[Closed] Which Camelback?

I have had a few Camelbaks but now have one of these
http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/Hyper-2.5-colour-option-of-all-black-or-red-black.html
Back doesn't get as sweaty and the side pockets let you get at things like camera,phone etc without having to take it off

I use a Dakine Nomad. Not the smallest but it certainly doesn't cover the whole back and doesn't restrict any movement. Good bladder and allot of storage room.

I'm very impressed with my Wingnut 2.5. It keeps your back cooler and you barely notice it's there in comparison to a standard pack. It's designed for a 1.5 litre bladder but you can get a 2 litre one in. I tend to put 1.5 litres in it and carry a single bottle on the bike, which proved a wise move the other day when my 12 year old bladder split while on a long ride.

Other brands are available.

I would suggest you look at the Deuter range.

My preferred choice is a small, quality walking rucsac with good back vents and plenty of straps. It will have compression straps for when you're not carrying much. Then buy a 'Source' inner bladder separately. Change the mouthpiece for a Platypus one and use a Camelbak right angle adapter. A bit of a 'Frankenbladder' but it's the best combination. The Source inners are the easiest to fill, the most secure out on the trail and mine has never got mouldy after 4 years of use and I'm pretty rubbish at cleaning stuff.
I get frustrated trying to stuff extra gear in small backpacks and equally as frustrated looking at the prices Camelbak try to charge for a tiny rucsac. I ride in the Peaks all year round so I need to carry a bit more stuff as I could be miles from a road when the inevitable happens.

Thanks guys - you've certainly opened my eyes to a wider range of options.

Interesting no votes for the actual Camelback brand yet - any fans lurking out there? I was thinking of a Camelback Lobo - anyone had experience of that?

Another vote for the Wingnut here.

I have one of the original Hyper 3.0's had it a about 5 years and used it loads. Its starting to fall apart now but its had a hard life. Upsides are it is very comfortable and the side zip pockets and side mesh pockets are really handy.I use a Camelback bladder in it. Will probably get another when this one finally fails

I have a couple of Camelbacks I use for other stuff and they are really well made and nice packs. I also have an Osprey Switch 26 that I use skiing and that is a really nice pack as well and really well made with nice features, a bit big for riding though.

Camelbak Octane 8 here, does everything you want above and can be expanded if you need to take i bit more kit such as waterproofs in winter.

Nice one Smuzzy. Looks like the Octane has the side pockets on the waist like the Wingnut and Hyper that others have recommended. Am thinking this could be a distinct advantage in keeping weight low and being able to access stuff whithout taking it off?

I would look at ones without any large hard filling spouts.....

if you fall hard on a solid filler they can do serious damage....

i have two rods, ten screws and a cage in my spine to prove this...

Another big wingnut convert here
Much better than the camelback lobo (doesn't hold much gear) and the Evoc cc16litre I had before (both for sale make me an offer!)

Eeeek! Do the Camelbaks have aforementioned nasty hard filling spouts?

And....just noticed that on the Camelbak web site the Octane doesn't make it into the 24 different models designed for cycling - they've put them in the 'running' category. Am I missing something here - maybe those nifty low down side pockets have some disadvantage on a bike? Anyone??

Mule is my default one these days. 3L bladder for days when you need it, just fill it less if it's a ride where you only need 2. Bit of internal space for food and an extra layer (prefer to stuff it in rather than faff with bungee straps on the outside), lower pocket for tools and tube.

Whatever you do, get one with a waist strap. Picked up a very cheap Cloud Walker in NZ for some hire-bike riding and realised how annoying it is to have it try to escape over your head every couple of minutes. Now relegated to walking duties only.

StuE, did you buy one of these from Rough Ride Guide website? Were they ok? I seem to remember Wingnuts being hard to get hold and stock levels aren't mentioned on the site.
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I had a Camelbak Lobo for a few years and it was great - only retired it due to the straps coming off at the shoulder, but I didn't treat it very well! The straps were a bit thin too, but the design has changed considerably since then.
I now have a Dakine one which isn't the best.

Wingnut here too after years of Camelbak or saddle bag, bottles and full pockets and very happy to make the change.

The 2.5 holds plenty of kit and you can access the pockets on the go, which is a massssive bonus, also back stays cool and as it sits lower it has a lower centre of gravity.

Also use the wingnut adventure for big trips and the benefit of the weight sitting on your hips, not shoulders/back is so useful.

anyone know anywhere online which has the Wingnut 2.5 in stock?

Personally....have tried various other options and still think nothings as good as the original.

Best bes are the Mule or what they now call the Capo. They're both 3L bags but I reckon a bigger bag underfilled works better than a small bag overstuffed.

Camelbak bladders last forever if you look after them (outlasting the bags) and the bite valves work better than others I've had.

I had a camelbak LUXE bought for me as a present. Yes, I know its a ladies' design, but as it was past the 28 day refund thingy, then I decided to use it anyway.
Turned out to be great, has a 3 litre bladder, nearly identical capacity to the MULE but a smaller, narrower profile on your back. It also has way more adjustability in the straps, to allow for 'lady bits', but these allow me to get the pack very comfy. And its just red and grey so not a girly colour.

