When your trail time requires that you move fast and light, you don’t need to bring a lot of gear, and what you do decide to bring needs to perform well. Whether you’re a trail runner, fast hiker, or just like to get where you’re going without bringing a lot of stuff along, a good pack helps you carry your essentials efficiently.
For all the above reasons, I’ve recently been using the Camelbak Octane 25 70-ounce Hydration Pack.
Hydration is a bit part of the message for this pack, with a 2-liter Crux reservoir so you can always have water at hand. A small but useful past of the hydration system is the tube-trap management, which keeps the drinking tube secure and accessible for when you need it.
The pack is made with a 3D vent mesh, which eliminates a lot of weight, but it’s also great for air flow. Its ventilated hip belt helps balance weight by transferring some to the hips, and the cargo storage in the belt is a convenient place for additional storage.
There are multiple stow options in the Octane pack, all with an intent to keep things easily accessible. The secure phone pocket allows you to keep your electronics safe yet easy to access. A stretch overflow pocket lets you stash your outer layer (within reason), and interior organization pockets are useful to keep small essentials where you need them.
There’s also a spot to stash your trekking poles, as well as a quick stow spot for extra hydration, in case you need to bring more than that 2-liter reservoir.
All this in a 1-pound, 6-ounce package.
The Octane 25 70-ounce Hydration Pack comes in black/bluefish and lists for $145 on the Camelbak site.