First Hydration Pack

platty1964

Hi guys , this is my first post so go gentle :oops: ... , After years without a bike , i've finally took the plunge and bought myself a Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27 , which i am VERY happy with, i'm just getting together all the other essentials that cyclists need..i.e pump , multitool , puncture repair kit etc etc....now i obviously need something to carry all my gear in and i was looking at this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Camel ... 360029729/ has anyone got one and do you think its good for the price ...

The Northern Monkey

hello and welcome
I'm building my kit list slowly and was after the same as you...
Eventually went for this..
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=23894
its only a 2litre pack, but for me thats plenty and doesn't mean i'm lugging about more weight. there is ample storage for all the items you mentioned too

or f you want a big bag... http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-17257285/ it scored 9/10 in MBR.

B

Larok

blowfish looks good, 3litres which is good. Maybe an alternative http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Camel ... 360028096/ Same price area but with a bit more functionality with storage and slimmer profile;

dave_hill

I have a Camelbak Chaos. It's well built and incorporates some good features, but the range of adjustability in the straps leaves a bit to be desired.

If you're on the large side of average (i.e. 6 foot, 42" chest, 34" waist, 13 - 14 stone) you may find that the harness is right on the limit and can be a bit uncomfortable.

Why not have a look at the Gelert Hydro Force. They're available from any outdoor shop which stocks Gelert and for £19.99 including a 2 litre bladder they're exceptional VFM.

I used to have one of these (in fact I had the next size up too) and the only think that I could fault them on was that the rubber bite valve would split after a while and you can't get spares. But having said that at £5.99 for a complete replacement bladder, I could live with it.

Yukon Lad

i am getting a new one soon, my chepp but not cherrful £10 one, the bladder fell to bits. On the budget side, either a decathlon rockrider or that gelert one. On the more expensive side that North Face one they tested looks great, packed with useful features and has a brilliant system to stop your back getting sweaty underneath it, for £60 looks great but expensive for a hydration pack.

Thanks, Yukon Lad

OwenB

I've got a blowfish which is great for longer days out, loads of storage and the 3 litre bladder is great, on shorter rides I use a Lobo which leaves just enough space for a tool, couple of tubes and a bit of fodder

S_J_P

On the basis of buy-cheap, buy-twice, I'd suggest you avoid the cheap packs.

Over the lats two years, I've bought a 2/7 litre Aldi pack, a 2/9 litre Dakine Drafter, and just recently a 3/13 litre Camlebak HAWK and am immensely impressed by the HAWG, and so wish I'd taken the plunge earlier :?

The HAWG's far better laid-out, comfier, larger, and more practical than the other two packs. It also feels as though it'll last longer too.

Merlin are selling the Camelbak HAWG for a bargain £49.99 at the moment too (so long as you don't mind the brown version) so there's never been a better time to buy!

platty1964

Cheers for all the advice guys , decided to go for the Camelbak Lobo ....getting it for £45 from wiggle......

Rich Hcp

Do you need 3 litres of water capacity?

That weighs a lot.

I have a camelbak Streamline, and that holds just 1.5L, which is fine for a few hours in an afternoon.

If it needs a refill, that isn't a problem, most pubs do it for free