GoLite Hydrocruise Lumbar Pack - 2008 BCS

I bought this pack for a 3-Day walk I am doing (walking 60 miles over 3 days). I have used it extensively in my training and also on a hike up Mt. LeConte in the Smoky Mountains. It is very comfortable, holds a good amount of fluids in the two bottles, and has enough cargo space for sunscreen, camera, gels, rain poncho, etc. I love it! I also like the small zipper pouches on the sides for things I want quick access to like my cell phone. I can see that it might have too much bounce for runners, but it is perfect for walkers and hikers.

I would recommend this pack, but it'll take some getting used to. It rides a little high but there is minimal bounce. I had an issue with the water storage, (i.e., having to almost stop on the trail to put the bottle back in the holder). After a few runs, I have found it be a reliable product and am overall happy with it. You will have to give it a few trys to see if its the right product for you.

Hip packs seem to be out of fashion in favor of bladder packs and handhelds with small hip packs. However, I have been using hip packs for almost 2 decades and am not ready to change. My Ultimate Directions Extender fell apart just a few weeks prior to the Big Horn 100 mile trail run. I bought the Hydrocruise based in part on Go Lite's reputation and its large cargo capacity. (Most of the other double-bottle packs good for running can hold a 7 inch flashlight.)

My initial test runs were not so good, but I had little choice and had to take it to the race. The bounce level is moderate, not as good as my old UD Extender, but not too bad for a pack its size. The big problem is that the bottles are difficult to get back into their pockets. At the race, when I had more cargo in the main pocket, this problem was much worse. To get the bottles back into their pockets, I had to loosen the belt and use two hands. I most often had to stop as the pack slid down my legs. This extra work is not what you want to spend your energy on in the middle of a long trail run. After the second sun rise, I dumped my extra clothes and lights into a drop bag and the bottles fit more easily into their pockets.

I can add a few other comments. While the little mesh pockets on the sides are great for salt tablets and gels, it makes it hard to mount a gel-flask holster or a camera pocket. The flask holster mounted in the front without a problem, but there was no quick pocket for a camera.

I have given this pack three stars because I have not found a better one, but it probably only deserves two stars.