Camelbaks: Tough enough, big enough?

A

AlexSchira

Joined
May 12, 2007
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I've had a streamlined little one for years and love it, but now I'm strongly considering getting a second, much larger one for longer days of biking, commuting, trips out to concerts and events and the like. Prime candidate: the HAWG. It's big enough to keep a group going at a concert, but can compact small enough that I can hit the trails with it on my bike or on foot. However, this is on this forum for a reason, let's get outdoorsy.

A review online heralded it as a great pack for bare-essentials overnight hikes. However, my sleeping bag in its sack is probably bigger than the HAWG itself, it's a cheaper synthetic by North Face that's great and warm, but not an ultralight bag by any means. Then again, I've never seen a HAWG in person, and for all I know it can fit fine with extra space. And that's just the sleeping bag, I'm a pack-light guy but I'd still need a tarp and food. If anything the review got me wondering how small this guy's expensive down bag really was that he could fit it in a larger biking bag. Thinking more realistically, if this is a seriously low-maintenance hike with friends, I could probably just strap the bag in its stuff-sack to the pack.

Is the newest (and civilian version, not the military) HAWG capable for this mix of athletics, leisure, and hiking? What other models work well or don't work well for those of us who carry gear but not a lot of it? I'm by no means stuck on the one model, but one that's stable enough for biking would be nice. The Cloud Walker is everywhere I've shopped and big enough, but I'd feel like I had a rucksack flopping around if I biked with it, and it needs to be able to compress.

The biking crowd loves every model the company makes, because all they carry is small odds and ends for repairs. What about the self-sufficient outdoors crowd, do these packs hold up and work well?
 
Until a few months ago, I pretty much disregarded hydration packs. I dismissed the concept as kind of stupid. Then, I saw the Arktis Hump. I just liked it, and I bought one in foliage/OD green. Made in the UK. It holds 2.5L of water. It really does not have room for carrying any room for anything other than the water- ok it sort of does, but not really by my standards. It is by no means a stand alone unit. It has plastic D-Rings on the sides. My German Mountain Ruck has some D-Rings of its own (on the top flap)- a match made in Heaven (you could say). I zip tied the two together. It's actually a nice combo- the chest straps (especially the top on) on the Hump help provide extra support for the Mountain Ruck . Haveing the hydro pack attached to the ruck top flap makes things a little more difficult at times, but after you get it on and off a few times, it's pretty natural.
 
got the hawg, love it

you can lash some things to the outside, i do all the time for quick over night things
it is barely big enough to fit a change of clothes in not much else youd be better off getting a school sized backpack with water bladder capabilities if you really need it

it is tough, it lasted 2 years of trips and school, before i retired it to woods only dutys
 
I've got the hawg also and really like it. It can be a PITA when it comes time to clean it up though. I took the pack out yesterday on a little trip but didn't use the bladder, just shoved some water bottles down in the bag.
 
I have the mil-spec verson of the HAWG and I'm liking it alot. It's a good size for the things that I like to do. I don't think it would be big enough for me for an overnighter but it's a great size for a day hike. It's built like a tank too by the way.
 
I think I have three Camelbaks. I have the HAWG which is great for hiking and biking but I don't know if I would use it for overnights. I do have it now with a poncho and tarp as well as a extra pair of socks and a little food so if I was stuck out overnight, I'd be halfway comfortable. I have the civilian version and in the 7 years I've owned it it has held up well. It did get a small tear near the bottom once but I stitched it up and it's fine.

I also have a Camelbak backpack. I don't remember the model. It is a good sized weekend backpack that has room for tent and sleeping bag and other things that you would need for a comfortable weekend camping.

The last Camelbak I have is the BFM. I used to use this for SAR. It does hold a lot of stuff and has room for lots of extra bladders. It is kind of heavy though but very strong. It is from their Military line so is made of stronger material than my HAWG.

For dayhikes, like I said, I mostly rely on my HAWG it Holds Alot of Water and Gear just like the name says. :)

Chad
 
Got my HAWG this morning. Amazing enough...it does hold that gigantic synthetic bag! Undid the compression straps, just pressed it the right way with the zippers undone both ways, but it will fit albeit taking up the entire main compartment. Threw in my military-style poncho in the outer pocket, and I still have plenty of room in there for longer items such as stakes and food. Outer pockets on the side, still open. The 'iPod' pocket at the top will fit a headlamp and other odds and ends. Outer mesh pocket, plenty of space left.

