Camelbak alternatives?

[Planterz]

For nearly 20 years I've been using the same Camelbak, and it's time to retire and replace it. The model is "Ethos" and from what I can gather it's one of the larger capacity ones they made (but long discontinued), at 2000 cubic inch and a 100L reservoir. It's big enough that I can fit my 15.6" laptop in it as well as other gear (but not a whole lot). Obviously not at the same time I carry a water bladder.

Currently there's not a comparable Camelbak in their line-up. My old one was classified as "hydration pack" rather than just a pack. It has a stiff, contoured plastic back (with padding, of course) so the water bladder doesn't make a weird bulge against your back. It seems that only the "hydration packs" in their line-up have this feature, but I can't be certain. I have a Jansport backpack with a bladder pocket, but since there's no stiff backing, it makes an uncomfortable bulge with the bladder full.

What other options are there that have this stiff backing? I'm looking for a good day pack, large enough to carry a 15.6" laptop, as well as other gear (windbreaker when it's colder, bike tools, etc. 2000 cubic inch / 32L minimum. A removeable or stow-able waist belt would be great, since I tend to not use it. I don't really need MOLLE webbing, but it's not a deal breaker if it has it. I don't expect to carry both my laptop and the water bladder, but if it can carry both separately, that'd be fantastic. I emphasize that some sort of method of preventing the water bladder from making a bulge against my back, but still keeping it separate from the main compartment(s) is a must.

I don't mind spending the money for something of high quality if it lasts another 15+ years like my Camelbak did, but if I don't have to spend over $200, that'd be great. Bonus points if it's available on Amazon, so I can return it easily if I don't like it.

TIA.

 

[barleywino]

The REI Beyonder backpack is 30.5 liters, has no waistbelt, has a side full-length zipper access laptop sleeve where you could insert a stiffener (a 10" x 17" garden kneeling pad fits perfectly, or cut out the stiffener from your old pack) if you wanted to protect against bulging water sacks. Both top and side access to interior, which I really like. Great carry handle at the top. Fabric has unusual soft/fuzzy "natural" canvas feel. Minimalist exterior but internal pockets for your bike tools. Half price closeout sale on that pack now, $54.

 

[Lenny]

Check out Osprey.
A few of my mt biking friends use them.

 

[gazz98]

at 2000 cubic inch and a 100L reservoir. It's big enough that I can fit my 15.6" laptop in it as well as other gear (but not a whole lot). Obviously not at the same time I carry a water bladder.

Wow! 100 Liters?

100 oz or about 3 liters maybe?

The Osprey Manta 34 is pretty close. 2.5 L bladder, no removable belt it looks like.

 

[Planterz]

Wow! 100 Liters?

100 oz or about 3 liters maybe?

Hey, it's hot down here in Tucson. Gotta keep hydrated!






Yes, 100oz.

Check out Osprey.
A few of my mt biking friends use them.

The Osprey Manta 34 is pretty close. 2.5 L bladder, no removable belt it looks like.

I wasn't familiar with Osprey. It should have occurred to me earlier to just type "Camelbak vs " into google, because the first suggestion that pops up is "Camelbak vs Osprey". The Manta 34 does indeed seem like a comparable replacement for my old Camelbak. I'm not sure I have a whole lot of use for an ice pick holder, and the waist straps might be overly obtrusive, but otherwise, it checks most of my boxes.

The REI Beyonder backpack is 30.5 liters, has no waistbelt, has a side full-length zipper access laptop sleeve where you could insert a stiffener (a 10" x 17" garden kneeling pad fits perfectly, or cut out the stiffener from your old pack) if you wanted to protect against bulging water sacks. Both top and side access to interior, which I really like. Great carry handle at the top. Fabric has unusual soft/fuzzy "natural" canvas feel. Minimalist exterior but internal pockets for your bike tools. Half price closeout sale on that pack now, $54.

