SIX OF THE BEST
Hydration hip packs – we find the best one for carrying tools, snacks and water on shorter rides
Source Hipster Ultra 5L £89.90
SO GOOD... Plenty of pockets and the joint biggest volume on test (5l) mean kit capacity is good, even when the 1.5l bladder is full. The front flap can be used to stash a jacket. Broad wings aid stability, and we like the single-sided waist adjustment. The hose is reasonably well routed and releases for easier filling.
NO GOOD... For the price, we’d expect better construction and material. The unstructured back padding leads to bulging when heavily loaded. To access the main pocket you must open the front flap, which has a hook-and-loop closure that’s fiddly when dirty or wearing gloves. www.sourceoutdoor.com
Thule Rail 2 £54.99
SO GOOD... Decent dimensions make the Rail’s 2l of storage more generous than it sounds, so we rarely struggled to carry all we needed for a longer ride, including a larger pump. It’s comfy to wear thanks to its stretchy wings and belt. Construction quality feels premium. We like the mesh stash pockets and soft-lined phone pocket. Bright internal fabric and dividers make it easy to find small items. NO GOOD... While there’s room for two bottles, none is included. Replacing them is difficult when on the bike. The narrow waist strap means the pack isn’t so stable on rough tracks when fully loaded as others here. Its storage isn’t that flexible. www.freewheel.co.uk
Leatt Hydration Core 2.0 £85
SO GOOD... Even when fully loaded with water, this 5l pack is stable over rough terrain. Thanks to wide wings, it’s comfy too. It’s made from lightweight ripstop material, with compression straps to pull in bulky loads. The 2l bladder is a good size. Without it, you can pack in a full day’s kit. Internal storage is well-organised.
NO GOOD... Hose management consists of two small elastic loops and a sprung metal clip, leaving the drinking tube vulnerable to snagging. The construction doesn’t feel as premium as on some other packs. Filling the bladder greatly reduces the kit-carrying capacity. www.hotlines-uk.com
Osprey Seral 4 £60
SO GOOD... With its wide wings, the 4l Seral feels comfortable and secure even when carrying 1.5l of water plus kit. The waist clip is easy to use with thick gloves. Thick back padding prevents anything in the large single pocket from digging in. It’s not too sweaty, either. Capacity is decent, even with a full reservoir. Build quality meets Osprey’s high standards. A handy magnetic clip holds the hose in place.
NO GOOD... The hose doesn’t release from the bladder for easy refilling. It’d also be better if it were held in a separate pocket, rather than an internal sleeve. We missed having exterior stash pockets for trail snacks. www.ospreyeurope.com
CamelBak Podium Flow Belt £45
SO GOOD... The Podium Flow Belt’s 2l volume is just big enough for ride essentials, with useful internal organisation plus a slim, zipped external pocket for your phone or keys. We found the padded back and not-too-wide strap comfortable, and neither bulky nor sweaty. CamelBak’s excellent Dirt Series 620ml bottle with mud cover is included. NO GOOD... Replacing the bottle while riding is tricky. Your pump has to sit diagonally, taking up more space and limiting its length (to around 20cm). The waist clip needs a good squeeze to open, which is fiddly with thicker gloves. www.camelbak.co.uk
EVOC Hip Pack Pro 3L £84.99
SO GOOD... A good-sized main pocket is backed up with plenty of well-considered stash and sleeve pockets, giving excellent carrying capacity and organisation. It has a bladder holder and also two bottle holsters, which are easy to use on the bike. The back panel is well-formed, supportive and breathable. Combined with the broad, stretchy wings and strap, this makes the EVOC exceptionally comfy. Materials and construction are top-notch. NO GOOD... It’s expensive considering it doesn’t come with a reservoir (EVOC’s own 1.5l hip pack bladder costs £29.99 separately). The top zip could do with being a little bit longer for easier access. www.zyrofisher.co.uk