20 Best Water Backpack For Running (2023 Updated)

Unlike other people complaining about size, features and dimensions, this pack is really all you need for a 3 season (and light 4 season if you don’t need campons/ice axe) day hike. This pack carries a load very well, which I give credit to the harness/suspension/frame design.

The only downside (hence 4 stars) is the top zippered pocket isn’t large enough to put an easily accessible first aid kit in there. My phone, emergency blanket, compass, extra candy bars, etc. all fit fine in there.

I realize a lot of people can’t be without their phones for a few hours (oh the horror), and subsequently, my Motorola Z4 fits perfectly fine in the pouches on the belt – not that I carry it there as I carry more useful items like food, a knife, headlamp, batteries for my cameras (GoPro & Fuji X100T), etc.

I guess if you use oversized garbage like Apple, then the phone won’t fit. The main compartment can be snug depending on what you carry, but I haven’t had any problem fitting in or accessing my GSI pot, stove, fuel canister,16 oz nalgene for cooking water, food, first aid kit, Grayl water filter (although the smaller Grayl will fit in the right outside mesh pocket if needed), jacket, extra shirt, gloves, hat, etc.

I also haven’t experienced anything falling out while getting things out, so I’m unsure how others are having issues with this. If you need something at the very bottom of the pack and your pack is full, then common sense would dictate you’re gonna need to remove stuff anyway.

not a big deal. Plus, you want a snug fit with your gear as the load carries closer to your back, therefore more efficient at carrying the load. and this pack really excels at this. The left side mesh pocket is tight, but I usually put my GoPro with handle mount in there, which fits it just fine, albeit a bit loose but hasn’t fallen out, and can get it in/out without having to take off the pack.

While the hole at the top of the pack for the hydration hose is tight, again, not a big deal. you stick the hose in once, and shouldn’t need to remove it unless you need to clean it, as you can detach the hose from the bladder to fill up the bladder.

Easy peasy. BTW, I’m a guy – unfortunately I have a short torso (around 15. 5″), and sadly the mens pack was a hair too long. but this pack fits like a glove. Haven’t used the larger front mesh-type pocket yet, but I imagine it would be fine for storing a lightweight jacket that got wet or something, or if you changed out your socks & sock liners and don’t want to stick them inside the main body of the pack.

I love this pack. I have so many packs, but they all seem to lack some of the features I want in a smaller pack. This pack comes the closest of any pack in its’ size that I have found to perfect. Let me start with the separate hydration bladder section, it has a port at the top that allows you to attach left or right to the strap and has an integrated magnet for your hose on the chest strap clip.

The straps themselves have multipe attachments for sunglasses and then attachment points for say a garmin inreach or carabiner. The large inside pocket has a smaller zippered pocket with a clip for your keys.

On the front of the pack is this amazing padded small upper pocket with 2 sections so your essentials and devices are separate and do not get scratched. I keep my headlamp and extra battery pack in there.

This pack has a nice big stretchy front pocket and two smaller side pockets (wish they were a smidge bigger to fit nalgenes, but with the 3L bladder capacity in the back not a deal breaker. There are really great trekking pole and ice axe attachments.

The zipper pulls have nice loops and are all heavy duty. I have owned 7 Gregory packs now and their quality has endured all of these years. The real selling feature of this pack to me was the trampoline mesh back panel to keep it away from your skin/allow breathability and the comfy padded hip belt pockets big enough to fit a larger phone.

Did I mention the fun colours? I love this pack. Second only to my bigger Gregory Jade packs.

Pros: Weight distribution is great and the pack is very comfortable. The hydration features work well. The pack seems durable but lightweight. Cons: The design for storage is so strange to me. All of the smaller pockets are way too small.

The outer zipper pocket is only big enough for a phone and a tube of sunscreen maybe. The inside zipper pocket barely holds my wallet and keys. The hip belt zipper pockets are too small for my phone.

The way the zippers go all the way down the sides of the main compartment makes it difficult to rummage around in the pack without dropping items and makes it so even though it’s a 24 L pack which should be plenty big for a day hike where you need snacks and layers, it feels very cramped.

There are no additional internal organizational features inside the main compartment which can make it difficult to find things. The attachment for trekking poles is positioned weirdly so they flop around.

