a new trail running pack

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Sep 27, 2009
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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

montaraoverview.jpg


it has easy access to the bladder (45 oz/1.3 liters) and while not overly large- enough for my normal runs

bladder.jpg


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

frontbelt.jpg


there are two zippered accessed pockets (neither overly large)

montaratop.jpg


the smaller front pocket I keep a small fak, tp/wipes and a small headlamp

frontpocketcontents.jpg


the main pocket I keep a couple of trail bars, my Izula knife kit and a windshirt

rearpocketcontents.jpg


my knife "kit" has some cordage, firesteel, tinder, whistle and a small photon light

kitcontentslt.jpg


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 :)
 
Interesting review. If the water bladder is at your waist, then you have "suck" the water up to drink? A backpack bladder is higher and probably has some pressure on it from the contents of the pack to help water flow.

As for trail running, at my age a brisk walk is the most I'll ever do.
 
Interesting review. If the water bladder is at your waist, then you have "suck" the water up to drink? A backpack bladder is higher and probably has some pressure on it from the contents of the pack to help water flow.

As for trail running, at my age a brisk walk is the most I'll ever do.

the camelbak bite valve and gravity does a pretty good job, the water is right there when you want it- not really like sucking on a straw; there are many portions of my "run" that are just that - a brisk walk :)

Nice review. How "bouncy" is the pack when running?
it's not bouncy at all, for one it doesn't weigh a heck of a lot- maybe 3#'s, get it cinched up nicely and it stays put. I took a little tumble this morning and the pack didn't shift a bit (the rest of me sure did though! :D)
 
Cool pack Mtwarden. I've tried several waist pack rigs for trail running and races and found that it caused more stomach distress than anything else which was disappointing because I really liked some of the rigs. The one I've settled on that works the best, doesn't move or bounce when I run is the Nathan Sports HPL #020 race vest. The bladder holds 2 liters of water/sports drink and there are small pockets for food and other stuff. Best of luck with your races.
 
Ive tried many different combos for running and
have settled (at least for now) on 2 handheld bottles
(depending on nearby water supply,maybe just 1)

418TzcfgfGL._AA300_.jpg


Also a Nathan HPL #28 vest
it doesnt have a bladder,just a pouch on the back for a jacket or whatever.
Has a few pockets on the front for stuff...
I use this combo year round.

hpl_028_front.jpg
 
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