Are we seeing the rebirth of the Fanny pack? Sorry, Enduro pack? Whatever you call them, Fanny packs, hip packs, Lumbar packs, etc., are being seen more on the trails thanks to their low center of gravity and ability to keep your back free from obstruction. However, when fully loaded many fanny packs have a tendency to bounce or slip down, so Source’s Hipster includes an interesting accessory to help keep it in place…
Inside of the Hipster you’ll find a 1.5 liter bladder that uses the same “glasslike” construction as their other hydration packs. The bladder includes a quick release hose and a slide lock reservoir cap. If you find that you need more support for your Hipster, each pack includes a minimalistic shoulder harness that is removable when not in use. Available in February, the Hipster will sell for $90.
While technically not new, the Source Uta is definitely worth a mention. The clever little device clips into the quick release hoses, and allows you to fill your reservoir from any bottle. Originally designed for the Israeli military, the rubber nozzle includes a built-in vent to allow the liquid from whatever bottle you are using to flow into the reservoir. Definitely more of a convenience item as it makes removing the bladder from your bag unnecessary, the Uta is sold with 2 or 3 L bladders for $45 or $50.
