We were very impressed by the Cruz hydration pack from Hydrapak because it’s bursting with features and clever touches.
It takes up to 10.5 litres of kit and has a two-litre reservoir. This excellent reservoir has an easy roll-top fastening that’s secure and enables full access for cleaning. It sits in its own compartment and has a quick-release tube with a stop valve, for easy out-of-pack filling.
The rugged lightweight rip-stop fabric fares well against the elements and inside there’s an array of mesh and padded pockets to keep everything in place – two large mesh pockets on the side, two smaller strap pockets and a waist strap pocket for your phone, tools or energy bar.
The fit is secure with extra padding on the S-curved shoulder straps. The waist strap is fully stowable in a secret pocket, which helps keep things neat when you’re off the bike. The foam back panel is thick and a deep channel does a good job of ventilating your back.