PNW Components Introduces the Rover Hip Pack
Press Release: PNW Components
We’re thrilled to announce the newest member of the PNW family, the Rover Hip Pack. A booster shot of trail storage with plenty of pockets to keep your items organized, paired with a cozy back panel that supports the ol’ lumbar and a smart adjustment system that feels like the type of embrace you never want to leave.
The Rover Hip Pack has a large, main compartment for easy access to tools, nutrition (might we suggest a burrito?) and even your PNW Lander Jacket in case the weather turns mid-ride. Smaller pockets and compartments on the “wings” of the pack keep items like keys and chapstick within reach while also providing a place to store your snack wrappers so you can pack it in and out.
Blanketed in tri-layer sailcloth laminate fabric (if it’s good enough for racing boats, it’s good enough for us), the Rover is exceptionally lightweight and durable. The Rover’s “wings” adjust individually with tension locks, so you can fine-tune your fit better than with a single point of adjustment at the center. The compression straps on the main pocket add further adjustment to keep your program tight, while the padded air mesh panel in back keeps you both comfortable and ventilated.
Like our new apparel, we’ve kept a fine eye on the details while designing the Rover. The water bottle holder is detachable in case you have a bottle cage and don’t need your hydration to ride shotgun. The polyurethane-coated zippers keep water out, and a secure key clip keeps your chances of hitchhiking or pedaling home at a minimum. The Rover Hip pack is priced at $69 (USD).
Shop the PNW Components Rover Hip Pack here.
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Then...I gotta leave my Osprey Savu at home and slip the big plastic lifesaver in a Camelbak Mule.
The other 99% of the time, the hip pack is all.
I know plenty of folks will toss stuff in pockets but even my phone in a hip pocket will pull my shorts down if I've not got a hip pack to act as a faux belt.
Back in the middle of nowhere where I live, there are a bunch of guys doing mega rides only carrying one water bottle and a Sawyer Mini since there are so many creeks and streams here.
But can't imagine adventures in other places have near that much water access
...oh, specifically the item from REI to be clear. No personal glory...
A feature that we see on few packs is an outer bungee type strap, that some of us have added to some of our favorite hip packs, that allows us to carry an outer layer jacket on the outside rather in the main compartment where the other essentials should be easily accessible. On the PNW pack, it looks like one could loop the jacket thru the compression straps.
Sounds like you can add on a bottle holder to this pack which could be a consideration for longer rides. A single bottle on the bike is good for as long as that bottle will last, but on the long rides we need more than one bottle. For those longer rips, if you have water sources on the ride, we'd recommend carrying a Steripen and keep it to a single bottle and reduce the weight on the hip pack.
Long story longer, if you haven't ridden with a hip pack we'd highly recommend you give it a try and there are a lot of options out there.
It's pretty essential that the bag can fit something like a thin rain jacket or a windbreaker, and it's nice if it's easy to open and close with gloves on and has good storage organisation inside so you don't have to search for things just dumped into a big open compartment. Again I think the Evoc scores high in those areas. I really can't fault it apart from it being pretty expensive.
For me, 100% must have hip pack capability is ability to carry at least one (should be two) water bottle. No water bottle - no go!
I run an EVOC Pack PRO 3. It's dialed and I have zero problems with it. BUT, I'm digging PNW's philosophy/culture and would easily consider passing it forward for the right PNW hip pack.
Can try it with 1 water bottle or loaded down with 2. I've made the mistake of not tossing the bungee on for a descent and been surprised to find my bottle still there at the bottom.
Side pockets right now have a Stans Dart, Lezyne 25g CO2, Nature Valley Granola, small bottle of contact solution, Cane Creek Double Barrel settings tool, ear warmer, chapstick & cough drops.
Center pocket has a Topeak Alien XC multi-tool, Lezyne Mini-pump, first aid pouch, t25 wrench, half dozen zip ties, emergency poncho, ID, Gloworm headlamp & battery.
Top pocket has my Google Pixel 4A w/ Otterbox case. Yesterday on an hour ride, 1 water bottle & then I tossed my knee pads in the other water bottle pocket for the climb up.
Do NOT...I repeat....do NOT get one of the Savus or Camelbak's that have the angled water bottle sleeve. Pain in the butt trying to land a bottle in it and if happens to be your off hand for braking with the rear, you may be forced to use your front brake to grab a sip of water on a shallow descent. Savu, you can put your go to bottle on whichever side you favor.
Putting lot of stuff into the pack will lead to horrible experience, 20 oz bottle and kill-cliff - perfect combo;
paired with on frame water bottle that gives me enough water for couple hours ride under SoCal sun;
I'd rather put tools/tube on the bike then in the hip pack
With my 2 bottle Savu, my first ride I took off with one bottle, in the right pocket. Reached back with my right hand, went to slow down and a healthy fist of front brake on a bumpy road made me realize my error and swapped it to the left pocket super fast.
"the padded air mesh panel in back keeps you both comfortable and ventilated. "
It's the main point of contact with your body and the bit that I usually find the worst part of any pack.
Evoc seem to be the only ones that get the ventilation part right for those hotter days.
- doesn't post weight
www.dirtbikexpress.co.uk/kit/motocross_waterproof_gear/leatt_waterproof_gear/leatt_race_black_vest?gclid=Cj0KCQiAys2MBhDOARIsAFf1D1ciqbswlOKjGL12QEw8HMTjZ38SD-pQQ5H0S7ELK2Q_lWiTgS-i_DUaArZSEALw_wcB
A discussion from back in 2005 before this new craze came around.
www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/104701-fanny-pack-vs-jersey-pockets.html