Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to try out a few different set-ups for my mountain bike rides. I tried several mountain bike bags and tried to ride without a bag, just a water bottle attached to my bike. Riding with a big bag and a large water pouch makes my back ache ridiculously. My lower back was particularly sore, especially downhill, despite the various models. Therefore, I started riding with just a water bottle on my bike. But it’s not really practical. Even if you want to ride as light as possible, you still need to carry around a few personal belongings, and it can be terribly uncomfortable when you place them in your pants pockets! Here I present the Women’s Chase Adventure 8 Hydration Vest from the well-known brand CamelBak. I have many positive things to share about it, and think it’s now my favorite hydration pack.
About CamelBak
Founded in 1989 by Michael Eidson, CamelBak has been owned by Vista Outdoor since July 2015. Initially, this company was born out of the need for hands-free hydration; the founder, an emergency medical technician, filled an IV bag with water and slipped it into a tube sock during a grueling bike race. Now, CamelBak’s commitment to innovation and quality has made it a household name in the outdoor and sports equipment industry, with a reputation for durable and reliable hydration solutions.
Women’s Chase Adventure 8 Hydration Vest
Here’s one of the things I love the most about this vest: the Women’s Chase Adventure 8 Hydration Vest is specially designed to fit a woman’s body. I can confirm this; Its design, the adjustment straps at chest level, its height, in relation to the hips, etc., all contribute to a perfect fit. This hydration pack, designed for female cyclists, provides much comfort and stability during the rides.
What you need to know about this Vest:
- There is a 2L Crux reservoir for hydration. It is the CamelBak’s Pureflow bladder, with a wide screw-top opening. I found it pretty easy to open and fill.
- The back and the straps of the vest are equipped with 3D vent mesh, providing breathability, lightness and comfort.
- There are two ultra-wide shoulder straps with semi-secure zippered pockets. I loved getting easy access to all my essentials (phone, snacks, keys, etc.)
- The vest has reflectivity for low light safety on evening rides. Unintentionally, I own many dark clothes, so it is a must for me.
- There is one large zippered pocket for the hydration bag but another deep zippered pocket for other stuff (tools, light jacket, etc.). There is another pocket in the front and a small one for tools organization.
- The vest is designed to sit above your jersey pockets, so it is not compromising the accessibility of your pocket if you require additional storage.
- You can adjust the vest with dual sternum straps. They offer a great fit whether or not you have a large bust.
- This vest is made from lightweight 420D recycled nylon. CamelBak describes it as rugged enough for big days in the mountains, but stays breathable for longer rides.
To conclude
This functional and durable adventure vest represents an excellent balance between a minimalist hydration pack and a full-on backpack. But the storage capacity is quite impressive. I also genuinely appreciate the large pocket straps, which minimizes the need to remove your pack to access your essentials. You can easily pick your phone to take a picture, a video or have a few snacks on hand to keep energy levels up throughout the day. Another particularity I loved from the Women’s Chase Adventure 8 Hydration Vest, is the hose and bite valve from the hydration reservoir. They are designed for better water flow with minimal effort. The bladder is also treated to prevent any plastic taste and the growth of bacteria. CamelBak once again lives up to its reputation with this high-quality product. This vest is now an essential for my cycling outings, whether on gravel bikes or mountain bikes.
You can have more information about Camelbak here:
