I get on well with an Osprey Seral 7, though I don't always uses the supplied reservoir/bladder, you can also, at a pinch, also stick a bottle, or two, under the compression straps if you want to. Comfortable, stable, well-designed with multiple pockets/compartments. Enough space to hold a lightweight spare jacket, a very minimal survival bag, first aid kit, snacks, phone, tools etc. On big winter days I'll swap to a Raptor 14, but mostly - as long as you have lightweight kit - the Seral is fine. They seem to get sold off half price on Sport Pursuit every six months or so.
The only downside I've found with the Seral, is the magnetic attachment for the bite-valve tube, which isn't always quite butch enough if you catch it on something snaggy. Also, Osprey customer service is excellent. They just replaced the reservoir FOC on what must be a 10-year-old Raptor when it sprang a pinhole leak when the tube-attachment moulding split, plus they swapped the magnet arrangement on the Seral for an updated one.
Not used the Dakine, so no idea how it compares.
Osprey Serel 7 here and a Tundra Survival.
I like it alot, but use a 750ml bladder bottle from Lidl and water bottle on the bike.
Keep a gym bag/sack rolled up inside for carrying a jacket when I take it off or a great fly tip find that I can carry home.
Also, pack inside a Russian Rucksack Bag made from a pillowcase and some cord.
Wish the rig had some sort of Yoke/harness from thin straps on some occasions.
Used to them now, who wants a giant rucksack for mincing around the local woods.
Also, it's takes a sketch book and pens.
Not OP but will be checking some of these out myself. I have an Evoc 3L and whilst I love the design and avoiding a rucksack, my hips just don't seem to like bumbags at all and they all slide down onto my bum. If I want to avoid this I have to wear it really high on my waist which is really uncomfortable. Guess it is just the shape of my midsection.
Repack and Hip Pack user - both need constant adjustment for me, but the Evoc is comfier
The Osprey seems to have a slightly convex curve to the foam of the back section so it sort of nestles into the curve at the base of your spine really securely - at least it does for me, I think the other factor here is the consistency of the foam which needs to be dense enough to be supportive and not collapse under load, but still have enough cush to stay comfortable. I think as load increases, this stuff matters more. It also helps if the belt is wide enough and has enough wrap-around to stay comfortable even when cinched up snug to cope with heavier loads.
Osprey seems really good at this stuff, which you'd kind of expect from a specialist pack brand, but as you say, there's always an element of individual anatomical shape going on with this stuff.
I use a Fox hip pack, but I don't put water in it. I don't know why people would want all that weight dragging on their belly when they have a perfectly good strong set of shoulders to carry weight.
Hip pack and bottle for short rides, I am still using a Camelback for longer ones.
Tried a cheap bumbag in the early 1990’s.
Never got on with it.
You really need a shoulder strap to take the weight.
Tbh, I’d rather wear one of those rucksacks that vents my back. That way, there’s some protection if I flip the bike over.
Gave the Dekine hotlaps a go again on Sunday and I still don't like it 😔
I second the Dakine Hotlaps 5l.
Hits the spot.
I bought an Evoc Pro 3l off the back of this thread to try. First impressions - it's much bigger than my Dakine Hot Laps 2l but I like the side pockets and the velcro plus buckle strap. Hopefully it doesn't feel too big when riding and stays in position.
Ordered the non pro evoc one without the velco. Getting the feeling I should have gone 'pro' but worth a shot for rhe cash.
