ISO: MTB Waist Pack

[bigwaterbird]

Looking for an upgrade from my old Dakine Hot Laps…something with a bit more capacity and better/more secure waist strap. Can be either water bottle or bladder system.
Whatchu got?

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

I actually have a Henty I don't use anymore. Overlap with my main pack (Lab Austere). Would sell the Henty for $50.

https://henty.cc/shop/active/enduro-backpack/

[east or bust]

EVOC hip pack pro.

To my knowledge no other company makes their style of hip belt, and it’s leaps and bounds superior to a traditional cinch and buckle.


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[ticketchecker]

EVOC hip pack pro.

To my knowledge no other company makes their style of hip belt, and it’s leaps and bounds superior to a traditional cinch and buckle.


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Hadn't seen these, the belt looks good. I've got the Patagonia Dirt Something waist pack and the buckle isn't always that comfy

[smmokan]

I have a Lab Austere hip pack that Marshal sent me, I never ended up using it. I'm happy to pass it on for the cost of shipping.

[singlesline]

EVOC hip pack pro.

To my knowledge no other company makes their style of hip belt, and it’s leaps and bounds superior to a traditional cinch and buckle.


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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.

Kept the hot laps 5L instead. Bigger bladder than the Evoc (2L), bit more space, and straps that can hold a pair of knee pads (and if I am not using the bladder, elbow pads fit inside easily). Not perfect though.
Mine came with the older bladder with a non-detachable hose. That combined with routing the hose through a hole and through the strap pocket makes it kind of a PITA to swap out the bladder. Better to have detachable hose that the new models come with and/or a hose that just exits through the main zip.

[North]

I have a Lab Austere hip pack that Marshal sent me, I never ended up using it. I'm happy to pass it on for the cost of shipping.

Interested if OP isn’t.

[jackattack]

I have a Lab Austere hip pack that Marshal sent me, I never ended up using it. I'm happy to pass it on for the cost of shipping.

I love this hip pack but it’s not high volume. Perfect for before or after work laps.

[supermodel159]

This:

EVOC hip pack pro.

[jackstraw]

I have the other one and have been extremely happy with it.
EVOC HIP PACK 3L + 1.5L BLADDER

[Jtlange]

I have a maroon Osprey Seral 4 if you are interested. Never used, just put water in the bladder to get the bladder taste out. Will let it go for like $35 bucks.

[GeorgiaSnow]

I’ve got the USWE Zulu 6L hip pack and love it. I think it has a similar overlapping band to the EVOC but maybe a bit thicker. Love the way it fits and functions. If you need something bigger than this I’d probably just go with a backpack. It’s expensive full price but USWE will run some big sales. Pretty sure I got it direct from USWE for half off in the last year. I got my wife the Zulu 2L thinking I’d use it some too for shorter ride but I find the band on the 6L so much more comfortable than a traditional buckle and cinch strap on the 2L that I’ll just use the 6L if I have to use a hip pack at all.

https://uswe.com/en-us/hydration-wai...zulo-6-black-2


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[ey_allen]

Another vote for the EVOC.

If that doesn't work for you, my wife went through a few and finally settled on the Hydro Flask Down Shift.

[bigwaterbird]

Thanks for all the insight y’all! At the water park today with the kids and will reply to people who are selling later today.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

On sale and the best pack I have owned. Better than the comparable osprey I have. Honestly imo hip packs like Dakine etc only work well with little to no weight in them aka water.

https://labaustere.com/collections/f...re-riding-pack

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[BigHerm]

I had the Osprey (Savu?) with 2 bottle capability and got rid of it due to the uncomfortable waist strap/buckle.

Been using the EVOC 3l pro with 2 bottle (no reservoir) and I've been really stoked on it. I do wish it had an external strap system like those Dakines or EVOC Freerider backpack for carrying a jacket or whatever. Been thinking about retrofitting one but haven't. I have carried an extra 1l soft bottle, honestly feels a little heavy/bulky set up this way.

