MEC Envoy Stephen Matthews is a world class mountain biker. He’s pretty relaxed about most things, but has strong opinions about the features that make a pack right for mountain biking. Here’s his take on the subject.
So what’s the first thing to look for in a bike pack?
A flexible back with breathable panels. The hunkered-down riding posture means I spend a lot of time up close and personal with my pack. So it’s got to let me move easily. And it’s got to have channels, dimples, mesh or some system to let air in and sweat out.
And the second?
Good carrying systems for my body armour and helmet. Armour is essential for pushy flights down, but chafes and gets sweaty on climbs. The helmet holder should be big enough for a full face model, because uphill hikes are no fun if I’m trying to suck in air Darth Vader style.
And the final of the top three?
Decent tool storage and management. I like bike packs with pockets and slots that keep my small tools near the top, where I can grab them pronto for fast tweaks. Storage for the stuff I hope to use less often, like tubes and pumps, should be deeper down and closer to my back for proper balance.
What features are in the nice-to-have category?
A hydration system holder should be standard on any pack meant for serious mountain biking, and I prefer a sleeve that takes reservoirs from a quality, widely available third party brand. Because no matter how faithfully I clean it, at some point any bag gets suspect enough that I replace it.
And small zippered pockets on the hipbelt are nice. They’re great to hold gel shots or bars for in-flight refueling. That keeps me motivated for a second run at the route.
Looking for a pack to join you on your rides? Check out at MEC. In the top image, Stephen’s set up with the MEC Pipeline Hydration Daypack. Photo by Toby Cowley.