Packs, Vests, Water Bottles

Recent Pack, Vest, or Bottle Reviews

UltrAspire Momentum Race Vest

Fit: Sizing is usually true to size. UltrAspire's website offers a fitting guide for those who are unfamiliar with their products.  Comfort: No issues with chafing from the pack even when loaded to full capacity. Have used this pack for up to 11 continuous hours with no chafing or discomfort. Would always recommend a Body Glide type product if doing multi-hour or full day outings where you would be wearing a vest.  Capacity: Fluid capacity without a bladder is what makes this a very good vest… Full review

EcoVessel The Boulder Insulated

The EcoVessel is a well-designed, insulated container whose features give it a slight edge in a crowded market. The 24 oz "Boulder" holds enough liquid to keep you hydrated on shorter day hike. The dimensions are 11.625" x 2.875" (29 cm x 7 cm). This allows the bottle to fit into most modern car carrier holders. Luckily, because of an air tight screw on lid, you can just throw it on your adjacent seat without fear of leaking if you don’t have a cup holder.  The container keeps ice for more than… Full review

Bindle Bottle

A big bottle which will keep your drink cold. And then there's the "secret" compartment. I was looking forward to trying out the Bindle Bottle, so when it arrived a couple of weeks ago, I wasted no time in giving it a try.This hefty insulated bottle comes in two sizes—a 20-oz size and a 24-oz size (which is what I am reviewing). Upon opening the top lid for the first time, it didn't look big enough to fit 24 oz of water. But I used a pyrex measuring cup to test it a couple of times, and it does… Full review

Hydrapak Shape-Shift 3L

No hydration system lasts forever, and after one of our older ones sprung a leak (family hikes = multiple hydration systems), we tried the HydraPak Shape-Shift because we were impressed by its light weight and affordable price. And it offers more—a great bite valve, an interesting and effective top opening, and an internal baffle that opens to make this the easiest-to-clean hydration reservoir I have ever used. Nothing but happy with this one. INTRODUCTION   I have started to realize that I’m… Full review

EcoVessel The Boulder Insulated

Trying to keep a drink warm for at least a day, try this. EcoVessel, Trimax insulated, bottle. Most bottles will keep thing hot, or cold, depending on how you use them, for quite a while. I put hot coffee into my EcoVessel yesterday morning at 6 a.m., with the intention of drinking it later in the morning. It sat in my car all day, then overnight. High temp was 75°, low about 65°. At 10:30 the next morning (today), I opened it up on my way home and the coffee was still warm. Not piping hot, mind… Full review

Nalgene 38oz Stainless Steel Standard Bottle

A rugged water container that can be used on a fire to heat water as well as carry it. Though quite heavy this container will stand up to all kinds of abuse. This stainless steel water container has a capacity of 38oz/1L and is made with 316 stainless steel. It has a lid with a loop attached to the neck so it is less likely to get dropped and lost.  The bottle has a generous 1l capacity which is more than adequate for my needs. The advantage of making a water bottle with stainless steel is that… Full review

MSR Dromedary Bags

OK, so I have had two of these bags now for over 20 years with heavy use and long-term storage and they still work!! No leaks just lost tops. Bought two 1-liter bags back in the '90s which saw heavy use during the first couple of years and then many years of storage. Most recently they were used on a month-long bike tour and amazingly still had no leaks even after a couple of crashes. If you want a water container that can do it all and come out the other side this is for you...not the lightest… Full review

UltrAspire Speedgoat 2.0 Hydration Belt

This cool lightweight waist pack has ended my vest wearing days! It is comfortable and stable with no bouncing or rubbing. As a long time ultra-runner I have been wearing a hydration vest since they came out as I didn't like the bouncing of the water bottle on my lower back. The vest felt heavy on my back and the bottles always seemed like they would fall out—and it was a such pain to get stuff out of the back of the pack.  I wanted to rid myself of the monkey on my back so I ordered the UltrAspire… Full review

TAL Ranger Pro 26oz Double Wall Vacuum Insulated

Great value insulated water bottle delivers on promise of keeping liquids cold for 24 hours and hot for 18 hours. I have enjoyed my TAL 24oz Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle so much over the last year plus that I gave several to friends last summer who I kayak with (they all love theirs) and also gave one or two as presents this past Christmas. They are also available in an 18-oz Ranger bottle, and 40- and 64-oz Growler sizes. Yes, I purchased these bottles at Walmart (although… Full review