Velocio Enters Hydration Pack World With Tremendous Minimal Race-Targeted Design 

Why a Hydration Pack?

Velocios’ roster of athletes is rising and rising, particularly within the gravel and ultra-distance world. Not too long ago, Velocio signed the heavy-hitting htSQD consisting of Keegan Swenson, Alexis Skarda, Tobin Ortenblad, and Ruth Holcomb. This group of hitters is laser-focused on the Lifetime Grand Prix and different off-road racing years. They wanted a slim, light-weight, race-focused hydration pack, and Velicio delivered. 

“I’m tremendous choosy with hydration packs and have tried what seems like all of them, and that is one of the best I’ve used. The material permits it to be gentle and ventilated in comparison with different packs however avoids bouncing and motion that usually comes with gentle and well-ventilated packs. The cargo is superior too. It suits a 2L bladder and nonetheless has room for additional snacks or a lightweight jacket in the principle pack, however the exterior pockets are tremendous nicely organized too. It makes it straightforward to stow wrappers on the go with out worry of falling out.”

Keegan Swenson

Designed to Disappear

Velocio says the brand new hydration pack is “designed to vanish.”  That’s a tall job, contemplating the 1.5-2L of water that the pack holds. But it surely’s about weight distribution and placement, and after sporting it for just a few weeks, we are likely to assume they acquired it proper. 

The Velocio Hydration Pack sits excessive on the mid-back. This purposeful design permits riders to simply get out and in of their jersey pockets and has much less total lined space on their again.

Vest Like Development

The development could be very sturdy but additionally consists of some very technical cloth. The material is usually tremendous skinny, light-weight, and with a excessive elastane part. This helps the pack obtain its “not there” feeling whereas maintaining airflow excessive. The one downside that I see is longevity, however let’s discuss that within the trip impressions. 

Pockets For Your Stuff

The zippers are all YKK and really straightforward to entry. There are three zippered compartments on the Velocio Hydration Pack. Two are on either side of the entrance, paired with an open jersey-like pocket, and one is extra distinguished on the again for instruments, and so on. The pockets on the entrance of the pack are easy to entry, and the pocket is beneficiant sufficient that no matter it’s holding stays in place and doesn’t shoot out when the zipper is open. The zippers have a easy string pull tab that’s straightforward to make use of with gloves on and glides simply. 

The zipperless pockets are good, and the development is extra like a jersey pocket than a pack fashion. They’re skinny, with a small reflective piece on the lip, and curve away from the physique. The tremendous skinny cloth (a lot that it’s see-through) permits you to stuff the pockets with gels and meals. 

Velocio Hydration Pack Key Options: 

• It comes with a 1.5L HydraPak reservoir and magnetic hose clasp 
• Second-skin match strikes with the physique and is almost weightless
• The minimal design sits above jersey pockets for straightforward entry
• Dimension-specific development eliminates pointless clasps and straps
• Ultralight stretch-woven cloth again pocket is expandable whereas holding cargo shut and safe
• Two entrance YKK zippered pockets hold necessities at hand whereas using
• Double chest straps alter to fine-tune match
• Area for a 2L bladder (arrives with 1.5L), plus instruments, gels, and a tube
• Sizes: S/M (36.25-40″) M/L (40-44.5″) chest dimension 
• Value: $169
• Weight: 154g (pack solely) 313g (whole)

First Impressions

Upon studying about Velocio signing the htSQD and releasing way of life packs, we knew one thing like a hydration pack was coming. I’m a giant fan of the hydration pack for coaching through the winter in Pittsburgh. They’re a simple technique to hold your water unfrozen (if you happen to put them on below your jacket) and never eat an excessive amount of salt. That stated, I often ditch them through the spring for water bottles and solely break it out for lengthy mountain bike, or gravel races. I additionally gravitate in direction of race-focused tremendous minimal designs just like the EVOC Hydro Professional 1.5L or the USWE packs.

The Velocio Hydration Pack nestles proper within the combine with the entrance of the pack (zing!) however may additionally take the pole place. The particular sauce is the pack’s minimal design, shoulder, strap minimize, and jersey-like match. 

Sizing and Match 

The brand new Velocio Hydration pack is available in two sizes, S/M and M/L. I opted for the S/M (I often put on a small or medium jersey), which inserts me nicely. The strappings on the chest are straightforward to dial in for dimension and placement. There are extra sturdy elastic straps on the decrease sides of the pack, however there’s nothing to regulate the shoulders. I assumed I might miss this characteristic however by no means thought of it. The match is sort of a vest, much less like a pack, and it feels wonderful on the bike. 

On the Pack Storage

The storage is minimal. It’s not a multiday-stage race pack except you will have different methods to hold gear. The aspect gel and storage pockets are greater than sufficient for straightforward grab-and-go races. Plus, the way in which the pack suits, riders have extra entry to their jersey pockets than another pack I’ve used. 

Materials-wise, the tremendous skinny cloth may tear over time, and I’m wondering concerning the elastane after being overwhelmed by UV rays and caustic sweat. However, it is a race, minimal pack, and people are the methods of good points. I haven’t taken any falls with the pack on (fortunately), however I’m wondering concerning the materials’s abrasion-resistant supplies. 

On the Bike Impressions 

On the bike, the Velocio Hydration pack disappears. The general consolation is great, and the match could be very good. The “pads” needs to be tremendous minimal and don’t provide help however stability. The trim is constructed from a four-way stretch cloth and helps cradle the pack on the rider’s again. 

The ONLY piece that makes me surprise about lengthy, HOT summer season races is the colour selection. Sure, everyone knows, “there isn’t any new black.”  However I can’t assist however take into consideration the solar beating down on me on a gravel highway, and I’ve this black pack on, similar to an ant below a magnifying glass… however we don’t get that a lot solar within the winter in Pittsburgh, so search for that below my full assessment. I need a colorway in the identical tan/sand colour as the brand new Velocio luggage. 

How About Consuming? 

The bladder and hose are from Hydrapak, with some cool Velocio customizations. They’re straightforward to make use of, clear, and drink from. The magnetic clip can also be straightforward to dial in for what you want on the bike. The usual hose size is lengthy, and for these seeking to get each little bit of place dialed on their gravel bike, I like to recommend trimming the hose for much less fuss whereas within the drops or tucked in. 

Lasting Impressions 

Thus far, the Velocio Hydration pack is my new go-to for coaching and racing. The design is minimal, and I like that. It’s tremendous straightforward to scrub, similar to a chunk of biking package (no warmth within the washer, no dryer). The fabric is top of the range, and the price isn’t outlandish. Velocio has a winner right here.  

Velocio.cc