Other than commuting, I haven't ridden with a pack in ages, since discovering bumbags (or for local rides even going completely pack free)
I do this by using a water bottle on the bike, most tools on the bike also, and also I sometimes lash a jacket to my handlebars with a bungee. This leaves the bumbags free for mostly food and I also sometimes carry an extra litre of water in a soft flask. If it's a really big ride I'll carry a water filter also.
However
I've got some big riding trips (alps) planned this year where I'll be going up very high and might need a little more gear than the bumbag provides for - e.g. extra layers, a and food.
I don't see any of the above setup changing much (in terms of keeping stuff in the bike where possible) as it keeps the weight off me and is really adaptable...but I do probably need a bit more pack space for the bigger/higher rides.
I've already got an osprey raptor 10 that I could use - but really I don't like as it tends to ride up and bash me on the helmet on anything steep.
Or alternatively I could use my alpkit sky trail 14 that I use for commuting and is pretty stable
But my interest has been piqued by these new vest type things that cave crossed over from trail running. The chest pockets look super useful and also they look very stable too.
Any thoughts on these for the type of use case I'm considering using it for?
I'm thinking there probably isn't a lot of point in going for one of the small 3l ones as that's the same as what my evoc hip pack pro bumbag has, volumenwise. 6l seems about the sweet spot, probably.
Cheers for any thoughts on the above.
Oh PS. Would also be useful if it could be pressed into running duties occasionally - but expecting it to see more use on the bike, probably.
For Alps and high up, I'd be taking a backpack with plenty spares of food, water and clothing. Probably just me, but the vests don't strike me as being that useful and your bumbag solution doesn't allow for more kit to be carried.
I prefer less stuff on my bike so it remains 'nimble' (the way I ride an oil tanker at sea would be described as nimble), but in my head this works.
Wondering about one of these for a SDW later on, but thinking I'd carry water on the bike, have a top tube bag and roadie jersey for food and gels. Had a camelback previously and it was heavy and sweaty. Vest looks better than a camelback and much more breathable
Will it be more breathable? More material closer to your body and more contact across your body. Backpack is sweaty but it is on the back, a vest thing seems to have more areas in very close contact so that can only mean more sweat points, no?
I prefer less stuff on my bike so it remains 'nimble'
That used to be my approach but since the rise of stashable tools, frame storage, straps etc. and also generally bike reliability improving eg. Tubeless & proper tyre casings...
I've gone completely the other way to.put as much on the bike as possible (within reason). I think that applies to a lot of other folk also.
I don't think 'a bit' of extra weight makes any appreciable difference to handling (maybe 1.5kg at the top end, for water and tools)
Then again I do tend to ride robust heavy bikes as I've a reputation for breaking things!
The other thing is, if you take a big bag you'll tend to fill it with crap.
I've done big off road rides (90km) across the peak district in summer with the setup I described above. I.e. just a bottle, tools and spares on the bike, and a 3l bumbag with food and a water filter.
I'm gravitating back to riding packs. I got fed up with always having to check what spares were on the bike and wiping mud off bottles.
For bigger days out I have a bigger pack that can carry all of those just in case items that being further from home necessitates. Getting caught in mountain rain trying to repair a torn sidewall in a windbreaker does not appeal.
Ultimately the new breed of vest packs are just the brand selling us new stuff. The easy access to chest pockets is handy if you're trying to fuel on the move though.
The only thing I carry on my body these days is a small bumbag and that very occasionally. Most things go in a half frame bag as I ride rigid so no rear shock. But have a look at Jack the Rack. It attaches to your bars ( no tools required) and then you strap anything you want to it. Usually in a drybag. Maybe more bikepacking than gnar but easy to use and does the job, fits just about any bike.
I tend to strap everything to the bike, the less i have on my person the better, normally just a phone, bank card and the van key, maybe some snacks if its a 3+ hour ride
Stash chain tool and tubeless repair tool in each end of the bars, ratchet tool in the steerer, c02 cannister, tyre lever and tube strapped to the seat rails and a small back up pump strapped to the bottle cage
Spent years with backpacks and they always rattle, stuff moves around, if you come off the back of the bike and land on your back you land on everything that is in the bag, they make me sweaty and i always over pack them thinking oh i might need that but never do!
