CamelBak Kudu 12: Hydration Pack With Spine Protection

Jun 17, 2014
by Richard Cunningham  

CamelBak Kudu 12 spine protecting hydration pack 2015

The Kudu 12 pack has wings which spread the load securely and comfortably to the rider's hips. The shoulder straps are ventilated with mesh fabric.




Helmet and pad storage is well thought out and accessible.

CamelBak Kudu 12 Hydration Pack

One of the more impressive items seen at Press Camp in Park City this week was CamelBak's Kudu 12 hydration pack. The Kudu has a pouch between its ventilated mesh back and its bladder compartment which contains a three-layer impact protection pad. CamelBak's 'Impact Protector' is a CE 1621-2 Level 2 certified protector, which adds very little weight and bulk to the pack in exchange for a hefty measure of safety. The Kudu 12 features a pull-over rain shroud, a wide hip belt with a quick access pocket and the usual range of useful zip compartments that CamelBak is known for. An outer flap is desiged to stow a helmet for transfer stages, and there are straps on the lower end of the pack to secure pads. The bladder hold 100 fluid ounces (3 liters) and there is enough room in the larger compartment for foul weather gear. Inside a stretch-mesh pocket is a roll-up tool organizer to facilitate quick repairs. The pack design is wider than it is deep, to keep the bulk of the its contents closer to the body and less apt to throw the rider off balance. I thought the pack was an important development - a necessary item for enduro racing which has been redesigned to serve a greater purpose. The Kudu 12 holds 549 cubic inches (9 liters) and its MSRP is $200 USD.
CamelBak

CamelBak Kudu 12 spine protecting hydration pack 2015

Six pads on the mesh-lined pack separate the Kudu 12 from your back, and form channels for ventilation. The tri-layer protection element is inserted into a dedicated pouch directly behind the six pads.



