Henty Enduro Backpack - Review
Henty is a no-nonsense company from Tasmania that makes a range of durable, travel-based soft-goods. Their Enduro Backpack is a hybrid that mates the comfort of a hip pack with the stabilizing effects of a conventional-style hydration pack's shoulder straps. It's not high fashion, but it ticks the boxes for storage capacity, durability, and comfort for riders who need to carry essentials that can't easily be stuffed into cargo bib-shorts - like cold-weather layers, photo gear, or a three-liter water bladder.
Henty's Enduro backpack stores up to five liters, and it has a lumbar protector sewn into its wide hip belt. The hydration compartment can easily fit three-liter
Henty's Enduro backpack stores up to five liters, and it has a lumbar protector sewn into its wide hip belt. The hydration compartment can easily fit three-liter
Enduro Backpack Details:
• Purpose: Enduro racing, adventure riding
• 5 Liters total storage
• Easy access mesh zip pockets, 2 side pockets, water-resistant internal zip pocket
• 3 liter water storage zip (R&L hose exits)
• Mesh back, padded shoulder straps
• Weight: 550 grams
• MSRP: $110 USD
• Contact: Henty
• Purpose: Enduro racing, adventure riding
• 5 Liters total storage
• Easy access mesh zip pockets, 2 side pockets, water-resistant internal zip pocket
• 3 liter water storage zip (R&L hose exits)
• Mesh back, padded shoulder straps
• Weight: 550 grams
• MSRP: $110 USD
• Contact: Henty
Open the back flap to expose well-organized essentials behind mesh pockets. External elastic loops can secure mini-pumps or fly fishing rods.
Features and Performance
Henty builds their Enduro pack from 500 denier Cordura nylon fabric, which is ultra tough and long wearing. There are no separate slots inside the mesh pockets to organize tools or such, but the layout of the pack's back-flap cargo system keeps all of your essentials within sight, which is a good trade-off. the upper mesh pocket zips, while the lower two are stuff-pockets with elastic rims. The top-flap does not completely cover the contents, so mud and water can (and does) muck up exposed items, which seems short-sighted for an otherwise well-designed pack.
The main, zippered cargo area is intended to house a hydration bladder and hose ports are located on either side. That said, the 110-dollar pack arrives with bladder instructions, but no bladder. I used a Leatt hip-pack bladder, which is designed to operate horizontally, but Henty insists that as long as you bleed out any air trapped in the bag, any hydration bladder system will work fine. You can choose to carry bulky items there instead, and the cavernous pocket extends well into the hip belt, which is a useful feature. Smartphones and fragile items can be stowed in a water-resistant zip pocket tucked behind the bladder compartment, which proved to be a perfect hiding spot for my camera.
Henty's hybrid pack doesn't bounce, and it can be unbuckled to make adjustments or to access items without dropping down.
The wide hip-belt is padded with closed-cell foam that evenly distributes the weight of the pack onto the rider's hips without constricting the abdomen, and it is also advertised to offer impact protection. Additional versatility comes in the form of two quick-access zip pockets and additional cargo loops on the belt, which is secured with a single bayonet buckle.
 | This is the moment where Joey yells from the back of the classroom: "Isn't getting rid of shoulder straps the whole point of using a hip pack?" |
The Burning Question:
This is the moment where Joey yells from the back of the classroom: "Isn't getting rid of shoulder straps the whole point of using a hip pack?" Aaaand, he'd be right. Getting rid of shoulder straps allows fans to read those logos your sponsors printed on your jersey (my home trails are often lined with spectators). Jokes aside, there are compelling reasons to carry essentials in a hip pack. Nixing the sweaty back, and enjoying the ventilation that a loose-fitting jersey affords are two of them.
Hip packs also have some negatives which come with the territory: They need to fit snugly around the waist, and the contents must be compressed. Otherwise, the pack (or its contents) bounce while you are rolling over bumpy terrain. A snug-fitting belt is not the best choice when you need to gulp every bit of air you can stuff into your lungs. And, a heavily loaded hip pack can be like having a beer belly on the wrong side of your body and a maraca stuck in your shorts.
This is the moment where Joey yells from the back of the classroom: "Isn't getting rid of shoulder straps the whole point of using a hip pack?" Aaaand, he'd be right. Getting rid of shoulder straps allows fans to read those logos your sponsors printed on your jersey (my home trails are often lined with spectators). Jokes aside, there are compelling reasons to carry essentials in a hip pack. Nixing the sweaty back, and enjoying the ventilation that a loose-fitting jersey affords are two of them.
Hip packs also have some negatives which come with the territory: They need to fit snugly around the waist, and the contents must be compressed. Otherwise, the pack (or its contents) bounce while you are rolling over bumpy terrain. A snug-fitting belt is not the best choice when you need to gulp every bit of air you can stuff into your lungs. And, a heavily loaded hip pack can be like having a beer belly on the wrong side of your body and a maraca stuck in your shorts.
The mesh back is a little warmer than nothing at all, but very breathable and comfortable.
Henty's Enduro Backpack trades style points (which hip-pack wearers have already eschewed) for function. Shoulder straps help stabilize the load, so you don't need to cinch the waist-belt much, which is an instant boost in comfort and performance. The pack's padded belt still lets the hips carry the weight, which leaves minimal tension on the shoulders. Henty's hybrid pack doesn't bounce much (if at all), and it can be unbuckled to make adjustments or to access items without dropping down. Overall, Henty's design is much easier to deal with, especially when it's loaded up.
