Camelbak HAWG

Price: £89.99

Contact: Zyro 01423 325325

Features: 3 litre bladder with new Hydroloc bite valve, independent harness, multiple pockets, nets and cargo lash ons, luminous yellow intestines.

Camelbak started the whole "hydrate or die", water in a backpack revolution over ten years ago and they're still the market leader. This is the totally new revamp of their old favourite the HAWG (Holds A lot of Water Gear).

Essentially it's got fatter and broader but shortened slightly. The main bladder sleeve loads independently from the back with a velco flap to secure it, and then the main full length pocket sits in front of that with a 3/4 zip for easy access. this is where coats, full size pumps, saws, shock pumps, extra bladder and what ever else you fancy carrying live, and there's a key clip in the top of the lid. The front pocket is about half the size but has dividers and mesh pockets for tools with a cunning luminous yellow fabric so you can see what's in there easily.

A big elasticated cargo mesh on the back takes care of wet stuff, rubbish, maps or easy reach food and two more mesh pockets at the waist are ideal for stowing energy bars on the go.

A bungee at the base allows more stowage and a webbing "daisy chain" gear loop runs up the centre of the bag. The whole lot can be snugged down with two quick release compression straps which stop the whole beast from lurching about when loaded.

The bladder itself is a fairly simple 3 litre rubber unit with a broad screw top for feeding in ice cubes, energy drink, goldfish etc. It's not as easy to clean as some of the zip lock bladders, but it's more reliable and less of a faff to use. The crowning glory of Camelbaks new 2001 stuff is the Hydroloc bite valve which combines the "just right for easy suckling" ergo angle bend with a cunning profiled on off switch to stop dribbling in transit. The soft rubber "Jap's eye" bite valve requires no tongue twisting or nibbling technique and water flow is excellent.

The rear of the bag is semi stifened with padded "islands" making up airflow channels and helping to spread weight. You'll still sweat underneath it, but the ventialtion will save you from salty rivers running down the crack of your back. Lumpy loads are also cushioned by the bladder being between cargo and rider.

The only downside is its 1kg unloaded weight, but that comes as a result of it's massively comprehensive features list. If the bag mass bothers you check out simpler lighter systems further down the range. The other issue is of course cash and though the Camelbak isn't cheap, from our experience with this and other bags and those who've sent in feedback, the bold qaulity is a near as indestructible as you could ask for with bags normally lasting for years. My original 1991 bag is still perfectly intact somewhere in the loft after about 7 years of use.

Your Opinion Here:

We've already got some reader reviews of Camelbak's here, but if you want to add your own experiences e-mail us with a summary and we'll post them here in this handy space at the bottom of the page. If you have questions you can mail us direct, or try a posting to our forum.

Hi, I've used my Mule regularly for around two years now without any problems apart from the stitching at the top of the mesh failing. I emailed Camelbak and received a prompt reply re the problem. They said "cobblers", well take it to one for repair anyway. I did a DIY and it's been fine. Still the original bladder fitted, the newer, screw top ones look an improvement. I can't open my bladder when it's been left in the fridge ( do you suffer from this?). I clean it with a Safeway Baby sterilising tablet every couple of weeks. I would buy another without hesitation. I'm a fan.

Cheers

Geoff B, Peak District.

I love my camelbak lobo, its really good for holding just the basic stuff and a top. If I had the money I'd buy a MULE or Blowfish for longer rides.

Ollie Carr

Hi just a few of my thoughts in no particular order on camelbaks. I've been using a camelbak MULE for about a month now both for cycling and also on a snowboarding trip to the Alps.

- The 100 oz water capacity seems more than adequate for a full days exertion at least in the winter and I've yet to drain it.

- I had a heavy fall on my back on ice and the bladder didn't burst so it seems pretty tough. - Bag seems very well constructed and well finished but only moderately waterproof.

- loop for LED light is a nice touch, mesh sections, straps and zip loops are all nice details

- The bag is big enough for tools, spares, a bit of 2D food and a spare top strapped on the back but the storage capacity in general would be better if it were larger. The main section is too thin for anything like a camera or a nice doorstep sandwich, more of a pocket than a compartment

- Difficult to get rid of the plastic taste, soaking overnight in bicarb of soda solution helps a little

- drying out and cleaning is a chore, perhaps the cleaning kit would help.

- big bite valve works very well but not surprisingly froze up in the snow (crunchy water!), it is important to blow the water back into the bag so the tube is clear in general a good product but just a bit too small and you have to live with the cleaning inconvenience for the drinking convenience,

hope that's useful

Joe Money

Hi,

If you need to buy a replacement bladder it costs more to buy the bladder, bite valve and right angled thingy, than it does to buy a 2L camelback classic. Is that stupid or what?

