TEST: The Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3 only has a volume of 3 L. Nevertheless, it seems to be a small space miracle. You can find out how the hipbag performs on the trail here.
Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3 in review
3 L volume doesn't sound like much, but the Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3 is a small space miracle. This may be due not least to Evoc's many years of experience in producing excellent backpacks. Evoc is one of the few manufacturers to be able to design the hip bag for use with both a hydration bladder and two bottle holders. A sturdy handle, a tab for the rear light and large fin pockets round off the positive first impression. The padded strap promises wearing comfort. By the way, the hip bag is available in four different colors.
Facts & figures
Compartment layout & inner workings
Two pockets for bottles not only offer space for enough liquid supplies, but can also be used for a sweaty jersey. With the included hydration bladder, the Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3 is extremely flexible. Large fin pockets offer plenty of space for bars, tools and the like, but the right pocket is intended for a bunch of keys.
The main compartment offers space for the hydration bladder as well as a spare tube, a large pump and a windbreaker. However, some competitors have found a more sensible solution for storing the bladder and especially the hose. The main compartment could also be opened a little wider for our taste. The lid compartment, on the other hand, can be opened very wide, has plenty of space and has useful inside pockets for a cell phone, wallet, bars or similar.
Strap & adjustment options
The wide fins on the Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3, in combination with the padded strap, give the hip bag a very comfortable fit. The strap is designed to be permeable to air and is closed with Velcro as well as a strap and buckle. However, slim people should be careful: the adjustment range of the belt only starts at around 83 cm hip circumference. So some people are likely to be thrown out of the circle of buyers - it would almost be our test driver with a height of 180 cm. The belt is adjusted on the left side. A tensioning device integrated under the fin pockets can tighten the fit of the hip bag slightly for the descent - and loosen it accordingly on the uphill.
The compression straps on the bottle compartments can reliably and easily compress the contents of the bag regardless of the level of filling, thereby noticeably minimizing wobbling of the hip bag. They can also be used as a protector holder for compact protectors as long as you don't use a bottle.
In action & on the trail
The Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3 almost sticks to your hips on the trail. Marginal wobbling is noticeable beyond the test content, but that's whining at a high level. The tensioning devices do a good job here. Evoc's hip pack is the only model that wobbles a little more when using bottles than with a hydration bladder. The hip bag is otherwise very comfortable and feels good. The handling is also impressive across the board, whether with a hydration bladder or bottles. As usual, Evoc has done a lot of things right here.
