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Recent Reviews
This vest provides ample pocket space for my phone, ID/Cash/Cards, allows access to 4 gels on the straps, and allows me to carry 2-3 TPU tubes and 3 CO2 cartridges plus a mini pump and multi tool. 118 mi gravel race and only two refills, I think the reservoir size is ideal when supplemented by larger bottles or a bladder in a frame bag - this is an excellent, all-around accessory that works on race day or for training rides.
I do not use this on the road, but for long solo excursions it allows me to get through a 4-5 hour training ride without issue. There is an added safety boost with a vest, if you happen to go down on a rocky descent - I suppose any hydration pack would do this - but I owned the previous iteration of this vest that finally bit the dust when I caught my front wheel in a rut on a rocky, technical descent - and I don't think I would have made it home if it weren't for the cushioning of the water reservoir and the straps being placed where they are - I likely would have broken a rib or collarbone/scapula without this... but for the most part, the storage does the trick.
Only drawback: if you're not careful, you still can lose gels/small items stored in the strap pockets (not the zippered one) so be sure to tuck them in carefully or relocate those to a jersey pocket if you're riding exceptionally rough road - a few of my gels went missing and were somewhere on a remote county road when I saw my nutrition reminder on my Garmin.
I bought these to replace my old podium bottles. I really like the podium bottles for their ease of use, but these particular bottles are too small for my standard water bottle cages. I have a couple ENVE cages that I use on my gravel bike because they hold my bottles extremely tight (almost too tight). These new bottles just drop right in without any force and will pop out just as easily. I am going to use the new lids on my old bottles.
I originally purchased the bottles to replace my old water bottles with BPA free bottles. I have purchased Camelbak products in the past and found them to be good quality and their customer service department was excellent when I had questions concerning my Camelbak Rogue. After receiving my bottles I was impressed with their quality, ease of use and how easily they were to clean. At $11.00 they are a great value and I will be purchasing additional bottles in the future.