I use a trail running vest and they work well. I have a 15litre one from decathlon that works well for big days out. I’ve also just got the poc column as it has a back protector in a trail running style vest. Not quite as flexible as it doesn’t have pockets for flasks but can carry a traditional bladder
I never carry a pack no matter the distance. So much nicer not having a sweaty bag on your back. Weight as low as possible on the bike to keep the centre of gravity down.
I have two running vests, and they work well for running. I've not (yet) tried biking with either of them. Fundamentally I prefer not to have a pack if possible when riding. I do have a very good bum bag which provides some decent space whilst not resulting in a sweaty back.
I'm always open to experimentation though so will likely try one of the running vests this year.
These Montane packs have some of the features you normally find on vests and are lighter than most packs I've tried but still have useful capacity
Montane Trailblazer® 18L Backpack – Montane - UK https://share.google/M6PVBJhQY7VOtRYua
I have the EVOC vest with a 1.5 l bladder which I use for longer days out . I still carry tools and tube on the bike as well as another bottle so the pack is as light as possible with only water and food in it and possibly a lightweight coat . It's good at what it is designed for , is comfy and secure when riding . I've found the chest pockets pretty useful. I have a couple of hip packs that I dont mind using but I've found there's a point where they get heavy enough for them to become a bit unwieldy and I prefer the pack .
I've got a couple of bigger days out planned and I feel like I want something bigger as the vest is pretty minimalist so if you're heading up into proper mountains I'd probably go with a more normal pack for being able to carry first aid kit , extra clothes etc etc . Might be an idea to work out what you want to carry with you then work out what you need to fit it in .
These are day trips yes, with a lot of downhill? If it's a lot of techy downhill I'm not sure how much stuff I want strapped to the bike.
What's your list of stuff look like then? 3l of space isn't much to play with, but I'd go for a larger runing vest style rucksack myself.
I bought a cheap trail running vest type thingy from Decathlon. The multitude of small elasticated pockets is very handy and seems pretty secure on my back, though I've not yet ridden down steep trails, so not sure how much it would bash into a helmet.
However, it was sufficiently cheap as an experiment and works fine for long gravel rides where plenty of water is needed. I'm not convinced its worth spending 3x the price I paid for a "premium brand" as the Decathlon is just fine!
Most of my tools/spares are on the bike but my pack has sufficient space for a one litre bladder plus two 500ml trail runner soft flasks plus jacket and food (I've even got a down jacket in there for a super long 1000m road descent I routinely do during cold weather)
I've used my running vest for the overnight Ride to the Sun and big climbs in the Alps. Ideal when I needed to carry extra layers and food but wanted to keep a light bike. Barely notice it's there. Road bike though not MTB.
Montane Trailblazer® 18L Backpack
Thanks @StuE - they look very interesting. Possibly just the ticket.
Specifically the 8l version looks like it could be spot on. Usably bigger than a bumbag but still compact. I'd seen the Rab's version of that idea but I think the Montane looks better in the pictures at least.
Have you actually used one for riding?
Just wondering as it's not a bike specific bag, if there were any issues in use.
Funningly enough I have been looking at these from Albon:
https://www.albioncycling.com/products/visibility-cargo-vest-orange
Pricy though.
I've already got an osprey raptor 10 that I could use - but really I don't like as it tends to ride up and bash me on the helmet on anything steep.
Had the same issue so got a Camelbak Skyline, which was great but ultimately a week bit small / compact. Recently got an Osprey Siskin and it's the best of all worlds for me (I like wearing a back pack riding).
It's probably worth saying that both of my running packs sit quite high, so there might be scope for bag/helmet interference.
Anyone tried the Restrap bags?
I've had the Montane pack a couple of years and love the layout of the pockets and that it's lighter than most packs of it's size
I’ve got the Endura one which is nice and comfortable, used mostly on the gravel bike. I got it at a hefty discount though, wouldn’t pay £120 for it.
I like a pack on off road rides and am a fan of the Evoc Stage ones for gravel use. I have 3 and 6l ones. The 3 is my goto, holds pump, tube, tools, phone and keys etc, plus a small space to stuff in some food or a light jacket.
