Marcel

Posted on June 22, 2016

Avg. ride time: 2h 14m per week

excellent for bombing downhill!

• Familiarity: I've used it several times

This is my first EVOC product and so far quality seems superb. Attention to detail, quality materials, very nice finishing on par with my Osprey Raptor Pack.

Biggest pro of this pack for me is that it rides very close to your back it's very slim and doesn't tend to bounce around side to side on your pack, very different fell compared to the Raptor which is narrower and a little deeper which causes it to bounce a little bit when going down fast over kickers, rock gardens and that kinda stuff.

My torso was ~46cm which would put me in the M/L but after trying both FR Lite M/L and FR Lite Team S I went with the small since the M/L was getting into the back of my neck and would definitely cause issues when using a helmet.

Things I like it:

+very secure waist belt, it's great better than even my Mammut ski pack thanks to the wide (guessing 4" or so) velcro belt, it took me a couple of rides to get used to how up the belt is located compared to the Osprey but it's out of the way now.

+shoulder strap and belt pockets, great for on the go gels/bars, one could even carry a minimalist emergency kit in one of the waist belt pockets, they are good size!

+back protector. added security, can be placebo but why not use given the pack fits you.

+excellent helmet carry system both 1/2 lid and full face. It works great with my Forefront and Fox Rampage helmets.

Things that could be better:

-hydration exit port for the hose is made as if the hose would go towards your right shoulder, when the pack is clearly made to have the hose on the left shoulder, that's a clear execution mistake

-not the best for organization. The pack has 4 compartments. The lower one in the front I use for tools (CB multitool, tire lever, tube) + emergency kit. There is a front compartment that I use to carry my elbow sleeves + my medical supplies (diabetes monitor and glucose gels), could fit a very compact jacket, would fit my TLD ruckus jackets. The main compartment is also used for the hydration bladder (there is a sleeve), I also carry my pump and sometimes a shock pump if I'm experimenting stuff, that's where I carry an extra layer. There is also a small wallet, phone, key pocket. Now the issue is not lack of space but the way the pack is designed being very slim it makes organizing stuff difficult, you have to keep things spread across the entire pack, there is no stuff sack kind pocket in the pack. I'm not sure it would be possible to make it better given the design of the pack, it's just something I dislike and trying to get used to.

-hot! The pack will definitely keep your back and waist area hot. I climb with the velcro open and waist belt very loose, and only adjust them for descent, makes climbing much more comfortable. Now this is definitely not a problem for descents, it's actually a big pro since it keeps the pack very secure to your back.

In the end this is a great back for 3 to 4 hours rides, definitely would want something bigger for a full day out.