The Hydration Pack Designed to Survive the Australian Outback
H20-Haul Eight Hydration Pack
Price: £99.98
If you are going adventure riding involving any sort of trail action, then a hydration pack should be high on your list of essential kit. While you might think it’s OK to just have a drink from a bottle in your backpack when you stop for a break, this can prove to be a foolhardy and potentially dangerous strategy. Maintaining correct fluid levels throughout your ride by drinking regularly and often will prevent you becoming dehydrated, allowing you to maintain focus and avoid premature fatigue.
Which is exactly why Australian firm Albek has produced its rather beautifully made and highly functional hydration pack, the Haul Eight. Named for its 8l capacity, it’s no wonder that a brand based in one of the hottest and most punishing continents on earth should be all too aware of the dangers of dehydration during off-road motorcycling. If you are heading out into the outback on a dirt bike, you don’t want to be relying on a bottle of squash in your rucksack.
The main body of the Haul Eight hydration pack is manufactured with super-tough 240D ripstop polyester, with similarly rugged straps. It utilises Albek’s own X Brace harness system that buckles across the chest, with enough adjustability in the generous straps to accommodate all riders from teenage waif right up to the chunkiest of trail riders.
USABLE WITH GLOVES
In the centre of the harness is an easily operated click buckle that is usable with gloves, making it simple to take on and off even when your hands might be freezing cold or indeed cramped up after a long day on the trails.
Beyond the attachment harness, the Albek team has crammed the Haul Eight with a host of clever and useful features to make this so much more than just an everyday backpack. At the rear of the interior pocket there is an elasticated pouch for a 3l drinks reservoir (included), with a wide filling aperture. The removable drinking tube can then be routed up to the top of the left shoulder strap and down to the clip alongside the main harness buckle, where a suitably robust bite valve allows access to your drink whenever required.
The rest of the space within the inside of the Haul Eight is mercifully clear of clutter, allowing you to pack in all your riding essentials, from waterproofs to spare gloves, snacks to copies of the latest edition of Adventure Bike Rider. On the more prosaic details, there’s a panel for you to record medical information and an emergency contact should your ride not go according to plan.
PLENTY OF STORAGE
Aside from the internal capacity, the outer panel of the Albek pack has a large top section with multiple mesh pockets, tool loops and a water-resistant phone pocket, with a second pouch at the bottom of the pack for even more stash space for your riding essentials, again with mesh pockets to keep everything organised. And should all this still not be enough storage capacity, there are two cargo loops at the bottom of the pack to allow you to attach everything from bedding rolls to spare riding kit. Oh, and there’s a handy hanging point between the shoulder straps too.
But while the specs look good, what’s it like to ride with? We loaded up the Haul Eight with just about everything we needed for a recent two-day trail ride in the West Country. That was 2l of isotonic drink, waterproofs, spare goggles, spare gloves, mobile phone and battery pack, house keys, high-energy snacks, the whole nine yards. The Albek accommodated the lot in its selection of pockets and pouches without difficulty, and the strapping system allowed us to adjust it to feel secure for some spirited and challenging trail riding.
The vented and well-padded shoulder straps were comfortable for full days in the saddle, as was the padded ‘Ergo Flow’ rear panel, which prevented the backpack from becoming too hot and sweaty against my back. You can’t ask for much more.
Weighing in at 600g before you start stashing your gear and drinks inside, the Haul Eight is just under 18” long and 14” at the base and, if fully packed, will be around 5” deep. So, it’s big enough to carry all you need, but not so big as to restrict your riding. And with a lifetime warranty to rely on and a budget-friendly price tag of just £99.98, this is a seriously good piece of kit from the Australian brand.
Get yours today HERE.
