I have been testing the Camelbak Octane 22 Hydration Hiking Pack 22l on various hill and mountain walks.
Features include:
3D vent mesh: Ridged EVA foam with moulded air channels accompanied by an overlay of lightweight recycled triangle wall mesh for optimal airflow
Dual adjust sternum strap
Command Centre Harness: Easy and secure access to phone, keys, fuel, hydration, and other essentials
22l of gear storage
Stretch side pockets
Front pockets for soft flasks
Reflective details
Dual tube trap: Keeps your tube secure and accessible when you need it
Safety whistle
Stretch overflow pocket
Trekking pole attachment
Full zip opening in main compartment
Rain cover
Ventilated hip belt with zipped pockets
Price: £170
See: Camelbak and Amazon (I receive a small commission for sales through Amazon. This helps to keep this website running.)
Pros and cons of Camelbak Octane 22 Hydration Hiking Pack 22l
Pros:
- Lightweight pack for hiking.
- Cross between a traditional hiking pack and a running vest pack.
- Easy-to-adjust to fit and lots of adjustment.
- Comfortable back with lightweight cushioning.
- Easy-to-use clips.
- Large zip pulls on some pockets.
- Lots of storage space and useful places to add kit as well as the main zipped compartment.
- Useful soft flask pockets at front of pack.
- Large zipped front pocket for phone.
- Bladder pocket and useful double clips for keeping tube in place.
- Useful rain cover stashed in lower zipped pocket.
- Comes with a hydration bladder.
- Useful pole attachments points.
Cons:
- One size fits all and a unisex product, which means I needed more adjustment to get a properly neat fit.
- Lots of loose straps after adjustment.
- When large zip for main compartment is open, items have a habit of falling out. I prefer a more traditional drawcord top for a hiking pack.
- Lightweight pack but feels flimsy. For hiking I prefer a pack that is more rigid so it stands up on its own.
- Make sure you buy the darker colour because the lighter colour ends up very grubby.
- Expensive.
Conclusion:
If you are a medium sized man or a larger female, this pack will fit you well. It is a lightweight pack for summer activities and has plenty of useful space for carrying lots of items. There are plenty of different places to stow water, food and bits and pieces in the many pockets.
It looks like a hybrid of a traditional hiking pack and a more modern running vest. This works to an extent but I prefer a more rigid hiking pack that stands up on its own when I take it off.
It would suit fast hiking activities, where weight matters and you want a snug fit but lots of space for kit.
I think it’s an expensive pack although you can find it cheaper on other wesbites.