EVOC has been manufacturing cycling backpacks for well over 15 years and are consistently bagging test win after test win. The HIP PACK PRO 3l is the top line of EVOC’s hip pack range and has inherited all the quality and features the German brand has already incorporated into their backpacks.
Info:
Best UK Price I found: *£68 | Weight: 428 g | Volume: 3 litres | With Optional hydration bladder: 1.5 Liter, RRP £84 (+ 139g)
*I purchased mine from TREDZ: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Evoc-Hip-Pack-Pro-3L-Waist-Pack_203296.htm
Technicals:
Airflow Contact System offers perfect back ventilation
Ventiflap for uphill- and downhill mode adjustment
2 Bottle Carriers with extra safety fixation - easy to reach
Material: N 210D RIPSTOP HD, 3D AIR MESH, AIROFLEX
3L, 430g + 130g Bladder, 28 x 18 x 8 cm
Storage:
The HIP PACK PRO 3l has the classic compartment layout, i.e. one large main pocket with a divider for the drinking bladder, a front compartment with small tool pockets that opens up from the front and two large sized pockets on the hip sides. It’s surprising just how much I was able to fit into it... Although in reality, the GoPro's would be attached to me!
In addition, as my pump is just slightly too big to go inside, on the outside there’s a couple of loops and a rear light attachment which I connected it to with Velcro loops. 👇
Bladder or bottles?
There’s x2 bottle holder’s on each side of the compression straps, which have Cinch straps and some stretchy bands that go over the mouthpiece of a bottle to keep your drinks in place on rough descents.
Alternatively, with the 1.5ltr water bladder fitted and filled, there’s not much room remaining inside the main compartment, so carrying capacity is reduced. For this reason, I decided to go for the option without the bladder as I’ll not be using this hip pack for big rides but more for local rides and bike park days where the water bottles will be the better option.
Comfort and fit:
As far as comfort, fit and ride stability go, there’s not many, if any, waist packs that can match the HIP PACK PRO 3l. It incorporates a wide elasticated Velcro strap which is made from an “Airo Flex” material that is both flexible and breathable, this provides an amazingly comfortable and snug fit coupled with an adjustable belt clip for extra security. On every ride, I find myself checking it’s still there as it’s so unnoticeable! EVOC have also engineered the VENTIFLAP compression straps into the hip pack, which sit right under the side pockets. This lets the rider adjust how closely the pack is fitted to his/her back. The straps can be adjusted individually to both increase the “snugness” around the waist and/or increase or decrease the ventilation, without losing the compression on the contents. These are also useful for uphill- and downhill mode adjustments to make the pack much more firmly secured. It doesn’t really matter how full or empty the pack is, it provides an incredibly stable and extremely comfortable fit at all times.
By pulling the blue strap of the VENTIFLAP system, you’ll move the bag closer to your body. If you pull them backwards, you’ll increase the back distance and the ventilation.
Ventilation:
The back wall of the Hip Pack Pro 3l is made up with ventilated foam sections and covered with a mesh to increase air-flow. It is quite stiff but surprisingly flexible and its height is perfect for any body shape. This is such a great design feature especially when you factor in the VENTIFLAP system either side. For a bag this size, the HIP PACK PRO offers by FAR the best climate adjustment in all the available hip packs.
Is it perfect?
The HIP PACK PRO 3l is an amazingly well designed MTB hip pack but it’s not 100% perfect. In my opinion, the double slider zip on the rear tool pocket is awkward and a bit pointless really, it only makes the access easier when the pack is laying flat on a table or a bench. When the pack is attached to you, the double slider actually makes the access more difficult and there’s even the risk that the pocket won’t close properly. As an improvement, I’d like to see a single zip system and possibly a padded phone pocket or slide pouch. Those aside, I think it's defiantly by far the best hip pack for functionality and comfort.
My conclusion:
EVOC have used their long history in building good backpacks to design the HIP PACK PRO 3l. And while it may be a little expensive, it’s in by far the most versatile hip pack with the most comfortable, stable fit and most effective ventilation in the world of MTB hip packs.
In summary... for me, it’s AWESOME! My score for MTBing is 9/10👍
Positive points:
Most versatile option
Good compartment layout
Lot’s of space
Excellent comfort
Amazing carrying/ compression system
Best ventilation
Choice of hydration style
Negative points:
Expensive
Tool pocket zips
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