Jimbo

Hi,

I've had a MULE for about 3 years and a smaller one before that and they've both been well made. Been through one bladder and the replacement was very expensive at £25 and it still leaks from round the screw fill cap but some how I think that's down to design and not a one off fault as there doesn't look to be anything wrong with it. The pack gets loads of abuse and yet all the stitching etc seems fine.

All in all when you look at other systems Camelback's seem far the best.

Hope this helps,

Charlie

Yup, have me a MULE that I bought in Gunnison County, Co when I realised that 2 litres wasn't enough water to ride in the June sun out there last year. I have been very happy with it too. Plenty of room for everything I take on day rides and Trailquests, but I would be pushing it to take more than 1 extra clothing layer in the thing.

I have had none of the usual "mildew" or "bad taste" problems, despite filling it with rather green looking spring water early in its life. I do freeze the bladder, pipe and mouthpiece between rides, which seems to keep it sweet and occasionally give it the Milton's treatment. I did email Camelback direct to ask if freezing would hurt the bladder but no response! (I always hate it when a company asks you to communicate and then doesn't answer when you do.)

I have the screw top variety bladder, and have had trouble doing it up on a couple of occasions, leading to wet chamois syndrome! No too unpleasant in Colorado, but pants in Somerset in January. The other bug bear is the clips that allow adjustment of the shoulder straps, which tend to slip in the wet weather.

So...all in all I am a happy punter with this product, but not so happy with the PR dept of the company itself. Will be looking at Blackburn and Cannondale next time just to spite em!

Steve Down

I am a fairly new Camelbak user, my wife bought one for me this summer after seeing that Halfords were selling the Rogue off cheap, I think it was around £20. I had always thought that Camelbaks were for Roadies and serious endurance riders, basically not for me !!

The Rogue is a fairly basic pack but it seemed to fulfill my needs, a larger than I'm used to container for drinks (sorry, but using the word bladder still makes me snigger!) and enough space for my other junk.

I used to ride with a bike that was disadvantaged by the addition of a full bottle, pump, & seat pack containing tool kit, inner tube, waterproof, mobile phone, cuddly toy etc. All of that fits in my Camelbak, plus I carry more fluid than I used to.

I think the easiest way for me to convery my impressions is with a simple list;

Pros

Drink while you ride, I ride faster and further, because I stay more hydrated.

My bike handles better, without all my usual attachments, my bike is a lot lighter.

I can carry more junk! I fit a more comprehensive toolkit into my Camelbak with more fluid than I could with my previous arrangement of bottle and seatpack.

My pack gets lighter as I ride. Seems stupid, but as you get tired your pack gets lighter as you drink from it!

The mouthpiece doesn't get covered in mud, unlike a standard bottle...at least I hope it was mud!

Cons Sweaty back, who cares I'm already sweaty.

Cleaning the bladder (fnaar!), a pain but I can cope with it.

Drinking tube starts to freeze in winter, small sips regularly to keep it moving, or wear it inside my jacket.

It wobbles a bit when I leave the ground, but I could have spent more money and got a pack with extra straps and a belt to hold it on tighter.

To summarise, I think they're ace!! but, buy a drying hanger to help with cleaning, and don't let them go mouldy inside.

Hope this is of some use, if you want more vague ramblings give me a shout.

David.

Hi scoop, so you want feedback on all things camelback, hope this helps.

I've had my hawg for three years, its been to the alps twice ( french & swiss )and last year it got dragged to mexico. I've managed to throw everything at it during thes three years ( it could be longer but I'm going off holidays ), it regularly gets coated in muck which is usually left to dry and then brushed off so it looks a bit more useable, and when it starts to smell it gets thrown in the washing machine. Whilst in mexico it put up with being used as inflight baggage, coolest temp. of 28c in the shade and shed loads of UV, and finally near on 100% humidity at the pacific coast where the sweat never dried out for three days, and through all of this when its been washed it looks as good as new. The size of the main compartment is perfect as I always carry to much junk, which usually consists of 2 inner tubes, wrench force pump, gerber folding pliers topeak alien, and a small packed lunch ( can't beat a good butty ). On top of this, depending on the weather there will be a karrimor goretex waterproof, vail windproof and arm warmers, plus car keys if I driven there. The two side pockets are great for storing change or wallet.

The only problems I've had with it was the original bladder was crap, this was replaced with an Ultimate Sports bladder with blackburn bite valve ( 2 of these as the spring in the 1st went rusty ), this was replaced with the new type camelback bladder when I got back from mexico as the US one had grown furry friends by the time I got home. The waist strap is a bit naff as it could do with a bit of engineering to make it something like the KIMM sack has, then it would be perfect, as it is it can twist inside the guide on the bag which can become uncomfortable. The strap was also too long, but this was dealt with by the one side being cut shorter, fed back through the clasp and stitched, the other side had a thumb loop created, to make it easier to adjust whilst riding. It has also been used when I go lightweight walking in the summer months ( not many of those considering the crap weather ).

Anyway as I've not long been in from work thats all I can think of, if you want more let me know.

Jim