Hello all. I'm in the market for a new hydration pack. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice comfy pack? I'd like at least 70 oz. I'm coming off of a waist pack, and some of the Camelbak stuff, that I've seen is just too small for a fat boy like myself (275lbs). Thanks.

Hello all. I'm in the market for a new hydration pack. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice comfy pack? I'd like at least 70 oz. I'm coming off of a waist pack, and some of the Camelbak stuff, that I've seen is just too small for a fat boy like myself (275lbs). Thanks.

Try a smaller capacity Dakine pack with a hydration pocket. Camelback makes bladders that are in a liner that fit perfectly inside. Many of them are made for skiing/snowboarding-so some extra lash tabs and daisychains, but they are made to fit
over winter clothes-so they're bigger. I found a Lowe Alpine pack that was perfect at EMS but on closeout and can't find another one. But, I have the same problem with Camelback, Hydrapack, etc. Too small. Good luck.

PattD

Hello all. I'm in the market for a new hydration pack. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice comfy pack? I'd like at least 70 oz. I'm coming off of a waist pack, and some of the Camelbak stuff, that I've seen is just too small for a fat boy like myself (275lbs). Thanks.

I'd definitely check out some of the larger Camelbak packs. I have a HAWG (the largest cycling pack) which fits me pretty well but they have even larger non-cycling specific ones that may fit you better.

I use a Camelback TransAlp that fits pretty well through the shoulders and sternum clip. The waist belt is too small, but I went to an Army surplus store and found clips that matched the Camelback's clips and made a belt extension. My pack holds 100 oz of water, some energy bars, my toolkit, a couple of spare tubes, my shoes, helmet, shorts, jersey, socks and gloves in my trunk most of the time.

A H.A.W.G. or Lobo work as well, but don't hold as much.

tachyon

I started using a Camelbak Mule with 100 oz. resevoir when I weighed 253. It fit then and fits me now at a nicer 230. Although most of my extra weight was in the belly not in the chest. Try them on at an LBS and then get a deal online. If your not used to packs on your back, well, they do take getting use to.

I have a first generation HAWG and it strains to fit the chest straps and the shoulder straps were mildly annoying when the ends of them would shift out from underneath the strap just under my armpit. But it is still a pretty nice hydration pack and it does Hold A-lot of Water and Gear...

Last year I decided to try the Camelbak Rocket and I am really pleased with it. The chest straps fit easily (6'5" 270). The shoulder straps work great and the best part of the pack is how it only touches your back on the four corners so it breathes back there. I hardly know it's there compared to my ol' HAWG. It doesn't hold a lot of stuff but it does hold a Blackburn Mammoth pump, tube, tools, tube etc. Just doesn't hold clothing. I also like the new bladder with the wide mouth that makes it easy to put ice in and doesn't leak. The unique "frame" also kind of pressurizes the 72 oz. bladder a little bit especially when it's full. It also comes with the insulated sleeve for the hose that Camelbak usually charges extra for. Give it a serious look.

Hello all. I'm in the market for a new hydration pack. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice comfy pack? I'd like at least 70 oz. I'm coming off of a waist pack, and some of the Camelbak stuff, that I've seen is just too small for a fat boy like myself (275lbs). Thanks.
For my liquids, I use my son's old school pack. A single compartment pack with side pockets holds 2 /70 oz. platypus and a pump, spare tube/patch kit , power bars and phone.About $25.00 new. Priceless used...good luck.

I have a Camelback that's really made for hunting. The waist strap is plenty big for me at 225, but the chest strap is a little tight. Who needs the chest strap anyway though? It holds 70oz of water and all kinds of gear. Plus, who else has a Realtree Camo Camelbak on the trail? No one. It isnt really ant heaviee than cycling specificic models either!

I have the mule and the blowfish I like the fit of both. I tend to use the blowfish on daily rides and the mule on more epic rides.

I have the Mule as well and have no problems with it at all.

I had a mule for a couple years and it never fit well. I picked up a HAWG last year and I could finally breathe again. Just for comparison I and 6'4" 240ish with about a 50 inch chest. XXl all the way.
RIDE ON

DESTRO

Hello all. I'm in the market for a new hydration pack. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice comfy pack? I'd like at least 70 oz. I'm coming off of a waist pack, and some of the Camelbak stuff, that I've seen is just too small for a fat boy like myself (275lbs). Thanks.


I weigh 295 (48"-50" chest) and have no problem with my Camelback Lobo. Fits perfect once you get the straps adjusted correctly.

The guys who like the MULE are either all butt and gut, or aren't running their packs very full. I've got a chest of about 44, with big shoulders, and when I have the bladder filled all the way, there isn't a whole lot of room for me. It fits and I'm not complaining, but I'd never recommend it for a clyde.

