Hondo Gravel

Riding with a hydration pack is almost mandatory here you always want some cold fluid. My gravel bike has a Revelate half frame bag which really works well and I have the standard saddle bag. My old Osprey is worn out so I ordered a new one. Downsizing to a smaller pack that pull double duty for the MTB and fatbike. I’m curious to see how many gravel riders use a hydration pack and what make and model. Share some thoughts if you feel like it.

Metieval

I am using camelback rouge for hydration. LOVE it! a bit limited for storage. but that is what bike bags are for.

On the other hand my road pack is an Osprey talon 22. Love Osprey as a product, hate their business ethics. They are right up there with shimano at abusing the people that keep them in business. My opinions might not align with others on the matter.
regardless I'll push people towards Camelback

wheelsmcgee

It’s designed for runners, but I’ve been very pleased with my Nathan HPL 020 over the years...I bought it to train for marathons during Kansas summers and now bring it on almost every ride I do over 50 miles. I need to get over myself about meticulously cleaning the bladder/hose after each use, because if it wasn’t for that I would use it on every ride and run this time of year.

Mine is probably 8 or 9 years old...and despite newer offerings, Nathan still makes the HPL 020 and, as far as I can tell, it is virtually unchanged from when I bought mine. I really like the pockets on the front of each shoulder strap and the extra storage compartment behind the bladder. With some gels/snacks/phone in the shoulder pockets for easy access, and a tube and some tools in the back storage, you could go on a decently long ride with just this pack. If I have one gripe, it’s that it’s got a 2L bladder...which is certainly ample, but I’d like 3L.

tdilf

I use a cheap Coleman hydration pack 8L. I changed out the bladder to a Hydrapak (which is great). Looking to get a USWE Airborne 3 soon.

MAGAIVER

I don't use a hydration pack on the gravel bike since I can fit 4 bottles on my frame. But I have a Camelbak Octane XCT and I like it a lot, it's very lightweight can carry 3L of water and has enough storage capacity for a fatbike innertube, pump, tools, phone and a windbraker jacket.

TimothyH

I have three different hydration packs and I don't know how many bladders, hoses and valves I've acquired over the years. Osprey, Platypus, Camelbak....

I keep going back to the original Camelbak which I think was purchased around the turn of the century. It remains the most comfortable for me.


-Tim-