[Impy]

my mule is very stinky and falling apart, time for a new hydration system. Anyone have the 100 oz isis (one of the women's specific models?) and how do you like it?

 

[connie]

I'll have to check that out - last time I looked there were only 70oz women's models, so I never considered one before.

 

[CycleMainiac]

I was just looking into a new hydration pack too. I have the same issue. I did not see any women's design with 100oz, only 70. My mule is about 10 years old. I seldom use it anymore, but it is my favorite mtb vacation pack. I am seriously considering a new one. I want to go some where and put one on my back and one of the new womens design on before deciding.

 

[Impy]

I was just looking into a new hydration pack too. I have the same issue. I did not see any women's design with 100oz, only 70. My mule is about 10 years old. I seldom use it anymore, but it is my favorite mtb vacation pack. I am seriously considering a new one. I want to go some where and put one on my back and one of the new womens design on before deciding.

I did a little more researching, and it turns out that the 100 oz pack isis is not cycling specific, but appears to be more of a hiking type pack. I suppose that doesn't rule it out totally but it appears to sit on the hips which seems kind of odd.

The new mule has a mp3 pocket though, that's kind of neat.

 

[mtb_mud_honey]

Sorry, haven't tried the Isis, but I've got a Magic (72 oz) which I use for XC riding/endurance racing. For me, the women's fit is good. One thing that bugs me a little bit is that the shoulder straps aren't very adjustable "on the fly" - not sure if they changed this for the '06 version though.

I also have a second hydration pack, a Dakine Apex, 26L, 100 oz bladder which I use for FR and longer excursions (better for holding armour and gear, and more room for the first aid kit). Yep, its BIG, and it's not women's specific, but it also fits me well. It sits relatively nicely on the hips and doesn't slide up to hit me in the back of the head when descending. This is the most comfortable hydration pack I've owned (have gone through a mule, a blowfish, and a couple of deuter packs...) (and yes, I do get teased that my pack is bigger than I am sometimes...)

cheers,
pd

 

[screampint]

Pssst... Don't you know... We're not supposed to ride hard enough or long enough to need 100 ounces...

When you find one, please, give us a review.

 

[kapusta]

This may be a dumb question......

my mule is very stinky and falling apart, time for a new hydration system. Anyone have the 100 oz isis (one of the women's specific models?) and how do you like it?

What makes a pack women specific?

 

[crashedandburned]

The new mule has a mp3 pocket though, that's kind of neat.

I just bought a new Mule a couple months ago. I have a 3 yr old HAWG and wanted something smaller since most of my rides are in the 20 mile range. Don't need to carry alot of extra gear w/ me. Anyhow it has the iPod pocket and I like it. Don't have a iPod, but use it to keep my camera in it. The pocket has a rubber liner around the zipper for waterproofing. At Slatyfork the ofter weekend it pissed down the rain I was surprised that the pocket was still dry when everything else was wet. Seems to work good. Hope this helps.

 

[namrita]

I use a Wingnut Gear pack, specifically the 50oz. Assault for shorter rides and races, and the Hyper 2.5 (95oz.) for epics. They will also make the pack with shorter straps if you have a typical female's shorter torso. Their packs have really helped to relieve my shoulder and lower back pain a ton.

 

[wandr]

When it comes to hiking packs, women's-specific usually means not as long in the torso and having a wider hipbelt. Sometimes not as wide in the shoulder area too. But if you're talking about hydration packs designed for riding, I'm pretty sure the only difference is that they contour the straps that go over your shoulders and across your chest a little differently, to avoid putting too much pressure on, uh, sensitive parts.

Oh, and they come in pretty colors like lilac purple or a stylish plaid. :thumbsup:

 

[FoShizzle]

my mule is very stinky and falling apart, time for a new hydration system. Anyone have the 100 oz isis (one of the women's specific models?) and how do you like it?

Impy, for what it is worth, the newer MULEs are a bit lighter.

If you end up wanting a new MULE, a great price can be had right now at only $52 http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11108059&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1

cheers

 

[verslowrdr]

Pssst... Don't you know... We're not supposed to ride hard enough or long enough to need 100 ounces...

WERD. I remember trying to find an internal frame backpacking pack 10 years ago, and it was nigh impossible to find a women's one that had the cubic inches I wanted without dropping $400+ (OTOH husband was finding very decent ones <$200). Fortunately I'm built like a lumberjack (HA), so getting a man's pack to fit is a reasonable compromise.... but the idea that 'women specific' = 'not carrying as much' hacked me off something fierce. I believe when I once weighed our fully loaded packs, mine was <10 pounds off of my husband's and easily as much volume.

 

[Impy]

When it comes to hiking packs, women's-specific usually means not as long in the torso and having a wider hipbelt. Sometimes not as wide in the shoulder area too. But if you're talking about hydration packs designed for riding, I'm pretty sure the only difference is that they contour the straps that go over your shoulders and across your chest a little differently, to avoid putting too much pressure on, uh, sensitive parts.

Oh, and they come in pretty colors like lilac purple or a stylish plaid. :thumbsup:

And the ones I have seen have softer material lining the straps. Easier on the sleeveless arms or when you are just wearing a sportsbra.

 

[Impy]

Impy, for what it is worth, the newer MULEs are a bit lighter.

If you end up wanting a new MULE, a great price can be had right now at only $52 http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11108059&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1

cheers

Whoa that is a great deal. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Impy]

I use a Wingnut Gear pack, specifically the 50oz. Assault for shorter rides and races, and the Hyper 2.5 (95oz.) for epics. They will also make the pack with shorter straps if you have a typical female's shorter torso. Their packs have really helped to relieve my shoulder and lower back pain a ton.

I have heard good things about these packs, especially access to the side pockets while riding. How much stuff can you stuff in the assault? Would it hold arm warmers, multitool, gu , phone and ipod?

 

[namrita]

Would it hold arm warmers, multitool, gu , phone and ipod?

Yup, the Assault will hold all this stuff. The Assault will hold a 50oz. bladder.

The Splitback is similar to the Assault and holds 3L of water and then there's the Hyper 2.5 that will hold 2.5L.

 

[Kallisti]

have you looked at the magic?

It comes with a 70oz bladder, but if you have a 100oz bladder, you can fill it pretty much to capacity and it will still fit in the pack. The slimmer shoulder harness really makes a difference in comfort.
The Camelbak Isis is way too big for cycling, but great for an overnight hike :thumbsup:

 

[cbharping]

I love my Jansport Isis! It was comfortable from day one...

It uses a Nalgene 3 liter bladder; they designed it narrower at the bottom and wider at the top so the weight is distributed a little better. Lots of pockets for organization. They make a few different styles other than the Isis; one bigger and one smaller, I believe.