The Great Outdoors Spring 2019

The Great Outdoors Spring 2019 83

Osprey

Katari 1.5

£50 210g

lightweight, easy to clean

could do with a slightly larger pocket

Sizes: 1.5L, 3L, 7L (overall size)

Material: thermoplastic polyurethane

Features: slide seal, bite valve, mesh back panel, sternum strap with a magnet

ospreyeurope.com

A bit of a curveball, this,

but it’s useful to see what

other products are available.

The Katari is a lightweight

backpack with hydration in

mind. Although ostensibly

a mountain biking pack, it

would be the perfect bag

for fast summer hikes when

you’ll only need a few snacks

and a lightweight shell.

It comes bundled with a

removable 1.5L hydration

reservoir that is made by

HydraPak, although it’s

a more basic model than

the Shape-Shift reviewed

opposite. The Kitsuma is the

women’s speciic version.

The bag is very lightweight

at just 210g. Everything on the

pack is designed to strip back

weight and also be breathable.

The straps are made from mesh

fabric, and there’s a sternum

strap with an easy-to-use

magnetic clip. The magnet

also doubles as an attachment

for the mouthpiece, so you

always know where it is. The

padded back panel also has a

mesh covering. It moves very

well with the body. There’s one

small pocket on the front, big

enough for a couple of snacks,

but there’s enough space in

the main section to throw in

a lightweight waterproof. For

slightly longer trips or more

uncertain weather I’d consider

the Katari 3- or 7-litre versions.

As mentioned, the reservoir

is made by HydraPak but

it’s a little more basic than

the Shape-Shift. The main

difference is you’d have to

empty the bag before you

remove the hose from the pack

– no biggie. The mouthpiece is

excellent with a speedy low.

The shut-off lever is a little

awkward with cold hands, but

it’s not a signiicant issue.

The Osprey Katari range

is a good crossover selection

of bags for quick, fast hikes, or

if you mountain bike too then

it’s well worth considering,

especially as the hydration bag

is compatible with any larger

packs you may have. It should

be said that Osprey packs

often come with a hydration

reservoir (a March offer had

a free hydration bladder with

every pack for example).

Source

Widepac

£29 170g

good low

mild plastic taste, slightly fiddly closure

Sizes: 1.5L, 2L, 3L
Material: polyethylene
Features: slide opening, antimicrobial treatment, taste-free treatment, bite valve
sourceoutdoor.com

Source started off making
sandals and then quickly
moved into making hydration
systems. Very popular they
are too, and with good reason.
The products are easy to
use, simple and effective, but
with a few neat touches and
technologies. The Widepac is
a top-opening reservoir with
a sliding closure. It is wide
enough to ill quickly and
clean, plus there’s an excellent
handle to hold while illing the
reservoir. Sliding the top on
was a little iddly with cold, wet
hands, however.
The hose itself can be
released when the reservoir
is full without any issues, but
make sure the mouthpiece is
fully closed to create a vacuum
on the tube. The mouthpiece
is among the best, giving an
excellent low with only a
little bite. It can also be simply

twisted closed with one

hand, especially if gripping it

with your teeth. It is the only

reservoir on test that comes

with a cap.

Another bonus for those

who don’t like cleaning these

reservoirs (admittedly, who

does?) is the technologies

used within the reservoir.

Among the treatments in the

reservoir and tube are the

GrungeGuard antibacterial

agent and the ‘Glass-Like’ ilm

that stops bacterial build-up.

While it can’t be turned inside

out, the opening at the top is

wide enough to get in and clean

easily. If you've only illed it

with water, then Source simply

recommends drying it after

use. Despite this, I did notice a

plasticky taste – not massive,

but there. Accessories include

magnetic clips, insulated tubes

and a cleaning kit. 

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