TEST: The POC Hip Pack Hydro 4L is a stylish hip pack with a volume of four litres, a hydration bladder and space for the essentials. You can find out how the hipbag performs on the trail here.
POC Hip Pack Hydro 4L on test
With the Hip Pack Hydro 4L, POC offers a multifunctional hip bag for small bikers. In addition to being used as a waist bag, it can also be used as a handlebar bag for gravel bikes, for example. The corresponding fastening system is included, the hip fins are simply folded into a compartment on the back. The compression straps of the POC Hip Pack Hydro 4L can be used uphill to attach protectors. POC partly uses recycled material for the production and uses waterproof zippers and fabrics. A VPD pad on the back protects against the contents of the pockets in the event of a fall.
Facts & figures
| weight empty | 458 g |
| Weight including hydration bladder | 593 g |
| hip circumference approx | 72 - 136 cm |
| Hip pocket volume | 4 L |
| Hydration bladder included | ja |
| volume of the hydration bladder | 1,5 L |
| Hose outlet left / right | no Yes |
| length of hose | 93 cm |
| Compartment for bottle | no |
| Attachment option for protectors | yes, in the compression straps |
| Price | € 150,00 |
| Price (replacement) bladder | ? |
Compartment layout & inner workings
The interior of the POC Hip Pack Hydro is equipped with three larger compartments. The rear compartment directly on the back accommodates the hydration bladder and, depending on how full the bladder is, also offers space for a tube and pump or, for example, for a change of jersey. The opening of the compartment is a bit small - so inserting the hydration bladder is a bit fiddly. In the middle compartment, which can be opened much wider, there are five slots for utensils such as keys and the like. However, their size and division is rather impractical for some applications: They are quite small and short. Alternatively, the jersey could also be accommodated here. The front pocket offers space for cell phone, wallet and bars. The wings of the hip belt each have a small pocket for a multi-tool, small bars or similarly sized items.
The compartments are quite easy to access, but when the compression straps are in use it is almost impossible to take a mobile phone out of the hip bag, for example.
Strap & adjustment options
The belt is tidy, overhanging straps can be hidden under the wing pockets. However, its adjustment is quite stiff and therefore fiddly - patience is required here. The belt is rock solid and doesn't slowly slip through. If the hip bag is heavily loaded, you might want a wider elastic band under the belt. The POC Hip Pack Hydro 4L can be compressed using two compression straps - but that didn't really make a difference on the trail. The compression straps can be used to attach the protectors - which turned out to be the best solution in our test field.
In action & on the trail
If it gets rough downhill, the POC Hip Pack Hydro 4L tends to wobble up and down. No matter how tight the hip belt is, it doesn't want to disappear completely. But the hip bag doesn't slip - everything stays in place. In order to get some air for the uphill again, you loosen the belt a bit - but as mentioned, this is quite fiddly. The attachment of the drinking tube is positive. The wing pockets look as if they were tailor-made for the multi-tool. The protectors can be stowed in the compression straps more quickly and easily than with the competition.
The Hip Pack Hydro 4L can be turned into a handlebar bag in just a few simple steps using the Velcro straps included. Straps and wings move into a pocket in the back. Accordingly, the space available in the bag is reduced somewhat. You don't need an extra product for this and you can leave the most necessary tools in your pocket - no matter how they are used.
