Camelbak & other hydration systems / hydro packs

So, does anyone know how waterproof (if at all) the old Camelbak Mule bags are?

not at all

Bugger - that's what I thought when I picked it up this morning. Cheers

Could you not fit a frame bag on the shiv and then put a camelbak reservoir in there?

Or

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/camelbak-rain-cover-for-the-mule-luxe-lobo-mayhem/

I'm not commuting on my Shiv.

3L hydration bladder that has long tube?

Or, can I buy longer tubes to install on my existing Camelbak bladder from somewhere?

Where can I get longer lengths of this kind of thing?
https://www.amazon.com/Hydrapak-Hydraflex-Hydration-Pack-Tubing/dp/B005J5CDCY

Hose lengths

Camelbak 36"
Platypus 41"
Hydrapak 39"

quite a bit logner then. I cut mine down too.

I reckon get on ebay and buy some tubing on there.

Yeah, I'm going to have a look for a 3L bladder first and if it comes with a long tube, bonus. If not, I'll buy a longer one.

Platypus big zip.

I've ordered a Hydrapak one.

Reviving this to ask if anyone regularly cycles road with a hydration pack? If so hows the experience?

I had a weekend with a 2L pack and apart from ruining the ａｅｓｔｈｅｔｉｃ It was pretty useful over two full days.

Only issue was when tucking down it moved around slightly uncomfortably. Then I saw this: https://www.camelbak.com/en/packs/R01075--Chase_Bike_Vest
Looks like it will sit much neater on the back, and stay out of the way of jersey pockets etc.

Didn't Lemond use one as an aero advantage for like 1 race before the UCI banned it?

http://road.cc/content/news/34048-uci-investigating-frank-schlecks-use-camelbak-criterium-international-time-trial
Best I could find on it. Seems like he was 'testing' it for the TdF

Massive dredge to see if there are recommendations for a small hydration pack for mtb?

I like the look & features of the evoc stage 6 but I’m put off by the £100 price tag and wonder if it might be slightly too small. They offer a similar 8l pack but the back ventilation looks worse.

What else is worth considering?

@tyeness No real world experience (sorry) but I’ve always liked the look of some of decathlons offerings. I’ve got a camelback something but that’s just bladder and keys type affair, and if decathlon had had their range out a few years ago probably would have gone for that instead to stuff an extra layer in.

Ive had to patch my decathlon three times in maybe 1000km in a frame bag, fairly painless job with glueless tyre patches but annoying nonetheless. It might be better in a backpack but it’s a weirdly tough fabric, I now use a Hydrapak bladder which is a far nicer material. Fabric-like so you don’t get material fatigue around wrinkles, if that makes sense?

I've used Hydrapak on road mostly and Badlands and not had any issues yet. Lots of miles.

Thanks folks! There’s a decathlon down the road so I’ll check them out. Good to know about alternative bladder options too.

Evoc hip pack pro is small and encourages me not to take so much crap out on the trails.

1.5l water, a snack, phone, lightweight gilet, car keys, asthma inhaler and epi pen all fit in with room for more. It’s really comfy, easy to use and can be twisted round my body to get access unlike a back pack that has to be removed. Also unlike the backpack it doesn’t encourage me to take spare mech hanger, extra clothes, shock pump etc etc though I’d use a back pack and take some of those if out for a longer ride not at a trail centre.

Recently got the one up edc pump with a toolkit inside so that is all frame mounted.

The other advantage of the hip pack is the weight is lower down which should make bike handling better.

asthma inhaler

Alright Froomey?

I tried getting a hip pack for my camera but didn't find one I liked. Might have a look at these if I'm going to do more MTBing. I already have a many year old Camelbak Mule that works well enough but the new stuff these days is much lighter, better vented and maybe the hip pack would work for shorter rides. Do you carry bottles in your hip pack and do they not jab you in the back or anything? I see it can do a bladder too.

Ah thanks for this! The hip packs are attractive but I've always assumed I'd not get everything in them - I probably over-pack but I do like having somewhere to stash a layer I've removed. Would you say the extra space would be enough for a jacket etc?

I usually end up 15-20ish miles from home or a handful of miles from the carpark at a trail centre so a backpack would cover all bases at least.

I have the brevet gilet which packs down into one of the water bottle holders on the hip pack

It could take a wind jacket or light waterproof jacket