The slit to thread the bladder hose through is tight and hard to push the nozzle through the narrow opening. I’d heard such great things about Gregory packs that I was excited to try this one but feel a bit let down.

I was a big fan of the previous version of this vest but couldn’t get the old sizing to work for me. XS/SM was too small and S/M was too big, and I’m pretty average-sized at 34A. Osprey did away with mixed sizing and the super chafy side strap adjusters, and the M in this current version is a great fit.

Also, the zippered pocket on the left side now holds my phone a little lower, so the pressure is off of my chest. Other than these excellent refinements, the rest of the vest is mostly the same. It has many useful pockets that have reasonable depths and flex.

The pocket for the reservoir is separate from another large backpack compartment in front of it. The back sits much higher than most vests, so it feels cooler. I also really appreciate the “floaty” feel.

I ran for a while in a Salomon vest, and yes, they do not bounce or chafe, but they accomplish that by having tons of contact with your body which in the end I didn’t like. And I do like that the Osprey Dyna is snug enough to be secure, but the arm holes, collar area, and bottom of the vest sit away from the body.

It could just be a personal sensory thing, but it feels much better. I highly recommend this hydration pack. Definitely a joy to wear.

Great system as it is a hydration pack with lots of capacity that also lets you carry odds and ends for a day hike. Very good accessibility while on the move. The vest shape is a great fit and works equally well on trail running and longer day hikes, rock climbing, snow shoeing, etc… so comfortable I forget it’s there.

Breathes very well even for a very sweaty person (my case). So worth the price for the quality design and so many little helpful features: 1) hip pockets and cargo areas have ample space. 2) secure front mesh pockets and microscopic comfort adjustments, that you think are seldom necessary, but so helpful on long days! 3) The material is very lightweight yet sturdy.

If it falls upside down, nothing will fall from it. 4) There’s also a tethered whistle and elastic lassos hidden inside. 5) The chest clips can be a bit of an issue in the beginning, but they are easy to clip on the fly, secure, simple to adjust and have quick release.

This is a fantastic combo utility pack that, once learned to properly operate, will outperform expectations. Highly recommend. Thank you Osprey!.

Overall, I think the backpack itself is great! I typically purchase unisex backpacks and find them to not fit perfectly. The fit of this backpack is amazing. It’s great for shorter day hikes. It actually fit a lot more than I originally anticipated.

In addition to the reservoir, I had multiple snacks, a 32 oz hydroflask, sunglasses and a few other small items. It felt surprisingly light, likely due to the good fit. The only issue I have with this relates to the reservoir.

I was under the impression that the reservoir would be exactly the same as other osprey hydraulic lt reservoirs. As far as I’m aware it is incredibly similar, however this reservoir does not include the quick disconnect shown on all the other images I see of this reservoir online.

It is a bit of pain to have to have to take the reservoir tube out of the pack after every use. I realize that you can purchase the quick disconnect separately, but the description on the website led me to believe that it would include this feature.

Overall, I still really enjoy the pack.

I have been a longtime fan of Nathan running vests. I absolutely loved my Blue Radiance Vaporhowe 12L vest. It fit perfectly, I had zero issues with it. My husband kindly bought me the VaporAiresess to replace my well-worn Vaporhowe and I was immediately disappointed with several things.

The last thing you want to do while running is feel annoyed and irritated by your gear. Unfortunately, that is what this vest did. First of all, the fit initially felt Ok when I tried it on but it became evident as soon as I started running that the sizing was off, I don’t like the two size groups! I’m normally an XS and have a petite frame and I could not get this vest to fit me comfortably while running.

I had it adjusted to as small as it could go and it still didn’t fit right. My water bottle which I carried in my front right pocket was bouncing up and down horribly. Plus, the way the front pockets were positioned the water bottle straw even with it restrained by the straw flap would hit the bottom of my face and chin with nearly every stride! It was intolerable.

The material also made an annoying swishing sound, I kept looking behind me because it sound like something was following me. I had to cut my run short because I couldn’t tolerate running with it anymore.

It was promptly returned. I’m now on the hunt for a new well-fitting non-bouncing vest. Why try to fix that’s not broken? The fit of the old Vaporhowe was perfection. As soon as I switched back to my old worn vest, it was immediate relief, and I had a comfortable, stress-free run.