Hello all. I'm in the market for a new hydration pack. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice comfy pack? I'd like at least 70 oz. I'm coming off of a waist pack, and some of the Camelbak stuff, that I've seen is just too small for a fat boy like myself (275lbs). Thanks.


Ultimate Direction. Great adjustment on the yolk of the pack. Allows you to position the weight lower. I've tried the Camleback and a few Gregory's. UD by far the best pack I've owned.

I just use a water bottle for now will get a liner and put it in my regular back pack with my tooll and power bars etc.

The guys who like the MULE are either all butt and gut, or aren't running their packs very full. I've got a chest of about 44, with big shoulders, and when I have the bladder filled all the way, there isn't a whole lot of room for me. It fits and I'm not complaining, but I'd never recommend it for a clyde.

I got my '04 Mule at the end of '03 when I was 6'2" and 270# with a 42" waist and 50" chest. It fit me fine then and now that I'm down to 245# I've had to cinch it in quite a bit. There were some changes over earlier models, it could be the earlier models had shorter straps. Try before you buy. The Mule is a great pack and has gotten great reviews all over the place.

Check em again, I have a blowfish that fits great, I just dont use the waist straps when riding. I also have a transalp for day hikes or day bike trips. Both have held up to everything I have thrown at em and both are 100oz packs.

I just picked up an '04 Mule and it fits great - I'm 5'10" with a 48" chest

I have a first generation HAWG and it strains to fit the chest straps and the shoulder straps were mildly annoying when the ends of them would shift out from underneath the strap just under my armpit. But it is still a pretty nice hydration pack and it does Hold A-lot of Water and Gear...

Last year I decided to try the Camelbak Rocket and I am really pleased with it. The chest straps fit easily (6'5" 270). The shoulder straps work great and the best part of the pack is how it only touches your back on the four corners so it breathes back there. I hardly know it's there compared to my ol' HAWG. It doesn't hold a lot of stuff but it does hold a Blackburn Mammoth pump, tube, tools, tube etc. Just doesn't hold clothing. I also like the new bladder with the wide mouth that makes it easy to put ice in and doesn't leak. The unique "frame" also kind of pressurizes the 72 oz. bladder a little bit especially when it's full. It also comes with the insulated sleeve for the hose that Camelbak usually charges extra for. Give it a serious look.

Update: Nashbar has the 02 Rockets for $39.99 which is about half price.

Love this pack. This is the one with the suspension mesh back. This allows for great air flow and also is easier on the back since the weight of the pack is suspended. I have had this pack for a year and a half now and just love it!!!!!!

great compartments for carry the required gear for mtn biking

Hello all. I'm in the market for a new hydration pack. Anyone have any recommendations for a nice comfy pack? I'd like at least 70 oz. I'm coming off of a waist pack, and some of the Camelbak stuff, that I've seen is just too small for a fat boy like myself (275lbs). Thanks.The Camelbak Cloudwalker is a very comfortable pack for a big guy. I have a 50" chest and a 40" (unfortunately) waist at this time. The Cloudwalker fits great, it's similar in cargo capacity than the HAWG and I've used one hard for over two years and it's still in great shape. You can find these on sale for $40 if you look around. My only real criticisms are that the pack lays flat against your back so it gets a little hot and sweaty in the hot summer weather and that it only comes w/ a 70 oz. bladder. Otherwise I really love this pack.

To remedy this I've purchased a Vaude Splash 25 (http://shop.store.yahoo.com/twau1999/splas25aerhy.html) and this pack has a little metal frame that holds the pack away from your back for air-flow, very cool. This is an awesome pack in design and construction it has an integrated rain cover and helmet carrier which tuck away in their own pockets when not in use among other features. It's slightly larger than the Cloudwalker but I haven't used it yet. It fits great though. It came w/ a pretty cheesy looking Platypus bladder but again, I haven't used it and Camelbak bladders will work just fine in it if necessary.

I also just purchased a Deuter Superbike (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.ASP?wc=true&base_no=82628&dept_id=L1~4287) which looks to be a really nice pack. A bit larger than the Vaude it has some unique features like a integrated windbarrier that unfurls from a top pocket and you wear across your chest plus the integrated rain cover and helmet holder w/ their own pockets. This pack has raised channels on the part that rests on your back that allow air flow down your back. This is a really cool pack but it fits a bit snug and rides high for a big guy even with the straps played all the way out. I haven't used this one for riding yet either though so I can't say how it works in actual riding use.

Since I'm a hiker also, I ride with my Kelty Glacier daypack with a 1.8l Platypus. The Glacier fits me well (52" chest), but I skip the (stowable) waist belt when I'm riding.

100oz, 550 cu in. of storage. Very comfortable and durable. You can actually store more than it says though. Don't fear the ziplock closure. I've endo'd completely on my back, full of water and it's still doing fine. Both the chest strap AND torso strap fit me as well.

