it sits a bit high on my back which I don't find too comfortable or that stable. I've just ordered the new Camelbak Volt from Merlin for around £66, hopefully that'll work out.
I've always had an Osprey, but recently tried, and liked a Wingnut..
Just got the new Mule NV and it looks great, slightly bigger than my last pack (havoc I think). The Hawg just looked too big for an everyday pack to me (ie taking too much crap)
I got the other half a camelbak volt for Christmas. Looks perfect.
I would go for the Hawg, it looks like it will pack down a bit when you don't need all the space in it.
Camelbak LR reservoir makes it stand out above all other IMO.
Hawg takes loads. I get an slr camera plus tools, food and can fit a jacket in it. It's bulky and heavy though. More so if you get the nv version as it has the hard back plus padding and the weather cover. Though all the kind of stuff you'd want for a long day where you want lots of kit and the weather may be crap or trails muddy.
I'm looking to go the other way and needed something smaller for my normal rides. Need enough space for some tools, pump, tube, keys, wallet and phone. Only thing is I do appreciate the weather cover so may have to go for an nv or similar but that's making it more bulky (e.g. Mule nv)
Deadkenny Will you be selling the HAWG? I'm After a NV model
Argh, so now I've got these on my list:
Mule
hawg
Zealot 16
Evoc CC16
Evoc FR Enduro 16
so rather than whittling it down STW has struck again... 😉
If your getting a mule or HAWG get the NV versions
I'm keeping the Hawg. Gets used for skiing and whenever I'll take the slr riding (tends to come with me skiing too). Just need something smaller to complement it. I often hear good stuff about Osprey too so undecided myself.
Oh, and the Hawg has an expandable bit at the front outside you can tuck pads or a helmet into. Doesn't take a full face of course but you can find places to hook it on for those push ups on DH days. That said you'd likely not be riding with such a big pack for DH. In fact I could do with a plain water only bag for DH uplift days.
I have an Osprey Raptor but don't find the rigid bladder comfy, if you have the pack anywhere near full it loads the weight onto a small part of the rigid bit high on your back (or at least it does on mine). Swapped to a Camelbak Charge which is better (leaky bladder aside) although still not perfect (lacks stability IMO unless the straps are done up irritatingly tight).
I'm quite tempted to try the new Shimano Unzen but it's pricey so waiting for some reviews first...
Osprey Raptor 14 here....no way I would ever go back to a Camelback now (have had several in the past). Can fit loads in it - so much so that it's possible to overfill (ie. becomes to heavy with junk you won't need!).
Just ordered a Zealot 16 - will be interesting to see what it's like
I think it'll be ace! I'm a big Osprey convert and just got a pre-shipping sample of the Raptor 14 to test out... it's ace and so well thought out.
Cheers doug, I'm quite excited
I'm itching for an Osprey Zealot 10. Never seen one in person, but have read about it.
I have a 4-5 year old Mule NV (1st generation NV, I think) that is pretty good, but the back panel is starting to wear through on the bottom. I didn't care for the next Mule NV model as the hip belt didn't detach and I hate them. The newest model that I've seen online only looks weird with a goofy back panel IMO.
I also am considering Dakine, but no shops near me carry them.
Out of interest, went for a Viper for my 'small' pack. That will complement the Hawg where I need it.
Only thing is the Viper has no cover for mud days, and presently even local short rides are mud days for the foreseeable future.
Completely different here - use Kriega.
Hydropack for fluid only with keys/jacket.
R25 on the ZX10.
On the bike I have a Columbia pack that uses the Hydrapak reservoir - miles above any of the other packs I've used.
Loads of room, sections, and the bladder is leagues ahead.
Folding seal, you can turn it inside out to clean it, removable hose, etc.
Add to the fact that they are only £25 from the Columbia shop means they are cheaper than buying the bladder on its own!
I bought the other half a Camelbak for Christmas, she bought me an Osprey.....
Zealot delivered today - on initial impressions - I like. Nice and light but seems to be just the right size
I bought a HAWG NV a few months back, having previously owned a MULE and older-model HAWG.
I often need the 3 litre bladder capacity on long rides, and whereas the pack is probably too big a lot of the time, it is regularly useful to have the extra space (esp. when commuting & carrying breakfast/lunch), and I like to carry at least 3 inner tubes on long rides.
The HAWG NV is fairly compact if you tighten the external straps, so if you're not carrying much it doesn't need to remain too bulky.
Camelbak are not the only company in the world that make backpacks
I used an Evo C 16 and am pretty pleased with it - certainly better than the Camelbak Chaos that it replaced.
Evo C stuff isn't that cheap (but then all hydtaion packs seem pretty damn expensive these days) but it does seem very well made - my only gripe is that getting the mouth bit of the bladder through the openings can be a pain.