I've been using a Osprey Talon 5.5 for my trailrunning needs, but have been eyeballing my wife's smaller Camelbak lumbar pack for some time
Found a great deal on a Montara (which is similar to my wife's, but different) so I decided to give it a go. I knew it was going to be smaller and that it is indeed, much smaller! For longer (or more remote) runs I'll continue to use the Talon simply because it holds more, but for everything else the nod will be going to the Monrara
the pack overview
it has easy access to the bladder (45 oz/1.3 liters) and while not overly large- enough for my normal runs
it's a little different than most lumbar packs in that the belt is adjusted from both sides, near the pack vs a single buckle in the middle of the belt - this allows for a couple of small pouches in the middle section- my cell phone goes in one, sunscreen & bug wipes in the other
there are two zippered accessed pockets (neither overly large)
the smaller front pocket I keep a small fak, tp/wipes and a small headlamp
the main pocket I keep a couple of trail bars, my Izula knife kit and a windshirt
my knife "kit" has some cordage, firesteel, tinder, whistle and a small photon light
the lumbar pack carries very well (better than a traditional pack) for running, stays put better and the weight is in a better area
anywho, while the pack isn't perfect (could have a little more volume imo, maybe a little larger bladder) it is a very suitable pack for trailrunning
Found a great deal on a Montara (which is similar to my wife's, but different) so I decided to give it a go. I knew it was going to be smaller and that it is indeed, much smaller! For longer (or more remote) runs I'll continue to use the Talon simply because it holds more, but for everything else the nod will be going to the Monrara
the pack overview
it has easy access to the bladder (45 oz/1.3 liters) and while not overly large- enough for my normal runs
it's a little different than most lumbar packs in that the belt is adjusted from both sides, near the pack vs a single buckle in the middle of the belt - this allows for a couple of small pouches in the middle section- my cell phone goes in one, sunscreen & bug wipes in the other
there are two zippered accessed pockets (neither overly large)
the smaller front pocket I keep a small fak, tp/wipes and a small headlamp
the main pocket I keep a couple of trail bars, my Izula knife kit and a windshirt
my knife "kit" has some cordage, firesteel, tinder, whistle and a small photon light
the lumbar pack carries very well (better than a traditional pack) for running, stays put better and the weight is in a better area
anywho, while the pack isn't perfect (could have a little more volume imo, maybe a little larger bladder) it is a very suitable pack for trailrunning
)