I have the HAWG and the MULE for several years now, they've been through hell and I would buy both again in a heartbeat.

The HAWG fits a little better, and I can't make the MULE's chest strap comfortably snap. Since it carries less gear, a chest strap is not even necessary.

I am 6'5" 230lb. No idea what my chest size is, but I wear XXL t-shirt if that helps.

:-)

do you mean the Deuter RaceX air II? dude! i am a believer... had a hawg, and was happy.. just didnt have enough space for my visor, had to keep it in the mesh pocket with fear of falling off. had to use the stabilizing straps to tie up my body armor.. looked kinda funny but worked. the Mule was useless, to tiny, could barely fit in essentials like the tube (i like to keep it in the box so it doesnt get cut) pump etc. bloody mule was bursting at the seams when i filled up the bladder.

race x air fits EVERYTHING, visor, armore... etc. even has a helmet holder which is awesome when your off the bike and dont want to drop your helmet or leave it on the ground. i use my camelbak bladders which fit just fine. the back support is awesome and the frame keeps it off your back which is literally really cool.. only thing it needs are stablilizing straps so your stuff doesnt move around...

get it and be happy :D

I have a MULE that I love. Fits with room to spare. I wear XL or XXL shirts, and have a 50 chest. About 230 lbs (but I'm working on it).

This whole camelback thing really confuses me. Why would anyone, and especially a clyde, want to wear a backpack to carry their water when they could let their bike carry it? After 5 years of shaking my head at people wearing these things, I broke down and bought one for the rare instance when I do need more capacity than a couple water bottles provide. Guess what? It holds 40 onces more than my 2 bottles, BUT, I sweated and additional 41 ounces from my back underneath the blasted contraption! Nuff said!

This whole camelback thing really confuses me. Why would anyone, and especially a clyde, want to wear a backpack to carry their water when they could let their bike carry it? After 5 years of shaking my head at people wearing these things, I broke down and bought one for the rare instance when I do need more capacity than a couple water bottles provide. Guess what? It holds 40 onces more than my 2 bottles, BUT, I sweated and additional 41 ounces from my back underneath the blasted contraption! Nuff said!

Not sure exactly what conditions you ride in, but even if you can carry enough water in bottles, they can get too hot in the summer time heat, especially if exposed to the sun while riding. Drinking hot water is not refreshing to me. I ride with bottles if the weather isn't too warm, which is about five or six months a year here in SoCal or maybe if I'll be done in less than an hour.

I've tried the insulated bottles which help as does adding ice before I leave, but only marginally and they don't have as much capacity. I have carried as much as 240 oz. of water on a ride and consumed every drop and would have liked a little more on one of them.

Water is essential to me and I'd rather have a little too much than not enough.

This whole camelback thing really confuses me. Why would anyone, and especially a clyde, want to wear a backpack to carry their water when they could let their bike carry it? After 5 years of shaking my head at people wearing these things, I broke down and bought one for the rare instance when I do need more capacity than a couple water bottles provide. Guess what? It holds 40 onces more than my 2 bottles, BUT, I sweated and additional 41 ounces from my back underneath the blasted contraption! Nuff said!

Some other things to think about:

1. Bottles fall out of racks. I find them out on the trail all of the time, and it's something I really don't want to be without.
2. Bottles can get pretty nasty if the conditions are bad (extremely dusty/muddy).

If I do carry a bottle (use a Camelback Lobo most of the time), it's because I'm going to be out for a while, and then it's usually full of sportsdrink--quickly accessable anti-bonk insurance.

Try a smaller capacity Dakine pack with a hydration pocket. Camelback makes bladders that are in a liner that fit perfectly inside. Many of them are made for skiing/snowboarding-so some extra lash tabs and daisychains, but they are made to fit
over winter clothes-so they're bigger. I found a Lowe Alpine pack that was perfect at EMS but on closeout and can't find another one. But, I have the same problem with Camelback, Hydrapack, etc. Too small. Good luck.

PattD

I use a DaKine Vertex and I love it. I have a 48" chest and 38" waist and the DaKine fits very nicely chest and waist. It also is flatter and broader than camelbacks which is nice because it doesn't feel tippy or floppy like the HAWG. DaKines are also seriously bombproof they use ballistic nylon and triple stitched straps. Hold up way better than a camelback. Usually camelbacks only last a year for me (crash and tear them), but the DaKine is going strong after 2.5 years.

The downsides to DaKine packs are that their width makes them kind of hot and they're heavy compared to the Deuter and Camelbacks. The straps are wide which is a mixed blessing because while they don't dig into my shoulders like my HAWG, they sometimes restrict movement and took a while to get used to.

My Hawg rocks! Fit's me "like a glove."
It snugs up nice for smaller loads and blows up huge for night rides and epics.
I never think about it being there... so you know it's comfy. Lot's of adjustments.