Product review: Camelbak HAWG LR 20

In this day and age, most of us take access to clean water for granted. However, it's amazing just how big a priority it becomes when that access is suddenly taken away. No glass of water on your desk at work? No big problem, right? Take your last sip from a water bladder on an adventure bike trek through the outback, miles from anywhere, and you're in real strife – with a very real chance of succumbing to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and, eventually, death.

That's why, when Daryl Beattie Adventures lists its 'inventory essentials' for riders completing some of its longer outback expeditions, it specifies a hydration system with a capacity of at least three litres. Now that might seem like a fair bit for your local jaunt through the bush, but on long days in the saddle through the heat of the outback, it doesn't look so excessive after all.

Man's not a camel…
I've got several drinking bladder backpacks kicking around in the shed but for my latest trip, which would take in 2600km and seven days through the Kimberley with Daryl and his crew, I was going to need something better.

Thanksfully SeaToSummit, the Australian distributor for Camelbak, came to my rescue in the form of the Camelbak H.A.W.G. LR 20 – a sizeable pack with a total capacity of 20 litres, including the three-litre water reservoir.

Click here for all the 'nuts and bolts' specifications for this particular model, but right now let's get into the guts of how it fared over a week in the back of beyond.

When the Camelbak first arrived at Bikesales I have to admit it seemed exceptionally light, and so I was a little concerned about how tough it would prove out in the bush. I need not have worried. It is light – Camelbak says the empty pack weighs just 1kg – but it proved sturdy and up to the task at hand.

The shoulder strap and waist strap adjustors are easy to use, even with gloves on, which meant I could loosen the shoulder straps off to help get the pack on over my body armour and bike jacket, and then tighten it all up so it stayed put.

One thing I really like about this pack, in addition to the fact it's big enough to carry lunch, some spares, and my camera gear, is that the water bladder is carried really low, right at the base of the pack, which reduces strain and therefore fatigue. I have some lower back issues already, so I really appreciated this feature – it's just easier on your spine.

Oh, and the filler for the bladder itself is large and easily opened and closed – again, even with gloves on if need be – while the plastic tab around the filler makes it easy to hold with one hand while you're filling it up.

Clever thinking
The pack's innovative mounting system, which sees the rear of the pack actually held a little out from your back to improve airflow, seems on the money too. But, to be honest, I couldn't really assess this with my Alpinestars jacket on over days that saw the mercury push into the high thirties. I daresay it would make a discernible difference if you were wearing just a light jersey.

There are a few large compartments and it took me a couple of days to start remembering where I'd left stuff, but the zippered internal mesh compartment is good for valuables and the fleece-lined pocket is perfect for phones. Just more examples of smart thinking, from people who clearly understand just how these things get used.

It's not waterproof but it does come with an elasticized 'shower cap', for want of a better term. Not that rain was an issue on this trip – we had blue skies and sunshine for all seven days…

There's also a small removable tool roll. It's hardly crucial, but yet another nice touch.

Downsides? I really liked the magnetic clip on the shoulder strap that 'grabs' the drinking tube once you've dropped the mouthpiece from your mouth – but the bit attached to the tube came off fairly early in the piece (on day two, I think). My guess is it got wrenched off when I was trying to get the pack on or off over my jacket and body armour. But I wasn't about to retrace my steps to find it…

Feeling the heat
I should also say that I did in fact get mugged by the heat in the middle of the trip, when we endured a particularly tough day to get from Drysdale River Station to Kalumbaru, the most northerly comumunity in the Kimberley. However, this was through no shortcoming on the Camelbak's part – I suspect I simply just wasn't drinking enough water for the conditions.

Going from a daily Melbourne maximum of 12 to three times that (and a bit) in the Kimberley, and wearing full bike gear while traversing sandy tracks, obviously came as a bit of a shock to my system. In any case, a glucose shot from Daryl's first-aid kit – and a heap of water from the Camelbak – saw me recover to the point I was able to complete the 200-odd kays back to our camp, at Drysdale, an 11-hour day done.

It was, however, a big lesson in the importance of staying well hydrated – I was sucking on that mouthpiece a whole lot more on the return journey!

In any case, it's still a fat, green tick for my Camelbak H.A.W.G. LR 20 from me. It lives up to its claims and I'm sure it'll be an essential companion on all the adventure rides to come.

Oh, and the name? H.A.W.G. stands for 'Holds A lotta Water and Gear', apparently – and it certainly does that!

Camelbak H.A.W.G. LR 20 specifications:
Water capacity: 3L (room for extra 3L bladder if required)
Total capacity: 20L
Total weight: 1kg (pack only)
Dimensions: 54 x 28 x 27.5cm
Colours: Black/Laser Orange or Racing Red/Pitch Blue
RRP: $249.95

The Camelbak products are available in Australia through a vast network of retail outlets – for more information or to find your local stockist visit www.camelbak.com.au.