I know, it’s a shocking concept, but I’m here to argue that it is, in fact, possible to ride your mountain bike without strapping on a backpack to hold your water, snacks, extra layers, tools, and emergency supplies. How is this possible and why should you consider it? Read on to find out.
How to Ditch the Pack
For mountain bikers, hauling water is of primary concern, and hydration packs offer a convenient way to carry up to 100oz. of the wet stuff. But water is heavy–100 ounces tips the scales at about 6.5 pounds. which is close to what most bike frames weigh. And you want me to carry that on my back while whipping up and down the trail? No thanks.
I’ve found water bottles hold enough liquid for average rides in average temperatures. The largest water bottles hold up to 28oz. so with two, you’re more than halfway to 100oz. Also, the weight is off your back and on your bike, where your wheels can do all the heavy lifting.
For epic rides, getting enough water without a pack takes a bit more strategizing. You can sag yourself by planning your route to loop back by your vehicle to re-supply, or you can carry a small filter, UV pen, or sterilization tablets if you know there’s a water source along your route.
Water is absolutely necessary on any MTB ride, and so are a few key emergency supplies: a pump, spare tube/patch kit, multi-tool, and other doo-dads (like a chain quick link and derailleur hanger). I use a small saddle bag to carry these essentials and it’s amazing how much I can actually cram into one of these things. Make sure your saddle bag is strapped on securely so it’s not bouncing around, and you’ll forget it’s even there.
Ok, water and tools are stored and I still have nothing on my back! Now I’m not completely opposed to carrying items on my back, but I try to limit those items to things I can fit in my jersey pockets. The jersey pocket is a great place to stash things I want to grab quickly or things I don’t want scratched and bounced in my saddle bag. Keys, cell phone, ID, snacks, and batteries for night riding work well here.
That’s it for the essentials, but there are other items (such as extra layers, a DSLR camera) I really like having on some rides. For that, I’ve started riding with a fanny pack (or as I once overheard a redneck kid call it, a “butt bag”). I’ve found the fanny pack is super convenient for grabbing my camera on the trail because I can just rotate the pack, unzip, and start shooting. It’s also a good spot for snacks for the same reason, and keeping an extra layer inside helps pad the camera. Yes, this is added weight on my body, but it’s not nearly as constricting as a backpack and the weight is low and off my shoulders.
Benefits
Now that I’ve convinced you it’s possible to ditch your pack, let me quickly list some of the benefits to riding free:
- Less weight on your shoulders/back. This improves your comfort and form and prevents an unbalanced load from harshing your ride.
- It’s cooler. Riding without a pack I sweat less, especially here in the Southeast where the weather seems to stay hot and humid most of the year.
- Gear is easier to access when it’s not buried in a pack. Now, I’ll admit, swigging from a water bottle isn’t as easy (or even as sanitary) as slurping from a hose, but I love being able to grab a tool, snack, or my camera without completely taking my pack off.
- No pack means no extra junk. For me, anyway, I found I would take too much stuff on a lot of rides just because I had room for it. Now I stick to the essentials and tend to lose less stuff.
- Easier to breathe. No sternum strap to constrict your chest on those lungbuster climbs.
- Easier to clean. No funky reservoir to try to keep clean.
- Save money. Ok, going without a hydration pack may not save you a ton of dough over water bottles, a saddle bag, and a fanny pack, but each of these items is much less expensive than a good hydration pack.
Unless you’re planning an overnight trip, I say ditch your hydration pack for your next ride and see just how freeing it can be!
27 Comments
Oct 17, 2013
I do think having a hydration pack can give folks a false sense of security sometimes. It's hard to see how much water you have in your pack mid-ride plus the largest mainstream reservoirs top out at 100oz which is just more than 3 bottles. Many packs have even smaller, 2L reservoirs which are closer to 2 bottles worth.
Oct 17, 2013
I've also used a fanny pack that has pockets on each side for water bottles, but I never really liked it. Felt awkward and I had more sweat build up on an already sweaty ass, so if I want to carry stuff I use a pack.