What the Enduro Backpack can't do, however, is duplicate the airy feel of that unencumbered jersey. Riding with the Henty is super comfortable, but as light as the shoulder straps feel and as breathable as its mesh Y-back panel is, the trade-off for the pack's extra performance and stability is difficult to ignore. If you need the extra water capacity and storage, the Enduro Backpack is a far better option than wearing overstuffed cargo bibs or strapping on a heavy hip pack. If you always travel lightly, however, Henty's option may feel a little like the worst of both worlds.
Pinkbike's Take:
| Henty's Enduro Backpack offers the most comfortable way that I have found to carry two or three liters of water and your essential gear on a bicycle without cramping my riding style or comfort threshold. It's built like a tank, doesn't weigh much and offers little to complain about in its features. I'd like to see a full-coverage back flap and a hydration bag included in the price before I'd rate it ten out of ten. As is, Henty's hybrid hip pack is as good as it gets for riders who need a comfortable way to carry a useful load of gear. |
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
General critique of people who dislike fanny packs: It makes me look like my dad on vacation. Should I wear white socks and sandals, too?
Henty: Let's give 'em the worst of both worlds!
I think you mean the worst of both worlds.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/15698185
That would be the " Natural Bjorn Killah"
Edition.
I feel your comments may be biased toward form over function. These packs are amazing and as a person who carried everything on my frame, this is now my go-to bag when riding. Try it before you hate on it.
At least that way, the load is distributed across a wider area rather than right in the middle of the small of your back.
Yes but if you don't tighten the belt enough, or if the load is not well compressed (I don't see any compression strap on the pack) , then I don't see any advantage to carry the load on your hips.
Moreover, on most of pictures it looks like you're wearing the pack on your waist rather that on your hips, particularly when you ride, so the weight is distributed on your lumbar area and on your shoulders rather than on your hips, negating the benefit of a hip pack.
"A snug-fitting belt is not the best choice when you need to gulp every bit of air you can stuff into your lungs."
I disagree, a snug-fitting belt set on your hips will not interfer with your breathing.
First, when you need this kind of air you're usually climbing and you're already bent on your belly then you cannot have an abdominal breathing, your upper rib cage do the work.
Second, thanks to the hip bones, you can tighten a hip belt a lot before you compress soft tissues, bladder, etc...
For instance, Aiki-dokas wear their belts and hakama low and tight on the hips, to increase the feeling of their hara (center of Qi) and promote abdominal breathing.
I barely can carry any weight on my upper body due to a sacro-lombar discal hernia, and hip packs are the only way to really unload my shoulders. As you mention, good trekking back packs have a very good hip belt and mountaineers will teach you to tighten it to bear the load on the hips rather than on shoulders, using shoulder straps only to stabilize the load.
The best hip pack for MTB I found to date is the Ortlieb hip pack 2.
I can not understand those expensive fanny packs who are enduro specific like the last one. Only because they are MTB specific they cost that much.
For that Price Ive got my 32Liter Evoc Backpack, natural that I compare bags and other stuff to it because it is awesome and never let me down.
Now I clamped a lot stuff to my Superenduro frame, the frame had no threads for cages. Now it can hold 8 bottle cages
I also bought some fanny/hip/butt bags yesterday but I ordered 3 of them with two additional bottle holders for the bags and guess what? 70$ for all of it and I will only keep one of it so I payed maybe 30$ total. f*cking crazy hipsters who spend 110$ for the specific thing who maybe dont work as good as my mole bag.
Usually for small laps I go with one small bottle on my frame and one other on the pack (1.2 l), but I can carry as much as 3 litters on frame and hip pack if needed.
2018: "WAIT, what if we added shoulder straps to those uncomfortable fanny packs? Enduro-bros would love it!"
It's strange because Tasmania's west coast has very similar weather... I guess they only tested this in the summer?
A Mountainsmith Tour / Drift + Strapettes = this product, except with more volume, and you can take the straps off for short rides, or once you've drank all your water. The tool flap on this thing is a nice feature tho.
www.pinkbike.com/news/Video-Whats-Enduro-Mountain-Biking2.html
and props to R.C and anyone else brave enough to put themselves out there for the wonderfully vicious Pinkbike comment section.
All other packs I could find w/ good pockets in front are those running vests that sit really high up on the back. In all honesty, dear outdoor industry, are runners the only people who can benefit from not having to take one's pack off anytime they need to access something? Patagonia Sweet Pack Vest was another option but not low profile and it's designed for fly fishing.
Camelbak has a cycling specifc vest now based off the running vest. Check out the Camelbak Chase Vest. I just picked one up, I have one ride on it and it's awesome so far. Very snug and doesnt move around, pockets on the vest fronts make it easy to get phone or tools out quickly.
And it didn’t cost $130. So there’s plenty to choose from for competition or day pack.
Did you actually catch him relieving himself during that photo?
If so, maaaan, are we gettin' liberal here....
Call it whatever but I carry less water now with my fanny pack, maybe cuz I sweat less in my back? this design will still make you sweat so whats the point?
Stage 12 for short days and races
FR Trail 20 for epic backcountry days.
Comfort, performance & quality are worth paying for.