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Home > Product Reviews > Hydration Systems > Camelbak Mule 100oz/3.0lt Reviews

Camelbak Mule 100oz/3.0lt

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Camelbak Mule 100oz/3.0lt
More about Camelbak

Average Rating: 4 out of 5
No. of Reviews: 12
RRP: £59.99

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Description: Offering the perfect combination of hydration capacity, stability and flexible storage, the Mule also features the new air director back panel for supreme ventilation when the going gets tough. Includes 3 zipped compartments, mesh overflow pockets and a 6 point bungee system to take care of all your storage needs. 3 litre hydration capacity, 5 litre cargo capacity.

REVIEWS

1 to 10 of 12 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now.Page: 1 2

Mike Hall

Posted: 05/02/01

Strengths:
Decent size for the day-rider, holds as much as you should need for a days riding and doesn't wobble about or restrict movement on the steeps and in the singletrack.

Weaknesses:
Could do with a sternum strap (which I think the 2001 models gets)

Overall:
Kit freaks might want a little extra room for tins of lube and other un-necessaries but if you pack it well you shouldn't need any more room for your average day ride.

Performance		80%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

73%

Kai Wilbraham

Posted: 20/02/01

'New & Improved'

Strengths:
A big improvement on the '99 model. The screwtop bladder is far less annoying. The storage compartments are more organised and there's plenty of space for a day rides worth of gear. Keeps your back warm on cold days.

Weaknesses:
The tightening straps on the shoulders tended to work their way loose on long rides. Keeps your back warm on warm days.

Overall:
I couldn't be without this for day rides. My girlfriend has inherited my '98 model and that is still going strong (apart from the bladder)

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Joe_M

Posted: 18/07/01

'good but just not quite big enough...'

Strengths:
well made, plenty of compartments straps and loops, allows drinking without fear of ingesting mud and dung. Holds plenty of water

Weaknesses:
bladder is a bit of a faff to clean and dry but you get used to it, storage space is minimalist.

Overall:
It obviously depends on how much stuff you might like to take on a day ride but I'd say this provides the minimum of space if you like to be reasonably well equipped. If you want to carry extra food, layers or anything like a camera then its a bit too small.
As well as biking these are great for use when skiing / snowboarding although you might want to get the drinking tube insulator to avoid frozen blockages.

Performance		80%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

80%

Matt Whalley

Posted: 21/01/02

'MMMMMM............WATER'

Strengths:
Easy to use no fiddling with water bottles, or pulling out teeth trying to get the top open, or falling off with one hand on the bars

Weaknesses:
makes a horrible sloshing noise that makes you want to pee

Overall:
fab, ace, great, wow, cool, wonderful, excellent and various other good words. An absolute must for anyone on a bike. Not having to use your hands to hold a bottle is so much safer. I come a right cropper on the red bull holding a bottle and I 've never been the same since. Suffice to say I bought one on the monday after the Bull was held

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

87%

Les Whitten

Posted: 11/05/02

'WATER BOTTLES... WHO NEEDS THEM!'

Strengths:
Good water capacity, 3 litres or 6 pints which should be enough for most rides. Don't know you're wearing it even fully loaded with water and kit. Good carrying capacity for a days ride

Weaknesses:
Not the cheapest on the market but then again the quality's good. Sometimes a bit fiddly getting the bladder and drink tube in and set up.

Overall:
Good quality , well fiiting hydration system with enough luggage capacity for a day.

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

80%

Robert Harper

Posted: 07/06/03

'GREAT DAY PACK FOR XC RIDING'

Strengths:
Very very comfy, forget I have it on at times.
Holds 3 litres of fluid and most bits you will need for a days ride.
Got mone from Halford for £28.50, couldn't believe my luck!
Can't think how I ever got on without one.
Doesn't move about at all which is great for what i want.

Weaknesses:
Probably not enough storage if you want to carry spare cloths including a water proof.

Overall:
If you want something bigger then get the Blowfish, otherwise this is the one to buy!

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

Combat Wombat

Posted: 29/10/03

'FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO LOOK GOOD.'

Strengths:
Superbly styled
Lots of nice touches, like the way loose straps are delt with.
Air directors for airflow between you anfd the pack
Built to last

Weaknesses:
Maybe too much attension has been put on Styling over its use.
Thermal Isolation of bladder from rider doesn't work, you get to drink warm water after about 10 mins.
When full of luggage its hard to remove/fill/replace bladder.
Also hard to get things out of bottom of front compartment when rest of bag is full.
Someway to attach drinking tube head out of the way would be good.
Whats the point of having mesh compartments?(it can't be much slower to have zips, as you have to take the pack off to get into a comartment)
Unscrewing the lid from the bladder is a pain on the fingers, screwing it up is Fine.

Overall:
I'm very happy with it, but as it's so good the bits I'm not happy with stick out a mile.

Performance		80%
Reliability		100%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

87%

Paul (over the bars this weekend!) Cooper

Posted: 29/10/03

'GOOD BUT NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS I'D HOPED!'

Strengths:
build quality, detailing, airflow back, insulation from drink, well supported, sits well

Weaknesses:
all the various pockets and straps are not quite as big as they could be - the main one holds some tubes and a waterproof but fills up so much the net bit doesnt hold jack.
The bungee bits aren't quite long enough for another layer to tuck into. The LED strap is in a pointless position and the small front pocket fights me for ownership of anything I put in it if the rest of the bag is full.

Overall:
Nice quality with just a few niggles that really stand out because it just looks like it should be perfect.

Performance		80%
Reliability		100%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

80%

Darran Moore

Posted: 17/03/04

'EXCELLENT LONG RIDE HYDRATION PACK'

Strengths:
Water capacity, storage capacity just right size; Fit is really comfortable and well balanced. Not too big to move about, but big enough for spare tubes, food, tools, waterproof... oh.. and 3000ml of water!!!!!!!

Weaknesses:
Erm... Umm..
Too small if you want to climb everest!! The only weakness is size but you should buy a bigger bag of you want to carry more kit...
Doesn't feature the insulated drinking tubes as seen on other Camelbak's.

Overall:
Taking storage capacity as design intent, ie: 3 to 5 hour rides, then this bit of kit really cannot be beaten. I looked at all the competition for the Mule and tried to convince myself that they where as good due to the slightly lower price. The Mule is expensive.. but if you want the best... Due to the light years ahead of the nearest rival I would give the product top marks for value because there is nothing else available as good at any price.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

adamx .

Posted: 19/03/05

'THE REAL THING'

Strengths:
bite valve doesn't drip like my cheapy camelcopy did.
comfortable straps hold it secure on my back.
large bladder.
build quality is good.

Weaknesses:
lid difficult to undo (as mr Combat Wombat said)
I can _not_ get the last bit of water out when I'm cleaning it.
pockets a bit fiddly and take some organisation to get the best from them.

Overall:
basically very pleased with it, it cost more than a copy but the quality is great. I especially like the 'mouth feel' of the bite valve and the not-so-sweaty back in comparison with my previous backpack.