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CamelBak H.A.W.G.

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: CamelBak H.A.W.G. hydration pack

I use this pack at least three times a week! It's great, whether you are mountain biking, hiking, dirtbike riding, or jeeping. I have put this bag through the tests, and it has survived! It has a boat load of expandable space and if you are not carrying much it can be snugged down to a smaller size. BUY A CAMELBAK! Many have duplicated it but no one has it down like they do!

People I ride and hike with who have off brands, ie Coleman, Walmart, No names ect, and they are always having problems, leaks and complaints. When it comes to mountbiking in 110 degree heat in the middle of Phoenix or Dirtbike riding out in the middle of God's dry country I don't want my pack to give me any problems and this one and other CamelBaks I have owned have never let me down.

Max. Load Carried: 35 LBS with tools, water, pistol, tubes, camera. flash light, jerky, cel phone, gps, ect
Height of Owner: 6
Price Paid: $55

I Have owned one of these since the mid to late '90s. I used mine for mountain biking. My wife got one (same model name, but extremely different design) in 2004. We both love these things. We can carry as much water as we need. The bladder holds 100oz of water, and if you need to you can buy a second bladder and carry a whopping 200oz. There is plenty of room for carrying everything you will need on a hike, a couple sandwiches, oranges, and cans of pop.

I also find the pack very comfortable, as does my wife. Highly recommended, however I don't think I would buy the current HAWG model for mountain biking as it seems to have gotten too big for that use in recent years.

Design: Hydration Pack
Price Paid: ~ $90

This bag is great! I have had numerous hydration systems and the H.A.W.G. is one of my favorites. It holds plenty of water for longer bike rides or hikes and has the storage capacity to carry you through the longer day hikes (Half Dome, Whitney, etc.). I have had mine for a few years now and other than the outside webbing stretching out it is like new (dirtier though). If you are planning on being gone for a full day then this is a great bag to use. The only knock I have is that on longer hikes (15+ miles) the lack of a frame can lead to some discomfort if the bag is full. For these hikes I now use the Alpine Explorer.

Height of Owner: 6'4''
Price Paid: ?

As a hiker and not a biker, this bag is superb, but it's only downside is that it carries the bare minimum for gear while hiking. Raingear, multitool, small camera, light, etc.

The back is soft, so the pack is not good for cramming stuff into. The water supply is excellent though Camelbak bladders are a little picky aka don't fill with Koolaid or other sticky drinks- my bad, not the bladder's. The three liter size is good, but tends to be on the heavier side as it is the equivalent of a giant soda bottle on your back.

Overall though the bag performs flawlessly, and is a keeper for many a year. Not good for long hikes unless a minimalist, featherweight hiker.

Design: front-loading pockets/back-loading water bladder
Size: 1800cu. inches
Number of Pockets: 6
Max. Load Carried: 20lb.
Height of Owner: 6'0"
Price Paid: $110

This daypack is top hawg! It is my favorite piece of gear. On long dayhikes or backcountry skiing I forget it is there except when I am thirsty. Sturdy enough for bushwhacking but not heavy. Not too big, not too small. Three liters of hydro is as much as I have ever needed. I could go on but...

Size: Just under 1000 cubic in., 100oz. hydro.
Number of Pockets: two zippers with organiser, mesh outside
Max. Load Carried: 25 lbs.
Height of Owner: 5' 10"
Price Paid: $85 in '02

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Price Current Retail: $119.96-$232.50
Historic Range: $39.95-$232.50
Reviewers Paid: $55.00-$110.00

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