Not really what I'm looking for. I need more pockets/compartments. The idea of some sort of insert was something I was pondering though. An aluminum sheet a few mm thick, carbon fiber, or perhaps formed Kydex. I might try it with my old Jansport before plunking down the money on something expensive.

EDIT: Jeez, a carbon fiber sheet is freaking expensive. Even aluminum is pricey. Maybe I'll find a baking sheet and a hacksaw.

 

[Danke42]

Brenthaven and Arcteryx have some really awesome bags. Can't speak if you can find them on Amazon though.

I think if you drop the laptop requirement you'll have way better choices.

 

[Planterz]

Brenthaven and Arcteryx have some really awesome bags. Can't speak if you can find them on Amazon though.

I think if you drop the laptop requirement you'll have way better choices.

It has certainly occurred to me that it might be better, perhaps necessary, to simply get 2 bags. I was hoping to keep the costs down by doing everything with one bag though. I don't need a separate laptop compartment, I just need the laptop I have to fit. But if I'm getting 2 bags, I should definitely get one designed for it. For travel and whatnot.

 

[pyreaux]

Check out source hydration.

 

[barleywino]

Hey, it's hot down here in Tucson. Gotta keep hydrated!






Yes, 100oz.





I wasn't familiar with Osprey. It should have occurred to me earlier to just type "Camelbak vs " into google, because the first suggestion that pops up is "Camelbak vs Osprey". The Manta 34 does indeed seem like a comparable replacement for my old Camelbak. I'm not sure I have a whole lot of use for an ice pick holder, and the waist straps might be overly obtrusive, but otherwise, it checks most of my boxes.



Not really what I'm looking for. I need more pockets/compartments. The idea of some sort of insert was something I was pondering though. An aluminum sheet a few mm thick, carbon fiber, or perhaps formed Kydex. I might try it with my old Jansport before plunking down the money on something expensive.

EDIT: Jeez, a carbon fiber sheet is freaking expensive. Even aluminum is pricey. Maybe I'll find a baking sheet and a hacksaw.

The Beyonder has 3 external pockets and 2 internal pockets, plus a padded laptop sleeve.

 

[gadgetgeek]

From my knowledge, stiff back-panels in small bags are not currently in the vogue, and haven't been for a while. They may be out there, but its pretty rare.
Osprey packs are really quite good, I do like their aeromesh/zero gravity systems, although some people really don't like that they have a bit of bounce. As far as weight carrying capacity, their indicators seem pretty spot on, if you thought you were going to get near the weight limit they list, I'd really want to try on in store, as body shape can have a huge impact on that (as well as actual load type/distribution) But they are great for hot weather. The only thing I would consider is that their "ultralight" range is pretty light for an EDC, I have an Exos and a Levity, and the levity would not handle EDC. That said I roll a Fjallraven bag as my edc, so maybe I'm hard on gear? But both ospreys have very sturdy internal supports.

laptop sub-bag? solves a lot of your organization questions, the trend is towards big dumper bags rather than hyper-organized. I'm a big fan of sub-loads. I've got everything from mesh ditty bags to mini-peli cases depending in whats in inside.

As far as the bladder, I've had good luck with a couple source bladders, as well as MSR Dromy bags, the new dromlite is pretty baller, and they seem to have gotten the plastic taste thing pretty sorted. The red fabric dromlite should be pretty cheap now, don't get the black fabric dromy. the newest ones are a translucent grey I think. (and you could integrate a filter if BOB or GHB is part of the thoughts)

 

[Velitrius]

Osprey Manta 34 is a fantastic bag.

The bladder compartment has a huge zipper opening making it real easy to remove the bladder and slide in a laptop.

Use a laptop sleeve when you put it in the compartment. They're cheap.

The back is rigid but flexible and comfortable. And it's really ventilated.

While the waist belt is not stowable, if you clip it together and cinch it up it becomes far less intrusive than just flopping around.

 

[Mossyhorn]

I have a Mystery Ranch Coulee pack that has proven to be an amazing pack. The Camelbak Triizip pack used the Mystery Ranch suspension system.