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I'm looking for a smallish hydration pack for the 3peaks.
must hold around 2l and most importantly have pockets across the front (on straps maybe) for gels and food.
any idea's?
Camelbak do a heap that would be ok. The charge series and their octane series. Go look at their website.
Innov8 do some as do OMM also go look at some adventure racing packs.
When dong long mtb races I use a pack with a 2L bladder that doesn't have a waist strap and is narrow at the bottom which means I can easily access the two outside pockets of my jersey.
Something like the Raidlight Equilibre R Light maybe?
http://www.racekit.co.uk/product/ultra-mm/equilibre-r-light-front-pack
found this this might to the trick - looks small and has a jersey like pocket (hopefully the pack will be small enough for me to reach around into the pocket) http://www.castlebergoutdoors.co.uk/acatalog/Salomon-Hydro-Bag.html
Something like this, the helmet pouch is about the right size to carry gels/bars and will clip on to camel bak straps. you can get for a couple of quid at your local surplus shop.
I have an Camelback Octane. Its very light and comfortable, you can get more in it than you think. FWIW I carry:
Shock pump, mini pump, 2 tubes, shell, multitool, patches, levers, wallet, phone, and bag of various bits (chain tool, chain links, cable ties) and its not even full.
Octanes also have a pocket on the front strap ideal for gels as well as the wrap around "wing" pockets at the bottom.
this could be sweet as I can store gels and food in my jersey pockets still
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/skytrail/009-l10624400/
I like my GoLite Rush. It has pockets on the waist belt. http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/golite_rush_10litre_hydration_rucksack.html
The pouch that SpeshPaul posted should do the job of adding front pockets. I use a phone pouch that attaches to the Camelback straps.
Many of the packs with front pockets lack bike specific details like tool organisers. That may not be important for 3 peaks but you may as well get something you can use afterwards
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=76717
I have just picked up one of these and so far it seems great.
I love the waist pockets on my golite rush, great place for a multitool and a couple of energy bars, which are then easily accessible without taking the pack off.
Shame the rest of the bag is a bit ordinary, no real back/frame so everything gets sweaty inside, although putting a bit of foam in the hydration pocket helps, plus it means the fluids don't end up warm. The lack of any organisation in the main pocket means you are always having to fish around for stuff.
Not quite front pockets (although there is a mesh one on one of the shoulder straps), but the side pockets on my wingnut are easily reached "on the fly"...