Forum menu
I know hydration packs seem to have fallen out of favour but I ‘think’ I need to return to one for XC day rides.
Currently I have a Camelbak Chase vest thing that I don’t like - too constricted around the shoulders and water heats up. I also have an Osprey Viper 9 which is sweaty and sits high.
I’m thinking about the camelbak skyline as it seems to be similar to a hip pack but more secure?
Any thoughts from owners who ride XC?
My bike is a Scott Spark 900 RC so only one bottle mount and I need more storage for water and food.
Thanks in advance.
I don't know whether my riding is xc as such but my skyline suits me for day rides. It's got a handy tool roll which with a pump and a couple of other bits n bobs stays in there all the time. And then there's room for a fair bit more, eg sandwich and an extra layer inside. Jacket in the outside pouch. Most of the time I've got much less but for me it's a nice middle ground between the bigger old HAWG that'll take far more than I ever need and smaller packs that are little more than a bladder.
Sitting a little lower om the hips I guess is personal taste but I've no issues with it for comfort and suspect moving the weight down there has helped my back.
Im no xc racer though and I'd be surprised to see one wearing this.
Thanks @luket
I’m certainly no racer, just looking for a comfortable pack for longer days in the saddle.
I have one of the older Skyline 10LRs I use a lot for longer rides. It's def better having the water low rather than have it higher up in the pack (I have an old HAWG and Rogue too). The magnetic clasp thing on mine is too weak so pointless. Also, the tube can get pinched which stops the water flow. They do bulge a bit if you load them up though.
They're a great backpack when you need to carry a lot of water and some extra stuff. I'm pretty much gone back to the water bottle with a few extra soft bottles here and there with a very small hip bag but for a big xc\trail day out the skyline gets dusted off. 3L of liquid held very low makes for a very stable pack. You really forget it's there.
Very comfy, I love mine.
The Skyline has become my favourite pack for just being out for a few hours or riding the SDW in a day last year, the Peddars Way there and back too.
Feels very minimal if you want it too but can still hold as much as you need for a whole day adventure. Always feels lighter than it actually is with the weight so low down. I'm a total convert.👍
Thanks all for the replies.
Best bag I have had.
Great bag, well comfy just get the LR version
I love mine... water low down.. space inside for tools and and a jacket - and a pocket for phone, wallet and glasses. Its great.