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| waste time, customize your own pony! highly addicting! |
I have my tack mostly well set. I like my saddle, pad, etc. Would I LIKE a prettier halter-bridle in orange/black? Yes please. But my old one in green/black is too well made, dammit. No replacement for awhile.
I also like my clothes, which seem to be working for now, though my chaps are probably in their final season. And aren't made any more. And I have "fuller filly" calves. Yeah, healthy person calves (not that I have a complex about it or anything).
I don't carry much in my front saddle bags except a few emergency supplies, snacks and gloves. Carrots and waters in the larger pockets, and I finally found some bottles with squirt tops that I like.
But I need to carry more water. I haven't liked using a rear saddle pack, I don't like how it attaches to the saddle, and you have to contort yourself to get anything out. I'd like to try a small camelbak-type pack. I'm very leery of this, since I hate backpacks of all kinds. I hate a waist strap, feel too confined. A chest strap will be necessary, I don't have much to squish anyway, but adjustable/womens would be nice. I also worry about adjusting to a different weight/balance. I tried a camelbak classic at Big 5 for kicks, seemed like a good size, and not as pricey of a mistake if I don't like it ($58).
I don't think I can try something new right now, I'll need a few practice rides in it, so I think I'm stuck for my Tevis sweep. I'm doing the portion from High Camp to Robinson, 26 miles, hoping the water I have holds out! I know it is a dusty section, hopefully not too hot!
I know lots of riders have packs they like. What brand/stye works for you? Any and all suggestions and recommendations are appreciated!
I love my SnugPax. I've settled on using a cantle pack and front pommel packs. Like you, I don't like getting stuff out of the cantle, so that's there to carry all my "extra" stuff and the front packs carry my "immediate needs" stuff: waters, snacks, vet card, camera. I carry waters on the cantle pack as well as the pommel packs, and once I drain the front bottles, I swap them out for the full rear bottles.
ReplyDeleteI've tried a Camelbak and will still wear it if I have to, but I've got enough on top without the extra weight, and by the end of 50 miles, my shoulders are definitely protesting. Not a fan of the waist Camelbak -- too much pressure around the midsection and I find it impedes my movement with the horse.
That's not a bad idea to switch out the bottles. as for teh CAmelbak I don't have anythign on top, but the shoulder thing could be a concern, and I'm the same, can't have anything around my waist. I also have a super long torso, and half of things that should be around my waist are under my boobs!
DeleteI ride with an Osprey Raptor 14. It holds 100 oz of your favorite fluid, lunch, med kit and adds support to my lower back. I haven't ever completely filled it, to be honest. It has a decent waist strap, a chest strap and adjustable load straps. I love it and I completely forget it's there.
ReplyDeleteI'll look at that one, sounds like it might be a bit big for my picky self, but good to know it's working for someone, I'll check it out. Even sounds like a nice day pack.
DeleteI've found I don't like the Camelbacks as the drink gets warmer from being in the tube and my back gets hotter from having the pack on. You have to remember to blow back into the tube otherwise that liquid gets quite hot. I'm like Ash, I found a cantle pack that works well for my saddle (Stowaway English) and then just switch my bottles around. I always drink out of the right front bottle and then just rotate as I empty them. I like the UD bottles since they have a little "finger loop" at the top which makes them much harder to drop accidentaly.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ultimatedirection.com/t-ultimate-bottle.aspx
I have a camelbak when I hike, I don't mind the warm water that much, but the hot back is definitely something, since it is so hot here already, I don't need to contribute to being even hotter!
DeleteI have the stowaway english, but it just isn't great on my dressage saddle I ride in. I'm going to give it another shot, maybe sew some more loops on.
That water bottle looks good too. Mine has grippy sides, but a loop is a good idea. I'll keep an eye out for one of those.
I wish there was a place we could borrow and try out all this different gear. What works for one rider sure doesn't work for another, or might be perfect!
i stuck the inside of a camelback into one of my pommel bags instead of a 4th bottle, with the hose laying over the withers. that way a drink was quicker to access, but not on my back making me hotter.
ReplyDeletei have a blog post written about dream bridles - have you seen zilco's new ss marathon design? i've never seen it actually on a horse (not even in a photo) so i don't know how it would actually look, but it's all stainless hardware! now if they'd only make the breastcollar in stainless as well...
Now that's not a bad idea. I already have a bladder I coudl try that with, thanks!
DeleteI haven't seen the Zilco Marathon style. I don't really like the shininess of zilco, I prefer the matte finish beta. I am lucky to have a resource right in my area that can hand-make any style I like. I like the one I have, just want it in orange!
My hardware was brass colored, now after all these years it is silver, which I like much better!
i totally prefer the matte finish too, the beta biothane that feels like leather. i hate the ribbing in the zilco (it's not really shiny, but it's not buttery soft like the beta). sadly, i think, the perfect, ultimate bridle doesn't exist.
DeleteThis is the pack I use: http://www.rei.com/product/827135/rei-stoke-19-pack
ReplyDeleteIt's merely tolerable to use with a hydration bladder while riding at speed -- I just don't think there's any way to keep the water from sloshing, which gets old real quick, but it can be lived with if it has to be. (I've switched back to water bottles front and back -- Camelbak podium bottles, and the insulated ones do stay colder notably longer than the regular version.)
I think this is the perfect size -- big enough but not too big -- and has lots of adjustability and different pockets.
I guess for a really hot ride I'd do it, maybe after the lunch break, when we're not going at such crazy speeds. That is a nice pack.
DeleteThe bottles i just started using are the Camelbak Podium! I love them, especially because I can use them one handed with the nice drinking valve they have.
I love the Nathan Hydration Packs. They are made for ultra runners and they are incredibly comfy. I barely notice that I am wearing it. The straps are really adjustable so you can get it to fit just right.
ReplyDelete