peterhively
Well-known member
I often do long solo remote dirt bike rides and I like to be prepared, so I carry a lot of stuff in my hydration pack.
My old Camelbak Mule has served me well but I've been checking out vests like the Ogio Flight Vest which several of my friends use, Klim Arsenal, etc.
I wanted to have pockets on the front to access frequently used items and to balance the weight better. When fully loaded the Mule was big and heavy, not too comfortable, and moved around too much. I'd attached some pouches to the straps for phone, shades, etc but it all ended up a bit fiddly and I still wanted more pockets or pouches for snacks etc.
Spent quite some time reading reviews, looking at videos etc.
Finally pulled the trigger on the Zac Speed Dakar pack and Octane Tech Vest
https://www.zacspeed.com/product/dakar/
https://www.zacspeed.com/product/octane-tech-vest/
One cool feature on these is their "configr8"system where the different packs and harnesses mix and match so you can set it up the way you want with several sizes of pack, and several front harnesses: straps, armor, and vest.
I chose the Dakar pack as it is the biggest. The pack and the vest both come with protective padding inside, which I removed as I wear this over my body armor. The packs appear to be well made with good materials, zippers, etc.
Got it all loaded up and hit the trail, making some adjustments to the pack and my body armor. Even just walking around the parking lot the whole thing felt so much better, more balanced, comfortable and secure. It doesn't feel as heavy on the shoulders and I'm more free to move, it's also easier to get on and off. The front pockets are really great, I can easily reach things when I stop like hat, shades, reading glasses, phone, snacks, maps, etc. without taking the pack off. The maps I put in ziploc bags inside the front of the vest where the padding goes.
I'm very pleased with how it all works right off the bat but I want to improve a few things.
I have a lot of little items in the big left front pocket that I'd like to have better organized, for now I used a couple of zip loc bags but I ordered the mini size of this thing to try:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TJJ1867/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And I'm doing a little fine tuning to secure my Garmin inReach Mini satellite communicator better. I have it attached to one of the front molle straps and that's fine, but I want a attach a little loop of elastic to keep it from flopping around. Might require a little sewing or poking a few holes so gonna think on it a little more, not quite ready to do that to my new pack.
My old Camelbak Mule has served me well but I've been checking out vests like the Ogio Flight Vest which several of my friends use, Klim Arsenal, etc.
I wanted to have pockets on the front to access frequently used items and to balance the weight better. When fully loaded the Mule was big and heavy, not too comfortable, and moved around too much. I'd attached some pouches to the straps for phone, shades, etc but it all ended up a bit fiddly and I still wanted more pockets or pouches for snacks etc.
Spent quite some time reading reviews, looking at videos etc.
Finally pulled the trigger on the Zac Speed Dakar pack and Octane Tech Vest
https://www.zacspeed.com/product/dakar/
https://www.zacspeed.com/product/octane-tech-vest/
One cool feature on these is their "configr8"system where the different packs and harnesses mix and match so you can set it up the way you want with several sizes of pack, and several front harnesses: straps, armor, and vest.
I chose the Dakar pack as it is the biggest. The pack and the vest both come with protective padding inside, which I removed as I wear this over my body armor. The packs appear to be well made with good materials, zippers, etc.
Got it all loaded up and hit the trail, making some adjustments to the pack and my body armor. Even just walking around the parking lot the whole thing felt so much better, more balanced, comfortable and secure. It doesn't feel as heavy on the shoulders and I'm more free to move, it's also easier to get on and off. The front pockets are really great, I can easily reach things when I stop like hat, shades, reading glasses, phone, snacks, maps, etc. without taking the pack off. The maps I put in ziploc bags inside the front of the vest where the padding goes.
I'm very pleased with how it all works right off the bat but I want to improve a few things.
I have a lot of little items in the big left front pocket that I'd like to have better organized, for now I used a couple of zip loc bags but I ordered the mini size of this thing to try:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TJJ1867/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And I'm doing a little fine tuning to secure my Garmin inReach Mini satellite communicator better. I have it attached to one of the front molle straps and that's fine, but I want a attach a little loop of elastic to keep it from flopping around. Might require a little sewing or poking a few holes so gonna think on it a little more, not quite ready to do that to my new pack.