I have just ordered a cheapy 2.5L bumbag to carry a camera and other stuff this summer, I still prefer putting as much on the bike as I can, especially water but I guess at some point I’ll have to consider putting it back on my body.
One thing I own but have never actually tried using is the mesh pocket in the back of my Gravel Bibs for a hydration bladder. Has anyone tried these? Essentially it’s the core function of a camelbak without the camelbak, but I still just don’t fancy it somehow…
One thing I own but have never actually tried using is the mesh pocket in the back of my Gravel Bibs for a hydration bladder.
I have RaceFace bib undershorts with that facility. I tried it once. The logistics of either trying to put them on with a bladder in place, or trying to insert the bladder later were a bit too much faff for this old man. The bladder being right against your back means it warms up too - though I actually bought mine for winter use when this could be an advantage to stop it freezing. Filling it up on the go would be a bit of a nightmare too.
I've got a Harrier curbar 5l I use for trail running and long summer runs where I need water. Only used it on the bike once when I lost my camelback during a house move.
It was alright, two soft bottles in the chest each 500ml and a 600ml one on the bike meant I had enough water and plenty of space for snacks and tools. Just as sweaty as backpacks though I find, but, different people sweat more or less from different places so horses for courses. Not seen the MTB ones but I'd still probably prefer a proper backpack or hip pack combined with frame storage. What I did find when descending is obviously movement on a bike is different to movement from running so I did feel aware of it being on my shoulders, and tight around my upper chest and shoulder blades, not restrictive, just reminded it's there
My back and shoulders are allergic to rucksacks so I avoid them like the plague for riding, but they're a convenient way to carry stuff for certain rides, so when I saw a Montane vest in the sale a few years back I bought it. I rarely use it for riding though, even though that was its intended use for me (I do use it for longer fell runs and those where you have to carry mandatory kit - I too have noticed how many people apparently doing ultras I seem to pass walking the dog in the park 🙃 ).
A small running vest and bumbag is quite a good combination if you need to carry more, but is more faff if you want to add/remove a layer.
serial bag fetishist here 🙂
I’ve got the camelback bike vest with the bladder on the back, It’s not that bad in 30+, but I’ll also carry bottles on the bike as sometimes my routes don’t always have places to grab water from and tbh it’s not that they are ginormous distances but if something goes bang on the bike there’s very little shade if you do need a recovery you need to have a little bit of spare water to wait it out.
I primarily use it to carry water and emergency nibbles.(you’ve reminded me I need to get some of the bottles for the front pockets)
I tend to keep tools on the bike , roll-up tool-pack under back of saddle, phone on body, just in case unexpected user ejection scenario of bike up/down mountain and user not able to access bike easily ,user/bike broken.
OBVs anything you don’t want to land on should be on the bike other than the phone.
You can be a little choosy on what you carry on bike, just because you have a frame bag doesn’t mean you need to fill it to the brim, you literally can’t carry everything for unexpected eventualities and tbh most times trailside fixings not always that great as dropping stuff in the grass /gravel is always a fun experince where you end up in a worse place than you were before you had tyre issues.
Ive also the evoc bum bag and it’s also not too bad but again it’s too easy to fill up with crap.Usually use on short pootles when I’m wearing vests or something with no pockets.
I’ve also the skyline and it’s good as it hangs low(remember the old wingnutts) but same as above , I’ve carried swimming trunks and micro towel in it buts not big which tbh is probably good.
I always tend to have a bottle bag on the handlebar as they are great for carrying assorted crap other than bottles that you want to hand.
I sometimes struggle with my back and wearing too much weight on my back. I’ve got most tools in a bottle carrier on the bike and mostly use a Camelbak Skyline LR10. A lot of the weight is carried around your waist like a bumbag but it has extra capacity. Weight is pretty low so feels more nimble than a backpack.
Not sure why it’s listed as ‘womens’ but there’s one for a decent price here:
Pricy though.
