Nathan HPL #020 Backpack

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

JUST BUY IT, IT IS THE BEST RUNNING HYDRATION BACKPACK MADE ...PERIOD.

I was at first reticent to buy this product being a 15 year user of Camelback. I work for a Law Enforcement agency that does a lot of rural, long distance outdoor work. I have used and worn out many camelbacks and one Blackhawk hydration platform.

For recreational running I have used a running camelback flashflow for several years. I grew tired of having to constantly adjust it on my waist after my last marathon. I was shopping for a back pack hydration platform. THIS IS THE BEST FOR RUNNING it does not slide around, it has enough water for my long runs and it is infinity adjustable. There is enough storage for gels, cell phone and other essentials, I can even lash a fleece vest to the shock cord back.

I will still use camelback for law enforcement work, long distance hiking, backpacking and hunting, but this is the new gold standard for running.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

Awesome product! I started with the Nathan triangle pack for a single bottle, then bought this. The hydration pack is a superior product! This is light and you don't even notice you are wearing it. I was afraid that there would be bouncing while running, but I experienced none at all.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

This thing is amazing - it's fits very well, you don't even notice it. First time wearing it was on a 12 miler and it did the job perfectly.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

During my first Half Marathon (training and race) I used my camelpack which chaffed and cut my back and bounced around. When I decided to do another Half I invested in this water pack. It is awesome. It fits so comfortably I forget it's there. Well worth the money!

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

This pack works just like it should. It carries two liters of fluid and has room for other stuff. I hardly notice I'm wearing it because it does not move around, it's light. and it does not cause chafing. It's easy to drink from while running and easy to clean the bladder afterwards. I used it in a 50k last weekend and could not be happier.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

I am a marathon runner, and the routes I currently run have no water stops, so I purcahsed this pack as a way to carry water, and gels, and whatever else I need, and go hands free. I found that this pack is great, it stays put, and I forget that it is there. I prefer this to carrying hand held bottles (I have done lots of both). The adjustments make it so that I can make it snug with light clothes or with layers in winter. It is highly reflective, a bonus for early morning or evening runs. Definitely pleased with this purchase, but then again all the Nathan products I have purchased have delivered.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

I know better than to ever use any gear during a race without testing it out first, but I admit I didn't test this out before using it in the Baltimore Marathon. It was absolutely AWESOME! It turned out to be a cold, windy day so I pulled the reservoir for fluid out & just used it as a backpack. I carried a windbreaker, keys, cell phone, garmin (for car), GU, GU Chomps, tissues, feminine hygiene products, snacks for after the race, etc in this pack. I barely noticed it was on my back. SO incredibly lightweight, no bouncing around, no straps cutting into my shoulders, etc. What an awesome piece fo gear! Love it! HIGHLY recommend!!

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

Took it out for a 17 mile run on a summer day. I had been running with a hydration belt and found this to be lighter and easier to use on a run even though it holds twice what my belt used to hold.

I would highly recomend to anyone who needs to hydrate a lot during long runs/hikes.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

Best hydration system on the market. Use it for many things long distant running, mountain biking and casual road biking. Everything on this pack is easy to use. Easy accessible pockets up front for keys, phone, gels etc. Easy to fill with water and clean. A must for all not only sporting events.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

This is a great pack. It stays in the center of my back with no side-to-side movement. The size is small enough that it sits between my shoulder blades, so there isn't any chafing. Love the zip pocket in the front for my cell, license and credit card. I use the other pocket with elastic draw cord to hold things like Clif Shots and S Caps. I've read other review that have complained about the sloshing sound of the liquid. I found on another site that someone suggested that to fix that issue, after you fill the bladder, turn it upside-down and suck the air out of the bag using the mouthpiece. That's one smart cookie. I do it every time I run, and there is no sloshing sound. Over all this pack is a fantastic product.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

I purchased this through RRS after not having enough water on long runs last summer. I vacillated between the Nathan and Ultimate Directions Wasp packs and finally chose the Nathan because RRS doesn't sell the Wasp. I had tried on the pack at a marathon vendor last fall and knew the pack would be secure. Previously, I had attempted to use a Camel Bak Octane and found that the water bladder sloshed around too much and the designed was pretty much limited to fast hiking with items in the pack (such as a jacket to prevent the bladder from shifting around).

Thus far, I have had two solid runs in the Nathan and have found it to be far superior to both the Camel Bak and a waist mounted bottle system. I use a hydration back both mountain biking and skiing so I am used to the extra weight on my back. The positioning of the bladder with the Nathan just feels more secure than any of the other packs I have used, especially when it is for running.

The redesigned mouth piece/bite valve is easy to use and nearly equal to those from Camel Bak. I did not think I was going to like the fold and seal flap but have found it easy to use and have learned how to insert the bladder back into the pack (there is a little plastic hook that keeps it in place).

The front pockets are similarly helpful. I was able to carry an iPhone without it bouncing around as well as a pack of Honey Stinger chews. I do not think this is entirely possible with a waist pack.

My only complaints are simple. First and foremost, the sloshing is a little annoying. This is mitigated when running with an iPod or music but the sound is definitely there (to be fair, the bladder does not shift at all). Second, this pack is really for long runs and while I have indicated above that it is not too much, the capacity is a little beyond what is need for runs less than hour and a half to two hours.

I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a pack for long runs and dabbling with marathon/ultra training.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

I love the Nathan 020. It is all about the comfort for me.

I have owned and used a Platypus and a Camelbak, and this beats them hands down for comfort.

I also like the front pockets which provide easy access to gels, music player, etc.

The 2L is not quite big enough for very long, hot runs, but the thing is easy enough to refill on the run. I'm quite happy with this purchase.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

Great pack but the mouth piece is lacking in better functionality.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

This is a well made, very light weight hydration solution that is extremely comfortable and allows you to carry up not only up to 70 oz. of fluid on those long hot training runs but you can also load it with gels and mobile phone and still feel comfortable. With this summers heat and humidity I needed something to carry more fluid than the 4 bottle belt could hold and this is the answer. Once you try this you will be hooked.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

I had to find the hydration pack that was easy to use and comfortable on long difficult and very rocky trail runs. This one is the best I've found.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

This pack is by far the best hydration system I've used on or off duty. I've used this for 30 mile mountain bike rides and long runs of up to 20 miles, and love the fact that I forget I have it on until I need a drink. As others have stated, it is very lightweight, with plenty of space for gel packs/keys/phone, or whatever small item you need to carry. Beats the heck outta carrying a water bottle for those long runs.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

Best invention since the running shoe. I used to use a fuel belt, and this is hands-down much better. Can't understand how I lasted this long without one, and I haven't even used it in the hot summer months yet. Don't think about it, just buy it. Well worth the money.

Comments about Nathan HPL #020 Backpack Hydration:

I love this pack! Really light weight, I can't event tell I'm wearing it, which means I never have to think about my hydration or jacket, they are just there! The best pack I've ever worn!