Review on Stay Hydrated on-the-go with CamelBak Rogue Hydration Pack, 85oz! by Timothy Cole

I bought this set about a week ago. The reason I picked this backpack is because it looked like a nice, minimalist solution for riding our local trails in Houston, Texas, which in the summer are all XC trails that are strenuous. From the packaging, this backpack looks solid and well made, although it's a bit smaller than I expected. It's very easy to cut the threads in the Crux tank, which can cause leaks; But after a few tries I got it right. The bite valve feels comfortable and the locking function is effective. Overall I would say that my impression after loading this pack with water, my phone, my pump etc. is that it just feels a little clunky and like it could be done better. But that alone probably won't stop me from buying this backpack. Driving experience: This backpack falls on your head! NO WAIST BELT! Just a small chest strap! A few seconds after hitting the first trail (steep, rolling bowl) I jumped down and the backpack flew up my back, hitting the back of my head. This happened every time I rabbit jumped, hit a drop, jumped, or bumped at high speed. COMPLETELY ILLEGAL! I even adjusted the tension of all the straps but to no avail. My next backpacking problem is drinking on the trail. The Rogue doesn't have a great way to pull back the bite valve, meaning it will dangle and hit you in the chest at times. Also, you have to bend the hose a lot to get it to your mouth, which is difficult when riding. On my next ride, I even tried attaching a velcro strap around my waist, but even that didn't solve the problem. !I think this backpack would be great for hiking, road riding and maybe VERY light riding on rough terrain (like paved dirt roads). I tested this pack again in Houston, Texas where our trails are flat with some roots, drops, jumps and wood elements. I can't imagine using this pack for downhill or mountain style riding. Conclusion: NO HIP BELT = hits on the back of the head! The bite valve is not comfortable when riding! Filling and loading a backpack before a trip is not easy, but at least it is acceptable. Wouldn't recommend to anyone riding real MTB trails!