Backpacks for running

[PeteJ]

Hello

I want to buy a backpack that will hold my waterbottle, some food and a map for long (5 hour+) runs. Are there any that you guys would recommend, based on your experience of using them?

Thanks

Pete

[Rodders]

OMM Last Drop does it all for long days out.
Any bigger & you may be tempted to fill it up with stuff you won't use.

http://www.wildtrak.com/product.asp?id=2454

[southernsoftie]

I'd agree with Rodders. Got a 20l OMM which is great to run with, and does pack smaller if empty, but temptation is to fill it more (doesn't bother me mind: more weight=harder training!)

[ZootHornRollo]

yes, the 20ltr OMM is too big for spring-to-autumn days out I find - if you half fill it and compress it down it tends to bend out of shape.

The Inov8 12-litre sack is more compact and works well, although I don't use the bladder.

[simgreen78]

OMM last drop. Good bit of kit, used it for training and a couple of 20 -25 mile races. Just the right size.

[runningfool]

I'm interested in a new backpack too but I really want one that keeps food and drink where I can reach it.

I'm tending to move away from bladder systems and would like something the could carry a couple of water bottles on the front and have plenty of storage pockets on the waist belt that I can access without stopping. I really don't think I need more than 10-15L in the main compartment

Any suggestions?

[DazTheSlug]

I've got a Raidlight Endurance 10L
absolutely swear by it
on waist it has:
zipped pocket for a few munchies
tiny mesh pocket that just fits a compass in
holds one bottle
it also has 2 side mesh pockets that you can put extra bottles into - I have mastered (on one side!) reaching back and removing/replacing while on the move
you can also optionally put a bladder in

[Twister]

Just got a Golite rush, which I mentioned on a previous thread, this is good. 2 very secure water bottle pockets on back, much more comfortable than my inov race pro 12 which was causing me consistent shoulder pain. The reason why is that I couldn't stop the hip belt from riding up on the inov 8 pack so I ended up tightening the shoulder straps too much, no amount of adjustment worked. The golite pack is available in 3 different sizes, I can keep the hip belt where it should be, therefore the shoulder straps do not need over tightening.

The only niggle is that the water bottles are very difficult to access during a run. But I was expecting this and am happy to make this compromise. Overall very impressed so far.

[Swoop]

Cheap from Tesco:
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-0611.aspx

[PeteJ]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Pete