[Closed] Hydration - Packs,Vests & Waist Bags

Love my Osprey Savu bum bag. It takes two bottles and the bag bit will take a few bars, keys, phone, etc. Can just about squeeze a thin shell jacket in, too, but that is a bit snug. Currently doing 2-3 hour rides with one bottle on the bike, one in the pack. Usually drink from the frame bottle then refill it from the pack bottle. Don't feel like I need any extra capacity. I don't mind riding with a rucksack but this is a lot nicer. Barely noticeable when riding.

Thanks mate, the bladder version looks interesting, I’d not thought about one that takes bottles but that could be an option.

The real key to this is to figure out a network of taps where you ride, churches, village halls, scout huts, allotments, etc, that way one bottles always enough.

Dakine Hot Laps 2 for me although I rarely use it's one bottle mount, the Hot Laps 5 has a bladder I believe.

Evoc hip pack standard or pro, latter one can take two bottles too. Detailed review on enduro-mtb.

I have an Ortlieb hip-pack. Low, comfy, fully waterproof and very robust. Will take two 500ml bottles fine, though I normally have one on the bike. I was wearing it yesterday and I really don't notice it while I'm riding.

I don’t get on with bum bags... lack of a bum means they slip down and they still press your jersey against your back and restrict airflow. Best thing I’ve ever bought has been a set of specialized SWAT bibs. If you sew one of the mrs’s hair bobbles a bit above the middle pocket it creates a loop to support the neck of a bottle. On longer rides I’ll put a platypus 1l soft flask in there. Once I’ve finished my main bottle on the bike, I’ll top it up with the soft flask then roll it up and put it back. Plenty of room for extra water, a multi tool and a thin jacket in the pockets. The leg pockets are great for your phone, car keys and a few bars too.

I store water in my stomach. I fill it with water before I leave.

Evoc bum bag is very good, I have it permanently ready with all spares n tools for MTB. I got none of those cheap ones on a PSA on here, Terra Nova, it's nowhere near as robust as the Evoc, I leave it in a similar state with spares for family rides, covering our 3 bikes.

As above, I'm not even aware I'm wearing it when riding.

I got the bottle only Terra Nova in the sale and it's ace (not the bigger one that was the PSA, bought that but it's not great).

The little one is ace, don't know I'm wearing it.

Thanks chaps.

I have the Osprey Seral and rarely use anything else. I find it comfy even when full and carrying 1.5 litres of water.

I got one of the PSA Terranova waist packs. Works great with a 1lt bladder. Very light but very well made.

Also do the same with a Lowe Alpine Fjell pack, but that is heavier.

Well today I wore a waist pack for the first time - not super comfortable but much more so than riding with a backpack. It's so nice to not have anything on your back.

I just find hydration systems a faff now and carry one bottle on the bike and one in the waist pack. Much better IMO.

Bikes are great for carrying water. And I dislike managing/cleaning hydration bladders almost as much as hoiking multiple litres about my person . ymmv! Very short non-stop rides can be funner with small Lobo a pipe in the gob . Otherwise (on rides longer than say an hour) I’m all cagey. I also like to stop and natter/kick tyres/swig etc for a minute.

I've got the Repack.

Pros: You can get everything you need into it for a ride up to a couple of hours. all the spare/repair kit you'd need, plus some food and your phone and a tube. the bladder's shaped so that even full, once it's in its pocket it doesn't move about and you can use it to conform it around your waist, so it stays nice and snug. It doesn't move, it's reasonably forgettable, and pretty lightweight (depending what you stuff into it obvs)

Cons: It's pretty limited capacity is the obvious one, which is both a pro and a con I suppose. With spares, tube and a phone, even a stuffable jacket/gillet is a squeeze. The webbing belt on mine has some pretty poor stitching, the waist belt isn't huge, if you're a "stouter" gent, definitely try before you buy. The hose clip is an annoying design that means it's pretty easy to loose (if, like me), you're a bit cack-handed about those sorts of things

Other than all that, it's pretty unremarkable, I've used it for 2-3 hour rides, like most camelbak kit (other than some poor QC on the waist strap) it's decently made, and it does everything I want it to. Nice addition for when you're going out for a while, but don't need/want the inconvenience of a rucksack/pack

I have a camelback skyline which is more comfortable than a traditional backpack as the weight is lower and a touch more airy at the top of the back. Use that when I might need a waterproof or wind proof / a touch more space.

I have been using the osprey waist pack more recently with the nice weather. It’s the two bottle one. Find it comfortable and roomy enough for spares. It’s nice being able to take just one bottle if I want too. I reckon if needed I could probably stuff a wind proof in there too but it might be a squeeze.

https://refill.org.uk/get-the-refill-app/ Install on phone and find nearest free water topups to your location (although might be bit trickier until pubs open and I've no idea if policies on these places have changed due to C19).

Most folk going bumbag here, but I remember using them back in the day and they didn’t work for me on rough trails - too bouncy.

This on the other hand is light and stable (and cheap-ish - note the tidal pricing, sometimes low, sometimes high).

Sits high on the back (stops around the bottom of the rib cage on me), so not too bad sweat-wise, but some folk might not like it in an aero tuck position (ok if you sit more upright).

I use it a fair bit on 10k plus runs too.

https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/product-p/pol01-7621.htm

Bike bumbags have improved no end since then though, big wide belts, better clips, padding in the right place, shaped better etc.

I use a Salomon vest like that running Ultramarathons, because I can access my soft bottles and snacks without stopping, it's a completely different requirement to a biking one tbh.

Fair comment.

Thanks very much chaps, I’m going to see if I can get one of those seat post cages for a bottle.

Malvern Rider - thanks for the pictures mate.