Camelbak Skyline 10 LR Hydration Pack - Review
Camelbak is the Hoover of the hydration pack market, and while there may be many pretenders to the throne, constant innovation ensures that they will not be displaced. Camelbak released a new lowrider hydration pack last fall, in the shape of the all-new Skyline 10 LR (and the women-specific Solstice) and it’s one of the best hydration trail packs I’ve yet tested. With outstandingly good stability and comfort. this is the pack for people who normally can’t stand wearing a hydration pack..
The Skyline differs from conventional hydration packs in that, in place of a tall, narrow bladder sitting vertically on the entire back, it employs a wider, shorter bladder that sits low around the waist. The Skyline features Camelbak's Antidote three-liter bladder, accessed from a zipped back panel, and a removable hose that makes cleaning duties simpler. The pack's seven-liter cargo capacity is enough for the majority of trail rides, with the main compartment containing mesh pockets and a removable tool roll to keep essentials organized. Outside, there’s a large compressible compartment for stashing a jacket, a smaller soft-lined pocket at the top (ideal for eyewear or a smartphone), and there are two additional pockets on the hip belt. A helmet and body armor can be stowed on the outside.
Details:
• 3L lumbar bladder
• 7L total storage capacity
• Main storage pocket with mesh compartments
• Fleece-lined media pocket
• Waist belt pockets
• Helmet hook
• Bike tool organizer roll
• XV Multi-Layer EVA foam back panel
• Colors: black, ember, blue
• Weight: 995g
• MSRP: $130 USD
• Contact: Camelbak
• 3L lumbar bladder
• 7L total storage capacity
• Main storage pocket with mesh compartments
• Fleece-lined media pocket
• Waist belt pockets
• Helmet hook
• Bike tool organizer roll
• XV Multi-Layer EVA foam back panel
• Colors: black, ember, blue
• Weight: 995g
• MSRP: $130 USD
• Contact: Camelbak
Wide hip belts and generous padding supports the pack on your back.
The three-liter bladder is easily accessed via the zipped back panel.
Performance
The biggest advantage the Skyline offers over conventional hydration packs is increased comfort and stability due to the better weight distribution of the low-slung reservoir. Even with a fully loaded bladder, the pack never feels unwieldy or cumbersome, even when negotiating steep and technical trails. The design of the Skyline massively improves stability over conventional packs and it's far more comfortable.
The water reservoir - the heaviest cargo - is situated down low, which removes the load from your shoulders and places it around your hips. The wide padded hip belt is keeps everything in place and does it comfortably, without excessive tightness. The shoulder straps are really just there to stabilize the pack. The Skyline doesn’t move about, or try to strangle you when dropping into a steep chute. The vented back and shoulder strap padding meant riding in warm weather resulted in a less soggy jersey than I was used to.
Main compartment features several mesh pockets for organizing essentials.
Hose is kept secure with neat magnetic holder, but it could be easier to use.
It’s a well-appointed pack, with everything in the right place to make it easy to live with. Camelbak’s bite valve delivers big gulps of water when you need it and the valve can be locked for travelling to prevent leakage. There’s a magnetic hook on the strap which stops it from flapping about, but it’s not as easy to use as Osprey’s excellent magnetic tube attachment system. Accessing the bladder is super easy, as it’s stored inside a zipped panel at the back, and the handle integrated into the reservoir lid hooks into a slot in the compartment to keep it locked in place.
In addition to transporting three-liters of water in the Skyline, there's enough space for a spare tube, pump, tool, some food, and a lightweight jacket, but the pack never felt heavy or cumbersome. People wanting a pack for epic days in the hills might want to look to a bigger pack, but I found there was just enough space for everything I needed for most reasonable distance rides, without the bulk of a bigger pack that would tempt you into taking more stuff than you really need. The Skyline is about minimal packing, travelling light and fast.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | Camelbak's Skyline is an impressively comfortable hydration pack that suits trail riders because it is ultra-stable and lightweight. There's just enough space for essential spares, but not so much that you're tempted to take the kitchen sink. For most trail riders, the Skyline's lean profile and low-slung weight make it a standout product in a crowded category. It's a brilliant trail hydration pack. - David Arthur |
Author Info:
Member since Apr 12, 2015
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I really like the tool roll on the Raptor though. And the magnetic bite valve system is still better with the Osprey.
I usually only fill with 1L of water, unless it's super hot or it's gonna be a long ride. So the weight isn't too much of an issue.
As much as I'm all for reducing unnecessary chemicals like BPA in our everyday products, if you have an old water bottle/camelback don't throw it out for this reason. The science on BPA is sound, it is not good for you to ingest, but there is a certain amount of marketing at play here too, so be sure to read between the lines.
Yea I started avoiding certain canned goods for that reason, esp tomatoes where the acid pulls the chemicals from the lining.
yeah I changed my bladder, but to be fair never washed it, just use often and continually rinse it out. Job done!!!!!
THEN positive props +
ELSE negative props +
/IF>
WTF we have emoticons?
Really like my Mule from back in the day, but with no partition for ventilation, it was a killer in the summer
The Airborne 9 looks to be the one, got any experience with it?
www.pinkbike.com/photo/11931626
I like to ride thinking about having fun, not crashing!!!
Dakine hot laps and other hip packs are miles more comfortable than any of these packs. Granted, they can't hold as much. But they hold everything you need for a day out on the trails without causing your back to sweat or making you carry an insane amount of water.
I just can't believe these backpacks are worn by people who aren't miles away from civilization. It just feels like too much. Like when you see someone on XC trails wearing a full face helmet. I mean, yea you can do it, but why?