I need a new one. I'm debating the differences of the Osprey Vervevs the Camelback Trailblazer right now, mostly because the trailblazer is very much cheaper at the Bivoac outlet.
Opsrey do a slightly larger Raven but hip straps annoy me and the verve has a 'shove it' pocket.

What are y'all using to hydrate and carry when you're riding?

You can cut off the hip straps y'know. I know I did on a few of my backpacks, and I probably should on my current camelback.
Depends on how much you carry? I rarely like to leave home without a jacket for just-in-case so I need at least 10l of capacity.

I use a older Camelbak womens backpack. It looks something like http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-a ... -pack.html but without the expandable bit. Cant remember the name.

Camelback Mule from a few years back. somehow got rid of any hip strap that might have been there...

osprey talon 11 viper 4 for the last 2 years. Hate the size but it's well put together and comfortable to wear.

Got it thinking I'd get away with a bladder, pump, tool, levers and tube. However I've now decided it would also be nice to be able to fit a chocolate bar in also.

If I was buying today it would be this:

http://www.cactusequipment.co.nz/online-shop/fast-&-light/zero/82-34 plus a bladder.

Cactus gear is awesome. Simple, hardwearing.

As it happens I have two camelback lobos of different eras which are still fine so I'll wait till they die.

lubie wrote:I need a new one. I'm debating the differences of the Osprey Vervevs the Camelback Trailblazer right now, mostly because the trailblazer is very much cheaper at the Bivoac outlet.
Opsrey do a slightly larger Raven but hip straps annoy me and the verve has a 'shove it' pocket.

What are y'all using to hydrate and carry when you're riding?

You realise that the Trail blazer is a childrens pack (designed to fit 9-13 year olds)?

I've used my camelbak Mule for all sorts of riding, from shuttling to Brevet and it was been good, I love the helmet stash flap thing it, not to carry a hlemt, but using a musette or similar can use it to hold much more food or kit for big days.

lubie wrote:I need a new one. I'm debating the differences of the Osprey Vervevs the Camelback Trailblazer right now, mostly because the trailblazer is very much cheaper at the Bivoac outlet.
Opsrey do a slightly larger Raven but hip straps annoy me and the verve has a 'shove it' pocket.

What are y'all using to hydrate and carry when you're riding?

trailblazer is 15l - that's a bit on the massive side for on the bike!!

I've got a raptor 10 for riding (mens equiv of the raven) and it's got more than enough space - got it specifically because of the hip straps (cinches down better so jiggles less - got the 6l version as well for running though I now mainly use a salomon xt wings 'race vest' cos it totally eliminates jiggle) and because of the big external mesh pocket (have had camelbaks with setups similar to the 'shove it' setup on the verve - hated it cos it was never very secure).

the main reason I switched from camelbak to osprey was the outrageous price of bladder parts - things like bite valves and replacement bladders for osprey are half the price.

if you want to look at more vest type packs it's def tracking down a shop that carries ultraspire - whilst they do a lot of very running specific packs their solace makes a great all rounder (indeed it was designed first and foremost as a mtb pack) and prices on ultraspire are a lot better than salomon : http://ultraspire.com/product/solace/

thelivo wrote:
Cactus gear is awesome. Simple, hardwearing.

this

+1 for ultraspire,
another couple of brands to watch for are nathan and ultimate direction
I use both on the bike and for running, I'll probably never use my camelbak stuff again.

I use a camelback volt: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nz/en/camelbak-volt-13-lr-hydration-pack/rp-prod117299. Transverse bladder sits low, light weight, holds plenty, separate compartment to stuff a damp jacket into, lots of pockets, etc

And the winner is the Raven 10. Cheers everyone

Just remember that if it craps out Osprey have a lifetime warranty. After reviewing many packs I too went Osprey. Ended up with the Talon 11 rather than the specific bike ones because the Talons are much lighter - but it is nice having the features as well.