CamelBak is typically credited with inventing hydration packs, popularizing them, and ultimately making them mainstream. The brand quickly became synonymous with hydration packs, and for a long time, I referred to all similar products as “CamelBaks.” I’m fairly certain I bought my first CamelBak hydration pack sometime in the mid-1990s. It seems that the brand’s “Hydrate or Die” slogan resonated with many people, including myself, or at least helped us realize the importance of consuming more water while recreating.
In the 30+ years since I got my first CamelBak, the hydration pack market has obviously matured, and CamelBak has grown up along with it. And as the market that CamelBak helped create has grown, so has the competition. Fortunately, the brand’s latest products are significantly more advanced than the basic bladder in a fabric sleeve that bounced around on my back a few decades ago, and CamelBak remains a leader in the hydration market. The brand recognition can’t hurt, either.
CamelBak makes a dizzying number of hydration packs in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but it’s hydration vests that are trending in cycling these days. The brand currently makes two models of its cycling-oriented Chase Hydration Vests. The Chase Adventure 8 is a larger capacity version for long, adventurous rides where more gear capacity is appreciated. The Chase Race 4 is a more streamlined, low-volume option intended to carry the essentials on race day, or any other day, for that matter.
- MSRP: $126
- Weight (incl. bladder): 465 g
- Storage capacity: 4 L (including 1.5 L bladder)
- Front pockets: 2 zippered, 2 stretch
- Water capacity: Crux 1.5 L bladder included
- Sizes: One size, fits chests 28-46"
- Fit adjustments: Adjustable side straps, and two adjustable sternum straps
- Colors: Black, Moroccan Blue
Pros
- Competitively priced
- Organized storage approach
- Fairly good breathability
- Large range of fit adjustment
Cons
- Limited gear capacity (CamelBak makes a larger size)
- Short hose length and downward orientation
- Awkward fit when fully stuffed
I picked up the CamelBak Chase Race 4 to test after our initial hydration vest showdown earlier this year. In that piece, we compared a number of models that Cory and I had on hand and had been testing. We did not include a CamelBak model in the group of packs, but based on the comments, it was clear that some readers were interested in knowing how one of the brand’s models performs and compares.
CamelBak Chase Race 4 Details
The Chase Race 4 is a vest-style hydration pack that comes with a Crux 1.5-liter water bladder. Like similar packs, the Race 4 is designed to sit fairly high on the back with straps extending over the shoulders and widening over the chest, kinda like a vest. The 4-liter capacity is apparent from the product name, even if it isn’t explicitly stated on the product page on the brand’s website. The water bladder occupies 1.5 liters of that space, leaving 2.5 liters available for other gear to be spread throughout the various compartments and pockets. My test vest weighed a surprisingly hefty 465 grams, including the bladder.
The back panel and the inside of the straps are made with a 3D Grid Mesh material for airflow and breathability. The rest of the pack is made with a recycled, bluesign-approved RN40D ripstop nylon with a C0 durable water repellent (DWR) finish. The pack’s storage is broken up into numerous compartments and pockets. The water bladder is separated from the rest of the gear and sits closest to the back. The outermost pocket comprises the bulk of the gear storage, featuring a large zippered opening, three internal organization pouches, and space for a few larger items such as tubes and tools. Between the two, a deep stretch pocket is intended for larger items, such as hand pumps or an extra layer.
On the front of the pack, each chest strap has a zippered pocket large enough for a modern smartphone, as well as a stretch mesh pocket for other small items. At the chest, the vest-style straps are joined with two sternum straps. These straps can be adjusted vertically for optimal positioning on the chest, and they also offer a few inches of tension adjustment for comfort and pack stability. On the sides, straps crisscross over the rib cage, offering a sizable adjustment range for varying body shapes and sizes. It is claimed to fit chest sizes ranging from 28 to 46 inches.
While the hydration hose could be routed over either shoulder, it appears to be intended for positioning on the right side. The hose length is relatively short, and the hose clips are attached to the right strap. Due to the length of the hose, it also appears to be designed to point down when not in use, which is a bit different from most other brands I’ve tried.
Using the CamelBak Chase Race 4
The Chase Race 4 is an intentionally low-volume hydration vest that’s designed to carry water and the essentials. I found it to be relatively comfortable, mostly stable, and easy to get along with, although I feel it has a few minor quirks.
Fit, Comfort, and Stability
At 6’0” tall, 170 pounds, and with a 38-inch chest measurement, I fall right in the middle of the Chase Race 4’s 28” to 46” chest size range. There’s plenty of adjustability in both the sternum and side straps for me to dial in the fit depending on what I’m carrying. The side straps are quite long, but an elastic retainer helps keep them from flapping around in the wind while riding; however, it makes them a touch more cumbersome to adjust without stopping.
I found the open mesh of the straps and back panel to feel relatively comfortable against the body, while also providing respectable airflow and breathability. Still, hydration vests are warm and sweaty and that’s true of wearing the Chase Race 4, too.
