“No dancing monkey” is the USWE mantra. Their products are designed to stay in place without bouncing around on your back, a creed that is carried through to the Zulo 6L hydration waist pack.
Features
- Includes hydration bladder with magnetic clip for the drink tube
- 6 liters of storage capacity
- Attachment for rear LED light
- Listed weight 380g (not including bladder)
- Organizer pockets
- Energy food pockets
- Compression straps
A unique feature of the Zulo is the full waist belt design that keeps the pack compressed and snug to your body.
On the trail
The Zulo waist pack was designed for enduro racing and moto use and we found it works well for various activities, including Nordic skiing. USWE even makes a version of the Zulo to optimize it for cross-country skiing with an insulated drinking tube for cold temperatures.
The wrap-around belt design is unique and keeps the pack in place. It is even less noticeable with a minimal fill of water. The storage area can hold a good amount of snacks and tools, and when fully loaded, it’s impossible not to notice the weight on one’s hips, but the USWE pack carries the weight better than most.
We found a downside though: instead of just having a sweaty back, we had a band of sweat around our torso. While it’s not ideal for warm days, this might not be an issue for everyone.
The USWE logo is pretty large was well. While this might not be a problem for everyone, if you’re not a fan of being a product billboard, you could always tone it down with a sharpie (like my brother is fond of doing).
The USWE Zulo 6L hydration waist pack sells for $145.00. Learn more at USWE.com or support the site by shopping for USWE packs at