Bontrager hip pack is good for short rides when I just need to carry phone and keys and maybe packable jacket, then bottle on bike. Otherwise I've tried bigger bum bags for water and hated it, and getting a bottle in and out of a waist pack is annoying.
Rest of the time use a wingnut pack which I love, reduces back sweat but supports water load and enough room to fill up or carry bear minimum as required. I never got the whole move away from backpacks for mtbing...
Another vote for podium flow here.
Just use a runners waterbottle belt.
They'll generally hold a 500ml waterbottle and maybe have a small zipped pocket for your keys. So are far lighter than almost all most cycling specific waist packs. This also means they don't really bounce around or feel heavy/uncomfortable in use. They're also nice and cheap. Much cheaper than most cycling bags.
Drink a pint of water before you leave and one 500ml bottle should easily be enough for a 2hr ride unless it's particularly hot weather or you're riding at super high intensity.
Just use a runners waterbottle belt.
They’ll generally hold a 500ml waterbottle and maybe have a small zipped pocket for your keys. So are far lighter than almost all most cycling specific waist packs. This also means they don’t really bounce around or feel heavy/uncomfortable in use. They’re also nice and cheap. Much cheaper than most cycling bags.
Drink a pint of water before you leave and one 500ml bottle should easily be enough for a 2hr ride unless it’s particularly hot weather or you’re riding at super high intensity.
This is all sound advice, but I can fit a pump, repair kit and multitool in my Podium Flow bumbag - along with the 500ml bottle.
This is all sound advice, but I can fit a pump, repair kit and multitool in my Podium Flow bumbag – along with the 500ml bottle.
I attach pump, spare tube, tools and anything else for the bike, to the bike (each of my bikes has a frame bag on it big enough). Also means for short 1-3 hour rides I don't have to bother with a bag for me and just run a bottle.
IT'S A HIP PACK
Honestly I don't know why people stuff kilos of water around their waist when small Camelbak back ones exist. Sure, don't wear a huge rucksack, but a small bladder on your back is far more comfortable.
Riding with a bum bag
"it's a God Damn Fanny Pack and you know it you sick son of a bitch"
Searching back on tinternet looks like the Camelbak Capo has been discontinued and apparently is the same capacity as the M.U.L.E. which surprised me . But I'll just keep using that just carry no more than a litre of water a tube, pump and multi tool like I have been doing up to now .
Reading the comments on here confirmed my thoughts re waist packs . Thanks though everyone.
I have the evoc pro 3l.
I tried a couple and the issue I had with many them was the webbing belt. I could not get one with a basic webbing belt to stay put.
The evoc with it's full width padded belt and decent pad on the back of the pack is a game changer in this regard. Even now when I am a little more portly it stays put and doesn't slip down either on rough stuff or jumps. It just works.
I no longer use a bladder though. Having the hose on the waist exposed it to more much and grit than hytro packs with the hose on a shoulder. Instead I add one or two bottles to it as needed. It doesn't deform and there is still plenty of room inside for sandwiches and a coat.
I do keep looking at the hydro pack though, they seem like a good option.
Honestly I don’t know why people stuff kilos of water around their waist when small Camelbak back ones exist.
I need more water if I use a backpack as it makes me sweat so much.
I have a Dakine one and hate it. Far too heavy when I have water in it and needs constant adjustment. I much prefer a proper Osprey pack which can hold fluid, blizzard blanket, spares and warm layer.
I need more water if I use a backpack as it makes me sweat so much.
What does a camelbak look like to you? Like this?
https://www.camelbak.co.uk/products/hydrobak%E2%84%A2light-hydration-pack-2-5l-with-1-5l-reservoir
Or this?
https://www.camelbak.co.uk/products/h-a-w-g-pro-20-hydration-pack-with-3l-reservoir
I use an Osprey Seral, erm, 7, I think, in summer, but without the reservoir unless it's really hot. I just use a bottle cage. I like not having a soggy, sweaty back and it's comfortable, stable and has enough room for everything I need. In colder weather, I mostly use a Raptor 14 because I carry a bit more stuff - a 300g PrimaLoft jacket for one - and get less sweaty.
I find the Seral and 1.5-litres of water a little heavy tbh, which I why I mostly don't use the reservoir, which could also do with a stronger magnet to hold the bite valve in place when not being used. As far as the bag itself goes though, it just works really well for me.