[ticketchecker]

Honestly imo hip packs like Dakine etc only work well with little to no weight in them aka water.

fact

[N1CK.]

another vote for the EVOC 1.5L.

[Roxtar]

On sale and the best pack I have owned. Better than the comparable osprey I have. Honestly imo hip packs like Dakine etc only work well with little to no weight in them aka water.

https://labaustere.com/collections/f...re-riding-pack

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Cool, another pack to consider (along with the USWE) when my discontinued Shimano Unzen has to be replaced.
All three of these have very similar front attachment systems that lock everything in place really well.

[Andeh]

I have essentially completely replaced using hip packs with vest style packs. I've got a Camelbak Chase vest which rides great and I like the back pockets better on and breathes better, but the right strap pocket inexplicably doesn't have a zipper on it so things fall out. I also have an Evoc vest, and it's great but a little warmer. It probably rides a tad better than the Camelbak but I feel like the rear storage is less versatile being 2 vertical zippers rather than a couple of compartments and a stuff pocket.
The only times I use hip packs:
* for trail work when I'm going out solely to trim back brush - I've got a Camelbak Repack that fits my pruning shears perfectly. The bottle pocket goes unused.
* for longer rides that I drive to and consequently need to stash my keys, wallet, and maybe a bar someplace that's not my shorts pockets, but am able to swing by the truck to swap water bottles mid-ride. I've got a Dakine Hot Laps waist belt (forget the exact model, might be "stealth" or something similar). No bottle pocket.

[Touring_Sedan]

I used a Hot Laps for a few years but I picked up one of these a year or so ago and while it's similar to a Hot Laps, it's a little bit bigger, modular, and robust as fuck. Hand made here in SLC. I can't recommend them enough.

https://waveproducts.com/collections/bike-bags



https://waveproducts.com/products/th...43551538184384

[jackattack]

On sale and the best pack I have owned. Better than the comparable osprey I have. Honestly imo hip packs like Dakine etc only work well with little to no weight in them aka water.

https://labaustere.com/collections/f...re-riding-pack

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The Lab Austere pack rides and wears more like a vest than a traditional pack. It is snug and rides up high and the fit doesn't change much because the strap adjustment is all velcro.

Very cool non-traditional pack design. I just got one and will be trying it out for longer rides this fall.

I find that the larger the hip pack gets the worse it performs. Anything bigger than a couple of bottles and a small pocket and it loses its shape pretty quickly and doesn't stay put.

[bigwaterbird]

Thanks all for the feedback! There are so many options out there for packs it’s crazy. My old Hot Laps (OG vintage, non padded strap, no bladder or bottles) just doesn’t cut it and flops around a lot. I’ve had my eye on the EVOC as it seems to check all the boxes. Someone has one available over on Gear Swap so I’ll snag it. Also may grab an osprey from same thread from Hicks as it’ll be a cheap way to compare (and Mrs Waterbird needs one as well).

[alfajores]

I actually have a Henty I don't use anymore. Overlap with my main pack (Lab Austere). Would sell the Henty for $50.

https://henty.cc/shop/active/enduro-backpack/

I also ride with a Henty and love it. Have the same model but it didn't come with the bladder. I have used a 3L 2/3 full and bought the Camelback lumbar bladder (which fits fine). It is great in utility, but you will want to consider how you pack things like first aid kit and larger crap on long rides. I think that if I had my emergency tube, pump and first aid kit on the bike, the pack would always have tons of spare room. There is a great phone pocket, good molle style elastic bands to secure gels, shirts, jackets, etc. I store a small sunscreen in the back mesh pocket as a reminder when we are out so we all re apply.

Only qualm is that it is black and cordura, so dust will coat it and that means you might be inclined to wash it off more. But I suspect that will increase the lifespan. Incidentally, it also makes a lot of sense for a number of other activities.

[singlesline]

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.