ISO: MTB Waist Pack

[east or bust]

Y'all making me think I made the wrong choice returning the evoc...

So far the current incarnation of the Hot Laps 5L has felt pretty stable both with and without bladder.

I switch between bikes so I don't like to have anything besides a water bottle on the bike. I suppose I could get an even smaller pump (or do the oneup EDC combo), but pump+tube+multitool+plug kit and a couple of bars was already starting to fill up the the Evoc, even without a water bladder. Not truly packed to the gills, but pump and tube are bulky and get in the way of anything else you put in there.

The extra space in the Hot Laps 5L seemed necessary if I wanted to be able to carry anything else that I might want on a longer ride (first aid stuff, thin layer, more food, etc.) and the pad straps are handy for long climbs. Plus an extra .5L of water vs the options that only fit a 1.5L bladder.

But maybe the Evoc pro with some DIY pad straps would be the ticket. Can always cram a layer or food into the water bottle holders if needed.

Just a thought, but why not carry a voile strap in the pack and lash your pads to the top tube. Idk what bike you ride but my hudge knee pads don’t get in the way at all when using this method on my enduro.

IME it’s easier to climb with a bit more weight securely fastened to the frame than with an unbalanced/floppy pack.

[jackattack]

I switch between bikes so I don't like to have anything besides a water bottle on the bike. I suppose I could get an even smaller pump (or do the oneup EDC combo), but pump+tube+multitool+plug kit and a couple of bars was already starting to fill up the the Evoc, even without a water bladder. Not truly packed to the gills, but pump and tube are bulky and get in the way of anything else you put in there.

Why carry a pump?

CO2 and a tube can be taped/strapped to the underside of the saddle on each bike for emergencies, keep the chuck and tools in the pack. I don't even carry a tube anymore on the MTB, stans darts have solved any tire failures I've had in the last few seasons.

[bigwaterbird]

That Henty does look rad…but stoked to try the EVOC.

[singlesline]

Why carry a pump?

CO2 and a tube can be taped/strapped to the underside of the saddle on each bike for emergencies, keep the chuck and tools in the pack. I don't even carry a tube anymore on the MTB, stans darts have solved any tire failures I've had in the last few seasons.

I’ve never really warmed to CO2, and it is a 1 shot deal. Say you try to plug and your plug leaks…No way to top back up. If the plug then totally fails then you have nothing left to blow up the tube. You could have multiple CO2s, but that could take 3 shots in one ride. This is roughly what happened to me the last time I had a flat. Didn’t have my pump and plugs because they were left on another bike…borrowed stuff from someone else and got moving. Later got dropped from the group ride and the plug started to fail and without the pump I had no way to pressure back up.

Also I’ll admit that I often forget/don’t have time to pressure up my tires before leaving home so I use my pump at the trailhead a lot. Could leave a pump in the car instead of carrying it, but there’s something nice about being able to adjust pressure on the trail.

[N1CK.]

people who's EVOC (or any hip/bladder pack) that starts to get loose/floppy as you drink water, just blow some air back into the bladder. no added weight, but it snugs up and stays in place.

[beaterdit]

Damn that's genius!

[ticketchecker]

people who's EVOC (or any hip/bladder pack) that starts to get loose/floppy as you drink water, just blow some air back into the bladder. no added weight, but it snugs up and stays in place.

Also good practice for keeping growth at bay


Sent from the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen

[grskier]

people who's EVOC (or any hip/bladder pack) that starts to get loose/floppy as you drink water, just blow some air back into the bladder. no added weight, but it snugs up and stays in place.

Mine has straps to address that. They work great if you have the full waist strap adjusted correctly to begin with. I don't always have that, but it gives you about that bladder worth of adjustment.
The black strap under the blue:


blowing air is a solution I've used as well when they aren't quite snug enough.

So yeah, good suggestion.

[Falcon3]

Another vote for the Evoc Hip Pack Pro- be aware there is also the Evoc Hip Pack- which does not have the handy features the Pro has.

I easily fit a large CrankBros tool, tire lever, and pressure gauge in the back zipper tool pocket. That's also the designated dog poop bag pocket for riding with the dog as it's separate from the food.

Main part can fit a OneUp 100c pump, shock pump, ultralight rain shell, gloves, large cell phone, and I can still throw a bottle on one side pouch, and bear spray on the other side. If you're the type that still carries a tube, what the hell are you doing carrying a butyl tube? Get a tubolito and it takes up almost no room.

[ClarkleberryFinn]

I actually just returned one of these. It was a really nice design and the hip belt was interesting, but it just didn't seem like it was going to be big enough once a water bladder was inserted. Especially since it didn't have pad straps built in.

It did have the option to use dual water bottles or a 1.5L bladder, and it has a belt-pocket on either side if you would use them.

Not sure about US availability, but this is what you want and I think the best hip pack on the market: https://www.sport-conrad.com/en/prod...tektor-sc.html

Just their marketing is too bad to even list it on their own website…

I have it in sand colour and have been using it since late May. 5 litre capacity = small enough for afterwork laps or bikepark, but it has a clever function to zip out and make an extra two litres capacity, which is good for longer rides and to use a water bladder. Extra to that it has a zip out carrier for helmet or pads + two pull-out water bottle holders.

I think it’s the only hip oack on the market with all that plus the wide/velcro waist belts (which are waaay more comfortable and stable than just a thin buckle/strap system).

Expensive but does actually deliver.

[N1CK.]

Mine has straps to address that. They work great if you have the full waist strap adjusted correctly to begin with. I don't always have that, but it gives you about that bladder worth of adjustment.
The black strap under the blue:


blowing air is a solution I've used as well when they aren't quite snug enough.

So yeah, good suggestion.

well heck, THAT'S what those straps are for. scientific garage test proves it works. Thanks man!

[stuckathuntermtn]

That Henty looks kinda cool. 1 thing stopping me from getting a hip pack is lack of 3L water capacity. So that solves that.
Plus the name sounds like hentai, so it's got that going for it?

[unitofstuff]

I snagged one of these, plus the extra bottle holder. Only got it out on one ride so far, but I liked it.

https://www.pnwcomponents.com/collec...rover-hip-pack

[singlesline]

Updating this thread because I caved and reordered the evoc pro 3L. The hot laps 5L is just too big and bouncy (with or without the bladder). If I need a totally full 2L bladder and a bunch of stuff I’d rather bring my backpack.

That said, I tried this Thule:
https://www.thule.com/en-us/backpack...k-4l-_-3204481

Holy shit, it has the best drinking hose attachment system I’ve ever encountered. Instead of one tiny little magnet that has to be in just the right place, the end of the hose is lined with a 4-6” row of magnets and the waist band is lined with a similar row. You just slap that thing down and it holds firmly in place. No need to fiddle around to get the right alignment.

It won’t work for me for other reasons (mainly the inner Velcro waist belt is a bit too short for my waist), but it’a pretty nice pack and I think it was $77 on Amazon including the bladder. Similar design to the evoc with a double belt for stability, but a different pocket/feature layout.