CamelBak Ultra 10

The team at Camelbak have put a lot of thought into the design of this pack. It’s apparent in the design, details and comfort of wearing it. According to their website it was designed to “Endure one of the toughest trail races on earth: the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.”

Mandatory gear is an important part of any ultra and with this pack you have no dramas about fitting everything in. There’s a 1.5 litre reservoir, ample room for food and extra layers like thermals and a waterproof jacket, plus a sweat-proof pocket for your smartphone and two mesh chest pockets where you can squeeze in water flasks, easily accessible nutrition or stash your gloves once you’ve warmed up.

The addition of color-coded straps makes it easy to know how to access your water supply when on the go and an external-fill design removes the need to unpack the bag when it’s time to replenish your stocks. We also tried one of their tips for hot days, where you fill the reservoir with ice water. It worked a treat as the mesh back panel meant the icy water kept us cool.

The fit is snug and comfortable, thanks to a custom-fit harness and dual sternum straps adjust. It means you can easily adjust the pack on the go and have a close, comfortable fit, or quickly loosen it when you’re getting hot. Additional features include that the exterior has trekking pole attachments and plenty of points to attach things. If there were a negative, it’s that sometimes it’s nice to have a couple of larger elastic, stretch pockets you can quickly access while running to pack things like arm warmers or a jacket into once you’ve warmed up.