The Coolest Pieces of Gear We Tested This Week

One of the smartest decisions we made on a recent bikepacking trip was taking the Camelbak Classic Light 70oz pack. Wearing your drinking water means no bottle cages on the bike and more room for a frame bag. Empty, this minimalist bag weighs in at just over six ounces (without the bladder), yet it provides everything you need for a ride.

The tapered, triangular shape sits comfortably right over the upper spine with a breathable back panel that helps keep you dry and cool. The pocket has enough room for gloves, a wallet, and maybe a snack bar, with a clip for keys and a stretchy band to hold bike tools. Below that, a light loop keeps a rear flashing blinker up high on your back, so cars have an easier time seeing you. In front, an adjustable chest strap keeps things snug. There is a loop on both shoulders to hold the drinking tube, but the right shoulder strap also has a clip, which did a great job holding the tube in the perfect spot so we can reach for it without looking.

The Classic Light comes with Camelbak’s standard-issue 70-ounce (2L) bladder though we opted for cold water using Camelbak’s Stoaway 2L Insulated Resviour ($50), and stuffed it inside. Full of water, the Stoaway added just over five pounds, meaning the whole system came in at a tick more than 5 1/2 pounds, which we didn’t notice during the ride. The Stoaway kept drinks cold for most of the ride with a neoprene sleeve that covers the pack and the 39-inch-long drinking.

Filling the bladder was really easy and drinking from the tip was even easier with a self-sealing hole we never had to worry about. It might have dripped a bit once we spit the tube out, but never so much that we had to shut it off with the lever. Fitting the Stoaway—which is rugged enough to lash to your bike without a pack—into the Classic Light was a little finicky at first because it’s a tight squeeze, but we managed. Overall, the Classic Light was comfortable, easy to drink from, had enough storage, and it dries quickly after a rainstorm.—Sal Vaglica, Men’s Journal contributor

[$65; camelbak.com]

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