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My Kona hydration pack was another cycling accessory purchased to make my life easier whilst cycling the South Downs Way Randonnee challenge, which is in July of this year.
Previously, I'd used either a standard bottle cage, or kept my drink bottles in my bag, stopping and retrieving the bottle ervery time I needed a drink. Wanting to have as few stops as possible during the South Downs Way Randonnee ride, and indeed all my training rides between now and then, I thought a hydration pack would be a good idea. I'd had one previously, a free gift from MBR magazine - this had a very small luggage capacity and a crap valve which leaked everywhere.
Due to this experience, I had some definite criteria that I wanted the pack to meet. Firstly, it had to have a large capacity for the tools and food that I take on my rides, perhaps also for some spare layers of clothing. Secondly, the bladder had to have a large capacity - the whole point is for it to save time stopping for a drink, so I shouldn't have to fill it up constantly. Thirdly, it had to have a decent valve mechanism, so that it didn't leak all over the place as soon as I'd finished drinking from it. Fourth, the bladder capacity had to be adequate.
I love Kona branded stuff - I'm like a walking (or should that be riding?) advert for them, and when I saw the Kona hydration pack in the shop, I was pretty keen on it. However, Camelbak are obviously the leaders by a long way in the hydration pack market, so I had to weigh up the benefits of buying each.
Firsly, Camelbaks have a lockable bit valve. Not having used one of these, I can't compare that found on the Kona one; the Kona one has a simple-to-use valve which has to be pulled with the teeth to open. Once open, you bite down on the end of the valve, and the drink flows. I've had very few problems with post-drink leaking, and also like the simple operation of this type of valve, so I'll not knock it down based on the lack of lockable bit valve.
One of the features of the bladders found in Camelbak hydration packs is the large opening for drinks. This really is large, making it easy to fill, easy to completely empty, and easy to clean. I believe you can even turn them inside out to allow them to air dry.
The Kona, I think, has a generic bladder - a recent group test (which didn't feature the Kona pack) in MBR magazine mentioned the fact that some of the packs had bladders made by another company. Although the bite valve mechanism is fine, the bladder has quite a small hole for filling - I've had problems with filling it on several occasions, and there are always a few drops left in the bottom when it's been flushed through ready for storage, which you have to shake out.
The pack itself has a lot of features - besides the main pocket, it has two other pockets at the front, one of which I use for tools and the other, which is webbed, for keys (not great for a mobile phone - it'd get wet in the rain). There are also small webbed pockets on each side of the pack for change / keys etc. The pack also has several other compartments, one containing webbed strapping for attaching, for instance, a lightweight waterproof to the outside of the pack, and one containing a waterproof cover for the bag. The straps are wide and very comfortable, and the two stabilising straps are also a good feature.
Overall, this is a great product - it's not as polished a product as a Camelbak, but still does the job well, and seems to be heavy enough duty to go the distance longevity wise.
Overall Score: 8/10
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