Oct 15, 2013
Oct 18, 2013
Oct 18, 2013
Oct 17, 2013
Oct 17, 2013
Honestly I sweat a whole lot more in humid conditions so I don't think riding in the west is any more thirst-inducing than anywhere else. For example, at the Dahlonega Dirty Thirty (30 miles, about 4 hours, and about 80 degrees with 70% humidity) I made it without a pack thanks to staging some water jugs at the 12 mile mark. Again, it takes planning (and even some extra leg work) but to me it makes the ride itself much more enjoyable.
Mountain biking is one of the only sports I can think of that utilizes hydration packs to such a degree; heck, even road bikers don't use 'em and they often go on long/hot/remote rides too. But somehow they make it work.
Oct 17, 2013
Oct 17, 2013
Oct 14, 2013
Oct 15, 2013
Jun 8, 2014
Oct 14, 2013
Nov 9, 2013
Oct 14, 2013
Also, instead of stuffing your jersey pockets full or using a fanny pack (REALLY JEFF?!?!?!) use a small frame pack. I have both of these and they're super handy and awesome:
https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Frame-Bags/Tangle-Frame-Bag
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FFP
Oct 14, 2013
However, in general I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. This applies to extra water, extra clothing, extra parts, and extra food. Sure, it adds weight, but I've found that if I always carry roughly the same amount of weight, I forget it's there.
I think a lot of the choice depends on where and how far you're riding. If you're doing a short urban ride on a heavily-traveled trail system, that's one thing. But if you're heading out into the wilderness, or are riding a long ways, I definitely prefer to take a pack. Here in Colorado (and even in North Georgia), even a relatively simple ride can turn into a life-threatening situation very quickly. Simple, easily-preventable things like not having a rain jacket or enough layers, or running out of water with no easy place to refill can quickly become dangerous.
Anyhow, that's my two cents! Like I said, for after work jaunts on next-to-town singletrack, I really need to purchase another saddle bag and some bottle cages for a more liberating ride!
Oct 17, 2013
But agreed, when I ride something like Ridgeline there is no need for all the gear/water as you can indeed loop by your car or should you have some failure you are never more than a couple miles from a road...
Jun 25, 2017
Oct 17, 2013
Oct 15, 2013
For many people, who use seat-drop, seat-bag is not a perfect option. And if riding in a desert, two bottles won't provide enough water even for a moderate ride. Also I found myself in a few situations when I ran out of water because new to me trail appeared much longer then I expected. So, there will be many riders who won't ditch hydration packs.
I'm not trying to critique, but showing an other side. I see your tips, @Jeff, are very usefull.
@dgaddis, +1 on frame bags - I use one from Relevate too and really like it.
Oct 14, 2013
Oct 14, 2013
http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/bikepacking-bike-expedition/778698d1362754591-how-do-you-carry-store-your-tools-gadgets-raptor-tool-pouch.jpg
Oct 14, 2013
Oct 17, 2013
Now living in Colorado we run into problems with cattle ranging on the trails. Just a roll through a puddle can splash some pretty nasty stuff on the mouth of a bottle...including...giardia. Yep, got it and NEVER want to go through that again. Great for losing weight prior to a wedding, but not fun when you're trying to get out on a ride.
Also, another thumbs-up on the Raptor (although for me it's the Raven) from Osprey.
Oct 14, 2013
Oct 14, 2013
Now don't get me wrong, I too have been doing some packless rides using my single water bottle, a seat pack, and jersey pockets, but these have been mostly after work rides that are shorter, and not as hot due to time of day. They are also group rides so I guess technically I'm forcing others to carry what I might need. Also, in the event of a fall or crash, the hydration pack can be some added protection from landing on rocks on your back.
Anyway, the bottom line is that I am reminded of this post:
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/uncategorized/my-911-call-from-the-mtb-trail-a-heat-emergency/
And don't even get me started on the fanny pack. Michael and I attempted to transport his Nikon dSLR that way at Outerbike last year and it was just horrible, and those aren't even very technical trails.
On the flipside, mtbgreg1 packs for a trans-continental epic on every single ride I have ever been on with him. There is definitely a balance, and after a while you get a feel for what you need for particular rides and pack accordingly.
Oct 14, 2013
Admittedly it takes a bit more planning but I enjoy the challenge. :)