We’ve made an effort to use and test most of the waist packs out there but our experience with Euro-brand Evoc is limited, so it was time to take a closer look. Earlier this year we had a chance to get our hands on the Hip Pouch and Race Belt from Evoc bags.
The Hip Pack Race model with the bladder is more commonly seen on the local trails, but we’ve found we prefer to avoid the use of water bladders in waist packs. Once you add a significant amount of weight, the benefits of a waist pack disappear, and you’re simply better off chosing a light weight backpack. The Hip Pouch 1 and Race Belt take a far more minimalist viewpoint, focusing on carrying the essentials.
The Race Belt is even more minmalist than the Hip Pouch, with storage inline with what you’d see in a traditional road cycling jersey. Having tried that option, the Race Belt looks to be an improvement, as your gear won’t weigh down your top, putting your neck in a strangle hold and keeping the weight snug against your core.
Without actually riding with one, we can’t say how well they work on the trail, but for riders looking for a mininal carry on flow trails, short rides and park sessions, they appear to be viable options.
Check out the Evoc Hip Pouch 1 at Evoc.com or support the site by shopping for Evoc gear on Amazon.com
