Hydrapak Morro
Hydration packs are essential for every backcountry epic. The $110
Hydrapak Morro is designed to be the go-to hydration pack for everything from
quick one-hour jaunts to all-day epics.
Tech features: The pack has a storage capacity of 800 cubic inches, which equates to
plenty of storage for tools, tubes, energy foods and everything you need for
riding all day in the saddle. The 100-ounce reservoir will keep you hydrated
for hours, and the large main storage area zips completely open to access the
three internal organizer pockets. The pack also features a dedicated audio
port, zippered reservoir pocket on the back panel, dual side-bottle pockets, a
magnetic holder for the hose, and light- weight wicking material on the
shoulder straps and back panel. The pack tips the scales at 1.8 pounds.
Hydrapak can be reached at (510) 632-8318.
Field test results: We were looking for a pack that could handle the
storage requirements of an all-day epic without feeling like a sweaty monkey
hanging off our back. The lightweight material of the Morro combines with the
wicking fabric on the shoulder straps and back panel to provide exceptional
comfort. Not to say this pack is a lightweight, but we found the storage
capability to be more than adequate for long days in the saddle.
In the past, we’ve had issues with larger-capacity packs becoming
cluttered and difficult to use. The Hydrapak is designed to be fully unzipped
and laid open to access its contents. It offers plenty of small internal and
external pockets to organize everything. No more lost Allen wrenches in the
abyss of a dark pack corner. The reservoir is BPA- and PVC-free. A plastic clip
zips across the top of the reservoir to seal it and allows the user to turn the
whole thing inside out for cleaning—a big plus if you forget to drain it and
find a science experiment before your next ride. The addition of the magnetic
holder for the hose was a welcome feature, as it was a no-brainer to use.
Simply drop the hose after taking a sip and it will find its way back home and
out of your way. The Surge bite valve provides great water flow without drips.
Overall, we found the pack to deliver exceptional performance with smart little
features to put it over the top. This is certainly one of the better packs we have
recently tested.
Reprinted from the October 2011 issue. Like us on Facebook