Wingnut Enduro || Bikepacking and Endurance Set-up
I have been an on-and-off user of hydration packs over the years. The first hydration pack I ever had was an Ultimate Direction. This was back in the mid-'90s. It was the first type of hydration pack that I can remember that had a waist/hip belt. It also had what was a yoke harness system that you could adjust and the pack would sit lower on your back than most other packs at the time. Ultimate Direction got out of making hydration packs just for riding.
Since 2007 I have been riding with bottles most of the time. For an hour ride on the local trail, it is just as simple to use and I don't need any more than two bottles even on the hottest of days. I would use a hydration pack on longer off-road trips where I would need to carry more stuff. On the C& O Canal, the Park Service treats the wells at the campsites with iodine. I am not a big fan of iodine! The water would turn a light brown and had a bad taste.
I figured since I was wanting to do more bikepacking or ultralight cycling I needed to come up with a system that was going to work for me. I have spent hours searching the web for reviews and what others are using. Once I figure out what I think my requirements are it seems to take me forever to figure out what I am going to purchase to meet my requirements. For the longest time, I have had my eyes set on some of the Wingnut Packs.
After I did some research I figured the Wingnut Enduro might be the one that would meet my requirements. The Enduro has some of the features of my old Ultimate Direction, like a harness that you can adjust up or down. It also sets low on the back.
Bedroom chair picture shoot...
One thing that is different about a Wingnut hydration pack is that it does not come with a bladder. In my research, most people felt that it should come with one for the amount of money they were paying for it. But you know, this is an American-made pack, that a small company makes so the price is going to be a little higher. It is also about as different from a hydration pack as you can get. But this does give you a chance to pick any 3L bladder that you like.
In my case, I am thinking about the water from the C&O Canal. So I source an MSR in-line filter that will hook into the drinking tube of a bladder. The U.S.M.C. has what they call Individual Water Purification System IWPS and the in-line filter is part of that system.
Please take note that you have to use the Source bladder with the IWPS in-line filter.
The bladder sets next to the back and is in its own protected section of the pack.
To hook the in-line filter you must disconnect the drinking tube from the bladder. This is done by a quick disconnect.
Next is the filter. Notice that there is an arrow with the word flow. The arrow needs to point to the top of the bladder. You will also notice the ends are different, so it is hard to get this wrong.
The next three pictures show connecting the filter to the bladder and drinking hose.
That's it!
Since 2007 I have been riding with bottles most of the time. For an hour ride on the local trail, it is just as simple to use and I don't need any more than two bottles even on the hottest of days. I would use a hydration pack on longer off-road trips where I would need to carry more stuff. On the C& O Canal, the Park Service treats the wells at the campsites with iodine. I am not a big fan of iodine! The water would turn a light brown and had a bad taste.
I figured since I was wanting to do more bikepacking or ultralight cycling I needed to come up with a system that was going to work for me. I have spent hours searching the web for reviews and what others are using. Once I figure out what I think my requirements are it seems to take me forever to figure out what I am going to purchase to meet my requirements. For the longest time, I have had my eyes set on some of the Wingnut Packs.
After I did some research I figured the Wingnut Enduro might be the one that would meet my requirements. The Enduro has some of the features of my old Ultimate Direction, like a harness that you can adjust up or down. It also sets low on the back.
Bedroom chair picture shoot...
One thing that is different about a Wingnut hydration pack is that it does not come with a bladder. In my research, most people felt that it should come with one for the amount of money they were paying for it. But you know, this is an American-made pack, that a small company makes so the price is going to be a little higher. It is also about as different from a hydration pack as you can get. But this does give you a chance to pick any 3L bladder that you like.
In my case, I am thinking about the water from the C&O Canal. So I source an MSR in-line filter that will hook into the drinking tube of a bladder. The U.S.M.C. has what they call Individual Water Purification System IWPS and the in-line filter is part of that system.
Please take note that you have to use the Source bladder with the IWPS in-line filter.
The bladder sets next to the back and is in its own protected section of the pack.
To hook the in-line filter you must disconnect the drinking tube from the bladder. This is done by a quick disconnect.
Next is the filter. Notice that there is an arrow with the word flow. The arrow needs to point to the top of the bladder. You will also notice the ends are different, so it is hard to get this wrong.
The next three pictures show connecting the filter to the bladder and drinking hose.
That's it!
Comments
I'm total old school and still use bottles for all rides. Family bought me a Camelbak a few years ago - I've yet to use it.
My son usually rides with his Camelbak - so I make him carry the camera and Clifbars. Heh, heh...