Thule Vital 3L Hydration Pack - Review
Thule's Vital 3L hydration pack is a newcomer to the sport. Yeah, I know that packs are out and frame-mount water bottles are in, but it is doubtful that every rider has forgotten why mountain bikers abandoned bottles in favor of hydration packs so many years ago. If you use a hydration pack, or plan on purchasing one, Thule's Vital 3L is one of the best compact hydration packs I have used to date. It's designed to keep the weight low where the hips support the load. Its mesh Y-back design is hyper-ventilated, and its three roomy cargo compartments let you organize both small and bulky items in its stretchy belly. The topper for this pack may be its "Retrakt" magnetic strip that automatically docks the drink hose.
Vital 3LS Hydration Pack:
• Designed for one to three-hour rides
• Low center of gravity design
• Retrakt magnetic drink-hose retainer
• Three-liter storage capacity
• Massively ventilated mesh construction
• 1.7-liter hydration bladder
• Weight: 450 grams 90.99 pounds)
• Black or blue
• MSRP: $89.95 USD
• Contact: Thule
• Designed for one to three-hour rides
• Low center of gravity design
• Retrakt magnetic drink-hose retainer
• Three-liter storage capacity
• Massively ventilated mesh construction
• 1.7-liter hydration bladder
• Weight: 450 grams 90.99 pounds)
• Black or blue
• MSRP: $89.95 USD
• Contact: Thule
The Vital 3L's hydration bladder holds 1.7 liters (the equivalent of two jumbo-sized water bottles) and packs up to 3 liters of total storage. The outer is a water resistant, coated rip-stop fabric, and the bottom is heavyweight Cordura nylon. One external zipper gives access to three internal compartments: a full-length forward pocket, a mesh zip pocket, and the inner hydration bladder compartment, which is constructed to stretch, so you can stash a wind-breaker where it won't prevent you from easily accessing small items.
Like most packs, the Vital 3L's interior features a key-clip and a sleeve to secure a small air pump, but it doesn't go crazy with organizer pockets and elastic loops. It's got everything you need, and nothing you don't. MSRP is $89.95, including the bladder, and if you need more space and fluid capacity, Thule makes the Vital pack in larger, six or eight liter sizes.
Features and Performance
Hands-free hose return: One of the stand-out features of Thule's new pack is the "ReTrakt" magnetic strip - a sleeve that automatically guides the drink tube snugly against the shoulder strap. unlike the more common magnetic dock, which requires the rider to return the hose back to point, Thule's solution allows the user to abandon the hose and get back to business. It always returns and it never flops around.
Helmet-style hip belt: Texas-sized waist-belts with a large, central buckles are a necessity for hip-pack comfort, but for the most part, they function as under-wire belly-bras. Thule chose a narrow waist belt that buckles in the center. Helmet-like triangles at each side of the belt allow the waistband to be angled comfortably to suit different body types, and the belt is tensioned from the sides, which turned out to be handier than I expected. The result is that the belt sat comfortably in the same location as the waistband of my shorts, and eliminated any sense of constriction.
Features and Performance
Hands-free hose return: One of the stand-out features of Thule's new pack is the "ReTrakt" magnetic strip - a sleeve that automatically guides the drink tube snugly against the shoulder strap. unlike the more common magnetic dock, which requires the rider to return the hose back to point, Thule's solution allows the user to abandon the hose and get back to business. It always returns and it never flops around.
Helmet-style hip belt: Texas-sized waist-belts with a large, central buckles are a necessity for hip-pack comfort, but for the most part, they function as under-wire belly-bras. Thule chose a narrow waist belt that buckles in the center. Helmet-like triangles at each side of the belt allow the waistband to be angled comfortably to suit different body types, and the belt is tensioned from the sides, which turned out to be handier than I expected. The result is that the belt sat comfortably in the same location as the waistband of my shorts, and eliminated any sense of constriction.
The entire back-panel of the Vital 3L pack is elastic mesh fabric, so it conforms to your shape and ventilates well.
Lots of mesh: The entire back panel, including the wide hip-belt pockets, is made from an open mesh material. There is no barrier layer between the mesh and the contents of the pack, which seemed odd at first inspection, but proved to be wonderfully comfortable in action. As a plus, you can see the water level in the hydration bladder without removing it from the pack. The Y-back design keeps the pack and its bulk so low on the back that it feels more like a hip pack in operation, but without the excess tension on the waist-belt. Because most of the air flow occurs around the upper back, Thule's design feels much cooler - almost as if it isn't there.
Large mesh pocket keeps smaller items visible.
Contoured shoulder straps were a key comfort feature.
Helmet-style waist-belt adjustment and wide hip pads.
Minimalist shoulder straps: Curved and padded shoulder straps leave the chest area unconfined and open to the wind. The shoulder straps have plastic sliders on them to keep excess webbing from flapping in the breeze, and the pack's sternum strap slots into one of three vertical adjustment loops.
Hydrapack's high-flow bite valve is a selling point for the pack.
The 1.7-liter bladder has an internal baffle to slim its profile.
Technical Report
The cut and fit of this pack are the best I've experienced on the trail. Loaded up with water and the basic essentials, it was easy to forget that I was wearing a pack of any sort. It stayed put while jumping and there was no sensation of bouncing or jostling while descending chunky lines. I normally like a number of organizing pockets inside my pack, but the compact size of the Vital 3L plays well with its single zip pocket. I'd like a separate pocket for my phone, but it works. Nothing seems to rattle around in there, so I'm okay with that.
