Source, Endura, EVOC - Eurobike 2015

Aug 29, 2015
by Paul Aston  

Photos by Beatrice Baar

Source Hydration Systems


Source Hydration Systems
Source Hydration Systems says that other brand's hydration bladders have irregular surfaces that naturally trap stench-producing bacteria and that its plastic membrane's surface is close to that of polished glass. Stench-reduced plastic bladders? Sounds like a good product to us.

Source Hydration Systems
Quick release hoses and large-mouth fillers make for easy cleaning and quick refills, especially for those who add ice for hot rides. The second from left features their in-line filter.

Source Hydration Systems
Source waistbands hold the packs away from the back and take the pressure off the shoulders.

Source Hydration Systems
Source double dared us to sip duck pond water through their portable filter.

Source Hydration Systems
Source fanny packs have shoulder stabilization straps.
Source Hydration Systems
Hydration bladder detail.


Endura Clothing


Endura Clothing
Endura MT 500 Waterproof jacket.

Endura Clothing
Endura cargo bibs were among the growing genre at Eurobike.
Endura Clothing
Details of the cargo compartments.


EVOC Gear


EVOC Protector Backpacks
EVOC debuted a line of hydration packs inspired by a massive 45 kilometer downhill trail in Bolivia.

EVOC Protector Backpacks
A little information in the inside pocket.
EVOC Protector Backpacks
The yellow line is the topo-map representation of the route.

Eurobike 2015
Evoc's handy EMT med pack organizes supplies for quick action. The bladder use a sliding seal.
Eurobike 2015

EVOC Protector Backpacks
The ventilated back protector insert is in a mesh pocket that also helps to keep your back dry.

EVOC Protector Backpacks
A cross section of bags that EVOC created for cross-over sports.

EVOC Protector Backpacks
Padded vest that could conceivably be hidden under a T-shirt for big-mountain purists.

EVOC Protector Backpacks
PB's favorite luggage.



MENTIONS: @evocsports, @SourceHydration, @WhateverPhoto

Author Info:
astonmtb avatar

Member since Aug 23, 2009
486 articles

76 Comments
  • 63 5
 I hate myself for saying it, but that source fanny pack is cool. Be great for shorter rides.
  • 8 2
 Omg Totally agree looks like could be comfy
  • 7 1
 I picked up a fanny pack a couple years ago for short rides, and loved it. Picked up a camelback bag on steep and cheap for about $15.
  • 11 2
 I subscribed to the Fanny Pack program this year and it's been amazing for my local rides. Phone/water/multi-tool/food/c02 & and spare tube. It's really nice to shed the weight of my bigger pack on shorter rides.
  • 12 1
 Saddle bag and bottle. Old school! I mount my saddle bag in my frame, though.
  • 5 0
 I just started using a fanny pack last week and although my pride took a hit and I get a lot of talk from my buddies, I love it.
  • 4 1
 been putting more stuff on the bike and the rest on the fanny pack. only bust out the camelback for all day epics... my friends laugh at me, but I'm slowly converting them. it helps that I have a sweet marlboro fanny pack.
  • 7 1
 How many Marlboro miles did the pack run you? Smile
  • 6 2
 I don't get it. I got a fanny pack to get the weight off my shoulders on short rides. Why would I want "shoulder stabilizers?"
  • 3 1
 ^cuz people are putting way too much shit in their fanny packs. They work best kept slim and light....
  • 3 0
 Agreed. I always try to drain mine before the descent. That thing looks stupid.
  • 1 0
 Source - what pack? Smile
  • 2 0
 Raceface do a pretty good one, and it's low profile enough you can wear it under your top so know one can see you wearing it Wink
I use it for all my rides these days.
  • 2 1
 I have been a Camelback fanny pack user for years. Great for short rides or the minimalist when there is not bottle cage on your rig.
  • 1 1
 I think you would look like a real fanny!
  • 5 1
 Haha! I'm being neg propped for being critical of a fanny pack that looks like a pair of lederhosen! P*ssies.
  • 1 0
 Have a fanny pack from my running days and its perfect for this, cost 12 euros, hate to see mtbers getting ripped off.. mine has two small bottles, (more than enough for a quick spin), a phone pouch and enough space for keys and gels. It got me through 5 marathons and all the training, so its very robust. Tools etc on the saddle bag.
  • 16 1
 Won an evoc bag for fail of the month. And i gotta say i never would have imagined spending that much money on a bag before, but now i totally see how its worth it. I can hold all my normal riding supplies, plus 3l water, a dslr camera with a decent size lens, small tripod, and even a full face helmet on the back. It feels heavy as hell by itsself but once i put it on its really not bad at all, it just fits and supports the weight that good. And i have spine protection. Thanks evoc! Will definitely be buying more of your products in the future.
  • 9 6
 But who wants 3 litres of mouldy smelly water? This article proves that source makes better bladders. I mean, they are almost as smooth as glass! And you can drink pond water through them!
  • 2 0
 I don't understand where the smelly bag or foul tasting water comes from. I have a 4 yr old Lobo 3l and sometimes I leave water in it. Most of the time it sits in my truck, the other half the bladder is put in the freezer. I've never experienced bacteria growth yet. Why do so many people get the bacteria but I dont?
  • 1 0
 The one I got didn't come with a bladder so I just bought a Camelbak one and it fits and works really well. If you actually take care of it, let it dry, and maybe use a cleaning tablet like you should with any bladder, you won't have any issues.
  • 1 0
 I have a SOURCE bladder. Like the ones in the photos. The water has a plastic taste. Can't compare to Camelbak or other because I never used one, but this definitely leaves a bad/plastic taste in your mouth. Which it can't be good for you. Just like a bad water bottle. Like drinking from a swimming pool.
  • 1 0
 I'd just wash it with a drop or two of dish washing detergent. The key is not too much soap. Most plastics have a chemical used in the process to help them release from the mold they are made in. Freezing it after you clean it and then rinsing right after it comes out of the freezer always works for me. I have 3 Lobo's (2 kids) and I take better care of theirs than mine, but the occasional freezing seems to be an important step.
  • 1 0
 @deadtime thanks for the freezing tip.
  • 17 0
 I hope they didn't put that filter on backwards Razz
  • 12 0
 Wait, hold up, so that massive Evoc bag is for carrying 45 kilos down the hill in Bolivia and it shows the directions to the drop off point?