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62 Comments
  • 47 5
 Does it come in any colors besides eye vomit?
  • 9 0
 eye vomit is cool with me.
  • 1 5
flag jrocksdh (Jun 18, 2014 at 10:16) (Below Threshold)
 Redskins colors here, then the charger pack in baby blue...ill wait for the raiders version!
  • 4 3
 Go Chargers!
  • 10 0
 It's not eye vomit, it's mountain rescue.
  • 1 0
 Whoever has that demo or color spec from where trail ends and loves matching stuff is gonna love this backpack lol.
  • 1 0
 looks like a high 5 bar
  • 1 0
 Do they make camels in camo?
  • 1 0
 @whistlerbound they supply US armed forces, of course they make them in camo. They even make water reservoirs which protect your water against chemical and biological agents:
shop.camelbak.com/cbr-x-reservoir/d/1210_cl_3153
(They're not commercially available but you can find some on eBay)
  • 1 0
 Thanks.. I love my CB in basic black for now, but that's some great info...and I liked the point about mountain rescue!
  • 7 0
 I feel like some people are going to complain about how this is kind of a copy of evoc bags. I don't think so but even if they did, good on them for recognizing a profitable market. Spending quite some time in whistler and on the north shore I see a lot of evoc bags. Overall sick bag!
  • 3 2
 Funny thing is POC had made packs like this before EVOC but I don't see any around.
  • 14 0
 See the POC bagpacks prices and have fun Wink
  • 13 1
 whenever I'm feeling a little bit down I go and look at POC pricing, always cheers me up
  • 24 0
 POC describes the sound of my jaw hitting my desk when I read the prices...
  • 5 0
 I was always put off by the cost of EVOC bags so bought camelback or dakine in the past, but after being super impressed with the EVOC bike bag thought hell i'll treat myself.. and i wasn't disappointed! Its one of those products where everything just works and your left thinking why the hell didn't everyone else do this years ago (kinda like lock on grips). The bag doesn't move around at all, its got pockets where you need them, spine board to protect you etc etc.
So this might be a bit of a copy but somethings are worth copying and if it helps people get a great bag at a cheaper cost then thats always good.
  • 11 1
 POC: Piece Of Cake? nah, Piles Of Cash
  • 5 2
 but the POC stuff lasts 3 times as long. buy it in a sale :O)
  • 1 0
 POC's full retail prices are kind of ridiculous, but they do go on sale from time to time. Never seen an EVOC sale, but I'm sure their bags are sweet.
  • 2 0
 I got my Deuter Attack way before Evoc showed up around here. Love that pack and certified spine protector is a good peace of mind. It is comfortable and functional.
  • 1 0
 I'd say this is an improvement over the evoc bags. I have the FR Lite Pack and while it is very comfortable and the back protector adds some peace of mind there are a few features it is missing which this new pack seems to address perfectly, helmet sleeve and pad straps being the main thing. Also really like the hip belt design on this pack and it looks like it will breathe way better than my evoc pack as well which is another gripe I have with it.
  • 1 0
 i recently bought an EVOC fr enduro, and while it was a expensive, it's absolutely worth it. it's very comfortable, secure and looks and feels bombproof. zshipowick, i get what your saying, i was thinking of the FR lite, but got the enduro instead because it has those things you say are missing. i'm sure this camelbak bag is going to be great. i've used camelbak all my life, my day pack is camelbak but i wanted a back protector and my bike pack was falling apart so went with EVOC instead and couldn't be happier
  • 10 0
 Team McDonalds in full effect Big Grin
  • 5 0
 i love the big bags. i have the dakine nomad which rocks. that bag has been going strong for many many years. i not only use it for my bike stuff, i use it for camping fishing and many other things. it so rocks.
  • 3 0
 I agree, big bags are where its at. My CamelBak has been going strong for 10years! She has seen everything from Motorcycle, school, mtb, hiking, camping and traveling Southeast Asia. And no signs of fading at all. If CamelBak wants to sell more packs, they should stop making them so dam great!
  • 2 0
 Always felt very safe with my The Capo camelbak, with all its layers, the sponge on the back and the water on the bag. This kinda remembers me these new helmets less vented that, even they cover the same area on the head, claim to protect more. If it really has to hurt you, wont be this new layer on the back or the covered vent on the helmet that will save you, i think...
  • 1 0
 I´m buying it, i have a camelbak similar and i love it, keeps the beverage cold even after 3-4 hours of riding, and here is 28-35°C, i feel awkward when i forget my bagpack, just like when you forget your helmet or gloves...
  • 2 0
 Ok , i have a idea for everyone
Why we just don t cut a piece of high density foam (10$ at home depot) stick it inside the backpack we all already own and save ourself another 130$ in a new hydropack
  • 5 0
 looks like it's designed to put fires out, badass!
  • 1 0
 I'll just buy the pad and put in in my german made pack that has a sleeve there as well with vented mesh pad over it, A little shaving on the .sides and I'll have saved denaro for my next rear dh tire, and have a solid fit still from my existing pack..
  • 1 0
 I thought a bag of water, tubes and Cliff bars was already a decent enough spine protector.... But then again I ride in Utah where the thought of adding an extra inch of padding onto my back has greasy, slimy back-sweat written all over it
  • 1 0
 Funny, I own a Lezyne Svelte, which came with a clever back pocket where an aluminum reinforced board is placed to conform to your back's liking. There is room to insert an extra foam protector if one wants, even though this was never really advertised. Maybe looking into fitting that in most existing packs is the key rather than shelling $200 for a new set of pouches/colors. Even easier, buy a separate back (Bliss, etc..) protector.
  • 4 0
 And how secure does it hold a full face?
  • 3 2
 This is a genuine concern of mine, too. Some "helmet pouches" are really just straps for a full face helmet, and there's a lot of motion going on when you do turns, jumps, and rock gardens.
  • 22 0
 genuinely asking here - concern with having a secure helmet on the bag is fair, but arent jumps and rock gardens where you would expect to wear the full face helmet? rather than carry it on the bag? Or am i just missing something
  • 3 0
 I think there are two different thoughts going on in that comment, first: how well does a full face fit in it. and Secondly: How well does it stayed secured to your back when riding down (without the helmet in the bag). with that much carrying capacity does it still move around?
  • 2 0
 this is nice... camelbak seemed untouchable in the bike packs market... now they have to follow the competition too... bikers win at the end
  • 1 0
 Camelbak has the best bladder in the industry, unfortunately, they insist on using a "one-size-fits-some" pack design. They could learn a lot from the designers at Ergon who absolutely understand people come in all sizes.
  • 2 0
 I have to differ on Canelbak being the best bladder on the market. The HydroPak with divider in the middle is much better, easier to fill, clean and dry out. Plus it fits many different packs
  • 2 0
 can it carry a fullface helmet with the jaw pointing down so it does not get the helmet wet/full of water during wet rides ??
  • 4 1
 Yes, jaw pointing down and forward is actually the normal way to wear a full face helmet.
  • 1 0
 I shopped around so hard trying to find a hydration that I don't think there is a best in my opinion each has pro's and con's but can't go wrong any as long as they suite your needs.
  • 1 0
 I love camelbak! I have the agent pack and I use it everyday. I don't know what I would do with out it. It's great for everything from bike park runs to grocery store runs!
  • 1 0
 It looks like a half ass attempt! The EVOC line of protection bags is unreal. They fit so well and don't move at all, and they're light and so slim when packed properly.
  • 1 0
 Now that looks promising, now if only they can invent one that feels like your not wearing a pack Big Grin
  • 1 0
 I'd have liked to see it use the lumbar reservoir. Nice to have the weight down low for aggressive/steep riding.
  • 1 1
 Any backpack with a waterbag inside and some tools or whatever is a great spine protection... Why add some other "protection"???
Camelbak (old) Hawg user.
  • 3 0
 Yeah man, I always crash in the first half of my ride when the bladder is still full, and I always roll right to avoid landing on my tools (which i pack on the left). That should work for everyone, don't see why you'd buy this.
  • 1 0
 I'll take one, even with the somewhat overstated colors.
  • 1 0
 does anyone know whether this would be suitable for skiing?
  • 1 0
 BRING BACK THE "MAYHEM" BAG!
  • 2 1
 Deuter Attack FTW
  • 1 0
 Osprey, end of story
  • 1 2
 evoc makes much better spine protection
  • 2 0
 What is it about the EVOC pack's spine protection that is much better? From looking at the details of the standards this pack and the EVOC ones meet, they both meet the EN1621-2 standard ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_armor#EN1621-2_Back.2FSpine_Protective_Armor) but the Camelbak meets the level 2 standard where as EVOC meet the level 1 standard, meaning that this pack from Camelbak provides a higher level of protection.
  • 1 1
 ugly!
  • 3 5
 Having only one Enduro word in this page is an understatement.
  • 9 0
 This joke is old. Next.
  • 5 0
 If its an enduro bag, it needs a goggle holder.
  • 5 0
 It has a protective zipped eyewer pouch up top.
  • 4 0
 everybody knows those 'protective zipped eyewear pouches' are really for your piece and herb haha
  • 2 0
 P.E.H.P.^^^Protective Enduro Herb Pouch, Lol^^^







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