Thule's choice of a Hydrapack bladder and drinking system tops off this forward-thinking pack design. Its easy-open, sliding seal and ample flowing bite-valve eliminate the fuss-factor that is endemic to some drinking systems. I am a fan of the Vital 3L's 1.7-liter capacity, but out of curiosity, I wonder why Thule chose a bladder that so closely matches the capacity of two large bottles (1.5 liters), when they could have earned serious bragging rites by bumping up to a two-liter bag?
Thule's ReTrakt magnetic hose retainer and Hydrapack high-flow bite valve.
The 1.7-liter bladder has an internal baffle to slim its profile.
Visually, Thule's Vital 3L pack compares to the Henty Hydration pack that I also reviewed this year, but looks can be deceiving. Both have well-ventilated mesh backs and comfortable shoulder straps, but the Henty is a high-volume, work-duty hip pack that is stabilized by shoulder straps, and designed for longer rides and heavier loads. Thule's 3L is a feather-weight pack, crafted to carry only the essentials that a rider may need for one to three-hour rides.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | Job one of a hydration pack is to encourage drinking and Thule's ultra-comfortable Vital 3L pack, with its high-flow bite valve and magnetic stowing system does just that. Drinking on the fly is intuitive, so you'll reach for it often and ride stronger. If you hate hydration packs, but need the extra storage space and utility of one, this may be the best alternative to bike-mount bottles and cargo bibs. If you are a fan of hydration packs, Thule's Vital 3L sets a new benchmark for comfort and wearability. |
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Don't worry, I'll usually behave (and not wear tights). But when I need to protect my family, I'll be ready.
Clearly Thule has taken sides on hydration pack. I’m split: I dig the fanny and bottle cage for short rides. Hydration pack for long rides which allows me to stow 9MM or MAC10 to deal with pedestrian trail crowed control and/or E-Bikers.
Yeah alright I’m kidding on the above nonsense. I don’t think Thule has any association with gun, ammo or accessory manufacturing. Visita Sports should spin off their outdoor products companies instead of facing a continued boycott - plus guns and ammo aren’t profitable anymore Remington failed chapter 11; who’s buying 5k rifle when they can get a sick carbon bike?
Shouldn't a 3l hydration pack actually come with a 3l hydration pack?
$90USD LoL
www.thule.com/en-us/us/bike-accessories/hydration-packs/thule-vital-6l-_-3203640
The title here implies that the pack has a 3l bladder.
I would like to downsize the pack while maintaining the ability to still carry 3l of fluids. As a bonus, I can stuff a gel ice pack in with my bladder in the current pack, so whatever I put in there stays cold/fresh. Any suggestions for a suitable replacement?
i already tried i dont like it and i prefer backpack
"it is doubtful that every rider has forgotten why mountain bikers abandoned bottles in favor of hydration packs so many years ago"
Not everyone uses just water while they ride.
Not everyone is deficient and still they drink electrolytes during their training especially in the wamer/hotter seasons. Water is great but water with electrolytes can help battle against muscle fatigue. No you don't need it but for many the choice is to add it in their water. Most of the these electrolyte tablets and powders have some sort of sugar added for sweetness which is why many have to wash their pouches every so often.
To each their own. I choose to use electrolytes because I know my body lacks certain minerals and nutrients even with a super healthy diet.
I'd been fine with a little bit of sugar if that helps absorption, but I've learned that I don't want to rely on a single source for both fuel and electrolytes. During a long race my stomach decided it wasn't ok with Cytomax anymore, but that was also the only source of electrolytes I had!. Late in the race on a climb both calves locked and I fell over.
I never had to wash my pouch as frequently when I used Elixir.
Sugar is actually beneficial while doing any type cardio where you're exerting a lot of energy passed 20-30 minutes since it is quick fuel the body can convert quickly into energy. Which is why most of those electrolyte tablets and powders have added sugar of some sort. (not only for taste)
*FYI sugar is good but just don't over do it, then it has a lot of bad side effects.
I hear ya on the whole cleaning out the valve and hose unit. I have the cleaning kit but it's annoying to do but I only do it every so often. I've been pretty good about rinsing out my pouch after every ride.
There are sugar free versions out there but I have not tried them because I'd rather buy local then order online and unfortunately all of my local stores do not have a sugar free option
It's pronounced "tooooooola".
Not "Thuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeelllll".
I always wondered until recently asking a Thule rep.
Perhaps some kind of foil liner for the bladder itself?
This was more of an alternative suggestion to the white thing Jordi mentioned.
These days I use a standard Camelbak with an on/off valve.
If you have to carry more than one bottle, you are probably better off with a small pack.
You may like the freedom of not wearing a backpack, but good ones, where weight is placed towards the hip, are very comfortable. No sweating. Most people end up with camelbak, dakine, etc etc... these are just average.
I dont like adding 1/2/3 pounds to my frame by mounting water bottles.
It really affects bike handling.
The same weight, while carried on the body, is undetectable.
I want my bikes as light as possible so the only thing they may have mounted up are an air pump and maybe a computer/GPS.
I'm always out for at least 2Hrs
Most people here do not remember when hydration packs came out....
The point was... it is better to keep extra weight on the body than on the bike...