Camelbak Kudu and Palos – Full Review
Chris Lazenby has been using the Camelbak Kudu and Palos for a few months. Find out what he thought of the feature packed Kudu and handy compact bumbag – The Palos
Camelbak have a long history in the business of making cycling hydration packs. It could be said that Camelbak has become a generic term for a hydration pack, similar to the use of Hoover or Tannoy. One of the first things you notice with these bags is the quality and craftsmanship which you come to expect with Camelbak products. After 25 years of experience in making this packs and having used these now for 6 months, I have no worries about long term durability.
The Kudu
The Kudu is a full feature pack that comes in both 12 and 18 litre capacities. This isn’t a pack for those looking to find a lightweight, minimalist bag. It’s rammed full of features from the included tool roll to the Level 2 back protector.
The flap and straps on the outside of the bag comfortably hold a trail lid in place and I’ve also used it to hold a full-face for transitions at enduro races. While it doesn’t fully hold the full-face lid, it does hold it tight and in place with no worries about it becoming loose. Even when not carrying a helmet, the straps help keep the bag close to your back and prevent it from swaying about too much.
As it’s larger bag, it does get hot on those warmer days. There is some channeling down the centre to help ventilation somewhat but if you want a pack for hot, summer days, see the Palos below. To help keep everything in place, as well as the large waist strap it also include two chest straps. To help with ventilation I’ve been undoing these on the climbs and transitions while racing. Then doing them up when to going get interesting. This helps a great deal in both ventilation and keeping everything where you want it. The two chest straps are also height adjustable to help get the best fit.
One of the main features of the Kudu is the Level 2 back protector. Many other companies are now offering similar systems in their hydration bags but not many match the certified Level 2 protection that this one does. It’s a large pad covering the whole area the bag is in contact with your back, it adds 280g to the pack, total pack weight being 1.2kg. The pad is made up of three layers, these are allowed to move against each other towards the edge. This improves the flexibility of the protector and allows it to move to help the fit of the bag.
Both sides of the waist band include pockets, one zipped and one elasticated. These may seem like a relatively simple feature but being able to access items while riding without having to stop and remove the bag is really helpful. The ability to grab a gel or bar and eat it on the go and then dispose of the wrapper (not on the forest floor) without coming to a stop is a handy feature while racing.
The Kudu has lots of internal storage to help keep all your bits and pieces in place. There is a felt lined pocket at the top to keep your phone or sunglasses safe. One smart feature is the included tool roll.
The tool roll that comes with the bag is such a handy way of keeping your tools. Ever been fumbling around in the bottom of your bag thing to find that allen key or tyre lever? This keeps them all in one place, neatly tucked away in a pocket.
Verdict
The Kudu is a great, well made bag with lots of features and great protection, the only (minor) downside is that it can get a little hot on those warmer days. Having said that, I’m comparing it to the Palos below so it isn’t a great comparison to make.
The Palos
It’s fairly obvious that the main selling point of this bag is it’s ability to keep your back clear and ventilated while riding. Ok, Ok so it’s a bum bag and some of you will find it hard to get past that. If you can get past it (and you really should), it’s an awesome piece of kit which I reach for before every short ride.
It’s obviously not going to have as many features as a bigger pack such as the Kudu but what it does do, it does it very well. It’s size does limit what you can carry but the way it’s laid out does help you keep things organised. It’s got a 4 litre capacity which includes the 1.5l reservoir.
The outer compartment folds out flat so everything is accessible at once via a zipped pocket and a couple of elasticated pockets. This is easily enough for a few tools and whatever you’d need for a short ride. There’s also a further zipped pocket on the outside which includes a key attachment.
Obviously with most hydration packs the fluids are accessed via a pipe over the shoulder. Not so with the Palos, instead it follows the waist belt to the front and around to the far side. It’s held in place with a neat little magnetic clip, it quickly and easily snaps into place but can only come out in one direction. It took a few rides for this to become instinct like riding with a regular pack but I soon became used to it.
As with the Kudu, the Palos has two pockets on the waist belt. One zipped and one elasticated and both can be easily accessed on the move.
The main compartment of the Palos holds the 1.5l reservoir in place but it also includes space for a spare tube and a small pump. It also includes a neat solution for keeping the fluids in check, an extra pair of straps (narrow blue strap in photo above). These are accessed via the waist strap and they help hold the reservoir in place and also help push the fluids through as you drink through them.
Verdict
Want a bag for those warm days that will keep your back clear and cool? This is the one. At a little over half a kilogram for the pack, it certainly ticks the lightweight box. Ok, when it’s loaded up it can shift around a little and at 4 litres capacity it isn’t going to carry the same as a large all-day pack. For general riding and not those all day epics, I choose this bag every time. Now I’ve got used to the waist hose and that’s become instinct, it’s a no hassle bag with pockets you can access on the go and it keeps your back clear and cool. What more do you want?
Two more fabulous but very different hydrations bags from Camelbak. One packed with features with Level 2 back protection to keep you going on the all-day epics and a smaller waist pack for those short and hot summer rides.
