Camelbak Octane LR hydration pack review

The Camelbak Octane LR

Camelbak, an industry leader in backpack hydration systems, is changing the game again in 2011 with new product releases, including the very cool Camelbak Octane LR.

The Octane LR is a unique, light weight pack that was designed around the new lumbar Antidote reservoir. Essentially, water is placed on the bottom of the pack (instead of the back) to center the weight where it is more stabilized on the hips and waist.

I first tried on the Camelbak Octane LR at the Summer 2010 Outdoor Retailer show and fell in love immediately. Even though the two-liter bladder was full of water, I couldn’t feel the weight as it settled on my hips, leaving no weight to pull down on my shoulders.

Although the Octane LR is marketed with adventure racers in mind, my first thought was geared towards mountain biking. After getting to test one out for a few months, mountain biking is just what I did, and the Octane LR came along for the ride on everything from casual weekend jaunts to the all-day Mount Ogden 50k endurance race.

See, I love the Octane LR because one of my biggest complaints about bigger, standard packs on mountain bike rides is the fact that all the weight is distributed in the center of the pack. This causes the pack to pull down on the shoulders, increasing fatigue on long, cross-country rides. In addition, dropping off rocks and ledges in technical sections of a trail can sometimes cause a typical pack to flip up, creating unbalance and increasing the chance of an endo.

But with the Camelbak Octane LR, all of those problems disappear. The lumbar-supported reservoir is hardly noticeable, even on extended rides. A back panel allows you to quickly refill the reservoir without removing it from the pack. Under-arm tube routing places the bite valve right next to the face, allowing the user to take a drink without letting go of the handlebars. Plus, two upper pockets and two waist pockets can carry everything you need for a ride. Although the storage space is small, I was still able to pack a spare tube, pump, multi-tool, camera, energy bars, and an extra layer (though with little room to spare.)

A look at the Antidote lumbar reservoir inside the Camelbak Octane LR.

The pack itself is feather weight (360 grams) thanks to 70D mini ripstop material with reinforced panels of 420D nylon. The shoulder straps are also nice as they are made from a super-breathable fabric that never gave me sweaty shoulders.

There are a few problems with the Camelbak Octane LR, though they are minor. First, the stitching that holds the fabric at the bottom of the upper pockets came apart very easily, allowing some gear to fall into the reservoir area. I could easily fix this myself by sewing it back together, but it shouldn’t have come apart on its own so quickly in the first place. The only other gripe I have is that the zippers got sticky after a few uses from sand and dust, especially on the reservoir panel.

The stitching came apart easily in the pockets, allowing items to fall through.

As a side note, the lumbar reservoir that is included with the Octane is part of Camelbak’s new Antidote line of hydration reservoirs. The major changes the company made include a wider fill port for easier filling and cleaning. It’s also much easier to open and close as only a quarter twist of the lid seals the reservoir. In addition, new materials make the Antidote lighter, more streamlined, and lower profile. Stability is also further increased as the port handle hooks onto a “handle drop-slot” for less sloshing and reservoir movement.

Even the tubes have been redesigned with a Quick Link System for “click in connectivity” with auto shut-off and a redesigned bite valve that prevents accidental dislodging when in the locked position.

The new Camelbak Antidote Lumbar Reservoir included with the Octane LR.

Overall, I’d say the Camelbak Octane LR may be a game-changer for anyone into mountain biking, trail running and adventure racing. I’d even be interested to see how the pack would work for skiing and snowboarding at resorts. Throw a neoprene sleeve on the valve tube and you could ski all day without the water freezing and any need to stop at mid-mountain lodges for a water break. So if you’re in the market for something that toes the line between “wearable hydration” and a full-on backpack, them look no further than the Camelbak Octane LR.

The Camelbak Octane LR lumbar hydration pack retails for $89 and will be released to the public on October 15th, 2010.

The Camelbak Octane LR along for the ride on the Mid Mountain trail in Park City.

Related Articles:
Camelbak unveils complete hydration system redesign at Outdoor Retailer 2010 Summer Market
Camelbak Vantage 35 backpack review
Indoor Chick at Outdoor Retailer: Camelbak and The North Face

Tags: Camelbak, Camelbak Antidote, Gear, Octane LR, reviews

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