EUROBIKE 2015 | CamelBak Skyline and Solstice packs

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.

The new Skyline and Soltice packs use the new Low Rider harness to take the weight lower on the riders back.
The new Skyline and Soltice packs use the new Low Rider harness to take the weight lower on the riders back.

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.

The upper part of the back allows more of the riders back to breathe, increasing freedom on technical terrain
The upper part of the back allows more of the riders back to breathe, increasing freedom on technical terrain
The pack holds a 3.0L reservoir around the lumbar region
The pack holds a 3.0L reservoir around the lumbar region
You can clearly see the lower position of the packs
You can clearly see the lower position of the packs

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.

The Low Rider packs come equipped with a magnetic tube trap, making hose stowage easy
The Low Rider packs come equipped with a magnetic tube trap, making hose stowage easy
The Solstice 10LR has the same features as the Skyline 10LR but is designed for women, with an s-curved harness and soft fleece lining
The Solstice 10LR has the same features as the Skyline 10LR but is designed for women, with an s-curved harness and soft fleece lining

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.

The new harness takes the weight lower, focusing more around the riders hips
The new harness takes the weight lower, focusing more around the riders hips
The Women’s Skyline pack features softer hem fabrics
The Women’s Skyline pack features softer hem fabrics
The Skyline 10LR comes with a 3L Antidote Lumbar Reservoir with a quick link and an additional 7 litres of storage space
The Skyline 10LR comes with a 3L Antidote Lumbar Reservoir with a quick link and an additional 7 litres of storage space
The harness has a lumbar compression webbing for maximum stability
The harness has a lumbar compression webbing for maximum stability
A tool roll is now included with the new packs
A tool roll is now included with the new packs

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

CamelBak: Eurobike 2015

The below is an except of Singletrack’s in depth coverage of CamelBak at Eurobike 2015. Check out the full article here.

“While we showed a few new CamelBaks in Fresh Goods Friday 257,  we took a few minutes at Eurobike to catch up with Camelbak, look at the rest of the range and discuss new features. They have some nifty developments compared to the hydration packs of yesteryear. All of the packs are designed to hold the water lower down, hence lowering your center of gravity.”

P1040398-640x360

Some of the new range come with these great looking tool rolls.

Big enough for most of the tools you’d need on an average ride.

P1040416-640x360

The 4L Palos comes in orange or blue. It’s a lumbar pack, not a bum bag nor a lum bag.

There’s no guarantee it’ll make you a more aggressive rider. It’s just an enabler.

P1040422-640x360

SCOTT Head to Toe Concept

 

Through the years, SCOTT has established itself as a world renowned freeski brand with a passionate team of international riders that are second to none. For this season, with the help of our athletes, we are launching a new head-to-toe concept which unites our many product categories through a unified design. This integrated design communicates SCOTT’s unyielding passion for developing the highest performing products needed to fully outfit skiers who demand the best.

GoPro App: Trimming + Sharing a Video Clip

 

Watch this video to learn about on-app video trimming. This feature enables users to share memorable moments captured on their GoPro devices. Press the Trim icon in playback mode, and choose a still image, 5-, 15-, or 30-second clip from any of your recorded content, and save it for sharing without transferring entire videos to your mobile device.

GoPro App Trimming Compatibility

• All Wi-Fi enabled GoPros
• Compatible with videos captured in select modes only
• Compatible with iOS® (8 or later) and Android™ (version 4.3 or later)

For more information about anything in this video, visit gopro.com/getstarted. While you’re there, be sure to download GoPro Studio to your desktop so you can import, view, and edit your content.

As always, happy capturing!

GoPro: Videos to Watch

Cruise through the trees with Andreas Wirnstl, Marco Dallago, and Luca Dallago as they rip through the forest in Graz, Austria.

Shot 100% on the HD HERO3® and HERO2® camera

 

It’s easy to see how Jamie O’Brien became known as one of surfing’s most entertaining figures. He’s a barrel-riding master, movie producer, prankster and all-around game changer. Not to mention the star of a successful web series now in it’s fourth season, Who Is JOB 5.0. Determined to make the latest installment of the original series his wildest one yet, JOB turns up the heat – literally – by surfing on fire at one of the most dangerous waves in the world. Head over to Red Bull TV to watch the exclusive behind-the-scenes video and see just how Jamie and crew pulled off this amazing stunt.

100% on the HERO4® camera

 

Professional Beach Volleyball player and Silver medalist, April Ross, shows us the importance of teamwork and dedication in order to become one of the top players in the world.

Shot 100% on the HERO4® camera

Best in Show 2015 Outdoor Retailer: CamelBak Recon Series

From Austin Parker at Motus

To say that Outdoor Retailer is overwhelming would be an understatement. Twice a year, thousands of manufacturers from around the globe come together in Salt Lake City to showcase and debut new gear and product line updates. While we have already shared with you our Outdoor Retailer 2015 New Gear Preview, we wanted to recognize what we thought were the “Best in Show” from this year’s event. Below, in no specific order, are items that we thought stood out from the crowd.

