Hydration Packs – Hip or Backpack?

On one of my rides this past week, I pulled something in my back. I was riding with my son and carrying too much weight in my Dakine hydration pack. I must have pulled something the wrong way because I was really sore the next day. This really got me thinking about alternative ways to carry tools and water on the trail that would be easier on my lower back by not pulling on my shoulders.

EVOC Hip Pro 3L in for Review

After looking around for awhile, I decided to bring in the EVOC Hip Pro 3L for review. The EVOC is one of the few that allows you to run two bottles, a hose hydration bladder or a non-hose hydration bladder so I could try out each option to see what worked the best. It definitely wasn’t the cheapest option on the market but it has great reviews around the internet by guys that ride a lot.

The Recent Trend of Hip Hydration Packs

I’m not going to lie. My wife started laughing at me as soon as I put it on. “You’re wearing a fanny pack!” My answer was…”well only if I spin it around!”. It appears that the enduro scene has really pushed these forward and I ended up asking some friends on Facebook and the Bike198 Facebook page what they thought. Here are some responses.

Hip packs are really great. I only wear my Camelbak for long, hot, summer weekend rides now…

Joe

Only thing I’ll use. I started using the older version of this pack 2 years ago and I’ll never go back to a backpack style.

Tony

I bought a cheap one off amazon as I wasn’t sure if I’d like wearing one. But will be investing in an evoc one soon 😎

Carl

 I’ve tried several hip packs. Like the ones that carry bottles better than a wrap around hose. Settled on the Lab Austere for now. Can’t carry layers, but I’ve got all my trail side repair stuff in it. 

Marty

 I use the High Above Cascadia with 2 Bottle Rockets attached. No tube or bite valve but otherwise great quality and comfort from a small US company.

Jeff

Been using that same one for several months. Same color even. Pros: size is good.

I like the velcro + clip latch, though it can get out of sorts. ample storage on waist band for shot blocks / keys. easily removable bladder (not the hose+bladder)- I put ~20oz of water in it and put it in the freezer. Challenges: limited storage in main compartment (tubes, batteries for lights make it bulky). Phone doesn’t exactly feel secure in there. Overall, it’s become my primary hydration system. I often carry a bottle with electrolytes (Nuun) in it, and kill that first, then ride the pack.

Brandon

So what are your thoughts? Have you switched over or are you still riding a conventional hydration backpack? I’ll be riding with this the EVOC over the next couple of weeks and I’ll weigh in on my overall thoughts.