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No need for hydration as this is for shorter rides. Tools, pump, jacket, phone size.
Don’t want to look like an eighties throw back or like I’m wearing a money belt!!
Osprey, which the above test didn't include. Or Lowe Alpine, ditto.
Camelbak Repack would be my choice.
Dakine Hot Laps 2.
Dakine Hotlaps, anything bigger and you'll be tempted to cram too much stuff in it and it'll be too heavy and move around.
The Hot Laps I have has the sleeve for a water bottle, I can squeeze a thin windproof/shower proof jacket (Montane Singletrack) in there instead of a bottle.
had the camelbak repak but it split plus i didnt like the velcro closure. the Dakine Hotlaps 5l has been spot on, solid build, comfortable, and holds plenty.
I have a hotlaps, it works for me.
Also a very cheap Decathlon one which can't take a bike bottle but will take my squeezy bottle so it works pretty well for short blasts if I just want to be able to wet my throat
Like the look of that Hot lap, Have considered getting a waist pack (I'm NOT calling it a fanny pack!) for shorter pootles, and I have Dakine hydration pack so know the brand is well made.
Thanks for asking the question BRS 🙂
I've got a bontrager rapid. If something that minimalist would suit your needs, mine is great.
Lowe Alpine have been making good bum bags for ever. And they are a (nominally) British company, if that matters to you.
I’ve got a bontrager rapid. If something that minimalist would suit your needs, mine is great.
I've got one of them too, I agree.
I've got a Repack
Pros: it's pretty comfy, although I've been told by some, ahem...stouter gents... that the waist band isn't big enough for more that say; 38 inch waist, so that something to think about. There are plenty of pockets and dividers and places to stash stuff, and pockets on the sides, so you can get tools pump, snacks spare tube phone etc You can really only put in small stuff though, no jackets or layers.
Cons: the clip for the hose...OMG I've bought about 3 replacements so far because they just ping off into the undergrowth when you grab the hose to take a drink. It's by far the most annoying thing in the entire universe*. The clip is a tenner, so I could have easily bought a decent pack that didn't have such a pish design. The bladder has a handle on the opening that digs into your back if you put it in the wrong way and if filled; the bladder takes up a bunch of space and weighs a bit, plus wrestling it into it's slot and threading the hose through the pack is like trying to get a cat into it's basket to take it to the vet.
* some hyperbole may have been deployed...not much though.
I have the Evoc one that they liked best in that test above. I think it's great! Not used the bladder section as I carry a bottle on the frame. You can fit loads in and it's really quite comfortable with a nice wide waist band. I probably have too much in it as it feels quite heavy when I pick it up but I don't realy notice it when it's on. The only slight problem for me and it's not the fault of the bag is I have to have it quite tight to stop it slipping down. If I actualy had a waist instead of a big round beer gut I'm sure this wouldn't be an issue.
Osprey Talon 6. Swore against waist packs until I tried this. Surprisingly roomy for the essentials and can be no bottles, one bottle or two bottles depending on the length of the ride. Pretty stable in use too. Recommended.
evoc 1L, had it for about a month and fits all the normal bits n pieces
Dakine hotlaps 2l here.
Its fine lightly loaded plus a bottle. So fully loaded with your kit= fine.
I’ve had mine a year and a half. It’s been more useful than I thought it was going to be.
Mine has tool kit, phone, bar, mini pump , shock pump plus bottle on sub 3h rides on full suss.
I can fit a very small jacket in.
There are some tabs on the outside I keep meaning to adapt to lash a small jacket to.
I have a Hotlaps 2 for almost all my riding as rarely out more than 2-4 hours. It does the job and is no larger than it needs to be. usually carry a small tool roll, tube, mini pump, bar, phone and keys. I’d I want a shell jacket I just strap the tube to the frame for the space. My frame takes a bottle for hydration and the pack has a loop for another. It washes well too.
I have a Camelback one too but only used that in France when I wanted to carry a bigger jacket and a couple more bits. The bigger the pack, the more stuff you needlessly pack in it.
evoc 1L,..
+1
<2hrs I'll take the evoc and a bottle on the bike. For that length of time you just need tools, phone, keys and perhaps a snack bar.
>2hrs take an osprey hydration pack.
Patagonia Black Hole here. Very happy with it.
Bontrager rapid working great for me
As mentioned above - look at the Lowe Alpine ones. They know a thing or two about building packs to last and are all designed in the UK (Derbyshire) by folk like us!
There is a cheap osprey one on sport pursuit
Thought about getting another but I already have 2. Use my montane batpack regularly
I use one of the 1l Evoc packs. Just enough for the basics on shorter loops. I tried the 3l but found it was too big and I’d probably end up cramming it with stuff I didn’t really need and make it too heavy.
I'm similar to Crimsondynamo...
I have an Evoc race pack that's perfect for shorter rides, it fits a little bottle and the essentials.
Then for longer rides an Osprey - 2 bottles + one on the bike if it's gonna be a long one.
Both are great bits if kit and very comfy.
The Osprey is 5+ years old and still going strong.
I've a Lowe Alpine one - must be thirty years old. Needs the buckle replacing as the male part is looking a bit worse for wear but still going strong.
Generally have a look at sites aimed at fell running as their usage is very common due to the mandatory equipment rules for the longer races.
If you want something "enduro" then maybe - https://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.com/2020/04/henty-enduro-pack-first-look.html
Why not shorts with bigger pockets and CO2 instead of pump?
I am new to 'hip packs' but have been using the Evoc 3 litre for a couple of weeks and I don't notice it when using it. I haven't been able to use it on proper big / long mountain bike trails yet though.
I am new to ‘hip packs’ but have been using the Evoc 3 litre for a couple of weeks and I don’t notice it when using it. I haven’t been able to use it on proper big / long mountain bike trails yet though.
This.
Been using my Evoc hippack for a while now and I honestly forget I'm wearing it, the belt has some 'give' built into it so you can get the tension right without it either digging in or slipping. Also I've not had any real issues of sweat build up on warmer days as there are two straps that lets the pack fall away from your body slightly to improve ventilation without altering the tension on the actual belt.
I have a alpine threadworks cox pack which has been one of the best waist packs I have ever owned. Evoc, dakine etc. Built for life.
I go between this and a RF stash vest.
I have the Dakine Hot Laps and the bigger one with bladder. Both excellent.
christ that threadworks pack is over a ton!
I mentioned it above generically, but I've been using an Osprey Seral 7 - same as the one featured in the most recent FGF and it's been really good for me so far. Comes with a hydration reservoir, which I'm not 100% on board with, mostly because the tube arrangement seems a bit messy and insecure, but I can't really fault the rest of the design. Super comfortable, well thought-out storage divisions/pockets etc, seems solidly built too.
Hotlaps stealth, under £20 , enough room for phone,keys,co2,multi tool,wallet and levers, fits under jersey/jacket , dont even notice it👍🏼
I used the Hotlaps 2l and a frame strap and it held enough for me to not run out of snacks for the London to Brighton off-road.
I don't mind the Camelbak Repak to be fair. Had no problems with the clip, there's only velcro on one bit and it fits just enough - 1l water, multi-tool, pump, shock pump (occassionally), tyre levers, phone, tube. Had the tube under my saddle last ride and no shock pump - there was just enough room to fit a long sleeved jersey in when I got hot. That said, it's not too big - it's easy to cinch the straps up too, as the water reduces in volume