2.5 in stock here http://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/rucksacks.html

anyone know anywhere online which has the Wingnut 2.5 in stock?

Pretty sure I saw some hanging up at Big Bear Bikes last year, worth a call?

http://www.bigbearbikes.co.uk/Shop/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Got a Lobo and a Mule NV.
No way would everything listed in OP fit in a Lobo. In the bottom bit I get Tube, Multitool, patches etc. and in the top bit Phone, Keys and Coins. Pump+Banana squeeze in the slot with no zip. No space at all for waterproof, lock, maps, sarnies, etc. Handy 3l pack though for training rides on hot days.

Mule NV would fit everything, but I think the hard back insert bit wastes a lot of space. Managed to extract that bit from mine, but not tried it like that yet. Plan was to get a backpack that would take a DSLR with small lens, but I think even that would be a squeeze.

Deuter was on my list, but the camelbak have better straps, and they are wider apart at the top so they fit proper sized adults.

If you are going to go for something with wrap arround side pockets it might be worth trying one first. I have a deuter which had them and found they dug into my kidneys too much and didn't like the added pressure. I use a camelbak HAWG now, which is great and been through a fair bit for a few years, but that is probably too big for what you want.

Andytherocketeer & Roper - thanks for those suggestions. Guess I need a trip down to the LBS with all my kit to try a few on and see if I can fit everything in. I just hate to do that to them when I'll probably end up buying it online...oh well, I did get a new bike from them a few weeks ago, so I guess that buys me a bit of 'tyre kicking'!

Got my Wingnut 2.5 from Big Bear bikes, but it was a while ago. I also have Hyper 3 but can't for the life of me remember where I bought it from (must be my age)

I've ordered one from roughrideguide, coming tomorrow 😀

Just gone from a camelbaklobo to a mule.

Great pack, loooots of room, and nice and comfy.

TBH, in the hot weather, i was going through 3l of water over a 3hr ride!

Camelbak M.U.L.E

If you ever need to carry more than you can fit into / onto it, you need a trailer.
Nice smaller compartment for tools and tubes etc, large compartment for the rest, and a useful capacity to stuff unwanted layers in-between.

Recommended.

Another vote for the MULE.

an yes camelbaks do have a rigid filler but you put that away from your back and there is lots of padding against your back.

I feel vulnerable riding without it as it offers lots of protection for my back - especially with water in the bladder.

Size is just right and 3L bladder is great for longer trips or when the dog is with me. Handy padded top pocket for phone/mp3 player too. Might look at Dakine ones next time but camelbaks are well made.

Merlin normally has a good price for them.

if you fall hard on a solid filler they can do serious damage....

i have two rods, ten screws and a cage in my spine to prove this...

to be honest, i'd much prefer to land on my camelbak bladder than to land on rocks.

I've got quite an old lobo and a havoc. The havoc, albeit a great piece of kit is just far too heavy and unwieldy for most riding days. I find myself rarely using it unless I'm trailbuilding and need to carry tools, jacket, food, water beer etc, so I'd disagree with whoever above said they'd prefer an emptier big pack than a stuffed small pack.

The lobo is perfect for most of the riding I do, and I think it would carry most of what the o.p needs apart from maybe the lock and jacket. Depending on what size they are. The new lobo has a fair bit more storage than mine and I think the front panel might have enough room to stuff a waterproof jacket.

perthmtb - Member

And....just noticed that on the Camelbak web site the Octane doesn't make it into the 24 different models designed for cycling - they've put them in the 'running' category. Am I missing something here - maybe those nifty low down side pockets have some disadvantage on a bike? Anyone??

They describe it as a multisport bag. A friend of mine has one for the bike and likes it. I'm not crazy about it as it doesn't keep much shape to it, but it is light for such a big pack.

just to be clear i had nothing in my pack but the bladder. and it was the filler going through my spine as i felt it, plus where my vertebrae broke was high up between my shoulder bladed where the filler sits, i did land hard on it but once i am fixed i will be swapping my CB bladders for something else with no hard plastic. Not trying to scaremonger here but just making people aware of what could happen if you are unlucky like me...
[img] [/img]

oh and just to be clear the CB i was wearing was a SnoDome, so no rucksack part, which had a little less padding in it than things like my M.U.L.E and H.A.W.G

Lobo for summer.
Macpac Kahu with a 3L bladder for winter. Keeps everything inside a nice canvas bag, needs a was it strap though.

(Mr MC posting)

My 1998 Mule is finally starting to fall apart 🙄 theres been a few threads about hydro packs recently with a lot of non-camelbacks recommended, but the Mule for £45 at Merlin seems like a stonking deal. Have a look at the search function, the Epoc (on sale at wiggle) was also recommended as were a few 70 quid jobs.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Camelbaks/Camelbaks++Bottles/Camelbak+Summer+Range/Camelbak+Mule+-+2010_1654.htm

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/evoc-cc-16-litre-backpack/