Big hydration backpack

supafly1982

Im on the lookout for a 3L hydration pack with around 25L of packing space, no less if it can be avoided.

would be great to pick one up cheap in the sales, any good reccomendations? links to good offers would also be great

thanks
scott

rhialto

I purchased an Osprey Escapist 25 before Christmas for about £60 from Swaledale Outdoors:
http://www.swaledaleoutdoors.co.uk/prod ... t-25-grit/

I spent a couple of months researching various hydration packs and trying them on in several outdoor stores in the area. I also own a Dakine Apex, which is almost as big (22L I think), and a Mule, but the Osprey fits my back better. I also use it for fell walking and it's really comfortable and stays in place better than the Dakine, which I used for 2 years.

Downside? price maybe, although the Dakine was more expensive, and you have to add the hydration bladder. Again, this wasn't an issue for me as I already own several and I can choose the one I like the best.

Darryl_1983

If you want to pay a little less i pick up a hiking backpack from decathlon for £35:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-30-a ... 28932.html

It has hydration bladder compartment, and velcroed flap for the pipe to pass through, again no bladder supplied but as above i had several from my other bags that i can use with it.

I use it for my commute ride (10 miles each way) as my other 10 litre and 18 litre bags weren't quite big enough. I have no problems with comfort over this distance even when full.

d3matt

I recently got an Ergon BC1 backpack after looking into this thoroughly. The Osprey was another option, until I saw one and tried it. The Ergon backpacks are in a different league. Thoroughly thought out and extremely comfortable and you can carry the weight so easily. 3 litres of water its pretty heavy to start with, but really disappears when you put the Ergon on your back.
The swivel joint system on the Ergon backsacks works extremely well and they sit much lower on your back with the weight on your hips rather than your shoulders.
The BC1 maybe too small for your needs, but the other bigger models will do. At this carrying capacity, I now wouldn't consider anything else now after owning an Ergon.
I had to buy mine of eBay in Isreal but it arrived to me (in the UK) in two days and was half the UK price. I then had to buy the bladder from Rose in Germany as I couldn't source the Ergon in the UK, but again this arrived in two days and was no more expensive. I brought two of each at the same time as my mate wanted the same and we're both extremely impressed with them.

supafly1982

Darryl_1983 wrote:

If you want to pay a little less i pick up a hiking backpack from decathlon for £35:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-30-a ... 28932.html

It has hydration bladder compartment, and velcroed flap for the pipe to pass through, again no bladder supplied but as above i had several from my other bags that i can use with it.

I use it for my commute ride (10 miles each way) as my other 10 litre and 18 litre bags weren't quite big enough. I have no problems with comfort over this distance even when full.

did yours come with the rain cover?

Anonymous

I can recommend the Camelbak HAWG NV, though it's 19L capacity (3L bladder).

To judge the capacity, I can get an SLR camera with average size lens plus pump and tool kit in there. Side pockets are big enough to carry a couple of spare tubes in one and other gadgets in the other plus wallet, keys and stuff in the front pocket. Plus there's an expanding thing on the front to hold a helmet on the outside if you wanted. Has rain cover and hard back under the padding at the back.

delcol

i had mmy dakine apex for 3 year, i have a 3 litre bladder in it, it's plenty big enough, i can carry the relevent tools chaintool multi tool tyre levers 2 tubes pump. puncture kit. spare links.
in main compartment waterproof jacket, and my dslr camera with lenses. and tripod strapped to the back.

our kid has the evoc freeride these are plenty big enough for all your kit and tools to even has a spine protector.and a built in rain cover.. but they are pricey..

supafly1982

awesome thanks guys, im looking at the Dakine Apex pack, looks like the best for money etc

Darryl_1983

supafly1982 wrote:

Darryl_1983 wrote:

If you want to pay a little less i pick up a hiking backpack from decathlon for £35:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-30-a ... 28932.html

It has hydration bladder compartment, and velcroed flap for the pipe to pass through, again no bladder supplied but as above i had several from my other bags that i can use with it.

I use it for my commute ride (10 miles each way) as my other 10 litre and 18 litre bags weren't quite big enough. I have no problems with comfort over this distance even when full.

did yours come with the rain cover?

yes, rain cover is included.

supafly1982

ive opted for the Dakine Apex, only bad word ive read is in heavy rain your gear gets wet, will have to buy a suitable rain cover