The Hydro Pro 3 is at its core a way for you to transport water on bike rides. It has 3 liters of total capacity as the name might suggest, in which sits the included 1.5 liter water bladder. In the main large compartment of the pack, there’s a dedicated pouch for that 1.5L bladder to sit in, leaving some extra space for essential items. On the opening flap there is a zippered pouch, which extends all the way to the base of the bag.
As far as how I use this pack, it really is my daily driver, even for short simple laps. The only thing that changes for longer rides is how many snacks I jam into it. One thing I always do is have my phone in the left hand side pocket, and a multi tool on the right. Having the phone in the bag rather than a leg pocket is my preferred method. It is still easy to snap a picture on the climbs or charge ahead and get your friends being idiots rallying down a trail blind, but prevents it getting in the way of pedaling or being quite so susceptible to damage in a crash.
When it comes to how the pack feels on trail I am very happy with the fit. I nabbed Drew’s old USWE pack before purchasing this one, and that pack was a great start, but had some hot spots under my arms and on my neck. The thicker straps on the EVOC may not be as breathable as some others out there, but they offer the most comfortable feel. That thicker strap also has more surface area on your gear, which I think helps keep it feeling more secure through rough sections. The ability to tighten all 4 zones on the pack really makes a big difference in finding the right balance of comfort and security. If we have a big sustained climb, I will loosen everything up just to maximize comfort, but for your normal day on the trails I leave it cinched down as tight as it will go.
I even converted my partner Emma to the dark side, and she also is a fan. I do have to say with her smaller frame getting it completely wiggle free is not the easiest. She runs her straps almost as tight as they can go, especially during the summer months where we are not layered up braving the sub freezing temps of the Inland Northwest.
If you are like me and place high importance on staying hydrated and fed on rides while still having all sorts of necessities with you on the trail, I truly think you should reconsider dropping that hip pack and giving the EVOC Hydro Pro 3 a whirl. While it may take a few rides to get used to, it by no means has the same feeling as a traditional backpack. It will most likely carry forward onto my 2024 list of goodies I loved, too.
