Test: The Camelbak Repack LR 4 is one of the modern MTB hip bags that have become more and more common in the past year or two and offer considerable storage space without covering the entire back like a traditional backpack. We have tested the fanny pack extensively.
The Hotter'n Hell race in Texas, a 100-mile road bike race in the extreme heat of Texas, has been faced by thousands of daredevils for many years. An extreme challenge. In 1989 paramedic Michael Eidson was there too. He came up with the idea of filling a cleaned IV bag with water and putting it in a sock.
He then stowed everything in his jersey pocket. For him to be able to drink while driving, he took a thin tube and put it over his shoulder. Thus the Camelbak was born. With a lot of courage and imagination, he developed the brand into what it is today - one of the leading manufacturers of drinking systems worldwide. Today the company is based in California and is constantly developing its products to make them even better and more practical. The Camelbak Repack LR 4 we tested has little more in common with an infusion bag in a sock. But the idea is still the same.
The Repack LR 2018 was re-launched for the current 4 season. The small, puristic bum bag should be the ideal companion for a quick after-work lap or for all those who want to have their back free without having to do without a hydration bladder or storage space. His predecessor Parlos LR 4 served as a template. Based on this existing hip bag, only the division and arrangement of the compartments were optimized.
The tool compartment is primarily affected. In the predecessor, this was sewn as an additional pocket over the actual hip bag and was secured on one side with a click fastener. With the new Repack, this compartment is now fully integrated and can be fully opened using two high-quality zips.
The main compartment of the 2,5 liter hip bag is spacious and offers additional space for the included 1,5 liter Camelbak hydration reservoir. Accordingly, the customer can now choose whether to take a drinking bottle in the bottle holder and thus have 1,5 liters more storage space, or whether to limit himself to the essentials and choose the 1,5l drinking bladder. In addition to the color "olive lime punch" shown here in the test, the Camelbak Repack LR 4 is also available in a classic, subtle black.
The Camelback Repack LR 4 on the trail:
Actually, I always have a backpack with all the important utensils with me. One of the main reasons for this is that it just bothers me when my jersey pockets are stuffed full. Also, it wouldn't be the first time I've lost something from these.
When I held the Camebak Repack LR 4 in my hand for the first time, the classic image of a big city "hipster" with a fanny pack immediately and involuntarily came to mind. But the Camelbak is different from those bum bags. It starts with the most important thing: the hip belt. This is strongly reminiscent of a hip belt of a classic, modern backpack and can be optimally adjusted to my rather slim figure.
Unlike packing my trail backpack, the Repack LR 4 says "less is more". Nevertheless, everything important can be easily stowed away. In our test, we were able to use a rain jacket, a tube (29 inches), a CrankBrothers. You can easily store a mini pump, a mini tool, repair kit, a tire lever and, for emergencies, €5 plus a plaster set in the Camebak Repack 4LR. In addition, of course, there is the 1,5l drinking bladder full of water. My smartphone and my front door key find space in the easily accessible side pockets.
I was curious to see how it felt during the first trip with the hip bag. At least there were a few questions for me as an inexperienced "belly bag biker". Does the strap press on your stomach? Does he slide? Does he twist? is he bothering me Questions that now need to be clarified. In fact, it is very pleasant to have my back free and to finally give my functional clothing the opportunity to do what it is said to be so good at – breathing.
The Camelbak Repack LR 4 behaves almost like a normal backpack both uphill and on the flat. It doesn't slip back and forth uncomfortably, and it's not overly heavy even when fully packed. As is well known, after the uphill comes the downhill. On my test lap – peppered with jumps, berms and steep sections, you hardly notice the Camelbak either. The ventilation in the pocket and hip belt area was sufficient at all times.
The hydration reservoir works very well as you would expect from Camelbak and replacement parts are readily available. In terms of workmanship, I also have nothing to complain about and so the repack can definitely convince me.
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