Giving two stars for the nice color and it did look nice on even if it didn’t function as planned.

Coming from a cruddy CamelBak Chase 8, this thing is God. I kid you not. Running or bikepacking. Super breathable, feels really comfy when it’s on you, TONS of storage (DOES NOT feel bulky even while running uptempo with just the hydration bag in.

can’t speak to it being filled up all the way though but I’m sure it’ll be snug) and I know it’s gonna be a joy when it gets colder out. this lovely fabric comforting your upper body. yes this is probably a me thing but MAN I love it.

The waterproof front pockets are big enough to hold my iPhone 11 that has a minimalist case on, which is AWESOME!! barely can tell it’s in there whether I’m running or cycling. I could not go on enough about how great this bag is.

Even the design is perfection! I added a Osprey hose magnet attachment and now I am officially in love. Besides a goofy hydration bag design that’s finicky to open/seal at first, this bag is PERFECT (okay.

maybe besides the kind of wonky zipper size. but that’s probably so that all your food wrappers and etc don’t blow out after a long ride/run!). Sorry this lovely product review couldn’t be longer but I still got lots of use to get out of her, just thought I’d spread the good news while she’s still in season! Peace! PP.

I’m an ultra runner, the Vapor Krar 12L is the eighth vest/ pack I currently own. It is okay, but leaves a lot to be desired. My chest measurement is 36” which is the bottom end of a Small, which is what I ordered.

Completely empty it fits snug. The straps are too short so I can’t even extend them and they have zero stretch. Main chest pockets have no way to secure items, things (like gels) can easily fall out if you bend over.

Half of the main storage compartment (lower back) has an unusual and unintuitive way of securing items. What exactly am I supposed to store there? Shape of reservoir makes it slightly difficult to put into the pack when (the reservoir) is full because it’s unnecessarily wider than the back opening.

Bite valve has no locking feature. Some positive attributes: the magnet for the bite valve is useful. I like the small zipper pockets on both shoulders. The reservoir hangtag is sturdy. Overall decently comfortable despite how snug it is.

The main reason I bought it was for the capacity, it was on sale, and I had never tried a Nathan vest. However, after having used it for awhile now, can definitely say there are better vests (for me and my needs) out there.

This is my second race vest, first Nathan vest. I chose to try this particular vest best of the larger 20oz flasks that we’re included plus the straws. I’m used to using smaller flasks without the long straws and they’re kind of pain at times to us.

Initially this vest felt great on my body with two full flasks plus some nutrition and a phone but by miles 7-8 on my long runs it almost become unbearable to wear because of one major flaw, the phone pocket placement.

The phone pocket sits on the left chest area and depending on the size of your phone the phone will bounce up and down in the pocket and if you cinch the vest tight with the chest straps then it presses the phone too tight to your chest and causes bruising on your ribs.

I’ve tried tried several adjustments to help but it seems like you’re either going to get chafing on your nipple or bruise your ribs so take your pick. I have switched back to my old vest for now but will maybe give a Nathan vest another go if it doesn’t have the phone pocket placement in the same spot.

LOVE this pack! The water bottles are super easy to drink fell while running- I was worried the long straws would be annoying while I ran but they are easily tucked away. There is a ton of space in this but it’s also perfectly streamlined for every day use.

Fits like a dream and it’s fantastic for long runs and for day hiking. Highly recommend this pack! I’m currently a road runner who does a lot of hiking and is looking into trail running and ultras. Love the option to add a hydration bladder or just use the included water bottles.

Lots of accessible pockets and places to stow things while still streamlined and not bulky. Doesn’t move around and is super comfortable while running. Thank you thank you for creating this pack!!.

This pack has a lot going for it. While I am not a big fan of the hydration bladder setup on most packs, I appreciate how much CamelBak has done to allow for diverse uses with this particular piece of gear.

The actual hydration pack is well designed, and features a genuinely useful handle for filling. I wish other hydration packs had this feature. However, for most of my use, I used the pack without a hydration bladder, as that’s just the setup I prefer.

This pack works great for those uses too, and the side sleeves are perfect for all sizes of water bottles, and provide for quick access. I’ve stored various sizes of Nalgenes, from 16oz to 48 oz in these pockets, as well as different size Smart Water bottles (which are my go to for trail running), and all of these different types have worked well.

