[Hewi]

Is there anyone who knows of a place to find any camelbak's in calgary? i tryed a few places, didnt see anything though...

 

[xcolin]

i've seen them at sportchek

also, my buddy bought a camelbak type bag at costco; it looks really nice and he is quite happy with it - i forget the price, but was really cheap.

 

[ferday]

MEC

they arent official camelbaks...but they are better and cheaper!

 

[jeffscott]

bike shop has official and expensive ones

 

[dbblackdiamond]

Bowcycles has the official and expensive ones as well.

 

[fsrxc]

Coast Mountain carries the brand, and sometimes has them on sale.

As was said, some alternatives can be just as good and much cheaper, and markup is big on the big brands.

I recently picked up an '06 Dakine Nomad at Calgary Cycle's sale for 1/2 price ($60 instead of $120)

 

[xcolin]

MEC

they arent official camelbaks...but they are better and cheaper!

i have a 6 year old mec one that looks sorta like this

i hope mec has updated the design, as my bladder doesn't have it's own compartment, so when it leaks, it leaks over everything in the bag, which is usually my wallet, granola bars, first aid kit, etc. it also isn't insulated, so the water heats up fast as it's directly on my back.

fsrxc - i read about the dakine ones, and although pricey, they look pretty cool. do you like the nomad? i think that looks like a good size to have...

 

[ferday]

i hope mec has updated the design,

sure have....my newest one not only has a separate bladder pocket, but several pockets and is very comfortable. cheap too...i think the 3L version is around 50 bucks

 

[fsrxc]

i have a 6 year old mec one that looks sorta like this

i hope mec has updated the design, as my bladder doesn't have it's own compartment, so when it leaks, it leaks over everything in the bag, which is usually my wallet, granola bars, first aid kit, etc. it also isn't insulated, so the water heats up fast as it's directly on my back.

fsrxc - i read about the dakine ones, and although pricey, they look pretty cool. do you like the nomad? i think that looks like a good size to have...

I'm still using an old MEC mountain fountain tour(?), the 2L version with the mesh pocket. I haven't used the Nomad yet, my plan is to just use it when the MEC isn't big enough. Rode Coxhill a couple weeks ago and the old pack was doing fine carrying my leg/arm armor, helmet, shirt on the outside, plus all the normal stuff inside. The Nomad is a bit bigger, so for a longer ride I'll finally break it in.

With the Nomad I'll have room for tools/spare in the pack rather than seat bag (which I have to move between bikes now). My '06 Nomad seems really well designed, and the '07s are even better - they have a few extra pockets (in the belts I think, which can be handy for small stuff). They have a helmet carrier that works with either full or open face helmets too. They are really worth a look before buying another pack.

 

[Hewi]

awsome i will definatly look in to the MEC ones along with the dakine ones. I assume i can find them at my LBS (bowcycle or summat like that?) aswell?

 

[fsrxc]

awsome i will definatly look in to the MEC ones along with the dakine ones. I assume i can find them at my LBS (bowcycle or summat like that?) aswell?

here's a quick list off the top of my head:

Camelbak - Bow, Coast Mountain, probably Bike shop and Calgary Cycle
Dakine - Bow, Calgary Cycle
Platypus (now North Face?) - Coast Mountain?
MEC - their own brand

In one trip and parking spot you could hit MEC, Coast Mountain and Bike Shop, so that's a good start to see what's available, check them all out before buying, so you can see which brand/model suits your needs best.

 

[dbblackdiamond]

here's a quick list off the top of my head:

Camelbak - Bow, Coast Mountain, probably Bike shop and Calgary Cycle
Dakine - Bow, Calgary Cycle
Platypus (now North Face?) - Coast Mountain?
MEC - their own brand

In one trip and parking spot you could hit MEC, Coast Mountain and Bike Shop, so that's a good start to see what's available, check them all out before buying, so you can see which brand/model suits your needs best.

Camelback - I can confirm that you can find any Camelbak's at the Bike Shop.
Dakine - I am pretty sure that you can find it at the Bike Shop as well.
Platypus could also be found at MEC last year under their own brand.

 

[Steamer19]

I've got a Dakine as well (think it's a Nomad too) and not only is it great in terms of compartments/pockets for tools, pump, etc. but it is also very rugged.

Used it this spring to haul my wife out of a trail after she developed acute vestibular disease (inner ear problem) at the end of an out and back in Moab. Used it as a sling under her rear and a couple of us carried her out to where a 4x4 could get to. Tried a few other options first but she couldn't walk without falling over to one side.

Still using it with no signs of breaking down.:thumbsup:

 

[Carbon Ken]

I bought my Camelbak HAWG at Coast Mountain sports a few weeks ago. They probably have the largest selection in Calgary.