The Octane 18X may have been designed with adventure trekking in mind (it has elasticated cables for walking poles), but we’d heard good things from other cyclists who’ve made this their own, and so quickly dismissed any rambling connotations.
The Ripstop fabric and mesh construction makes the Octane almost featherweight, and the big zip on the front lets you alter the size to fit your load.
This keeps everything together and making the pack less likely to flop around on your back. In fact, the flexible construction, well-fitting shoulder strap and hip-belt fastening mean that this really does move with you.
The Octane has fewer pockets that CamelBak’s evergreen Mule, but you can create a mesh section by unzipping the front. There are mesh pockets on the substantial side wings, though, which give you easy access to essential supplies without removing the pack.
The bladder is made to the usual excellent CamelBak standard, and we think having the option to route the drinking tube over your shoulder or out and up from waist level is a stroke of genius. Now, if we could just have a magnetic clip for the valve please.