The bottle holders are both secure and easy to access, and I appreciate their design and mesh material. The front of the pack also has a double layer of this mesh material, which works well holding extra gear I want to access quickly, or holding dirty clothes or things I’m trying to dry.

One downside on the outside of the pack is that the little loops at the bottom are just too small to effectively work with ice axes, which was an application I was quite excited for when I originally got the pack, but I think I will have to modify the pack a bit for this to work.

Although it may not be great for alpine climbing out the box, I like how adaptable this pack is, and the webbing on the back allow for a lot of different setups and modifications, and I appreciate CamelBak providing these options.

I plan to modify mine to better carry a helmet and ice tools. The side straps on the pack carry a rope decently well, and although that isn’t exactly what the pack is designed for, it can totally work for climbing applications.

Finally, there’s the two brain pockets. These are great for stowing small items, and where especially useful when I used this pack to take a Wilderness First Responder course, and holding my field manuals and SOAP notes in a pocket that was properly sized and rapidly accessible was critical.

This pack worked very well there. While the zippers to the main compartment may very well be a weak point in the future, I have so far noticed no issues, and the zippers are smooth, don’t catch, and are of high quality.

Time will tell as to how well they hold up. Finally, the main compartment is just an empty area, which I like, as it gives me a lot of versatility with how I use the pack. It is a large enough size that you can use it for several day trips if you pack very light, or it can hold plenty for any day adventures.

I’ve used this pack for hiking, wilderness first aid, whitewater kayaking, cragging, and day trips around town, and it has worked well in all applications. The straps are comfortable and fit well, and the waistbelt pockets are useful for keys or small odds and ends.

The one downside is the phone pocket on the straps, as it is too small to fit my phone, and even when you can get a phone into the pocket, it is not the most comfortable of a carry. I would’ve liked maybe a bigger pocket, or just replacing that pocket with a water bottle holder in the front, but you can also use the pocket for smaller items, and in that regard it is useful.

I plan to take this pack with me on a half year trip to Peru, given how versatile it has proven and how useful it is in a variety of applications.

I just took this pack for its maiden voyage on a 2 week day-hiking trip and it performed great! The pack felt great on all day. The shoulder straps were the perfect width and shape for me and the shoulder/waist/sternum strap adjustments were all really easy to adjust on the go, even with gloves on.

The elastic stuff pocket in front was WAY more handy than I had anticipated. I appreciate the ability to use either a hydration reservoir or water bottles. I only took 2 Nalgene bottles for this trip but will be taking bottles and a bladder in hotter months.

Only 2 potentially negative issues with this bag for me. First, the “easy access” pocket on the left shoulder strap was a bit too small. I was able to squeeze my iPhone and case in there with some maneuvering.

but it was too tight of a fit for me to take it out frequently/easily for photos. However, fixing this would require a wider strap and I value the comfort/fit of the straps more than I was bothered by the size of the pocket.

Second, the back panel was great for day-hike and all-day wear, but it seems to limit the capacity of the bag. I need a good everyday back pack for gym to work and don’t think this will work for me because of the extra structure.

Again, this is an intentional design feature that improved comfort on my hikes, so I wouldn’t change it or knock off any ratings points.

i like this bag! it’s a little stiff to start but after a couple wears it’s gotten more comfy on my back. I wanted a good sized camelbak to bring on day hikes and i was torn between this and the Mule and i’m glad i got the Cloud Walker! i compared it to my partners Camelbak Mule and it is almost the exact same size, the Cloud Waker extends out more to fit more stuff but the footprint is almost identical if that makes sense.

a few things that make it 4/5: – it comes with a 2. 5L reservoir instead of 3L but the side pockets make it super easy to carry extra water and a 3L reservoir will fit inside if you have an extra one.

– be careful with closing the reservoir. there’s something weird about the seal that makes it super finicky to close properly. this hasn’t been an issue with other camelbak reservoirs i’ve owned. it’s fine once it’s closed but make sure you have it sealed right before you put it into your bag.

this is the main reason i’m giving it 4/5 stars – the shoulder strap clasp seems cheaper than the ones on my other backpacks and i’m worried it might eventually break? it hasn’t yet so maybe i shouldn’t fault it for that.

overall this is a good little bag! i’m really happy with it.

