The North Face Klamath 8 Hydration Pack

Full Review of the The North Face Klamath 8 Hydration Pack

The North Face Klamath 8 Hydration Pack is a functional and streamlined pack designed for those shorter rides and runs. As one would expect from the North Face brand, this hydration pack is built to last and will withstand any weather or terrain.

A Well Rounded Hydration Pack

The main features of this pack are:

• 8 litre storage capacity.
• 2 litre Source anti-microbial Widepak bladder with magnetic valve clip.
• Large main storage compartment with internal organization design.
• Outside-in side water bottle pockets.
• Removable, anatomically tracking hip-belt.
• Secure quick-pull exterior compression.
• Mesh-infused E-VAP back panel made to be comfortable and breathable.

The North Face Klamath 8 has a working simplicity of design and is all about comfort. The egg crate style back panel with mesh cover allows the pack to sit comfortably on your back and the sliding attachment design of the waist belt ensures that it won’t bounce around when you are on the move.

In addition to the functional back panel, the ergonomically shaped shoulder straps ensure a secure and comfortable fit and of course these straps are fully customisable too. So as far as comfort is concerned, the North Face Klamath 8 Hydration Pack passes the first test.

Including Clever Storage

The storage functionality of this pack is pretty clever with only a few minor niggles. The large main compartment is not very big at all and will only take things like your wallet, keys, first aid kit etc. There are also two extra mesh pockets: one fitted with a Velcro closure and the other with a zip with key loop. A sad omission is the lack of fleece-lined pouch for an mp3 player or mobile which is a shame. As previously mentioned, this pack os not designed for those all-day events so if you are after something with a little more room, steer clear of this.

The side compression straps on the North Face Klamath 8 are useful for securely storing your bag contents but can also hinder access to the main compartment. Sometimes the zips get trapped underneath the compression straps meaning you have to fiddle around a bit for access. Annoying!

For quick access to smaller items like energy bars and gels there are two expandable side pockets. Maybe you could stick your iPod in here but there is no headphone port and you risk damaging your electronics. The bungee cord storage section on the rear could be used for a waterproof jacket but only at a push.

Although this pack only weighs 595g, it may be a bit heavy for racers who consider weight to be a key factor. It is important to keep in mind that this pack was built for comfort and longevity and not for speed.

The Hydration System

The source bladder on the North Face Klamath 8 is anti-microbial and is easy to refill but a little fiddly to clean as the main hose does not disconnect. The drinking system is easy to use on the move as the hose goes straight down the shoulder strap and has a simple magnetic clip that keeps the bite valve in place. The drinking hose flow is very generous and does not leak when not being used.

The Vedrict?

In summary, the North Face Klamath 8 Hydration Pack is a great all-round pack for comfort and functionality, and for the most part is well-designed. If you can get passed the few niggly flaws, then it will be a great companion.

You might also like:

None Found