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Im venturing into the Hip Pack realm, i only have enough space for a 600ml bottle on my bike and on warmer days (There are plenty of them in South East Australia) 600ml doesn't quite cut it for me and the trail dog, especially when most of the water she drinks ends up on my shoes!
Before plunging right in and spending on some lovely looking hip packs I thought I'd try them out first. I bought a cheap one online which I'm going to modify. I'm fairly handy with the sewing machine, or handy enough, but wondered if anyone had any examples of homemade or home-altered hip/fanny/bum bags for riding (choose your own name). Just looking for some design inspiration perhaps, or advice/tips. Compression straps are on the list and I have bought some small buckles and webbing for it.
Thanks in advance.
Instructions for one and other gear on bikepacking.com
Don't know anyone who has tried but there are plenty of comments below the article.
Get stiching
https://bikepacking.com/gear/make-your-own-fanny-pack/
Make saddle bags for your dog so she can carry the gear.
I've an old specialized one from thew 90's. It is double bottles, one each side which seems to me the best idea, a main compartment, plus small ones on the main strap for coins,keys which are extremely handy.
Also has webbing straps running around it with a loop so you can either compress the main compartment, or get a rolled up jacket/something underneath it then compress them.
My tupence worth is the compression straps, and the wee pockets on the belt strap.
You know the hip belt on rucksacks, the belt loop from an old one of those gives you the padded parts you could empty of padding to make little side pockets, and maybe the entire lower half of the diy pack but utilising the entire hip belt, just cutting it free along with any parts of the old rucksack you think you could resew. example is if you cut the strap off and include the material that forms the bit against your back, youo can fold and make that bit of material a compartment by justt stitching the edges.
I guess you are half way there now so will press on but I'd just buy one. The osprey was £20 recently and it's well designed, got pockets and zips in the right place, the bottles are well held, the belt is nicely adjustable and comfortable.
Theres a thread on here for 10 pound hipacks that have been reduced.
I made one a couple of years ago using an old back/lumbar support as a base. I wanted something quite minimal, with room for a small tool kit housed in a glasses case and a bottle to one side. Works pretty well for short rides and uplift days.
Thanks for all the relies, plenty to get stuck into. I wonder if I can keep my Kelpie x Collie mix dog still for long enough to strap one to her, she's not been pulling her weight for a while now. Maybe I could strap a workshop to her for the just in case trackside maintenance with the essentials, you know, bearing press, wheel truing stand, she could be a mobile mechanic station. I now realise the possibilities are endless...