This is my favorite mid-size pack. I’ve taken it on a couple 8-12 mile hikes and it’s absolutely fantastic. For me, the fit and comfort are unmatched. I’ve loaded it with close to 8 liters of water (for testing) and the overall sensation was just “pressure”.

There were no hot spots or zones of discomfort. The ‘trampoline’ style mesh dispersed the weight incredibly well. I couldn’t believe I had all that water in there (plus some loose articles of clothing).

Beyond the amazing fit/comfort the pack has some great features including the elastic/magnetic sternum strap. I really liked this as the elastic allowed some stretch as well as the magnetic clip being very quick to attach/unattach.

The attachment is a latch and isn’t a fastex type buckle. It’s really nice as it automatically hooks in with the help of the magnet. It has a very usable ‘main’ compartment that’s great for holding larger items.

The personal compartment is somewhat small but it can easily carry keys, wallet and maybe some other loose kit. The the exterior pocket at the top is pretty meager. This is the biggest distractor is how small the top zipper external pocket is.

I feel it’s good for carrying 1 cliff bar or a role of quarters. The side “nalgene bottle” pockets are interesting as they’re exposed on the sides as well as the top. Overall the dimensions are mostly good and nothing is a deal breaker but I would’ve liked different sizes/volumes on some of the zippered pockets.

Another feature I love is the addition of trekking pole loops. I’m a huge fan of these as it’s so much faster to be able to stow them under my arm than to have to take my pack off and cinch them down on the very back of the pack as what you see on other designs.

The great thing is that there’s an elastic attachment that’s there for single pole or an axe. The pack is really versatile. There are a few other great amenities like having including a hydration bladder (2.

5L) and a rain cover. The hip pads are also great. They’re actually functional in helping carry the weight. The pockets are not too small and easily carry a couple of energy bars as well as M&M’s/jerky/etc.

It’s 24L so it’s not small but there’s no requirement to load it to the max. I’ve used this on several hikes and it’s my go-to pack. It’s INSANELY comfortable (for me) and the features are really useful and well-thought out.

I have used this on a few hikes into the Grand Canyon. I like the side hydration pockets that you can access without removing your pack. It was a little awkward at first, like detaching the chest strap hook, but I figured it out.

I like how I can organize the contents to avoid rummaging around a “cavernous” main compartment. The outside mesh pocket worked well when I needed to store my poncho after a monsoon burst, and the rain fly effortlessly slipped over the pack.

The Stow on the Go trekking pole straps still need some getting used to, but the ice pick storage works nice for holding poles too if you need it. The hydration bladder takes a while to get rid of the bad taste, but the tube disconnect at the top is a nice feature.

The hip belt strap is a little narrow, but I only notice it when I am clicking it into place. The chest strap has no problem staying in place. 3 pounds seems a little heavy, but it feels much lighter when I am wearing it.

The back trampoline feels wonderful and was one of the main reasons I went with Osprey. One thing I would add would be velcro to add a patch on the back.

Just purchased this vest from the Osprey-Amazon store. Took it on an 11km trail hike last weekend and it performed great. Another reviewer said the water sloshes around – sure, if you don’t vent the air of the bladder before you go running.

The 2. 5 litre reservoir is a welcome inclusion and will come in very handy on long hikes with minimal water sources. The bladder is easy to get in and out. The multiple zippered pockets are appreciated.

Snacks on the hip. Garmin mini on the should. Extra things like gloves, gloves, beenie, ext on the lower outside. The open pockets on the shoulder straps will accommodate my Salomo 500ml soft flasks.

While I haven’t had to pack my poles, I’m usually using them on the climbs and steep descents, I can see how they’d be easily mounted. There’s an outer mesh cover that stretches over quite a lot for easy access.

I had my GoreTex jacket, first-aid kit, and gaiters safely secured in there. The main bag is perfect for all that you’d need in a long day hike. and, if you pack right, minimal, and light, you could get away with a 2-day fastpacking trip.

I’m 5′ 11″, athletic build, with a 48″ chest. The M/L fits really well. The vest is easy to put on, the chest straps are adjustable and sinch up quite comfortably, as does the waist belt (a bit narrow but whatever).

