For a lot of us, a hip pack is something we use for those in-between rides — not all-day epics, and not quick rips around the block. So is it possible that a hip pack could haul everything one might need for a big day in the backcountry? The Camelbak M.U.L.E. waist pack suggests it may be possible indeed.
In this review
“First designed for mountain bikers back in ’95, the M.U.L.E.® has a history almost as long as the brand itself,” Camelbak writes online. After all these years covering the brand, I finally looked up what the hell M.U.L.E. actually stands for: Medium to Ultra Long Endeavors. This reminds me of one of those military acronyms where someone clearly started with a word (let’s call it mule because mules haul things!) and then came up with the words to fit. In this review, I’m going to skip the periods in MULE sometimes because, well, that’s how the military does it, and they KNOW their acronyms. Also, it takes way longer to type the other way.
Camelbak M.U.L.E. hip pack key specs
Features and construction
Look, $90 is a lot of money to pay for a hip pack. It’s not the most expensive pack we’ve tested, but it’s up there. The thing is, this is one of the first packs in this price range that I think is actually worth the price, given the feature set.
Premium reservoir
It’s been a few years since I’ve used a Camelbak reservoir, and it’s impressive to see how much they’ve improved. The included 1.5L bladder is lumbar-shaped, so it fits in the pack and spreads the weight along your hips. The oversized opening allows you to add liquid and ice, and there’s an ergonomic handle to make it even easier. A hook is integrated into the top of the handle/opening for when it’s time to dry things out.
The hose attaches with a snap-on, quick-release connector, and the bite valve has a lever that lets you turn off the flow completely. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve filled a Camelbak the night before a ride only to realize the valve was pinched, and everything leaked onto my floor. The lever ensures this never happens again (assuming you remember to close it, of course).
Osprey was one of the first, if not the first, to include a magnetic attachment to keep the reservoir hose accessible without bouncing around in your face during the ride. Camelbak has this feature now, too, and it’s especially useful with this reservoir, which features an especially long hose that reaches up from your hips to your lips.
Hauls tons of gear
A 1.5L hydration reservoir is nowhere near enough for an all-day ride, so the Camelbak MULE features not one but two water bottle holders on either side of the pack. The slots are a little tight, which is good for keeping bottles secure, but also annoying when you’re trying to fit a 12oz can with a Koozie in one of the slots. An adjustable nylon strap adds extra security to water bottles (but not shorter cans). If you can carry another bottle or two on your frame, you should be able to tackle some pretty long and/or hot rides with this pack.
The waist belt is nice and wide with padding that’s well vented. The right side of the belt includes a small zippered snack pocket, and there’s another stretchy pocket on the left, presumably for peanut M&Ms, so you can just dig in and grab them.
Two zippered pockets keep things organized, and in the main, larger compartment there’s a divider to keep the reservoir separate from other items. On the storage side of the main compartment, there are a couple of divided mesh pockets for smaller items and a hook so your keys don’t get lost.
The smaller front pocket is about the right size for a pair of gloves and some snacks, or maybe your phone. The one thing that’s missing from this pack and that I really, really want to see is a soft-padded area for storing a phone or eyewear. The front pocket seems like a logical choice for this. As it is, I have to bring my own padded cases for my phone and glasses.
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Up top, there’s a sturdy and convenient carrying handle and, perhaps my favorite feature, a bungee cord to strap extra gear on top. On longer rides, in particular, I almost always have an extra layer, either in case of an emergency or for a cold morning start. This feature is a must-have for all-day hip packs IMO.
The Camelbak MULE is made with rip-stop nylon, and the brand promises a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing or workmanship defects. Reflective details make the pack easy to see at night, and the yellow accents on this version make it stand out during the day, too.
On the trail
The Camelbak MULE is comfortable and stable for trail riding, which is really the name of the game. I wear a hip pack to be comfortable, and truthfully, more than a few packs don’t feel great on the trail. The padded MULE waist strap is nice and wide so it doesn’t dig in, and it’s easy to wear the pack low to avoid squeezing my gut. Light loads ride fine, but as with any hip pack, a heavier load will bounce up and down in rough terrain. There’s definitely a limit to the amount of weight that makes sense to carry with the MULE waist pack; beyond that, you’re better off with a backpack.
Pros and cons of Camelbak M.U.L.E. hip pack
Pros
- Thoughtful design and full feature set
- Quality materials and build
Cons
- Could use a soft-padded compartment for phone and eyewear storage
Bottom line
The Camelbak MULE is a hip pack that will work for many mountain bikers’ all-day rides. Plus, it’s versatile enough to work on shorter days, too, without feeling overly heavy or bulky.
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