[searches around for reading glasses]
  • 9 0
 45 kilos of what is the question
  • 5 4
 45 kilos of smelly water?
  • 2 5
 45 kilos of.... Endura
  • 2 2
 Courier Bag????
  • 17 0
 If you guys have to ask "45 kilos of what" in South America, then you 100% missed the boat.
  • 5 0
 Missing the boat while packing 45 kilos in South America is NOT an option!
  • 1 3
 45 KM. Not 45 KG
  • 8 0
 like soruce saying competitor C and competitor H basically Camelback and hidra pack
  • 2 0
 Anyone know if those filters are "on" all the time? or can I just turn on the filter when I'm in the backcountry where the water is questionable? seems like a great Idea for multi day trips.... But I wouldn't want to burn through filters with clean water as my everyday pack.....
  • 2 0
 It looks like just a Sawyer Mini, which you can get for $25. They can be installed inline on your bladder or just used as a purifier with a dirty pouch. Amazing ultralight system, hands down the best out there, and 100% reusable. You just back flow it with clean water when the filter starts to foul.
  • 1 0
 I was about to say the same. Sawyer Mini can be picked up pretty cheaply and plumbed right into the Camelbak hose. This is my exact backpacking setup but flow rate is a little slow for biking or intense activities when you need to gulp down a bunch of water on a short smooth section of trail.
  • 1 0
 if you pay $25, you got ripped off, check Amazon. I literally scrolled down to make the joke: "correction: "Source double dared us to sip duck pond water through a sawyer mini with a source sticker on it."" Oh, & I had pretty good success using a sawyer mini & a ketchup pump to push clean water back up the hose into a hydration bladder. No having to open the pack, no having you hydration bladder be a dirty water bag.
  • 1 0
 Idk if paying $4 more qualifies as a "ripoff"... cheapest one I saw was $21 (with shipping).

But yeah, there's a million ways to rig the sawyer. Ketchup pump is a cool idea. I use the squeeze bladder (dirty) connected to a Platypus (clean) through the tube that comes with it. Then I just kinda gently sit on the dirty bladder and wait.

How fast is it with the ketchup pump?
  • 1 0
 I got mine for $16 shipped on Amazon(granted, I have prime) but a lot of Amazon pricing is dynamic based on competitors, so you have to wait sometimes.