After 4 hours of hiking in the backcountry, the part of the vest that touches my back was damp. Expected. Happy to say it fits perfectly in a large laundry bag and washed well. So while I’ve only got 11km into this vest, I’m anticipating many kms of fun.

The construction looks solid and materials are light. This vest compliments my other Salomon 8 & 12 litre vest. I’m super happy with the purchase.

I really wanted to love this pack. The sale price is great considering the bladder pack you get with it. It has good storage with accessible pockets. I also really likes the chest strap system. My biggest issue is with how the pack feels when you’ve got the bladder and flasks filled and in place.

The bladder pack and flasks push against your back and chest in an uncomfortable way. I believe it’s due to the material choice on the pack which makes the bladder and flasks push more towards your body rather than outwards.

I know it’s unavoidable to have some push back towards your body, especially if you have a full bladder pack and your pack stuffed with gear. However, I have a Salomon ADV skin 12 and a REI Swiftland pack.

Neither of these are uncomfortable to wear when fully loaded. For those who dont use bladders in the first place, i’d still avoid this pack since the chest flask pockets are not comfortable either when using 500ml flasks.

TranslateShow in original languageMuy práctica y útil, la uso para ciclismo MTB. Sin embargo en la descripción del producto en un apartado indica capacidad de bolsa de 2l, y en otro de 1,5l (lo vi ahora).

Yo adquirí el chaleco porqué quería 2l (y cierto, ya cabe pero super apretujado). Lo que mejoraría es unos bolsillos laterales que “comunican” con la espalda. Otro “pero” es que sería más agradable si las tiras delanteras fueran tipo elástico como las anteriores aonijie, lo hecho en falta.

Aunque hay que decir que el sistema actual permite apretar con solo una mano y yendo en marcha. En general un buen chaleco de hidratación en relación al precio. Lo volveria a comprar, aunque se agradecerían estas mejoras.

TranslateShow in original languageChaleco el tejido muy ligero y secado rapido el ajuste en la talla m/L de brazos justito ajustado pero en cambio delante no se puede cerrar mas porque tiene los cierres y hacen tope y cuando los soft flack estan vacios y llevas peso detras rebotan un poco Le he puesto una goma en la zona de los bolsillos anteriores que no sirven nada mas abiertos para poner una radio pequeña dado que son tan abiertos que todo se cae.

Una goma para aguantar el tubo y la boquilla del camel back. Porque la goma destinada para tal efecto que seria la del soft flack queda muy apretado todo Lo de los palos muy bien casi no se notan. Y por mejorar el acceso a la parte trasera una cremellera mas larga pq no me cabe casi ni la mano ya no digo meter algun tipo de material obligatorio.

Solo son comentarios constructivos el producto esta muy logrado y es comodo pero los ultras vas muy cargado y creo que este producto en algun aspecto es mejorable.

TranslateShow in original languageMochila extremadamente cómoda, con mucha capacidad y muy versátil. Es ideal para carrera de ultra distancia y entrenamiento largos. Permite tener a mano todo lo que necesitas y más, entre sus compartimentos delanteros y laterales.

La parte trasera permite expandirse y contraerse para adaptarse a la carga y lleva un compartimento para una bolsa de agua. Tiene enganches delanteros para bastones en una posición cómoda para ponerlos y quitarlos sobre la marcha.

La mochila perfecta para cualquier aventura y/o carrera.

I’ve been using the CamelBak about 3 times a week. I’m currently training for a half-marathon and I’m constantly increasing my mileage. Hydration is key – and very nice to have while I’m on the trails.

The pack does everything right. It fits snug and high on my back. It also has two pockets that I use to keep my keys, wallet, and phone secure. There’s not a lot of room, but afterall, its a minimalistic design.

Two key features I enjoy – first, the bladder lid is large and is easy to hold. It’s easy to clean and add ice cubes for extremely hot days. And it has a small paddle handle around the lid that makes it easy to hold while filling up the bladder.

Second, the bladder has a hook at the top that prevents it from sagging in the bag. After several miles, the bladder stays in place. This is a very small and simple feature, but shouldn’t be overlooked.

I’ve taken it out for 2 long runs so far of ~15 miles each. After a mile or two, you get used to carrying it, hearing the sloshing sound of the water and it didn’t weigh me down at all. Remaining well hydrated has helped me extend my training runs with relative ease.

