MotoX Magazine from Europe evaluated the Kriega Hydro3 and had some great comments. See the review below.
As I’ve probably mentioned before, there is something deeply satisfying about fitting quality aftermarket parts to your bike – an almost Zen pleasure. And you can get similar enjoyment from using well-made and beautifully designed kit. Whether it’s a Shoei helmet or a pair of Alpinestar Tech 10s, the motocross kit bag can contain some wonderfully constructed softwear. But a hydration pack? Can there really be much difference between a budget bag from a camping store and the high-end products from top manufacturers in the market place? In a word, yes.
Last month I reviewed the Haul Strap from Kreiga, and this month it’s the turn of its three-litre hydration pack – the Hydro 3 – which I also picked up at the Dirt Bike Show last November.
I’ve been using a Scott pack for a couple of seasons and although it’s been okay, the bladder had started to leak and the straps were beginning to fall apart. It’s also fairly inflexible for anything other than just carrying a few litres of isotonic drink and a plug spanner. Try going on a full enduro, beach race or even a trail ride with it and there’s just no room for anything else, so an upgrade was well overdue and, to be honest, the Kriega was the one I wanted.
The main reason I wanted a hydration pack from this little-known British company is because they are specifically designed for motorcyclists and motorcycle sport, rather than being a generic ‘all sports’ pack. Hence, you really get the impression that the designers actually use the products they make. Or, at the very least, they spend a lot of time talking to people who do. Either way, the hydration pack oozes a combination of intelligent design and quality manufacture. The straps are well padded with a ventilated foam material, and they are adjustable at both ends to cope with every body shape, from a six stone waif to an oversize hunchback. There is a quick release buckle that secures the pack across your chest and another that goes around your waist. Once buckled up, this baby is going nowhere.
The actual body of the pack, which sits against your back, is panelled with the same ventilated foam material to keep everything nice and cool, and there is a sensible hook to hang the thing up when it’s full with your drink.
The front of the bag has the usual section to hold the reservoir plus an additional pocket that runs the full length of the unit; both pockets have waterproof zips. On top of this there is a lattice of elastic cord that will secure a set of waterproof trousers or a lightweight jacket, plus the attachment points for the optional five-litre pack (£25). Perfect.
The smart design continues with the fully reversible (and thus easily washable) lightweight bladder inside. It’s clearly marked up with the capacity in fluid ounces and litres, has a full-width non-fiddly opening aperture, a cunning Velcro-assisted closing mechanism that seals the thing tighter than a particularly nervous crab’s bottom, and the whole thing clips in place at the top of the pack.
To complete the
Hydro-3, the drinking tube is fully removable (without spilling all the contents as there is a valve) and neoprene insulated to keep it from either heating up or cooling down too much, plus it’s also finished with a switchable and sturdy bite valve. Phew, I think that’s covered the lot.
Oh shit, I forgot to fully mention the optional
five-litre add-on pack (the US-5) which, unsurprisingly, can be attached onto the Hydro 3 to increase the capacity by, err… slightly over 4.9 litres, which is ideal for a racing toolkit, medium-sized packed lunch or about three cans of Stella, depending on how seriously you are taking things. What’s more, if it’s too heavy to carry on the backpack, the US-5 can be easily bolted onto your front or rear mudguard using the sturdy attachment points. Lovely.
So that’s about it, except to say that having used the pack on the last few hare ‘n’ hounds of the season
I can report that aside from being beautifully designed and made, it’s comfortable, practical to race with and easy to drink from on the fly.
You get a real impression of quality from Kriega products, and not only are they durable, practical and well-priced, but they also come with a ten-year guarantee, which hints at the firm’s confidence in its own design. I really don’t think there is a better biking hydration pack on the market. But if there is, I really don’t care, because this one is excellent.
Highly recommended. JC
