Source
r/MTB•
Yacoby

Backpacks

I am fairly new to mountain biking (XC) and have found that I need backpack, preferably with a water bladder.

The one thing I ended up unsure about was the size needed as I know I would want something at least the size of the CamelBak mule to fit tubes, spare clothes and knee pads into, however I wanted a bag that would adapt and cope with anything that I did (e.g. I occasionally do 6 - 8 hour more road orientated rides).

Have people found something the size of the Mule (12L) adequate? The alternatives would be something like the Nomad (18L)? Any other comments for someone looking at getting a bag that will last 3+ years.

UPDATE - Cheers for the information and the alternative options (More to think about :D)

Posted Nov 28, 2011, 4:43 PM UTC · edited

957
lordofthecows•

Assuming you're in the United States, and if you're really interested in a Mule, PM me and I will send you my old one free of charge (no bladder, broken chest clip) otherwise perfectly functional. I don't really ride with packs anymore.

15
tontyismynameyeh2009 Marin Rocky Ridge•

I don't really ride with packs anymore.

So you're more of a...

<sunglasses>

lone wolf?

YEEAAAAAHHHHH!!

23
lordofthecows•

oddly enough, in the same time span, I've started riding with my dog on most, non-epic length rides.

7
YacobyOP•

I am unfortunately in the UK (Scotland) but thank you for the kind offer.

1
EdPC2008 specilized hardrock comp disk•

I live in the usa,(ma) lost my job and really need a mule to keep up with my night ride buddy's. Water botttle is too small

1
conlysm2013 Intense Tracer 275•

I have a Mule that fits food, water, tools, more tools, parts, wallet, cell phone, tp (for my bunghole), tire pump, folding saw for random trail maint and finally clothing ie: a shirt swap usually.

6
PsoulocybeNo Dig, No Ride!•

I have a Dakine Drafter 3L pack and I can't speak highly enough of it. I've had it for nearly 3 years and taken a ton of falls with it and it's no worse for wear. The thing is tough! I can fit my full face, armor and lunch with all my tools and have a full day of it.

3
Haze042003 Specialized Big Hit Frankenbike•

Seconding the Drafter. Excellent piece of equipment.

1
brewyetGulf Coast, USA Pivot Mach 429•

Camelbak Mule is a popular choice. I liked the Camelbak Capo, it has more pockets on the inside, and the spot that expands to hold a helmet, and be used as a large stuff pocket. and it holds about the same as the Mule.

3
[deleted]•

I have this bag, and logged into mention it. It's a great bag, not too big, and not too small.

Jenson has it on sale right now for like 39 bucks!

1
BrianMTB•

I enjoy my Dakine AMP 18, I have switched to a camel back bladder because the dakine got nasty after a year. Other than that I love this pack it durable light and fits well.

3
AtOurGatesIdaho - Specialized FSR•

My AMP actually has stayed clean quite a bit longer than any CamelBack I've used. Just, you know, for a contrasting experience.

1
trudesignMotobecrazy•

I use the Osprey Raptor 14 for both MTB and day hiking. It holds bike tools, a knife, food, a swap of clothes, and other odds and ends really well. Had it 2 seasons now and no issues.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/hydration_packs__osprey_hydraulics/raptor_14

3
singletracks•

me too and I love it! Perfect size to fit all my gear and a bit extra for days when I want to carry more clothes. Plus, I love the way it fits. I have a lot of friends who've bought a Raptor after borrowing mine for a ride.

2
trudesignMotobecrazy•

Yeah the fit is fantastic and comfy

1
3fun•

I also have one which I use for Ultramarathons. Holds plenty of gear, just pockets built for bike pump and a spare shocker if needed, bike tools and a helmet strap.

1
trudesignMotobecrazy•

Shocker?

1
3fun•

shock absorbers

1
trudesignMotobecrazy•

Oh duh, wasnt thinking along those lines

1
YacobyOP•

Having looked the Raptor 14 it looks pretty amazing and slightly better than the Mule (As well as having that extra 2L of space). Thanks for the suggestion.

1
schott1984[Giant Anthem X 29er)•

CAMELBAK BLOWFISH!!!

It's 3L and holds plenty of stuff and is expandable if you want to unzip to hold more stuff.

I love mine so far.

3
gtrob•

Yes, I have this and love it - only problem is that if the weather is colder and you want to bring a couple layers it might not fit, since you can't easily strap stuff on.

1
smayonak•

I'm just curious - what type of stuff do you put in this thing?

1
schott1984[Giant Anthem X 29er)•

Clif bars/snacks, water (obviously), multi-tool, patches, spare tube, extra layer, small tire/shock pump.

1
smayonak•

Holy crap did I screw up.

1
schott1984[Giant Anthem X 29er)•

You are turning out to be a master troll, sir.

1
scriggities.•

I rode from Jacksonville, FL to San Francisco, CA with a M.U.L.E. on my back. It worked great. The water would last me on average about 4 hours of riding, depending on intensity.

2
elmetal•

that's amazing! Do you have a blog or pictures or anything? I'd love to read about that!