I will probably take it every time I run over 10 miles going forward. As others have mentioned, the bladder fit is snug in it’s holder, but it’s not a major inconvenience unless you’re in rush.

Decided to go with a smaller, lighter camelbak for Old Ghost Road so purchased the xct. Really happy with the purchase, the days were hotter than hades and this was excellent for less sweat buildup compared to my other camelbak and was ideal for carrying my water, lunch in the rear pockets and snacks in the waist pockets.

Well designed nice bit of kit.

I had the opportunity to use this Thule product on a multi day Colorado Trail adventure ride. It was a great tool. I don’t normally like hydration packs, but it is necessary on 4 8 hour rides. The product has been designed to sit lower on your back making it more comfortable and ergonomic.

The pack also breathes better than most packs I have tried. There are two other features that are really awesome: 1. The easy access side pockets that you can easily reach when riding. This is great when you are grabbing a snack or your phone to snap a quick pic.

2. The magnetic hydration valve/tube is easy to grab and also snaps back into place with ease. This pack is great for a longer endurance ride!.

I initially wanted the black one so bought the men’s and returned it because it was to long in the torso. This one fit and is the perfect size to fill the bladder and add snacks, a small toolkit, spare tube, and phone.

I love the side pockets too because you can access them without taking the pack off. Also, the magnetic tube is a nice touch. The only con is that I wish it was a darker color because after a month, it’s pretty dirty.

But then again, so is my bike!.

TranslateShow in original languageEl chaleco Gale 12L es cómodo en carrera. Sus bolsillos delanteros son de fácil acceso y te permiten llevar los soft flask junto con el móvil en la misma zona, por ejemplo.

Todavía no he competido con él y, por tanto, no lo he llenado hasta su límite. Sin embargo, sí puedo decir que llevándolo a mitad de capacidad no rebota y se adapta bien. Como punto menos positivo, el sudor consigue traspasar un poco a la parte trasera, pero supongo que es algo normal en chalecos.

TranslateShow in original languageMuy cómodo y ligero. Tienes muchos bolsillos y estéticamente és muy llamativo. La he usado tanto para tiradas cortas 10-20k, como para tiradas largas +25k. Para la talla mi contorno de pecho estaba en el límite de la talla S-M (86cm) y finalmente cogí la talla M-L y me va perfecta.

I’ve had many CamelBak backpacks over the year but all have been large enough to have a 3 liter reservoir. This one has a 2 liter reservoir and is consequently much lighter. It’s shorter and has no waist strap, but fits comfortably on my back and has plenty of storage space for a 2 to 3 hour hike.

You can also carry 2 small water bottles on the shoulder straps if you want more water. I think it will also be perfect for bike rides.

I’ve used many hydration packs over the years. When I got the opportunity to hike Mt Whitney (in one day) I wasn’t sure what size pack. I know I needed lots of water (check), room for food (check), items for if it was colder or rainy at the top (check).

This pack was “packed” w everything I needed and was very comfortable. I was a little concerned about there not being a hip belt, but it wasn’t a problem. I love this Camelbak!.

Well, I’m not a runner, but I was looking for something light and very reflective to wear when I’m on my motorbike. Other backpacks pull and hurt my shoulders and back, this one is so comfortable I didn’t even notice I was wearing it, I also had to check that it was still on! I fit everything I need in it, It’s actually perfect, and it came quite quickly too, so, thank you so very much, I’m very happy with it.

Enjoying the rucksack so far. Lightweight, fits securely, very bright, feels sturdy, pockets are handy. One unusual thing is a hole where each shoulder strap meets the bag, I imagine for the hydration bladder.

I feared this would let water in but so far haven’t had any leaks.

Great for improving visibility on my run home from work on dark nights. Comfortable fit and easy to adjust. Love the little pockets which are perfect for fitting my keys in.

I purchased the Fastpack 20 directly from Ultimate Direction when they had a sale in summer 2021. After two 20+ mile hikes, I returned it. It was overall a terrible pack. I decided to try the discontinued Fastpack 15 which was on sale at REI Outlet for almost half the price of the Fastpack 20.

The Fastpack 15 is the second most used pack in the last 9 months, and it is superior in every way to the redesigned Fastpack 20. Here are the major issues with the Fastpack 20 and why I think you shouldn’t buy it.

