The G Running Diary

Choosing a Pack: 8/22/04

Previous  |  Next  |  Index

We were looking for a pack to run the Western States Double, 200 miles on the Western States Trail. We intended to run it mostly straight through, and there would be some sections where water would be hard to find. We needed a pack that could hold a lot of water, and also hold a good amount of supplies.

Normally, Don and I run with a 2-bottle pack. We like the pack because the bottles are easy to take out, the compartment in the middle is roomy, and the side pockets make small to medium-sized items very accessible. So, we were hoping to find packs that we could wear in addition to our bottle packs. The bottles are 20 oz. size, so adding a pack with a 100 oz. bladder would give us 140 oz. total.

We tried on several packs, and while some could maybe work for Don with the bottle pack, I realized this configuration was out of the question for me. The only pack that would fit was a lightweight CamelBack intended for cyclists--possibly enough water, but no storage space.

We returned home to more research on the web, comparing the Gregory Advent Pro, which we tried on in the store, to the GoLite Speed, which we tried on by borrowing it from Wendell. Both are made of very lightweight material. At first we leaned toward the Gregory, because we didn't need the space of the GoLite pack. Then we found a smaller model, the GoLite Race pack. It doesn't come with a bladder, so we bought a 3L Big Bore TPE bladder (it's included in the GoLite Speed, a slightly larger pack). The reasons for the pack were (1) very light, (2) storage space, and (3) side slots for bottles. During the run, the pack was definitely light. The storage space seemed like it was too large. Things would get lost in the big cavern. The side pockets held water bottles fine, but were hard to reach. The little side pockets in the wait belt were great though--just the right size for all the handy things you need like electrolytes, Bodyglide and lip balm. The pack: http://www.golitestore.com/store/NS_proddetail.asp?number=PA5210 The bladder worked well - the bite valve was very good, the best I've tried, but I haven't used a whole lot of bladders. Don and I prefer to stick with the bottle pack. The biggest reason for that is it's such a pain to get stuff out of the back of a pack and a total pain just to put on a light jacket or take it off.

For the future, I still am thinking about the idea of using the bottle pack plus a short camelback, like the Siren or something. Longer camelbacks push the bottle pack down and get uncomfortable. The combo idea seems more flexible because it's an add-on instead of a replacement. I'd still have the jacket on/off issue though. Don is looking at adding bottle holders to his 2-bottle pack. He wants a 4-bottle pack! I don't know if I could stand so much stuff on a waist pack. Hand-held bottles get tiring after a while though.