Review
Velocio's Hydration Pack
"There's a vest for every occasion," the salesman at Moores Clothing mumbled as he fit me for a graduation suit last week. He wasn't wrong. There are vests for dressy events, vests to keep warm in the cold, vests to stay float if you fall off a boat, vests to engage in blue collar cosplay, and even some vests that may keep you alive in a situation of peril. But what about riding? That's where the Velocio Hydration Pack comes in. I've been testing the lightweight, newly released pack from Velocio since the spring and I have some thoughts on this ultra-light riding companion.
The Case for a Hydration Vest
Let's get something out of the way; the 'Velocio Hydration Pack' is a vest. Plain and simple. This naughty nonplussed nomenclature aside, I've been riding with vests as opposed to hip-packs or backpacks for the past few years and they have become by preferred hydro pack. Vests are typically more breathable than packs, don't move around as much when loaded, and at least to me, their wraparound nature gives me a feeling of security. As with the Apidura Racing Vest I was using previously, I ran it predominantly with the water reservoir removed - making space for tools, personal items, and a jacket. I resonate with the desire to have each bike setup with on-bike tool solutions, but repair kits can get expensive if you have multiple bikes. I appreciate just being able to grab the same vest regardless of what bike I'm taking out, knowing that everything I need will be in there.
The Velocio pack has been getting an ample amount of use on the new Kona Hei Hei and my gravel bike.
Key Details
- Second-skin fit: The pack’s streamlined design eliminates unnecessary straps and clasps without restricting movement.
- Minimalist construction: Made from ultralight stretch-woven fabric, the pack remains breathable and contours to your body.
- Strategic weight distribution: The pack sits high on the back, keeping jersey pockets accessible.
- Expandable storage: A back pocket allows for additional items while maintaining a slim profile.
- Front zippered pockets: Two easy-access zippered compartments provide storage for larger items.
- Magnetic hose clasp: Keeps hydration easily accessible without flapping around during aggressive riding.
- Size-specific design: Available in S/M and L/XL for a tailored fit.
I should give this long reservoir hose a trim.
Straps provided plenty of adjustment, although I was surprised at how tight the largest size felt.
A mesh backing made the pack extremely breathable and enabled a second-skin like feel.
The reservoir was easily accessible via the snap closure on the top of the pack.
The 1.5L reservoir has a unique slide-locking mechanism that makes it easy to close. The hose is removable.
While Out Riding
I don't like riding with packs. I've tempted the trail gods too many times by riding deep into the forest without tools, first-aid kit or any emergency items whatsoever. If it weren't for a riding vest, I'd probably be sailing close to the wind until a mechanical forced me to push my bike home. Even well designed packs seem to shift around, and if you don't have it packed perfectly, you can hear the jostling of goodies inside. I bet the engineers at Onyx didn't think about that when they designed perfectly quiet hubs. The pack didn't move around at all and was so secure given the elasticity of the material that I honestly forgot I was wearing it most of the time. The Velocio vest sat high on my back - which made it comfortable and alleviated lower back strain.
The stretch woven pockets on the front can accommodate a reasonably sized phone or other easy to grab essentials. Running vests like those made by Salomon, offer 5 sizes, but this one only comes in two. I opted for the larger of the two and was happy with my choice as it fit snug. A word of caution to those with broader shoulders, this seems to be aimed at more slender riders wearing road kit.
The pack weighed in at a svelte 155g and comes with a 1.5L reservoir. When it was filled, there was minimal room to entertain extra cargo. The hose was long and if I was planning on using the reservoir regularly I would've trimmed it slightly. Leaving my complete emergency kit in a vest that can be used for both gravel and road riding has been great. This got me out the door a lot faster, and I ride too many bikes in a year to start down the path of on-bike tool storage. It was breathable but my back was still saturated with perspiration when I reached the top of climbs. I have been lucky enough to not have crashed yet, but the elastic nature of the fabric has me reasonably leery about its abrasion resistance.
Not quite Voss water, but it'll keep you hydrated.
Should You In-vest?
The Velocio hydration pack fits well (for slim folks) and is lightweight and breathable enough to wear all day. If you are hard on gear, you may not be the ideal candidate for the stretch material however.
I appreciated how I was able to ride with the vest disappearing on my back. I would like to see a second more UV resistant colourway released in the future, but in the meantime I'll absolutely be reaching for the Velocio Hydration Pack as a daily driver for gravel and mountain bike rides.
Height - 6'/183cm (mostly legs)
Weight - 155lbs/70kg
Inseam - 34"/86cm
Ape Index - The Original Slinky™
Age - 23
Bar Width - 780mm
Preferred Reach - 485-500mm
Comments
Zero-cool
2 weeks ago
So it’s basically a hydration pack but renamed because hydration packs and backpacks aren’t cool anymore?
Pretty sure I have an old Camelback that looks very similar
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Matt Cusanelli
1 week, 6 days ago
I'm seriously wondering whether I should trust you to gauge what is cool or not?
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Andy Eunson
1 week, 6 days ago
No the vest style fit differently. Much more stable and pockets on the straps for easier access to phone, bug dope, gels and whatever you may want without having to remove the pack.
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Andy Eunson
2 weeks ago
Vest style packs are the best. I dislike heavily loaded bum bags as I find they bounce and are not comfortable. It seems like I’m often tightening the belt on them too. The pockets on the front are much easier to access than jersey pockets and with a zipper, more secure.
