NorCal3885

Just got my first mountain bike (Giant XTC 1), couldn't keep on borrowing a friends. I can't decide one whether to go the hydration pack route or the water bottle route. If any of you guys can let me know how you feel about this I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

DH

ed 

I started out on the small bottles. Who knew that it was going to be a "gateway" to the big beverages? I surely didn't see it coming. One day I started riding and found out that the small bottle just wasn't enough anymore...I started carrying two. Then I switched to "talls". Heck, man...next thing ya know you're strung out on a street corner with a 100oz hydration pak begging for change and asking yourself..."How did I let myself get this out of control?"

For now, I'm just going to take it one day at a time. It seems every time I turn around...it's back there. It's like this weight on my shoulders...kinda like it's strapped to me. I know I need help. I just don't think I'm strong enough to do it on my own.

Dannihilator

My hydration pack has literally saved my back in a few occasions.

FlatSix911

I hear you ... one day at a time ... I got a monkey on my back ...

jjbod1

It took me 2 years of kicking and screaming like a 3 year old before I finely would give in to a pack. Now i have been using one for close to 2 years, and i would never look back to bottles. You just need to find the one that works well for you. My wife bought me a Camelback Mule, and while its a really sweet pack, it was just to big for me, and I am a big freaken dude. But now I have settled on a Camelback Lobo, does not hold as much crap or H2O, but it works for me. Its all in preference.

dminor 

I think I would gauge it on your needs. It's easy to start small with a bottle and cage. If you begin to find that:

NorCal3885

Thanks for the replies so far (funny sh*t Chelboed ).

I am leaning toward a pack for the main reason of holding gear (patches, levers, pump etc.). Seems better than buying another wedge pack and bottles and cages, when I can just have it all on my back.

mcoine

same is true on the road bike.. its just not fashionable on a road bike. just like wedge packs and bottles on a mountain bike arent fashionable or practical.

kenhill3

Well, we certainly wouldn't want to be UN-fashionable on the road bike, now, would we?

dminor 

"This Logger Plaid does NOT go with my azure-and-chocolate argyle team kit!"

Dannihilator

mcoine

good god..

well its true, they don't go together..

craigcraigcraig

hahaha so good.

NorCal3885

Thanks for all the replies thus far,

I'm definitely going with a hydration pack. Now that that's figured out what packs are you guys fond of?

I'm diggin on the Lezyne packs (power pack, all pack, smart pack) https://www.lezyne.com/index.php/prod...ags-packs.html. I hadn't heard about that company until this year I saw some of their stuff at the Sea Otter Classic pretty nice if you ask me.

Zephyr11

Pack for all the reasons mentioned above. Can carry more water, can fit tool/pump/tube/ID/etc, and yeah, I've landed on my back on rocks before too, saved by a hydration pack.

As far as what pack, how much water do you think you need? What all do you want to carry? What are you willing to spend?

Jordan300

I'm in agreement with most, the Hydration pack is the way to go. I have two, 70oz razor for short rides and 100oz MULE for long rides.

Let us know what you end up getting.

ed 

I've been a big fan of my Dakine Session pack with a Camelbak bladder. D says the new Dakine bladders don't leak so far, so I'm hoping to become a full con-vert from Camelbak to Dakine with this new Drafter pack.

sjs731

One thing I find when I wear a pack during a race in hot weather is how much heat it holds against my back. If it's really hot I opt for bottles a lot of the time and it makes it easier to dump water directly on your back.

-_RebelRidin'_-

I guzzle a lot of water, so I never started with bottles... Mainly as my bikes haven't came with cages.
I ride with a 2 liter (70 oz) hydro pack, and it has room for gear, tools, and some food.

I don't mind the extra weight, and honestly half the time I forget I have it. I like to be able to drink without removing my hands or diverting my attention from the trail, I just have to move me mouth and my shoulder a little bit.

I have a Hyrdapack AS Cargo. with a Camelback bladder.
It has 2 mesh outer pockets, a smaller, soft lined pocket for my valuables/glasses. Reflective helment clip band in the back. Has ample room for stoarage, and I can run the drinking hose out of 4 different places. left top/bottom and right top/bottom. So its rather diversable for different rider preferences. For the shorter rides, it zips up on its self and takes up all the excess storage room so it doesnt feel so bulky and flappy.

It does, hold in heat, but I'm used to it now.

Lord Chaos

I use a Jandd ... hmm... forgot the name. Daypack with 100-fluid-ounce reservoir. For long rides. Short rides, or longer rides when I know where the water fountains are, I use an Evian 1-litre bottle in the bottle cage. It's just enough to get me to the next water fountain in the hills.

Gdiddy

I would go with a hydration pack. Especially if you are mountain biking. Don't worry if the road bikers dont think you look cool because youre wearing a hydration pack. I would look up some camelbaks. But try them on before you buy one. Some might feel weird when you wear them. I use a Camelback Mule. I love it. My wallet, keys and tools fit in nicely and holds enough water for a full trip.

DaJMasta

Go for the pack. My 70oz lasts almost 2 hours without too much heat, but unless you start buying extra bottle cages and mounts you'd be hard pressed to get that much on without a bag of some sort.... then you can carry more in bottles if you need.



Plus you can carry tastier beverages in your bottles as you see fit

NorCal3885

Dude, thanks again for all the input I didn't think I would receive this much help.

So I went down to one of the bike shops today and checked out some Camelbaks, Dakine, and Lezyne hydration packs. That being said I've narrowed it down to either the Dakine Drafter or Nomad. Personally I think the Dakine packs do look the best. I'll post again to let you guys know what I decide between in the end.

Gotta spend this Amazon card somehow.

Chris_F

I have a Camelback Classic. It doesn't hold gear (just a wallet) but does hold 2L of water. I have a large-ish bag under my saddle for the gear. On long rides I also bring a 1L bottle in a bottle cage. If I had to do it all again I'd probably get a 2L bag that also holds some gear, though not having the extra weight on my shoulders is nice.

luckie8

I also have the Camelbak Classic and never look back at bottle cage