Camelbak-Recon-Series

Camelbak Recon Series
The Recon series is Camelbak’s answer for light duty EDC and travel. Everything about the Coronado and Quantico are designed to keep all your essential gear organized. From padded laptop and tablet pouches to integrated electronics organization and low profile water bottle holders (these two are the very first Camelbak products that are not designed around a bladder), the Recon packs are low-key gear haulers. If they would have let me, I’d have carried one around the show floor all week.

 

Drink Safely With The CamelBak All Clear

From Industry Outsider by Brian

 

all-clear_fe

It’s possible that the All Clear is the most unique product offered by CamelBak. Does any other water bottle have a USB port, battery, and LCD display? Or a UV lamp built into the lid? Yeah, it’s unique. We know CamelBak for their hydration packs and water bottles, but the All Clear is made to help you stay hydrated when the available water may need a little extra help before you take that first sip.

7173588075_5a9b75cf16

The All Clear is a portable, microbiological UV water purifier. Sure, you could buy drops or tablets, and treat your water that way. Or you can buy a little wand to wave around in your water, and use that. Those will work just fine, and we’re not knocking them. But if you don’t want to work out how many drops or tablets you need to carry for a trip, and you don’t want to have to look for a bottle to wave your wand in, then turn to one of the most trusted brands in hydration, and their innovative All Clear.

 

CamelBak started with their 25 ounce (.75 liter) Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester bottle, which is the same bottle used in their Eddy and Chute. It’s BPA-free, tough, and dishwasher safe. They top it off with a lid that has a UV lamp, USB mini port for charging, LCD display, rechargeable battery, and a loop for clipping it to your pack or belt. Tap the top button twice, and a 60 second timer counts down. During that time, agitate the water. When the timer is done, it displays “UV” to let you know the water is safe to drink. Wipe the lid around the thread, and you are set. In case you have a bit of trouble with these simple instructions, CamelBak even printed them on the side of the bottle. One full charge will allow you to treat up to 16 gallons of water, which is 80 cycles between charges. Each All Clear ships with a regular lid for transport, a USB cable, and soft pouch for the UV lamp lid.

allclear1This is a great product, whether you are hiking and camping, or an aid worker in a foreign country. We used it on a recent trip out of the lower 48, where we were unsure of the local water at times. There is no way to know if the water would have harmed us, we only know it didn’t, thanks to the All Clear. The UV lamp in the All Clear will neutralize microorganisms to EPA standards, making it safe to drink. Many people think the process kills the little microbiological contaminants in water, but does not. Most of the time, the “bug” you get from drinking unsafe water is the result of all those microbes rapidly reproducing, and wreaking havoc on your insides. The UV lamp disrupts their DNA so that they can not reproduce, which renders them mostly harmless. No party for them. There’s your trivia for the day. If you want an All Clear for travel, your emergency kit, or just so you can sample running water while outdoors, you can get one from CamelBak for only $99. I would also suggest you check with your favorite local retailer, as it’s best to support them when you can.

 

 

Review: CamelBak Volt LR Hydration Pack

The following is a review from Iwan Kemp at The Hub sa.

CamelBak’s Charge was one of the manufacturers most popular bike packs when first introduced. It featured a unique low mounted reservoir, which centered the water weight over a rider’s hips. The Charge was adapted from CamelBak’s adventure/trekking line to include bike features, but was fairly compact with a 2L reservoir and 8L cargo space. Its popularity prompted CamelBak to design the Volt LR, which adds both extra cargo and water capacity making it all-day friendly.

ccs-62657-0-33136800-1438261377

I have been looking to get a bigger hydration pack in order to comfortably carry more gear on rides and at the same time have enough water for longer rides. When out reviewing a bike I usually take a shock pump, a GoPro with different mounts, adapters, spare batteries and fittings, and a camera to take some pics. All of this over and above the usual multi-tool, car keys, and something to snack on. My current CamelBak Charge LR was getting a bit small for “review” rides, but I’ve really grown to love the lumbar mounted reservoir. I looked around at what’s currently available and decided to get a Volt LR. It adds some much needed cargo space and an extra liter of water, but keeps the lumbar reservoir and all the practicality and durability we’ve come to expect from CamelBak.

ccs-62657-0-12051800-1438587746

The 3L lumbar reservoir is designed to place water weight low on your hips, thereby taking the load off your shoulders and upper back. By placing it lower, the water is more stable and doesn’t throw you off balance as you race down the trail. The 3L reservoir is taller and less triangular than before, but a central baffle still keeps the contents from sloshing around.

To further stabilize the reservoir, CambelBak has added compression straps. All you have to do is pull the contrast colored webbing that is tunneled behind the waist belt pocket to compress the reservoir and keep it tight and secure. To loosen it, lift up on the tension lock and fine tune to your liking. In addition, the bladder’s lid has a hard plastic extension that hooks into a special pocket that adds extra security.

Verdict

Looking at the Volt LR with all it’s built-in features, I cannot help but think it’s a design study in finding solutions to issues mountain bikers have. The lumbar reservoir is a genuine plus out on the trail and a heavily loaded backpack has never felt this comfortable and secure, allowing the rider to get on with riding.

With it’s sorted design, years of experience designing class leading hydration packs, extreme comfort on the trails all backed up by CamelBak’s Got Your Bak Guarantee the Volt LR is hard to beat.

 

For the rest of the review check it out HERE.