Uses: Day hikes to 48 hour races
Rating: 4 out of 5
Features: Large zippered compartment for storing gear. Smaller zippered compartment for incidentals and quick access items. Ample exterior webbing for wet gear, shoes and easy access equipment etc. Hip pockets for food, incidentals. Sternum Strap for stability. Separate bladder compartment. 3 litre bladder with lock off bite valve.
Pros: you can fit just about everything into and onto this pack, yet it is small enough not to be cumbersome and heavy when loaded.
The 3 litre bladder is the best on the market, easy to clean, free flowing and adds great crash support for the spine! The lock-out bite valve prevents unwanted leakage on your leg when riding.
Well thought out drainage holes make the pack a pleasure to swim with.
Camelbak have revamped the exterior webbing and it now happily accommodates shoes on the sides and a helmet at the back. Alternatively you can stuff the webbing full of food like we do ;o)
The separate compartment for the bladder makes quick transitions a reality and loading two bladders in for long stages is no drama.
The hip belt pockets will take a five shot Gel flask each or four-five energy bars each. Alternatively you can shove your lip gloss, salt (for leeches or sodium replacement), Vaseline (for monkey butt) and some gel shots in one and Grandmas' mango fruit cake in the other like I do
Strong tow hooks at the bottom as well as hiking pole straps make the hilly sections a breeze if you have nice team-mates...The tie straps are also good for attaching extra gear (climbing helmet etc).
Cons: The straps on the waist belt are a bastard if you're a skinny bloke like me. Cut them down and overlock the ends so they stop slapping your legs when riding.
The pack builds up a steady swing when running hard and you need to keep reefing down on the shoulder straps to keep it all tight.
The right angle bite valve can get caught on things if left hanging (especially map boards on bikes). Clip it into the hose clamp with the nozzle up high to keep it out of the way.
Feedback: Camelbak have revamped this pack for 04. We love it now. It's made of a tough arse Cordura material and 'wait-a-while' vines can't rip it for quids. I've swum, climbed, ridden, run, crashed and slept with mine on and been comfy all the way. Even 48hours non stop at the Quoll couldn't create a rash or rub mark. At around $160 retail, this pack is a steal, especially when the bladder comes standard.
