CamelBak Palos 4 LR waist pack review
When cinched snug against the low back you all but forget the Palos 4 LR waist pack is there (click to enlarge).
Editor’s Note: This article is part of the Mtbr Guide to hydration packs, featuring the new CamelBak Low Rider line. To see all the articles, head over to the Low Rider hydration pack hub page.
Lowdown: CamelBak Palos 4 LR Waist Pack
Quick history lesson: A few weeks back while sitting in the living room of Dave Wiens for this interview, his wife Susan walked through on her way out the door for a ride. For those who don’t know, Mrs. Wiens is Susan DeMattei, former World Cup cross-country racer, mountain bike hall of famer, and bronze medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Around her waist was what most of us would refer to as a fanny pack. DeMattei informed us that the somewhat hippie-looking piece of apparel had been a gift from another former XC great, Jacquie Phelan, and it was one of her favorites pieces of riding gear. Indeed, that’s how far back the use of waist packs for mountain biking goes.
But I honestly chuckled a little inside my head. Whether strolling the streets of Paris, or riding Gunnison, Colorado’s Hartman Rocks, the fanny pack is not exactly the symbol of contemporary cool. After about a month of testing the CamelBak Palos 4 LR waist pack, though, my mind has been changed. Say what you will about fashion implications, but when it comes to ripping around on mountain bikes they make a lot of sense. Read our full review below to learn more.
| Weight with bladder and hose: 490 grams | Back panel: Padded mesh |
| Weights without bladder and hose: 310 grams | Size: One size fits all |
| Cargo capacity: 2.5 liters | Fit: Waist sizes 26” to 44” |
| Water capacity: 1.5 liters / 50 oz | Colors: Black/atomic blue, ember/charcoal |
| Fabric: 70D/210D block dobby nylon, 210 HT nylon | Price: $75 |
| Belt: Fixed 1.5″ w/ 2 cargo pockets |
Rating:  4 out of 5 |
Pluses |
Minuses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review: CamelBak Palos 4 LR Waist Pack
The premise of the CamelBak Palos 4 LR waist pack is fairly simple. By moving weight off your back, you’ll sweat less and have a lower center of gravity, which will improve the overall ride experience. Additionally, by incorporating a 50oz bladder, it’s easier to stay hydrated because you wont have to fumble with pulling a water bottle out of a bottle cage or pack holster.
The pack opens up to reveal smartly organized tool carrying pockets (click to enlarge).
Truth is, no matter what you think about the cool factor of riding with a waist pack (or fanny pack, or bum bag), the Palos 4 LR is a sound idea that CamelBak has executed well. The bladder is large enough to meet the thirst requirements of most rides of 2 hours or less, while the 2.5 liters of thoughtfully organized storage provides adequate room for a spare tube, hand pump, multi tool, wind breaker, smartphone, and a bar or a couple of gels.
It’s a revelation to climb without the weight (and heat) of a hydration pack on your back or shoulders (click to enlarge).
I’ve been wearing this pack off and on now for about two months and have really grown to appreciate what it brings to a ride. For short outings when I prefer to eschew the hydration pack, I don’t need to stuff jersey pockets (or SWAT pockets) with gear. Instead it’s all in one self-contained unit that weighs less than 500 grams sans water. (For comparison sake, the CamelBak Skyline 10 LR hydration pack weighs 850 grams empty.)
Continue to page 2 for more of our CamelBak Palos 4 LR waist pack review »
The post CamelBak Palos 4 LR waist pack review appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.