[Closed] Evoc back protector packs

Add a sheet of dense foam and a sheet of plastic board to your (large)camelbak (full)bladder pocket and keep the straps tight?

I landed on my 2/3rds full camelbak a couple of weeks ago following a full-on, over-the-bars, down a slope somersault. It hurt a lot, but my upper back was unscathed.

ps. It didn't stop broken ribs which I suspect was caused by contact with the handlebar stem.

Interested in this myself, was thinking of getting one of their lighter models, if they're comnfortable, then having a back protector strikes me as a better idea than not having one.

Ouch!

i have one of the older evoc freeride packs, it is one of the most comfortable packs i have used.

probably slightly warmer than a pack without back protector but quite like that little bit of protection in the alps and doing rockier rides

i bought a 20ltr FR Trail a few months back and am now considering getting one for the GF.

my old pack, a Camelbak HAWG NV, had a platic insert that kinda acted as a protector and stopped awkward (what an odd word) items digging into your back. i liked it, but found the waist strap digged in and refilling the bladder, although better than some, wasn't optimal

my riding is pretty much exclusively alpine. long slogs up and long, tricky technical descents back down.

i ummed and erred between buying the Deuter Attack or the Evoc pack.

the Deuter sits comfortably thanks to its high split waist band and offers relatively good airflow. but it lets itself down due to its weight and, although the design has been revised, difficult access to the main compartment. (my friend has the old one and it is a right PITA to get into.) the pack doesn't let you carry as much gear as the Evoc, either, despite it's claimed 20ltrs. although the Evoc cheats as you can strap lots to the outside. i'm sure that the Deuter offers better overall protection when compared to the Evoc and may even be on par with a dedicated protector, but for various reasons the Evoc wins it for everyday use.

i bought the Evoc about three months ago and have used it lots since then: from short to long, extended rides; bunging my tools in it; shopping & day trips; and hiking.

i would say that it is a warm pack. it sits very close to your back, but then i guess there is no point having a protector that isn't where it needs to be. the warm thing isn't such an issue for me as i sweat like a sweaty thing as soon as i do anything strenuous.

the pack sits comfortably and the large neoprene waist band keeps the pack in place. (this is the reason the GF likes the pack so much, but unfortunately for her mine is a size too big for her.)

the pack is split nicely with a large (very large, true 20ltr, compartment) with a a flat pocket on the front and a smaller section for maps and the like on the front of that. the bladder sit between the main pack and the back protector and is really easy to access and refill regardless of how much kit is in the main compartment (this was one of the bug bears with the Camelbak).

i've had a couple of offs whilst wearing the pack, but didn't land on my back. the fabric is still in pretty good nick and i'm not one that takes extra care with things (dumping it on rocks, dragging it across concrete because i'm too lazy to get up), regardless of whether they are new or not.

i've carried my full face and pads (using the straps on the bottom) with it no problem. however i usually use a normal lid and carry knee pads in the extendable outer section.

the pack can be un-zipped and the back protector can be worn on its own. it doesn't offer the same amount of coverage a conventional protector does, but it at least offers some securtiy. i'm sure that come winter this is how i'll be using it.

the protector can be removed and the pack used without, but it weighs naff all and stops bulky objects digging into your back. i've not once bothered to remove it.

i'd buy another pack today if i were to lose mine.

i'm sure there will be loads of people wearing them at the Mega, but that is because they are a decent bit of kit.

long winded, i know, but hope that helps.

I used an Evoc FR trail last week in the Alps for the first time, I thought it was really comfortable and no hotter than the Camelbak I usually wear - and it was 30 degrees a couple of days!

[b]alpin[/b] - thanks, that's a great help.

loads and loads of these in the Alps recently, so much so that i assumed they were giving them away lol

^^ yeah, i was a bit surprised when i rocked up at the guide meeting sporting mine. every fifth pack was an Evoc pack and it wasn't just the "gnarly" boys and girls wearing them. there were a few XC-saddle-up-your-bum euro types using them too.

like i said... good pack.

bluebird, you're welcome. buy one.