The ketchup pump works far better than a dirty bag, I've used both. & it's almost lighter. I don't carry the spring, & I attach the drinking straw from the sawyer to the bottom of it to dip into the water. www.amazon.com/Heinz-511030-Easy-Pump/dp/B001AB4G7G/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1441037866&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=ketchup+pump

Biggest advantage in my mind is trying to get a full dirty bag is super annoying. pump just drops into the water, go to town. Super easy. Certainly worth the $7 to try it. there's no real impedance to flow when the filter's clean, it's pumps as fast as a katydyn or similar.
  • 3 0
 The Endura products look spot on. I love their stuff. Have 2 pairs of their Hummvee shorts, and for how burly they are, they're still nice and cool out here in the desert.
  • 6 0
 Plus, they don't cost the earth either. I've had some of their liners etc for like 9 years, they are tired now and will be replaced soon, but for an item of clothing that sees that much use, incredible longevity. I'll always stick to Endura, even if they aren't the coolest looking, they last forever!!!
  • 2 0
 Ther Humvee is the only short a mt. biker needs. Have a pair since 2008, re-stitched the crotch a couple of times over the years, otherwise they are flawless.

I don't even know why other brands/models are sold - there's no need to.
  • 1 0
 My Endura Humvee shorts have a huge rip up the rear leg seam after less than 4 months of use. Unfixable too (at least with my sewing skills anyway)! Strange, all my other endura kit has lasted for ages.
  • 1 0
 I just broke my warranty set of MTRs at the seam. My RaceFace shorts have been much better. I probably wouldn't go endura again.
  • 1 0
 So let me get this right: The landscape is 5 star. The experience is 4 star. The riding technique is 3 star.
What exactly are we packing in Bolvia?
Nice that there is a trail map for when Peruvians try to do me in!

But for real; is this the Death Road or something actually worth going down there for?
  • 1 0
 Na apparently death road is under whelming if you are actually a mountainbiker, Peru has some great riding though, especially in the Sacred Valley.
  • 1 0
 I want to head down there and ride some actual trail, not coast down s gravel road on a Huffy.
  • 2 0
 Source fanny pack with shoulder stabilization straps. Sounds/looks about as cool as a banana hammock. Just not seeing myself in either - count yourself lucky!
  • 2 0
 And no budgie smugglers either please
  • 1 1
 I've been using endurorider.pl/2013/02/source-widepac-3l for years and it's incredible! The only thing that happened was grated scale for water. Besides that no problem at all.

Now I need to hit a good sale on their backpacks Smile
  • 2 0
 I guess all swiss citizen will get this evoc 1st-Aid pack for free.
How can they put the swiss flag on it instead of the red cross for a first aid kit?
  • 1 0
 I've been using a Source bladder for the past couple years after 6 years of using a "Competitor C" bladder, and I can confirm that the Source bladder is much more resistant to bacteria growth and funky smells.
  • 3 0
 Double dare? What was the physical challenge?
  • 1 0
 hey evoc a back protection back big enough for 1.5l bladder and cell pocket and co2 and tube and multitool that's it call it the freeridedrop and be done
  • 2 1
 I'm a hip pack fan. I don't understand why people carry backpacks on sub 3 hour rides, unless there is seriously variable weather. Especially when racing!
  • 2 0
 That Fanny Pack reminds me of what Wingnut has been doing for years. www.wingnutgear.com/products-page
  • 4 1
 Source is the best!
  • 3 1
 So that means no more toxic silver nanoparticles coated bladders?
  • 8 7
 Those fanny packs keep getting worse. They were bad back then and there is no charge today
  • 2 0
 That evoc jacket needs some mesh.
  • 1 0
 i got the last year MT500. you only need some liner between the skin and the surface of the jacket and you are super cool. best mtb jacket i ever had
  • 1 0
 I got one this year; there's actually quite a bit of mesh though there's *a lot* of padding all over the thing. Yes, it does get hot, though pouring water over my head helps quite a bit. And if there's a breeze the air circulation through the back protector is pretty incredible. Would definitely buy it again, though it is a bit snug around my 40-year old midsection...
  • 2 0
 wtf is a 'big mountain purist'?
  • 2 1
 These are Lumbar Packs. No fanny pack. Lol. Here we go again.
  • 1 0
 45 Keys of Yeah-ho bro! (pauses Scar Face on VHS player).
  • 1 0
 More details on the Endura Cargo bib?
  • 1 1
 Ugh...Backpacks are sooooo 2013! Once you go full-enduro you'll never go back!
  • 1 1
 I need an ETA on that fanny pack ASAP
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