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.