Which is the best hydration pack for a variety of conditions? ADB's Ed Hartley tests the USWE waist pack and the OGIO Backpack.
Anytime you ride more than one hour you’re going to need water and probably you’ll want to carry some other essentials such as a phone, snacks and maybe a small number of tools or spares. We’ve spent countless hours riding with different hydration packs and in this article bring to you three of our favourites. The first is the Ogio Baja 2 litre hydration pack, the second is a unique waist pack made by USWE, the Zulo 6. Each has their own benefits, so let’s crack on.
OGIO is known for their high quality stable hydration packs that are ultra-reliable and versatile. I have used this particular pack for four years and it’s been faultless. I’ve also taken it on many family hikes and love the expandable net at the back which allows me to stuff in heaps of extra clothes or alternatively is big enough to fit an entire helmet. It doesn’t bounce, breathes well, and holds all you need. If you want more water, there’s a 3L version with even more storage, or simply insert another bladder or drink bottle, there’s enough space.
Given the OGIO is so competent, why did I buy an USWE Zulo 6 waist pack? Well, prior to this I also invested in a Klim Airbag Vest, only to discover afterwards that you cannot wear it with an over the shoulder hydration pack. It’s not compatible if the airbag needs to inflate. So I began searching for alternatives.
Information was light on about airbag vests but I guessed a waist pack would work. I also didn’t have much time before the Finke Desert Race. In fact, in May there were no retailers in Australia for this model USWE and after shipping it from NZ it arrived the day before Prologue. I had literally no time to test it, apart from during my one prologue lap. I then rode with it to Finke ‘there and back’.
I chose USWE because hundreds of reviews had it rated the highest for MTB and Moto, and the Zulo 6 (vs the smaller cheaper Zulo 2) for the larger 1.5 litre bladder, extra storage and a thicker waist strap. USWE promises “no dancing monkey” essentially their brand line is that our packs don’t bounce, which is exactly what you want. I can say the Zulo 6 delivers on that promise.
It comfortably carries a sufficient 1.5 litres of water, spare pair of goggles, wallet, phone, muesli bar, keys and Leatherman and it all stays beautifully in place whilst riding. There is an ultra-secure waist strap with velcro and an over strap with clip to double cinch the pack on hard. Naturally the more gear and weight you put in the more you notice it, but the pack stays true over the high speed whoops at Finke. Its great advantage is reducing fatigue, as there’s no weight on your shoulders. The freedom is awesome.
It does however have one drawback. Re-attaching the mouthpiece to the magnetic clip on your waist is very difficult whilst riding a dirt bike. It’s probably fine on a mountain bike but I had great difficulty. In fact I literally had to stop each time and even then it was hard to see the clip with a helmet and Goggles on.
Deal breaker? No, because thankfully there is a solution which comes in the form of a helmet hands-free kit. For an additional $80 it plugs into your hose, comes up over your shoulder and attaches to your helmet. I haven’t yet tried this but I’m sure it makes the perfect combination for serious racing.
With a retail price around 230 dollars in Australia plus 80 dollars for this kit, it comes in at nearly 310 dollars – not cheap, but I do think it serves a purpose for the serious racer. Handily it doesn’t cover your jersey race number and name nor interfere with a neck brace). I now use it as my default for trail rides up to half a day. Longer than that and the Ogio steps in.
Both have easy systems to refill, don’t leak, have valve lockouts and bite valves which work similarly. So really the choice between these two depends on your purpose. If I could only have one as a trailrider the OGIO covers more bases, but if I were a racer first then it’s the USWE (+ hands free kit) I’d pick.
WORDS | ED Hartley