Thinking about moving from traditional backpack to lumbar pack.

I like the traditional bladder/tube system in the traditional pack, but also bottles to have water in one and hydration aid in another when I have bottle cages.

My front runners are Osprey Seral (4 or 7, still debating size) Osprey has been good for years and has great customer service
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/review-osprey-seral-hip-pack.html

Or Evoc Pro 3L, which can carry bladder and/or bottles
https://enduro-mtb.com/en/evoc-hip-pack-pro-3l-2020-review/

What are others using and thoughts on them.

I have an older model osprey, a bit more like the Savu which holds 2 bottles. It's been ok. Definitely nice to not have a pack on especially when its warm. The main issue of course is limited capacity. So if you want to carry pads or a jacket and food you're a bit more limited. But you can always bring a pack on those days.

The only other annoyance is with 2 full bottles and my tool pouch the pack always tilts back a little so there's a gap between it and my back, at the top of the pack. On longer rides this seems to put pressure on my back where the bottom of the pack sits, and it gets uncomfortable after a few hours. Hard to get it tight enough so it doesn't do that.

I have a Camelbak Skyline for longer rides.
It sits lower than most, very comfortable, and
carries everything Shannon needs......................

I have a Bontrager Rapid pack for shorter rides.
It holds 1 bottle and all the tools I need.
Super comfortable and nice not to have a
backpack on.

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I never would have thought that Harley would end up being my inspiration. (well..maybe a little).

avidtest

I have the EVOC 3L you mentioned that I wear on LONG rides like the Palm Canyon Epic. I had the Dakine 5L which I was pretty happy with overall but the belt would always loosen little by little on rides. Not a huge deal but when I saw the EVOC at a shop in Durango, I tried it on and **immediately** realized how much more comfortable it is. The belt is wider and has some elastic stretch built in. There is NO comparison to the other packs as far as comfort. I bought it on the spot. On our last PCE ride, I let two guys try it on. They both ordered one when we got home. The one drawback vs the Dakine and a few others is it doesn't hold as much "stuff". I haven't had a ride yet that this became an issue but I'm sure my day is coming.

For the smaller versions, I originally tried a small Camelbak version and it bothered my hip so much on a Lake Hodges ride that I turned back after7 miles. I sold the pack to a friend for a steal. I then moved on the the Dakine Hot Laps pack. Super simple and held one bottle which is all I needed for shorter rides but the bottle fell out 10+ times on rougher terrain no matter how tightly I secured it so I moved on the the Bontager Rapid Pack https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equi ... k/p/14798/. For short rides under 20 miles (with a 2nd water bottle on the bike), it's worked out perfectly.

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If you don't go this year, you'll only be a year older when you do - Warren Miller

Pulled the trigger on the Osprey mostly based on warranty and reliability of previous products.

I'll do a review once I get it and have a couple uses under it's belt. (pun intended)