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2007 Hydration (and on-the-move) Packs

by Alicia MacLeay
October 16, 2006

Looking for a pack to carry just the essentials—including plenty of water or sports drink—while mountain biking, adventure racing, trail running, fastpacking, or peak bagging? Then check out these packs, new for 2007, designed for outdoor adventures on the move. Some are called hydration packs. Some aren’t. But all come with hydration components or are hydration-compatible, and all are designed for outdoor adventures on the go, from quick trail runs and day hikes to ultra marathons and full-day adventures on your mountain bike. For more details on a specific pack, visit its product page.

Contents

Black Diamond

Black Diamond Flash
Hydration-compatible, 549 cubic inches, 7 oz

At just 200 grams, the super lightweight Flash climbing pack is the lightest of this bunch and is designed for moving fast through the outdoors. It's dual-bladder compatible with a tube guide and clip, has four lower side pockets for on-the-go access to energy gels and other small items, and can be compressed flat for carrying water only.

CamelBak

CamelBak Asymetrix 15, Asymetrix 20, and Asymetrix 30
The three Asymetrix outdoor daypacks feature an asymmetrical design that lets you access a main compartment from the top, side, or both at the same time. The packs are insulated to keep liquid cool for hours and feature full-zip back panel access to a 70- or 100-oz reservoir. The Asymetrix 15 has a removable waist belt. The Asymetrix 20 and 30 have a Dynamic Suspension Harness, semi-load bearing waist belt, and built-in rain cover.

Asymetrix 15: 70-oz reservoir, 915 cubic inches, 2.07 lbs ($75)

Asymetrix 20: 100-oz reservoir, 1210 cubic inches, 2.53 lbs ($90)

Asymetrix 30: 100-oz reservoir, 1825 cubic inches, 2.96 lbs ($110)

CamelBak Helena
100-oz reservoir, 1300 cubic inches, 2.51 lbs ($80)

For the female outdoor enthusiast, the Helena offers enough cargo and hydration capacity for multi-hour outdoor adventures. It’s insulated to keep liquid cool for hours, and features full-zip access to a reservoir, front pocket with pullout organizer design, overflow storage with dual compression straps, women’s specific Dynamic Suspension Harness, and two-inch waist belt.

CamelBak Trinity
100-oz reservoir, 1600 cubic inches, 2.91 lbs ($100)

The Trinity, with an extended top and angled design, offers the cargo and hydration capacity female outdoor enthusiasts need for all-day adventures. The Trinity is insulated and features full-zip access to a reservoir, front pocket with pull-out organizer design and two compartments, overflow storage with dual compression straps, a women’s specific Dynamic Suspension Harness, and an articulated and vented semi-load bearing waist belt.

CamelBak Octane 8+ and Octane 14+
The Octane 8+ and Octane 14+ are designed for the lightweight needs of speed hikers, trail runners, and adventure racers. The Octane 8+ is made for two to four hours of fast paced outdoor activity and the Octane 14+ is made for a full day on the move. The packs are insulated and feature a center zip expansion for additional cargo capacity, stash pockets on the waist belt, an Air Director back panel with Air Mesh for ventilation, and a waist belt.

Octane 8+: 70-oz reservoir, 525 cubic inches (expands to 781 cubic inches), 1.92 lbs ($80)

Octane 14+: 100-oz reservoir, 958 cubic inches (expands to 1410 cubic inches), 2.26 lbs ($95)

CamelBak Velocity
72-oz reservoir, 94 cubic inches, 1.25 lbs ($60)

External access makes refilling the Velocity’s 72-oz reservoir during a century ride quick and easy. The pack sports a mid-size detachable saddlebag that allows cyclists to add or detach 30 cubic inches of cargo space, a low-profile design that won’t interfere with a helmet, a sternum strap for stability, a channeled back panel for ventilation, and reflectivity.

CamelBak L.U.X.E.
100-oz reservoir, 500 cubic inches, 1.92 lbs ($85)

Female mountain bike enthusiasts will appreciate the L.U.X.E.’s aggressive design, secure overflow storage, and stability. The insulated L.U.X.E. features a women’s specific Dynamic Suspension Harness, a removable waist belt, multiple storage compartments for gear, an MP3 pocket with weather-resistant zipper, and reflectivity.

Deuter

Deuter Hydro Exp 6 SL
70-oz reservoir, 700-850 cubic inches, 1 lb 12 oz ($85)

A cycling hydration pack for women, the Hydro Exp 6 SL features an expandable main compartment, pump holder, stow-away helmet holder, and rain cover. It has an easy-access drink tube, contoured mesh shoulder straps, mesh hips fins with zippered mesh pockets, elasticized mesh pockets, front pockets, and 3M reflectors. The Hydro Exp 6 SL will be available in December of 2006.

Deuter Race X Air I SL
100-oz reservoir, 850 cubic inches, 1 lb 10 oz ($99)

The women’s Race X Air I SL is part of Deuter’s Race Series line designed for serious cross-country bike riders who value maximum ventilation, comfort, and capacity for longer rides. The Race X Air I SL utilizes the Aircomfort-System and features narrower shoulder straps, a shorter back length, and a three-liter hydration port. The Race X Air I SL will be available in December of 2006.

Deuter Trans Alpine 30 AC
70-oz reservoir, 1850 cubic inches, 3 lbs 1 oz ($130)

The Trans Alpine 30 AC is a large capacity hydration pack for day hikes and all-day bike tours. The pack has a two-liter Blue Spring hydration unit, dividable main compartment, contoured shoulder straps, mesh hip fins, drink tube, two exterior zip pockets, side mesh pockets, buckled helmet holder, and pump holder, rain cover, safety blink loop, and 3M reflectors. The Trans Alpine 30 AC will be available in December of 2006.

GoLite

GoLite Rush
The Rush is the smallest of three fast-and-light packs (Rush, VO24, and Lite-Speed) in GoLite’s Adrenaline Series. The Rush is three-liter hydration-compatible and designed for ultra marathons and sprint adventure races, day hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and peak bagging. For an overview of the complete 2007 GoLite pack line, available in January of 2007, read our 2007 GoLite Backpacks Preview.

Women’s: hydration-compatible, 1000 cubic inches, 1 lb 3 oz ($70)

Men’s: hydration-compatible, 1100 cubic inches, 1 lb 5 oz ($70)

Gregory

Gregory Pyr
Hydration-compatible, 1150 cubic inches, 1 lb 8 oz ($79)

The Pyr offers just enough space to carry what you need for a lightweight day out or a big adventure on your mountain bike. The pack features zip-through access to your hydration system, a large main compartment, an expandable exterior stuff-it pocket that will hold a helmet or extra layers, and four side pockets for energy gels, food, or an iPod. The Pyr will be available in late November of 2006.

Mountain Hardwear


Mountain Hardwear Bebop and Riff
Designed for the multi-sport user, the Bebop and Riff accommodate fast hiking, mountain biking, travel, and other pack activities where light weight is a priority. The Bebop has a main compartment with internal hydration pocket, a large front pocket, small top pocket, and two mesh side pockets. The Riff is a simplified, smaller, lighter version of the Bebop with a single vertical zip to access its main compartment. The Bebop and Riff will be available in early December of 2006.

Bebop: hydration-compatible, 1200 cubic inches, 1 lb 5 oz ($80)

Riff: hydration-compatible, 900 cubic inches, 15 oz ($65)