CamelBak Helena Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz. - Women's - '08 Overstock

Comments about CamelBak Helena Hydration Pack - 100 oz. - Women's - '08 Overstock:

This was my first Camelback purchase. I had heard good reviews before, just never wanted to spring due to price. Now I regret not buying one before! It is excellent with plenty of storage even after the water is completely full. The ease in which I am able to get the pouch in & out is amazing. This bag is definately built w/ a woman in mind. My boyfriend found it mildly uncomfortable, however, I found it extremely comfortable, even with the water pouch to capacity and every pocket filled. It fits my body w/ the short torso and does not feel bulky in the least. I used it to hike & camp for the weekend and it was perfect. By far, the best backpack I've ever used.

Comments about CamelBak Helena Hydration Pack - 100 oz. - Women's - '08 Overstock:

Excellent daypack for warm weather and winter hiking. Big enough to shove in an insulating jacket yet compressible enough for those warm days where you just want to carry the ten essentials and some snacks. I really like being able to access the bladder through the backpanel. Way more pockets than I could ever use, but it does make it easy to stay organized and would make a great pack for travel. I like how the hipbelt has some padding and pulls the pack to me, but I do wish they were a tad longer as I have to watch how my pants/shorts are bunched underneath. The shoulder straps are comfy and the backpanel breathes well enough for me, though obviously not as breathable as the Osprey or Gregory ultralight packs. I really like the side angled pockets to keep snack easy to reach. Camelbak says this is for shorter torsos, but at 19.5" torso, I feel it fits me just fine and transfers the load to my hips really well.

Comments about CamelBak Helena Hydration Pack - 100 oz. - Women's - '08 Overstock:

My husband and I hiked Half-Dome in Yosemite, Ca at the end of September and needed the best hydration system possible - we chose Camelbaks. He has had a long history with Camelbaks but this pack was my first Camelbak purchase. I conducted extensive research and was looking only for 100oz models. I am short and would only consider a unit that is cut to fit a woman. I wanted pockets and compartments - lots of them. I wanted a great price. The answer: CamelBak Helena Hydration Pack - 100 oz. - Women's.

I was able to fit a small jacket, LOTS of snacks, camera, sunblock, small lunch for the top of Half Dome, an extra 1L water bottle in a side pocket, and a completely full water bladder all in this little compact unit. I felt well prepared for the hike and like I had done everything possible to have all my resources squared away. All the preparations worked out, we succeeded in our half-dome adventure and stayed hydrated the whole time!

I look forward to using this pack many times in the future when hiking locally or on bike rides...I am a committed Camelbak user now and in the future!

Comments about CamelBak Helena Hydration Pack - 100 oz. - Women's - '08 Overstock:

I am a petite woman (5'2") with a longer torso, wide shoulders, and a larger than average chest. This pack fit well in spite of my physical attributes. I used it for a 15 hour adventure race directly after purchasing it and I am extremely pleased with its performance. The part of the pack that comes in contact with your back has channels and mesh paneling that helps keep it from getting too hot. The hydration unit is added/removed through a compartment that is accessible through the back of the pack, making it easy to change/refill the reservoir. It also has a loop that the reservoir hangs on so that it doesn't flop around in the pack. The front compartments are very spacey and had more than enough capacity for all the gear I needed to carry during my race. I have also used the pack for mountain biking (single-track, wooded areas) and find it great for this, too. I especially like the soft compartment in the top for stowing my sunglasses, too. Excellent pack!

The only problem I had with this pack (and I've had it with other camelbak products, too) is that the yellow on/off tab at the bite valve is easy to pull off. If you do this, the water will just start gushing out of the reservoir with no easy way to turn it off. I plan on replacing the bitevalve with one that doesn't have the switch.