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scriggities.•

It's tough to keep a good journal when touring. Here is the blog I kept along the way: http://bikeandbuild2009.wordpress.com/

It was a charity thing with http://bikeandbuild.org/cms/

1
elmetal•

sweeeeeet !

1
eenymeenymineyshempSoul Cycles Hardline•

I bought my Mule in 2003 and it's still in great shape. Original bladder, tube and bite valve still. Can't go wrong with a Mule.

2
brassnipples•

CamelBak's have always lasted me 3+ years, they're not the fanciest but they do work well and tend to last, I love my mule and it's probably 5 years old now, the Lobo is also nice for shorter rides. A related tip, if you want to save a ton of space in the bag, tape or velcro your tubes to your frame (the downtube is a good place), it gets a lot of bulk and some weight out of the bag and they'll always be handy even if you don't have a bag.

2
cocknuckleYeti sb66c •

I like and use the mule all the time. Mine is somewhere in the vicinity of 5 ish years old, been lost and found, dirty, clean, crashed on, slept on, and there isn't one thing wrong with it yet. Great capacity, super durable.

2
needlesslyvauge•

Get a Blowfish.

http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Packs/2011-Blowfish.aspx

It's got an expandable main pocket so it stays reasonably packed down for regular rides, but opens up for lots of stuff when needed.

2
xaun36•

Osprey Raptor

2
D0rk4L•

I have a new Camelbak Mule, and am also fairly new to cross country MTBing.

It fits what I want it to, but has a quirk where filling pockets makes it harder to fill other pockets. For example, if I have the outer pocket filled with my tools and tubes, and the 3L bladder filled, the main pocket gets pretty narrow. You could possibly stuff a jacket and pads into it, but not much else.

It's fine for the few hours I ride in fairly civilized areas like state park with full trailhead facilities, but I'd question it's capacity if I needed a lot more gear for the 6-8 hour rides you are looking at. At that point, a rack might be better because having a fully loaded backpack on you for that long could be brutal.

1
greenriftSJ FSR•

My issue with the MULE I have is that if you expect changing conditions it's a pain to fit emergency stuff, water, and extra clothes in it. I think i'd prefer the HAWG (or whatever the next size up is) for that reason. However the MULE is manageable if you're only taking a light extra jacket.

3
fireflash38Trek Y11 (oldschool baby)•

I've managed to fit a ton of stuff in my MULE, but I wouldn't have the bladder completely full. Jackets and the like can be strapped to the outside which helps a lot. I think it's perfect for ~3-4 hour rides, as you can carry plenty of tools, water, and snacks and a jacket/shoes.

1
angrycyclist2010 Kona CoilAir•

I also use the Mule. It is perfect for me. I fully drained it once, and only once on a ride when I took road bike up and along a mountain range on a hot summer day. However, I would want something bigger for all day or overnight trips.

1
[deleted]•

wow 12L is alot of water, I have a 100oz pack(about 3L?) and It does very well for 4-6 hour rides, as long as I bring some food too. I would maybe bring an extra couple bottles of water on your bike if you are going on even longer rides.

1
D0rk4L•

12L refers to the cubic inch pocket capacity of the backpack, not the bladder size.

3
[deleted]•

oh of course... well in that case my pack has a 24L capacity

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
illektr1k•

How does the "No suck, No slosh" work?

I get that you hand pump for pressure (add air to the bladder?), but that would give the water a nice big fully pumped bladder to slosh around in.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
illektr1k•

Please do. This is how the system works though isn't it? Bladder is fully inflated and with pressure resulting in a round sausage?

1
syngltrkmndCascadia / Yeti SB-66•

I have a Platypus Origin 6 that makes for a great minimalist but comfortable pack with a bladder system. It's waterproof and has plenty of pockets for 90% of the day rides I do. I doesn't have straps for knee pads, but it would work for the other riding you describe. Its design would jive more with the road riding you want to do as well.

1
redeyed_bomberNS Surge 2•

the camelbak highwire is something i enjoy on long and short trips.

1
djnathanvTrek 4300 Disc•

I've been very happy with my CamelBak gear. Typically I hit shorter trails lately so I have a bladder-only rig (no storage) but I can say that it's held up extremely well. I'm in the military so I have the mil-spec models but this is what I ride with: http://camelbak.com/Military-Tactical/Packs/ThermoBak-3L.aspx

I also hike/backpack with the previous-year BFM and both have held up well. I have taken both overseas and through rough training with no issues. My BFM was on my back when I got hit on my motorcycle on the freeway. I slid on the ground at 60mph and the backpack came out with only a few spots that were damaged. Definitely impressed with the build quality.

1
sounddudeGiant Talon 29er 1•

I love their mil-spec stuff. Im not in the military(although i did want to join the marines when i was younger) but i always browse that stuff cause i love it. CamelBak makes great gear though, mil-spec or not.

1
robbyking San Francisco, Calif.•

For XC riding/racing, I forgo backpacks and instead use the back pockets of my jersey for tools (patch kit, co2 pump, etc.), and my frame for bottles (one bottle of water on my down tube, one bottle of sports drink on my seat tube).

For races, I skip the patch kit and put a tube in my jersey pocket.

Good luck!

1