Time to replace the Old Camelbak Blowfish (very old). Always been a Camelbak user, but is there any other brands I should really be looking at? Want plenty of water 2/3l and lots of space due to trips with kids and need to take extra coats/gloves etc.
Osprey. Much better designed than Camelbak.
A friend of mine has an Osprey Escapist that he rates highly... he normally becomes our pack mule for jackets / sandwiches / kitchen sinks on big days out.
Another vote for Osprey. I have an ancient Raptor 18 which has a 3l bladder and enough space for spare shells/gloves. If you want to carry more then the Escapist range is bigger.
Osprey & deuter are my go too brands, as they are quality kit
Osprey
Where I find them over featured, often poorly designed, liable to wear in key areas.
My son's have Scott and Evoc packs - two with back protectors, one without. They are simpler, better designed, more comfy (they all sit lower among other things) and more durable IMO.
Mrs_oab has as Salomon running pack. That too is simpler, better waist belt and pockets, sits really low.
My Osprey is 'good', but has oddities like:, the chest pocket thing is not big enough for phone or sunglasses or GPS - not sure what you put in there. There are three(!) zips on top and one zip below. The tools area - the elastic for a pumps is positioned so you cannot get a pump out without emptying the top half of the pack, and it is the furthest pocket from your back. The compression strap is on the bottom of the pack - so if you use them everything migrates upwards to the flappy uncompressed part of the bag by your shoulder blades. The cover is a 'one size that will do' approach (same on my son's 40lt Osprey day pack) and is about twice the size that would fit properly. That said, it is comfy, it is lasting well apart from the mesh and is OK overall.
Interesting no one shouting out about Camelbak, think they were the first ones in this field but looks like there designs have barely moved on in 20 years.
My Dakine Drafter has lasted what feels like a lifetime, although I have replaced the bladder with an Osprey. It's comfy, durable and has enough pockets/compartments for everything I need.
Osprey - the comfiest packs I have worn. Way better than Camelbak
Wife has Deuter for complicated bike bags and they are very tough and overdesigned.
Daughter uses and swears by Osprey for running, tri, cycling and climbing.
I'm on my third Alpkit Gourdon (with a fourth just picked up in the sale as a spare*) and won't be buying complicated sacs again.
Love 'em.
*Only one completely wore out after being dragged over rocks for a few years.
The second has bivvy gear prepacked in it and the third is used for work.
USWE get good reviews, apparently really stable on your back, haven't used one personally but a mate swears by his. Personally prefer Evoc to Osprey although both are decent enough
the uswe airborne are good (zips not so) je james had some good offers,
i liked the camelbak skyline, comfort wise but its disintegrated as the material is so thin..
and agreed osprey bags are great
We use Osprey packs with Camelbak bladders.
The mesh pockets will wear fastest, which is a shame as I use them all the time. I have stitched a few holes in the mesh in my current goto pack (22l Talon).
Osprey one I had (Viper, still got it if anyone wants it) has a velcro flap right behind your neck which rubs, bloody stupid design! Went back to Camelbak.
Also, still use the first Camelbak I ever bought, (in the early 2000s I think) a Rogue. Properly well made piece of kit.
Just to go against the flow. I have an Osprey and an Evoc, can’t stand the Osprey, just doesn’t fit right. Which I guess means ideally youd try one before buying one whereas I took a punt online.
Osprey one I had (Viper, still got it if anyone wants it) has a velcro flap right behind your neck which rubs, bloody stupid design! Went back to Camelbak.
I don't know what version you had but I've got a Osprey Viper 13 with 2.5Litre hydration bladder... no velco flap on mine, very comfortable and good capacity.
I have a bit of a "Pack addiction"... All the regulars plus Kriega, Wingnut, etc
I'm currently alternating between an Osprey Savu and a Camelbak Skyrider LR at the moment. Obviously, completely different purposes. The Camelbak is great; really like the simplicity of it. Absolutely miles apart from their packs of 10 years ago!
Just order a load from Wiggle. Try them for size and return for free.
I had a Camelbak years ago which was superb but it gor snagged on something and tore beyond repair. I bought an Osprey to replace it which I love (I like the pockets and features). In my experience, the service from them is great too - the bladder leaked and I had it replaced for free no questions asked at a local Cotswold Outdoors. I still use it but mainly for walking now.
For riding I ha e another Camelbak, less features but it sits much lower - more on my hips, far comfier and less likely to snag on stuff.
I went from a blowfish to a raptor 14 and rate the osprey bag highly. It's so much more comfortable and tool roll in the bottom is mega useful.
They're not cheap but they are worth it.
Do camelbak still have the strap buckles that loosen off as you move. All my camelbak suffer from it. Now have an osprey belt thing, much better designed than the equivalent camelbak it replaced.
I have wrapped the loose waist straps on my back packs but it shouldn't be necessary.
I don’t know what version you had but I’ve got a Osprey Viper 13 with 2.5Litre hydration bladder… no velco flap on mine
They've probably/hopefully changed it, but this (holds the bladder compartment closed)
They’ve probably/hopefully changed it, but this (holds the bladder compartment closed)
Ah, that's not like my Viper at all. The bladder compartment on mine is with a zip sort across the top and in front of the straps. Goes nowhere near rubbing my back. They must have changed design.
I have an aging Osprey Zealot which has been quite good.
If I was buying today I would probably be looking at an EVOC or Dakine. Probably with a inbuilt back protector.
To go against the grain a bit I had a Camelbak MULE for a quite a few years but it was getting a bit tatty and I fancied changing it. Ended up going with a new MULE to replace it. There are more pockets although I don't know they are all as easily accessible as the previous model but they are better at protecting the tools compartment. The bladder also has a much better top than the old one. Overall, I like it. Straps seem to stay put for now too which is a bonus. 🙂
Ergon BX-series is good for us with long backs - their adjustable back length allows properly fitting waist belt correctly on hips.
My 2012 BX3 was starting to get bit worn so I got new BX2 Evo which seems to be improved in just about every detail.
I have Osprey, Camelbak and Dakine packs. Find the comments about Osprey being much better designed and comfier odd, I find them all very well designed. The only things that stand out for me is the Camelbak reservoirs are (still) better than the Hydrapak versions, and the Dakine packs tend to be a bit heavier but are the best made and most robust of the 3 brands.