Caught my eye as well as I was browsing at lunch a few days ago. Albion kit is generally well put together (I've one of the jackets) Agree about the price though...might try a cheap version first to test the concept, although TBF, I'm getting on well enough with a fanny pack so the motivation to change is low
Deuter Race Air rucksack has always been my off-road go to. It sits OFF the back, carries a bladder and takes tools, food and kit. Never been sweaty as the air passes over the back. It is brilliant. Buy on size, but an excellent solution. I have an old EXPanding one I also used for commuting. It has had a hard life and I may replace it with another soon.
https://www.deuter.com/uk-en/shop/backpacks/p2208680-bike-backpack-race-air-10
I have several. I mostly use a Montane Gecko VP12+ for mountain running and walking. I can carry a full set of (very lightweight) waterproofs, insulated layer and general warmth kit along with 1 - 1.5l of water.
I'm sure it'd be fine on the bike. I generally don't like to wear a backpack on the bike, I normally don't go far, so a 4l (more like 3l) bumbag and a couple of bags on the bike is fine for me. However tomorrow I'm going on a big mountain ride and while I really don't want to go overly light on clothing, even tho I'll probably wear shorts, T, gillet and pads which will keep me warm enough all day. So I maybe able to report back on what it's like for riding shortly.
Thanks for thoughts all.
I've been experimenting with this a bit.
Bought a Montane trailblazer 6 which has a lot of features I really like - accessible pockets layout, toggle thingies for holding a jacket or poles if running/walking..it's also extremely light and the space inside is very useable for my use case, which is about a litre of extra water, layers and food (I'll put water in a soft flask at the bottom rather than a bladder down the back) it also seems very stable doing a 'fill it up with stuff then jump up and down test'
But....
I'm really not sure I'll be able to get in with how high it sits across my shoulders. And also it seems a bit non the small side fitment wise around my shoulders/chest ( but then again I'm a fairly big unit so it might just be me that's the problem)
Also on a bit of a whim bought a 2nd hand evoc stage 6,that came up on't classifieds. I like it too, but for almost the opposite reasons to the Montane. It's a very very well built bag. Lots of pockets for stuff (which I guess could be useful, but I don't really need. Downside though is lack of accessibility. Particularly, nowhere to easily keep my phone at hand for navigation and taking photos.
Not sure what to do really. Pondering sending the Montane back...but equally wondering whether to give it a go and suck up the loss if I can't get in with it and need to sell it on used.
I'm intrigued by how it feels, it's just so different to what I'm used to, and I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
I'm really not sure I'll be able to get in with how high it sits across my shoulders.
It's probably worth saying that both of my running packs sit quite high, so there might be scope for bag/helmet interference.
I think that's just a feature of these bags and where they sit best for running.
Yeah, that might well be the case. Doesn't really seem so much like a helmet clattering problem as it's pretty low profile. It's just it being high up that feels so alien. Might get used to it... Might not...
Sorry it's a trailblazer 8 not 6
Have a look at USWE. Their strap system is VERY stable and if you get the small 3L hydration pack you can add chest pockets to it if you want them.
They do a 'bike specific' vest too. Not tried that though.
The high up on the back is useful if you wear a cycling jersey and want to access the pockets while on the move.
Strap pockets are also very useful to access without taking the bag off. I keep my phone in one.
4-6L is probably too small for being truly self sufficient in the Alps, especially if you want to put a jacket in there. You might get away with it if you strap a lot of stuff to the bike.
I don't normally ride with a pack at all but take a 10L one for big Alps days. Mainly for a jacket and extra food/water that I wouldn't ordinarily take.
So I decided to give the Montane Trailblazer 8 a go. Loved it!
Went out for a big ride today with it. lots of rocky stuff and a couple of steep bits. Didn't bounce around at all or smack me on the helmet.
Took extra stuff to go for a swim(!) and plenty of food and a jacket. Don't think I'd have been able to fit all that into a bumbag.
Pockets are very practical, and it's very easy to cinch up for rough downhills or loosen off when it's a bit more relaxed
Thanks for the recommendation @StuE !
Not something I'd want to wear riding any steeps, it's bad enough with a normal loaded pack, these look like they put any weight fairly high up
Galibier have a new cargo vest for less than half the price of the Albion one, although pics weren't very clear about how many pockets there are.