[kidhaulinbike]

Ive had a older camelbak for 5years. Works but its getting old and beat up.

I liked everything about it except that it had no ventilation on the back surface so my back would be a puddle of sweat after a ride. While its probably impossible to keep the back fully dry, I wanted something with better air flow.

Out of the new models 2010 or 2011, what do you guys use or recommend from 1st hand experience? I need a pak for 1-3hr rides that holds a spare, pump/tools.

Thanks for your input.
:thumbsup:

 

[Strafer]

Check out Deuter and Vaude packs, they both have mesh back that keeps the main pack off your back so there is like half inch of space between your back and the pack.
I got one of each over the Winter (chainlove deals) so haven't had a chance to use them yet.

 

[boomn]

Lots of good options now, as the companies seem to have finally understood the importance of that kind of ventilation. I have a couple Camelbaks and a Hydrapak all with great ventilation. My main pack is a Camelbak Mule and it feels good in our California summers

That said, the single biggest difference I've found is not the pack but the shirt. Anything cotton will just hold on to the sweat and get clingy, esp where the pack makes contact, but a good wicking fabric will pull some of that moisture away even from under the contact points and makes everything feel much better. It's a pretty cheap upgrade too, as my $10 wicking shirts from Target have worked great for me for years now

 

[d365]

Deuter, Ergon or Osprey. They have models that keep the pack off your back, allowing air to flow in between.

I've had the Deuter Race X Air for about a year now. Very well designed pack, works well, and it does keep you cooler.

 

[Deerhill]

same here

Lots of good options now, as the companies seem to have finally understood the importance of that kind of ventilation. I have a couple Camelbaks and a Hydrapak all with great ventilation. My main pack is a Camelbak Mule and it feels good in our California summers

That said, the single biggest difference I've found is not the pack but the shirt. Anything cotton will just hold on to the sweat and get clingy, esp where the pack makes contact, but a good wicking fabric will pull some of that moisture away even from under the contact points and makes everything feel much better. It's a pretty cheap upgrade too, as my $10 wicking shirts from Target have worked great for me for years now

This is right on.

The fancy shmancy ventilation helps in the hot weather, but even w/o a pack on, the cotton shirt is just soaked.

 

[dp2315]

I agree with boomn, most all packs have good ventilation today, but the shirt choice makes all the difference. I live in an area where summer days are commonly 105 to 110 degrees and sometimes hotter. If I wear a cotton t-shirt, it's gonna be drenched on the back no matter what I do, but shirts from underarmour amongst other similar materials have really helped keep things dry.

 

[Strafer]

As long as the pack sits directly on your back, it will cause sweaty back no matter what type of shirt you wear.

 

[kidhaulinbike]

That is very true.. cotton kills for mtn biking.

Do you guys recommend any specific model? Any new features that have come out in the last year I should know about?

 

[rlouder]

I've been pleased with a hydrapak. Mine is the predecessor to the Big Sur and has four pads on it that keep an arched shell off your back. I'm sure there are other good ones, as mentioned. Check the Reviews section.

Short Review: http://geartested.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/hydrapak-big-sur-preliminary-review/

On Sale: http://www.blueskycycling.com/view_..._medium=feed&utm_campaign=GoogleProductSearch

 

[K2Lambo666]

the camelback alpine explorer has a good back air director thingy..i have it and love it..kinda big for most people but i like it since i can fit my multi tool, tubes, snacks,shingaurds etc in it for each ride its not too heavy. just depends what you carry in it. http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HY273A00-Camelbak+Alpine+Explorer+Pack.aspx

 

[mimi1885]

Lots of good options now, as the companies seem to have finally understood the importance of that kind of ventilation. I have a couple Camelbaks and a Hydrapak all with great ventilation. My main pack is a Camelbak Mule and it feels good in our California summers

That said, the single biggest difference I've found is not the pack but the shirt. Anything cotton will just hold on to the sweat and get clingy, esp where the pack makes contact, but a good wicking fabric will pull some of that moisture away even from under the contact points and makes everything feel much better. It's a pretty cheap upgrade too, as my $10 wicking shirts from Target have worked great for me for years now

+1:thumbsup: , but if you don't want the pack to touch your back just try out Ergon.

 

[Strafer]

Ergon is expensive, but Chainlove.com has the Vaude hydration pack right now for $49.
That and Deuter has been showing up lately.
On sale price at speedgoat for the Vaude pack is $109.
http://www.speedgoat.com/Catalog.aspx/Browse?Cat=C36&Prod=21967

 

[bloodyknee]

I've heard great things about the Dueter and Ergon but never used either. I did get a Camelbak Mule NV this year and that is light years ahead of the regular Mule in terms of ventilation. I also have a Dakine APEX, which is a high volume pack that offers good ventilation as well. The Apex fits me very well too, although it's huge, it never feels too big.

FWIW, I live in Texas where it is hot six months out of the year and over 95 F most of the those days.

 

[STT GUY]

Check out Deuter and Vaude packs, they both have mesh back that keeps the main pack off your back so there is like half inch of space between your back and the pack.
I got one of each over the Winter (chainlove deals) so haven't had a chance to use them yet.

These are both great packs.

I am using an Osprey currently and it is outstanding but my back gets a bit damp.

 

[Deerhill]

That is very true.. cotton kills for mtn biking.

Do you guys recommend any specific model? Any new features that have come out in the last year I should know about?

Lezyne has a couple well made packs w/ ventilation. There's an insert you can bend and shape to hold the pack off your back. The bladder blows but you can just drp in another

 

[dust3313]

Bottles.

Game set match.

 

[womble]

I've tried the Deuter packs with suspended mesh for hiking- they work okay but compromise a bit on internal space. I can't say if this happens with their biking packs.

Packs that I own that ventilate well:

Deuter Attack. Low capacity pack with back armouring. Pads suspend the pack about half an inch off your back and airflow is remarkably good (much better than normalpacks).

Wingnut. Like wearing a fanny pack as most of your back is left exposed. Very good ventilation.

Ergon. Despite having a bulky looking harness, this pack is indistinguisable from my Wingnut in terms of ventilation.

 

[MendonCycleSmith]

Wingnut. Like wearing a fanny pack as most of your back is left exposed. Very good ventilation.

Ditto. Love my Wingnut.

Yes, I sell them, but the great thing about being a one man shop, is I get to sell what I find actually works well, lasts longer, and does things better than other stuff I've tried.

Contrasted against working for a huge shop, where I need to sell what my boss wants me to sell because he likes the rep, or the product is part of what a certain rep group carries, and he gets better terms by selling more from that group, or got a sick deal on by buying $10K worth of closeouts that he now has to unload to get his $ back......

 

[mountaindavis]

The newest version of the camelbaks are pretty good--called the NV option, which has a mesh back with flow vents. Nothing keeps me 100% dry, even when I don't have a pack on, but it sure helps.

 

[gdlals]

I've had a Deuter Race X II for a few years now and it's awesome. Very good ventilation, it's pretty light, and the bladder is really good.