Which large bumbag?

I'm after a larger bumbag for longer runs. Currently have a Lowe Fjell runner but want something that spreads the weight further round the hips but also with side pockets.

The Inov8 Race Pro 4 can be had quite cheap and gets good reviews, but I also like the look of the OMM Ultra as its a bit bigger and has the option to take the water bottle as well. I normally carry water in a pltypus bottle and my PB bumbag is fine for shorter runs.

Any thoughts on either of them? The primary thing will be comfort and int he shop there doesn't look like there's anything between them in that sense. My main preference is the OMM as the Inov8 is only a bit bigger than what I already have. Any reason not to go with the OMM?

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Originally Posted by Will_B

I'm after a larger bumbag for longer runs. Currently have a Lowe Fjell runner but want something that spreads the weight further round the hips but also with side pockets.

The Inov8 Race Pro 4 can be had quite cheap and gets good reviews, but I also like the look of the OMM Ultra as its a bit bigger and has the option to take the water bottle as well. I normally carry water in a pltypus bottle and my PB bumbag is fine for shorter runs.

Any thoughts on either of them? The primary thing will be comfort and int he shop there doesn't look like there's anything between them in that sense. My main preference is the OMM as the Inov8 is only a bit bigger than what I already have. Any reason not to go with the OMM?

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I have the OMM. Its good.

I have an OMM but it does not have any other name on it - I use it walking but not running as it becomes sausage/banana shaped if you put much in it and then it has a tendency to roll up and down as you run which is annoying. I prefer the basic Pete Bland bag. If I was buying another I would take what I plan to put in it to store, stuff it, and see how it felt.

I suspect mine is 3L, whereas the Ultra is 6L, so very different.

Will, I'm in Sheffield and have an OMM bag if you want to try it for a couple of runs? I like it for longer races/runs where I'm carrying water and food, using a fjell runner the rest of the time.

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Originally Posted by PaulE

Will, I'm in Sheffield and have an OMM bag if you want to try it for a couple of runs? I like it for longer races/runs where I'm carrying water and food, using a fjell runner the rest of the time.

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Cheers Paul, decided to go with the OMM as the Inov8 isn't much bigger than I already have. I'm hoping its big enough to take all the extra kit that *may* be required on the 24th

Should be fine, mine fits waterproofs, gloves, hat, lunch, map, compass and a primaloft jacket.

Check your elbow swing with the OMM bottle. I find my elbow catches it which can become irritating.

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Originally Posted by matthew

Check your elbow swing with the OMM bottle. I find my elbow catches it which can become irritating.

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I've just stuck a cheap shorter plastic bottle in mine (a small pop bottle with the pull to open type top as per the original bottle) - being smaller its lighter of course but the other advantage is that it's squeezy and therefore easier to drink from than the hard plastic OMM one. When I'm carrying loads of kit in it I often just tie my cag around my waist but tuck it under the elastics as well and its been very secure. You can also slide your map in the sleeve on the back saving opening the whole bag when you want it.

I currently use a Platypus bottle that I like and normally stuff this in the bag. Being a bit soft I always like to have water I know the source of. I probably won't use the holster on most runs, but on longer runs I may do. If the elbow swing is an issue I'll try the platybottle and if it works treat myself to a second one maybe.

If the elbow swin is an issue, loop the loose end of the elastics around the top of your bottle. This angles it in towards the middle of your back and stops it catching on your elbow.

I tried the large OMM bag but the water bottle began to pull away as its stitched to a mesh pocket.

I currently have a Lowe lightflight aqua thing. The water bottle (standard) fits in the middle of your back. It also has mesh pockets u derived a hunger cord to hold gels. Not sure how well the relatively flimsy bungees will hold up. It is made up of 2 pockets to separate gear but they are interconnected meaning you could get a full size map in there al either not 'to hand'.

I looked at the new Inov8 race elite 3.5 but it uses a proprietary bottle and no little mesh pockets

I have the inov8 one with the water bottle, it is a good size for longer runs but it rubs on my back after runs of around 3 hours my lower back has quite a few sores from the bag, so will have to change it!

My OMM Ultra was on its last legs, I'd restitched the bottle holder a few times, replaced various cords etc and it was starting to wear out. I've just gone through the process that Will has above and ended up with the Lowe Alpine - I'm fairly pleased with it but its not quite as stable as the OMM was, is quite a bit smaller and is wearing through a little on the back mesh after half a dozen runs. I find it a bit tight to get a full set of gear in - it will fit but bounced about quite a bit when full so I have usually had my cag outside the bag around my waist which improves things a lot.
Plus points - mesh pockets meaning you eat when you should instead of when you can be bothered. The provided bottle is good and if/when you lose it you can stick an ordinary bike bottle in to replace it.
Minus points- The gap between the pockets does mean you can get more gear in but pushes the bottle further out, away from your back which probably adds to the bounce.
But its £22 in Keswick as opposed to the asking price for the Inov8 of about £35 - Pete Blands had some of the old version of the Inov8 on offer on the van.

ive got an omm also and find it good , i stitched a peice in the bottle holder when it ripped off the mesh to take a larger bottle and it works fine

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Originally Posted by Mark G

Plus points - mesh pockets meaning you eat when you should instead of when you can be bothered.

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I was thinking of getting a bigger bumbag and the quote here struck a chord. I really like my basic Lakes Runner bumbag, amazingly stable and you couldn't get much more simple, but sometimes during longer races when you should be eating more I find it a bit of a pain to be digging around for gels when the bumbag's packed solid. I was thinking of going for the OMM as well.

Montane are doing a bigger bumbag (Batpack), which looks really good, but it's definitely heavier and probably more suited to proper ultras - slower paced, more kit.

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Originally Posted by L.F.F.

I was thinking of getting a bigger bumbag and the quote here struck a chord. I really like my basic Lakes Runner bumbag, amazingly stable and you couldn't get much more simple, but sometimes during longer races when you should be eating more I find it a bit of a pain to be digging around for gels when the bumbag's packed solid. I was thinking of going for the OMM as well.

Montane are doing a bigger bumbag (Batpack), which looks really good, but it's definitely heavier and probably more suited to proper ultras - slower paced, more kit.

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Its the same with having a bottle to hand - lift it out as you approach a beck, open the top, scoop as you cross, carry on.......