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.
2 comments
I ride with an older Camelback hip pack with a bladder…. usually on rides when its less than a couple of hours,,,,love the minimalism, but for longer days or when its friggin steamin outside, I go with my Camelback MULE. I don’t really like the full size pack, but it carries so much more water, which is my main goal. On cooler days, I’ll take the bladder out of the hip pack and carry a water bottle on my frame….I like having multiple options
Most of my rides these days are shorter so I am hoping the hip pack will work for 90% of my riding right now. I’m with you though…I go through a TON of water on longer, really hot days. For that, I don’t know if I will be able to get away from the 100oz bladder.