I have multiple waist packs and if you were to use one I would aim for one that contains a bladder, and not bottles. That said, it’s a bit more awkward to drink from a bladder since the hose comes around to your waist, versus your chest where you can grab it more high up. If you were to try with 2 bottles loaded in the back it wont put pressure on your back, but you could more deal with balance problems with the bag.
I’ve been using an Osprey pack for mtb and long gravel rides. I selected it to have capacity for rain gear and spares.
That said, if I were shopping today the USWE options would be on my radar. The fit/comfort looks good. Everyone I know who uses one loves it. I honestly can’t imagine using my Osprey while riding my road bike but the USWE seems like it would be compatible, especially if your main need is water.
I’ve used the Camelback Chase then became a big fan of the USWE. However I found it too restricting. Now using the Velocio hydration vest and love it. Invested in a Hydrapak insulated bladder. Typical rides are 65+ miles. I use two bottles of electrolytes and fill the bladder with 1-1.5 liters of ice water.
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+N for the USWE Rush 8 vest. You can run the 2L insulated bladder that insulates quite well, or you can even fit a non-insulated 3L bladder in the same vest for really long days. I’m not sure what makes a road cycling vest, but for mountain biking it is by far my favorite hydration vest/pack I’ve used.
I designed a double-bottle-cage adapter to solve this problem. There are other options in the market, but they all have too much flex for my liking. I run four x 1L bottles on all my bikes now.
I had to look up the model. It’s the chase. Much more vest like. Rides high and snug on my back so I can still access my jersey pockets. I used it this weekend in Houston to ride 100 miles in the June heat and humidity. Filled my jersey pockets with ice and replenished ice in the reservoir when I stopped.
I find vests to block the back. Much better is 1. Use large 1 liter bottles (Elite fly) + use a simple 3 bottle holder for behind the seatpost. I use the SKS model. Assuming the start is 750ml bottles this also doubles the capacity. I put them in the deep freeze the night before
A friend of mine decided to use one of these for the first time on our ride from LA to Vegas. I spent so much time stopping and waiting for him to pick up ejected bottles it’s now hilarious but it got so fucking old after about the 8th time it happened.
I know there are systems like this, that work well, but PLEASE for your own sanity, do your research and figure out which ones are good, because whatever one my friend had was absolutely not it.
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Also have an uswe rush 8 for long mtb rides, so much easier to drink than reaching for a bottle on rough terrain. Its great.
Check the sizing with vests too, I bought an evoc without thinking and it barely covers my nips.
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It really boils down to how much time passes between locations where you can refill your bottles and how warm “warm” is (plus humidity).
I used to live in Japan for many years, and in the summer it was so hot and humid I had to take a second pair of socks with me. On hot days, I’d go through 1.5 bottles per hour, and a 2 l bladder would not suffice. On the other hand, in Japan there’d be convenience stores and vending machines everywhere (save for a few important exceptions). I’d only get low on liquids along one route I remember, and that was because the water in the public rest rooms was not drinkable.
I ended up getting a small Deuter backpack, which is larger than any of the suggestions here. Reason being, I can stuff plenty of nutrition and extra pieces of clothing in there for really long days when I’d go from sea level to >1,600 m.
Yeah you definitely need to prepare with either great cages or a retention system:
Have you considered a cycling jersey with a hydration pouch on the back?