I tried a Salomon a few years back for hiking but it was kind of flimsy. Same with a USWE I tried last year. I had an EVOC but it was a bit wide at the shoulders. Presently I have an Osprey and I’m liking it. It’s small and doesn’t hold much but it holds what I need. Too often a larger pack leads one to take more simply because you have room.
There seems to be a disturbing trend for athletic garments, packs included, to come only sized for really tall thin people. I’m short at 164cm but thick. I’m wearing the large size vest packs most of the time. What do actually large people do?
I might have chosen this Velocio a few weeks ago when I bought the Osprey. It looks excellent but I didn’t see them when shopping.
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Matt Cusanelli
1 week, 6 days ago
Agreed on sizing. I was surprised that the largest size fit somewhat tight on me. Seriously had me wondering what someone in the perfectly healthy range of ~200 pounds out to do. Had a similar experience with running vests.
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Cr4w
2 weeks ago
I've been looking vests too. I really liked the ones from Evoc until I tried and and saw they're made for children lol. But the one from Osprey looks promising. I especially like the chest storage as that seems a logical place to store your phone (preferable over keeping it in your pack where it might be inaccessible in a crash, or in your shorts pocket where it's most likely to be damaged).
The Velocios flexible material seems like it wouldn't be great for chest storage. Can you talk a bit more about what you're using the strap storage for?
The Osprey one looks more like the Apidura one you had before. How do they compare? Why run the hydration bladder in the Velocios but not the Apidura, which seems more structured and better able to carry it?
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Squint
2 weeks ago
Take a look at the Camelback Chase too, I've been very happy with it for nicer weather when I won't be carrying layers. Looks a lot like the Osprey.
The chest storage is one of the big bonuses for me, I store phone and whistle on one side, glasses and chews on the other.
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Cr4w
2 weeks ago
The Camelbak looks interesting but it's one size fits most so that'll be a no from me unless I can try one in person. Osprey comes in two sizes, which seems like common sense.
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Matt Cusanelli
1 week, 6 days ago
I had to be careful with the chest storage and the item inside would press quite firmly (due to the tighter elastic nature of the vest) against your skin. Harder or pokier items like phones, wallet, or keys fit, but were a bit uncomfortable. Ultimately decided to mostly use it for food. I also have a stash of bandaids in the zip pocket - on shorter rides I don't bring a first-aid kit which I understand is a bit of a risk but it's the line I'm walking and I like to at least have something in a worst case.
I tried riding the hydration bladder in both because I wanted to give them a fair shot, but ended up prefering to ride both without - most of my rides are in the 2 hour range, in which case a bottle (mounted on my bike) will suffice.
The Apidura pack was more adjustable, had what felt like more durable material, less elastic, sat lower on your back, and had more storage space. The Velocio pack was more comfortable, less rugged, sat higher on your back (really high), had less storage space, and was more comfortable. Both came with a hose that felt a bit too long and could've benefited from a trim. Both had a magnetic clip system for the reservoir hose that made things easy to manage.
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rolly
2 weeks ago
I don't quite understand the back discomfort on low packs. Having a pack ride high on my back seems uncomfortable. My Camelbak Skyline has been really good as it keeps everything low, and my hip pack stays low as well. Both move around a bit but not in any way that is uncomfortable or distracting, other than when my Camelbak isn't packed or adjusted properly.
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Pete Roggeman
2 weeks ago
It depends on how much you're carrying. Vests aren't for large loads, however they cover less of your back since they ride a bit higher up, so your back is more comfortable from the perspective of ventilation and feeling more 'free'. It's not a huge difference from a pack, and a pack still wins for larger loads, but I now vastly prefer a vast over a hip pack, or a lightly loaded back pack.
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Andy Eunson
2 weeks ago
Vest packs do come in pretty large sizes. I have a 22 litre Black Diamond Cirque 22 for ski touring short trips. A shovel, probe, skins and extra layers water and food carry quite well in it. I wouldn’t ride with it but you could I suppose. And my old Camelbak Chase pro holds a fair bit too.
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SixZeroSixOne
2 weeks ago
@matt
Can you comment about how the high pack works when descending steep trails?
Id imagine the pack would tend to slide up towards the shoulders and interfere with the back of the helmet, but that's just my supposition...
Also, FYI, Decathlon have a range of these types of packs in various sizes (luggage capacity and body sizes) aimed at trail runners for much cheapness (all below $100 CAD) if anyone is curious....
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Matt Cusanelli
1 week, 6 days ago
Hey! It worked perfectly when descending steep trails. The elastic and tight fitting nature of the vest meant it has no room to slide up your back at all, nor did it ever interfere with the back of my helmet - this is what I like most about vests. Short of being a bit sweatier where it rests on your back, as mentioned, I genuinely forget I'm wearing it most of the time which is exactly what I'm after. Good shout on Decathlon.
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XXX_er
2 weeks ago
I like packs and so I reccently had my old Dakine apex taken out of the truck, I replaced it with a Dakine seeker 10 which i like, its comfortable to wear the back panel is very breathable, has a 3 liter bladder, carries all my tools including a pump, a Silky Big Boy and a jacket if i want, its pretty light but with 85 NM weight doesnt matter.
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