The funny thing? Unwrapping it, my girlfriend commented on how small it looked. This is now my ultralight overnight bag, as well as my biking bag, commuting bag, carry-on with the bladder in my checked luggage, and even straps down enough for a daypack.

And I didn't even get the military version! This dang thing wasn't to be seen in any of the stores I tried all over the Chicago area and in the suburbs, had to order it online. It was worth it, this bag has a cult following for a reason. I do miss the bite-valve clip that's on the smaller bag, but I should be able to swap it over easily enough. Loaded it up with ten or so pounds of dead weight and biked ten miles, performed beautifully.
 
My wife uses a HAWG for weekend trips it will hold her sleeping bag (40 degree Lafuma) trail pad (big Agnes) and some odds and ends. No tent though.
 
Glad your liking it! I've been thinking about getting one soon. I have a Mountainsmith Tour, but I really don't like having a fanny pack, I'd rather have a backpack with a big blatter and similar room. I HATED having 2 Nalgene's flopping around in the mesh pockets.
 
i've mainly used the HAWG for long mountain bike rides and dayhiking. That's awesome to hear you can get your sleeping bag and kit in there. One question, did you have water in the bladder? With a full bladder, the space inside the main compartment is compressed.

Anyway I'm glad you are liking it. I've had mine for at least 5 years and can't think of a reason to buy another...yet.
 
bikerider said:
i've mainly used the HAWG for long mountain bike rides and dayhiking. That's awesome to hear you can get your sleeping bag and kit in there. One question, did you have water in the bladder? With a full bladder, the space inside the main compartment is compressed.

True but mine still fit in there.

I'm going to a festival for the next 4 days and then (hopefully) driving part way back home and hiking a few miles into Dolly Sods Wilderness and camping Sunday night.

Since it's just an overnight I'm taking the Hawg. Will try to take some pics of it with the crap in there. Right now there's my sleeping bag, water filter, trail pad and an alcohol stove, alcohol and a cup and coffee;)
Click to expand...
 
I have an older HAWG, at a guess 4 or 5 years, and it's a great pack. I use it for cycling, kayaking and day walks but I wouldn't use it for an overnighter. I suppose if you went without tent or mat you could manage but I'm not keen on sleeping with our snakes and spiders so I carry more than some would consider minimal.
 
i have always been a fan of CAMELBAK...:thumbup: between myself and the rest of my family, i think we currently own 5-6...

i have had a HAWG for the past 3 years now... i love it... it is primarily used for mtn. biking and light dayhiking... i will admit that space is limited, when the bladder is full....
the newer ones look really nice... they seem to have improved the design a bit...

here's mine.. taken while on a picnic with my little dude...
IMG_1876.jpg


and one with all my mtn. bike gear... i carry all this for my long rides.... i do 5-6 hour rides, sometimes longer, depending on the destination.....
IMG_1869.jpg





i also recently got a CAMELBAK rim runner, to replace an old CAMELBAK peak bagger i had... it is about 1500 cu. in.. it is perfect for dayhikes and long epic mtn.bike rides... it'll handle quite a heavy load... i used it the whole time i was in mammoth, this past weekend... it carried water, food, gear and fishing tackle with ease.. i even had some room to spare...
 
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Very well thought out riding kit mike, those fox gloves are sweet.

I like camelback stuff. My favorite is the viper. I wear one when I bike too.
 
AlexSchira said:
The biking crowd loves every model the company makes, because all they carry is small odds and ends for repairs. What about the self-sufficient outdoors crowd, do these packs hold up and work well?
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I've used a M.U.L.E. for the last 10 years (about to replace it with the cool coyote color), and it's been perfect for mountain biking. It holds lots of water, food, and bike tools, but is a little limited for an extra jacket or clothes.

My large pack is called a Transalp, from about 1998. It's much larger, and intended for commuting and long hikes. I carry it every day, and on every hike of more than a mile or so. It's held up perfectly, and holds everything I need for an all day hike (I carried it up Half Dome, with 100 oz. of water + water bottles, food, light, extra clothes, tp, etc. Worked great.

Camelbak makes great packs, and being able to drink easily is a very good idea -- helps you stay hydrated without thinking about it.
 
Many good medium and large size backpacks can accommodate a camelbak either internally or as an attachment.
 
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