Your backpack is your closest companion on the trail. From our perspective, that means a comfortable fit with ample room for all of your gear isn’t optional, it’s mandatory. Enter the Manta and Mira hydration packs from Osprey, winner of the Editors’ Choice Award for meeting our standards of quality, utility, value, and excellence. Redesigned for 2013 to provide greater comfort, stability and storage, this series isn’t just impressive, it’s our new adventure BFF.
Whether covering miles of coastal landscape in New England, or traversing twisting-trails on an epic ultra run across the Appalachian trail, you need a pack that helps keep you hydrated, cool and energized. Engineered for movement, the Highline Hydration Pack from Ultimate Direction is designed for convenience and performance while long-distance trail running or hiking.
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex… It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.” ― E.F. Schumacher
Through a process of trial and error, most runners have discovered that existing hand-held hydration “solutions” on the market either hinder your running style, leave water inaccessible while running, or simply prove to be too bulky and uncomfortable on longer runs. These realities were not lost on the minds at Salomon Running. Following their tradition of technological advancement and innovation, Salomon’s new hydration solution, the Sense Hydro S-Lab Set, literally puts hydration in the palm of your hand.
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Whether you’re a single-track slasher who doesn’t like to pedal to the middle of nowhere unprepared, or a two-footed trekker ready for an epic full day excursion, the Jolla from Hydrapak is ready for any adventure with 1100 cubic inches (18.0 L) of space and Hydrapak’s 3L Shape-Shift reservoir.
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Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary. – Cecil Beaton
In 2009, the minds at Vapur® set out to design an innovative and collapsible hydration solution that would prove to be as eco-friendly as it was versatile. With the launch of the new Vapur Element, this California based company may have raised the bar on innovation and flexibility in the hydration space.
Built upon the Platypus heritage of well-designed hydration systems, the Origin series of packs marks Platypus’ foray into the world of hydration backpacks.
The smallest of the Origin line-up, the Origin 3.0 Hydration Pack provides the outdoor enthusiast the ability to carry up to 2 liters of liquid refreshment and still have storage space – 183 cubic inches worth – for keys, nutritional supplies or any other goodies you may want for your trek.
Similar to its larger sized siblings, comfort and durability are at the foundation of the Origin series of packs. The contoured fit of the Origin 3.0 is designed to support aerobic activity. The BioCurve ventilated backpanel conforms to your movements while allowing air to flow freely between you and the pack. The padded ergonomic shoulder straps provide comfort without compromising maneuverability. Both the BioCurve backpanels and the shoulder straps are overlayed with a soft, stretch-woven fabric that provides next to skin comfort and surprising durability.
Constructed from 200D nylon and treated with a urethane laminate for a waterproof finish, the Origin 3.0’s got your back when the sun fades behind those dark clouds and Mother Nature turns on the water works. Add to that welded, water-resistant zippers and heat-taping on all critical seams, and the Origin 3 is ready to handle the toughest of adventures.
If it is variety and function that you crave, the Origin 22.20 from Platypus is a veritable feast. Appetites are satisfied with jaw-dropping waterproof, 10,000mm-coated fabrics, welded, all-weather zippers, heat-taped seams and 1342 cubic inches of gear space.
In redesigning the hydration pack the Cascade Design Team took a streamlined approach providing exactly what you need and nothing you don’t to keep things light and simple. The main compartment is large enough to gobble up all the gear necessary for minimalist overnights at the beach or peak-bragging day trips.
For all the small essentials you want at your fingertips the minimalist approach of the Origin 22.20 hydration pack doesn’t short change you on storage options. Two zippered waist pockets and two stretch sleeve side pockets along with an internal mesh organizer pocket provide a plenty of storage options. Moreover the stretch sleeve side pockets blend in seamlessly with the rest of the pack and remain tight keeping the streamlined profile of the pack intact.
The Dictionary defines “variety” as (1) The state of being varied or diversified; (2) a different form, condition, or phase of something.
We can’t prove that Cascade Designs, Inc., had this definition in mind then they set out to redefine the hydration pack, but it wouldn’t surprise us if – like when Rocky trained for his fight with Drago – they had it stuck in the frame of their mirror keeping them ever mindful of the task set before themselves.
Drawing on years of expertise in the hydration category, Platypus Hydration (part of the Cascade Designs family) set out to re-design and re-imagine the traditional hydration pack. When they put pen to paper, there were no rules, no boundaries, just a vision of what a Hydration Pack could, and more importantly, should be.
The result is a series of low-profile and highly efficient packs fit for a variety of athletic undertakings. This post reflects our initial impressions on both the Origin 3 and Origin 22 after spending a few short weeks with the packs. Over the next five to six weeks our team of outdoor experts will continue putting the packs to the test to see if they truly offer the best performance, comfort and customization available for your outdoor endeavors.
First Impressions…A lightweight, puncture-resistant, Platypus Big Zip™ SL reservoir is the cornerstone of every pack in the Origin lineup. The designated hydration compartment is constructed to easily accommodate both the two-liter and three-liter sizes without affecting the capacity of the pack itself. Platypus utilizes unique toggle mounts for the Big Zip SL reservoir. These mounts take a bit of getting used too, but they make for a more stable, secure fit.
The leak proof antimicrobial reservoir keeps water fresh and taste free and opens as easy as a bag of chips for stress-free filling and cleaning. Another quality feature is the on/off position on the bite valve which helps ensure that the water stays in the reservoir and not all over your shirt, jacket, or car trunk.
Equipped with the cool BioCurve ventilated back panels and SoftTouch stretch-woven harness, the Origin packs are constructed to attack the most demanding trails while comfortably supporting the weight of your water and whatever else you carry with it.
The ergonomic shoulder straps are a soft, stretch-woven surface stretched over a ventilated foam padding. Over the course of our long term field testing, our team will give distinctive attention to the design of these straps www.generikaonline-de.com/pille/cialis/ because we are interested to see if they effectively compare to the more standardized mesh straps used on comparative hydration packs.
One thing that separates the Origin series from other hydration packs is the variety of hydration hose options which allow the wearer to find the most effective placement for their chosen adventure.
When it seems that an increasing number of brands are moving towards the integration of raincovers for their packs, the Origin series again splits from the pack by sporting waterproof, 10,000mm-coated fabrics, welded, all-weather zippers and heat-taped seams. These materials contribute to an overall minimalist sleek design that is easy on the eyes and sure to draw attention.