1) The hipbelt is uncomfortable and more appropriately a belly strap, but luckily it is removable. 2) The side water bottle pockets are garbage. The material is too loose and stretchy, and the height of the fabric is too low.

My 32 oz bottles bounced around and fell out when hiking. When you run they will most certainly fall out. 3) They added way too many pockets and sleeves to the shoulder straps. The older Fastpack 15 only has 2 sleeves and 3 pockets.

Because the Fastpack 20 has more of both, they are smaller and cannot fit many items. Good luck trying to fit your phone, headlamp, water bottles, and snacks in the Fastpack 20. 4) The fabric used on the Fastpack 20 is more stretchy than the Fastpack 15 to accommodate overpacking of the main compartment.

But this material is so stretchy that the entire pack sags with significant weight (i. e. , a 2 L water bladder). The pack sagged down to my lower hips on top of my butt, and bounced with every step.

The older Fastpack 15 has more standard pack material and does not sag, and thus it rides more comfortably. 5) While the roll top is nice, the two-way access zipper on the Fastpack 15 is a really nice feature they eliminated so they could add one large front mesh sleeve and two water bottle pockets.

The Fastpack 15 instead has two tall mesh sleeves around the two-way zipper, you can fit a 32 oz bottle plus food in both sleeves. Honestly I can’t think of one thing Ultimate Direction improved on with the Fastpack 20, outside of neon yellow as an option and the more burly side compression straps.

I bought this pack for my first fastpacking trip and i’m hooked and ready to use it again and again! It took a couple of big downhills (running) to work out exactly where I needed to dial the fit but after I did it was awesome.

I carried 15 lbs of gear/food, it was perfect for a bivvy, sleeping bag and pad, lightweight warm clothes, (too much) food and all the other random stuff I took! The pockets on the chest are great for an inreach, i zippered my phone into the front and also had things like a knife/lighter on the chest pockets.

I carried a softflask on a chest pocket and my softflask filter bottle in a side pocket which turned out great. The stretchy pocket on the outside under the big UD logo is a great place for a raincoat and emergency gummy bears.

I wish it had an inside zippered pocket for car keys/cards but i made do by attaching them with a carabiner to a loop inside. Overall a great, comfortable pack with plenty of features but not too much faff! My sister uses the 20 l version to run-commute and loves it too! Side note, 2 days, 30 miles, 8000 ft of climbing and no shoulder/back pain :).

Updated version of the fastpack 35 that I own and enjoy. This packs ideal uses are as an introduction to fastpack/running vest style packs. A great, cost effective way to lighten your load if you have a dialed in BW, but a heavy pack.

Winter/shoulder season activities where you are carrying light, but bulky insulation items. etc. While a 40L pack is too large for serious fastpacking and can be bouncy while running. It does include a side compression system that works well.

In addition to the roll top design. There is an abundance of daisy chain that you can lace shock cord through to squish it further. Keeping smaller loads from moving around. The max weight I carry in this pack and the previous gen is about 15-16 pounds total with food and water.

When loaded and adjusted correctly they carry great. UD has spent a good amount of time designing this pack series to include a wide range of fit adjustments. These packs will tolerate short term carry of about 18-19 pounds total, I would not be pushing them further.

Both the older 35L and this new 40L will carry an ursack or bare boxer contender if required/approved by your region. The pack side stretch pockets work great for various sized water bottles, the rear stretch pocket works great for quick access items and layers.

The updated front pockets allow a second water bottle up front. The downside to the updates. The stock photo of the phone pocket is very misleading, a standard size iphone with no case is a very, very tight fit.

I don’t consider them usable for a phone. The additional pack side access zipper and key pocket zipper are not needed at all. This is a total of 4 potential failure points, extra pack weight and complexity of manufacture.

I really prefer the layout of the shoulder strap pockets on the previous gen and the UD hardrocker vest. The only other gripe is the tacky branding and color options, UD please tone it down with the billboard heat transfer graphics and some more earth tone color options.

Overall it’s a great pack series, I will continue to use, it goes on sale often. If you catch the sale it’s a fantastic buy.

Amazing pack, fits everything I need for running on the trails. Very comfortable. If your thinking about buying a backpack for trail running, buy this one.

Excelent. Very good quality