And, like most other models I’ve tried, the light materials and construction of this pack result in a general lack of structure. When packed full with water and other gear, it becomes quite round and sits somewhat awkwardly on the back. This makes it slightly less comfortable and impacts its stability somewhat, as well. Of course, this issue is remedied as you drink water and the bladder gets smaller, or if you don’t stuff the pack to the gills in the first place.
That said, given the vest-style design, I found the Chase Race 4 to be quite stable in use, most of the time. When adjusted properly, this pack didn’t budge on gravel rides and the majority of my mountain bike test rides. On a couple of occasions, involving rougher mountain bike trails and a completely full/heavier pack load, it bounced around a bit. The main body of this pack sits a little lower on my back than other models, which I think allows it to bounce upward in the right circumstances.
Storage
With a total of 4 liters of storage capacity, 1.5 of which are occupied by the water bladder, the Chase Race 4 has room for the essentials, and that’s about it. I think the easy-to-access chest pockets are one of the best things about hydration vests, including this one. With a total of four pockets on the front, there’s plenty of space to hold your phone, snacks, and other small items you want to access while on the move. You can fit A LOT of stuff in the chest pockets alone.
The zippered chest pockets have a top-loading, baffled design, and you can easily stash your phone and/or plenty of high-carb gels on race day. I’m accustomed to side-loading chest pockets, so these took a little getting used to, but became second nature over time. Situated on top of those, the stretch mesh pockets are a little harder to access, but essentially double the capacity.
On the back, the majority of the gear storage is in the large zippered compartment, which opens fairly wide, but is far from cavernous. Inside, I found the three stretch mesh pouches to be perfect for holding a multi-tool, CO2 cartridge/inflator, and my Dynaplug kit. I was also able to squeeze a TPU tube, an electric mini-pump, a snack, and my small emergency kit — TP, an extra contact lens, extra tubeless plugs, and a spare CR2032 battery — inside, but that’s about it.
The deep stretch pocket/sleeve between the zippered outer compartment and the water bladder provides some additional storage space, but in my opinion, it was an interesting design choice. Sure, you can slide a hand pump in there — it even has a little elastic retainer strap — and you can stuff a very small packable layer, like the Patagonia Trail Craft Vest, in, too. While it’s possible to squeeze items in there, I found the pack was basically maxed out with a full bladder and gear in the zippered compartment. Once more items were added to this sleeve, it caused the pack to get very round, reducing its comfort and stability.
But, when I wasn’t maxing out the storage capabilities of the Chase Race 4, I found it to sit relatively flat and conform nicely to my back. For warm days, shorter rides, or race situations, it can fit everything I need. On the flip side, the limited gear capacity means it’s not my first choice when I need to carry significant amounts of food or an extra layer. That’s why CamelBak makes the higher-volume Chase Adventure 8.
Hydration
The Chase Race 4 comes with a CamelBak Crux 1.5-liter water bladder. It sits in its own zippered sleeve against the back and has a quick-connect hose fitting to facilitate removal for filling and cleaning. The bladder has a large screw-top opening with a small handle that makes it easy to hold when filling. While the majority of hydration bladders have moved to the folding/slide-top opening, CamelBak’s latest screw top design works well. I’ve nearly dislocated my knuckles opening CamelBak bladders in the past, and I’m happy to report that this one doesn’t get stuck the way older versions did.
The 1.5-liter bladder size is comparable to similar-sized packs on the market. For me, it’s plenty of water for most rides in the 2- to 3-hour range, and can be supplemented with bottles on the bike if I’m going any longer than that. Unlike most similar packs, however, the Chase’s hydration hose is fairly short. I’m accustomed to hoses coming over the shoulder, crossing over the chest, and attaching on the opposite side, facing up. The short length of the CamelBak hose and the position of the clips make it so that it points straight down. It’s still accessible, of course, but I find its orientation makes it a bit less natural to reach and drink from on the fly.
While this is something that I got used to and I don’t think it’s a deal breaker, I am partial to other hydration hose setups that are a bit more ergonomic and user-friendly.
CamelBak Chase Race 4: My Takeaway
While I have identified a few quirks with the Chase Race 4, there’s nothing that would stop me from recommending it, assuming it meets your needs for water and gear storage. I think it’s essential to note that my critiques are largely a result of my familiarity with using a different hydration vest. No, the Chase Race 4 won’t be replacing the EVOC Hydro Pro as my go-to, but I believe it is still a solid option that will serve most riders well.
With a 1.5-liter water bladder and the ability to fit 2.5 liters of gear in its assortment of compartments and pockets, the Chase Race 4 is a relatively streamlined and minimalist hydration vest. At $126, it is also priced competitively, and I think it’s another solid option for racers or any riders seeking a straightforward pack to carry water and the essentials on any type of ride.
CamelBak remains a dominant player, if not the leader, in the hydration pack market that it essentially created in the late 1980s. The brand’s product lineup continues to evolve, and its Chase hydration vests show that its keeping up with current trends. The Chase Race 4 comes in two colors, as well as a women’s version that reportedly has a women’s specific fit. You can check them and the Chase Adventure 8 out on the brand’s website.
