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.
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.