Camelbak reservoirs get big updates; MULE, HAWG, and LUXE get the LR treatment, and more…

By Zach Overholt from BIKERUMOR.COM

Looking at the current CamelBak product, it’s hard to imagine that the first reservoirs were inspired by IV bags. In the past 26 years the reservoirs have seen major updates every 5-6 years, and based on what we’ve seen at PressCamp, the latest generation is the best one yet.

Called the Crux Reservoir, CamelBak has focused on a few key areas to improve the reservoir’s usability but also improve the performance of the hydration packs themselves. Combined with new LR versions of their most popular larger packs, CamelBak continues to provide excellent options for hydration…

Starting with the act of filling the reservoir, a big change can be found at the cap. Rather than the previous quarter turn locking cap which had to be properly aligned to lock in and seal, the new cap simply threads on wherever you start it. Equating it to a gas cap or a pickle jar, the cap is super easy to close and combined with the new pan handle, the reservoir is easier to fill than ever.

The other big change came from their desire to increase the flow rate of water from the tube. The ability to deliver more water through the same pull means less time with the bite valve in your mouth, and less exertion if you’re really trying to drink a lot of water at once. To accomplish this, CamelBak had to find where the restrictions in flow were coming from. Fortunately for them it wasn’t from the bite valve or from the Quick Link disconnect system. Instead it came from the diameter of the hose and the right angle on the on/off valve. The new system now uses a larger diameter tubing and a 45 degree instead of 90 degree angle on/off valve which results in a 20% increase in flow rate. Not only does that increase the amount of water flow, but CamelBak claims the larger mass of water in the tube causes it to heat up more slowly which should make that first sip a little more enjoyable.

The new on/off valve is super easy to use with one hand and is paired with their famous medical grade silicone self sealing Big Bite valve. The new high flow hose system is compatible with current reservoir Quick Link systems so you could upgrade if you choose.

Continue reading “Bikerumor.com: Big Updates from CamelBak for 2017”

The new CamelBak Vacuum insulated Chute 20oz and 40oz bottles keep your beverage cold for 24hours*.

What can you do in 24 hours?

*The 40oz can keep your water (or beer) cold for twice as long! 48 hours!!

 

We followed CamelBak Proto Team rider 6’8″ Nate on this year’s Whiskey Off-Road course, and talked to him about what it’s like to walk away from a desk job and devote yourself to bikes full-time. In his words, “I would suffer through a 50-mile hill climb any day over sitting in a conference room for 8 hours of meetings.”

 

Journey to the Backcountry

CamelBak Athlete, Nate Greenberg, explores his personal motivations for traveling beyond lift lines to discover new challenges in the backcountry. Nate is a Backcountry Ski Guide author and co-founder/president of the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, a non-profit dedicated to providing avalanche forecasts and snow pack analysis for the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains.

Below is a review from DERESTRICTED.com

We go through a lot of backpacks riding bikes. They always get destroyed from the mud, bushes or crashes or just get kind of gross after a while with all of the use, especially during winter time when they are subject to a lot of wet conditions. The KTM powerwear Ogio pack is great and has been our go-to pack for a few years now. I think we are on our third version of it already. Anyway, we were asked if we would like to try the new camelback K.U.D.U.™ 12 enduro pack and since it comes with an integrated back protector we were happy to give it a try.

Overall, if you are after a backpack/hydration pack, with an integrated back protector, this one does the trick!

It fits well and you don’t notice there is an impact protector integrated. On our enduro bikes we usually wear a back protector when riding anyway, but a little extra protection can’t hurt, and when riding the bicycle we don’t wear any protection unless we hit the bike park, so it’s welcome for sure. Size is big enough to fit some knee pads, snacks, wallet, extra clothing layers and other stuff you may or may not need and of course it has a water bladder for long rides.

 

It has 3 straps which hold it extra solid when riding, and is a well designed and put together product. Here is the official info:

“A narrow-gauge lightweight enduro pack with integrated back protection, 12 liters of cargo and armor carry. This pack is built for the enduro racer looking for a lightweight combination of protection and cargo. The flexible back protector panel absorbs over 94% of impact in a crash and is designed to handle multiple blows. The Impact Protector™ is made of flexible, lightweight foam that moves with your body, so you’ll get the protection you need without feeling like a tank. And the wider waist belt and dual sternum straps keep the pack positioned securely. With 3 liters of hydration and room for stowing body armor and a full face helmet, the KUDU can go the distance between far-flung stages in an enduro race. If the weather turns, an integrated rain cover pops up to shield your gear, and there’s a secure half-shell helmet carry for aggressive descents while wearing your full face. We’ve also added a bike tool organizer roll that fits into a cargo space, so you can easily grab your tools and get to work.”

Overall, if you are after a backpack/hydration pack, with an integrated back protector, this one does the trick! We are certain it won’t be our last backpack, but we have no complaints about it at all and hope it lasts us a while.

 

 

For the K.U.D.U. series, CamelBak worked with professional enduro racers to design a pack that offers both hydration and protection. The new flexible, lightweight back panel absorbs 94% of impact in a crash, and is designed to endure multiple blows.

Great things are coming from EuroBike 2015. The following is a review from Enduro Mountain Bike Magazine by Trev Worsey.

CamelBak is a name that has become synonymous with hydration packs, so it’s no surprise to see them pushing the development further. Their new Skyline and Solstice packs use CamelBak’s new ‘Low Rider’ harness system to lower the centre of gravity for more stability on fast and aggressive rides. We like more stability so went to check them out.

CamelBak have already introduced lumbar based reservoir packs, and have now taken that same design to a new level. The new Low Rider harness keeps the water weight lower and more securely around the rider’s hips, and also moves the cargo capacity lower. A lower centre of gravity is always a good thing, and helps keep the pack and rider stable when you are cracking on! A second advantage is that by taking the cargo off the top of the back, the upper portion around the shoulders can move more freely for aggressive riding in technical terrain.

“We knew we could take our Lumbar Reservoir-based designs to a new level “ said Jon Austen, Senior Director of Product Management at CamelBak. “Mountain bikers are continuing to see the benefit of a lower center of gravity by repositioning their weight low and around their hips. The Low Rider collection is specially designed to carry all of the gear and water riders need in a lower and more stable way.”

CamelBak are offering two packs, the unisex Skyline 10LR and the women’s specific Solstice 10LR. Both packs feature a 3L Antidote Lumbar Reservoir with quick link, and feature 7 litres of cargo space. We were impressed with the Magnetic Tube Trap which makes it easy to deploy and stash the tube in seconds. Both packs feature plenty of compression webbing to keep the load under control and for attaching armor to the pack, and also feature dual waistband pockets and helmet hooks.

CamelBak will also be offering a women’s specific Solstice 10LR with the same features as the Skyline, but designed specifically for women with an S-curved harness and soft-touch fleece lined straps for comfortable riding in tank tops.

Both the Skyline and Solstice packs will retail for [$130 USD]. Anything that improves the comfort of carrying cargo and water is a great idea in our book, and on paper the new Low Rider harness system makes a lot of sense. We look forward to getting some packs on test so we can put them through their paces on some challenging terrain.

Words and photos: Trev Worsey