2012 Camelbak Charge LR 2.0L Hydration Pack
A new innovation from Camelbak, the Charge LR features a bladder that is positioned around the riders waist, lowering the centre of gravity of the backpack and reducing strain on your shoulders. The first brand to pioneer hands-free hydration, the Camelbak bladder revolutionized mountain biking, allowing riders to take the tubes, pumps, tools and water bottle off their bikes and stow it in a comfortable and durable backpack. With class-leading hydration technologies and field-tested pack designs, there is no other brand with a reputation anywhere near Cammelbak, and with a range of different styles and sizes available, there is a hydration solution for every rider out there.

Although Camelbak have produced some of the best and most distinctive hydration packs over the past 23 years, they're hardly the company to sit on their laurels with constant development and improvement in bladder technology and pack design to improve rider comfort. The latest innovation to emerge from the Camelbak test lab is the new Antidote bladder dubbed the "Lumbar Reservoir'. If you can picture a regular bladder that is tall and narrow, the LR Antidote is simply short and wide, designed to sit low down in the backpack with it's "wings" wrapping partially around the riders waist. The concept behind this design is purely to lower the packs centre of gravity and shift weight distribution away from the shoulders and onto the riders hips, reducing the amount the pack rolls and shifts around on the riders back when riding along undulating terrain. An additional benefit of moving the bladder to the lower half of the pack is that the upper half is freed up for a dedicated compartment for stowing tools and spares in the gear organiser, which is much more usable than if that compartment had a bladder behind it. There are 2 x zippered pockets on each waist strap that are perfect for storing nutrition and energy gels as they're easily accessible without having to take the pack off, and there is also an Overflow storage compartment with a compression strap for cinching down any additional gear. The shoulder straps use a wide but lightweight 3D mesh profile for breathability, and you get an adjustable waist belt and sternum strap for dialling in the fit. The Exoskeleton™ back panel features a vertical channel to aid ventilation, though you'll really notice how comfortable the packs soft padding is in its ability to conform to your back. 
The Charge LR achieves an impressive 460 gram weight by using a lighter 40 Denier RipStop Nylon that is enhanced with Silicone to make it stretchy in the right areas of the pack. While not quite as durable in the event of a crash like the heavier 70D Nylon used on packs such as the Mule, the Charge is not only significantly lighter, it is also more conformable on your back and hugs your figure more closely as a result. While it won't suit every riders intentions, if you can appreciate a lighter pack, the lower centre of gravity of the LR bladder provides and the slim-fitting design, the new Charge LR makes a very good argument as being the ultimate MTB hydration pack.

Camelbak Antidote Bladder
A key reason why Camelbak packs stand out from the rest, the latest hydration bladder is incredibly durable for it's weight, uses a taste-free lining and is even leak proof too. In fact, Cammelback have so much confidence in their Antidote reservoir that they give them a lifetime warranty. The lining of the bladder is treated with HydroGuard™ in order to inhibit the growth of bacteria, keeping the water you drink safe and taste-free. With a huge opening on the Antidote reservoir, it is easy to get inside to clean out the reservoir, which is made even easier with the Camelbak cleaning kit. And when you're done filling up the bladder, the 1/4 turn Quick-snap cap makes everything safe, secure and leak proof. Compared to previous models that required many more turns to close off the filler cap, the latest Antidote model is almost impossible to over-tighten and is much more user-friendly. The quality doesn't stop there though, as the Camelbak Big Bite Valve provides easy hands-free drinking, with a small shut off valve for drip-free riding. One of the big improvements with the latest reservoir is it's quick release detachable drinking tube that can be removed from the bladder with a simple lever, allowing for separate cleaning as necessary.
 

The Camelbak Charge LR Hydration Pack features:

• "An ultra-light, lumbar reservoir pack with MTB-specific cargo"
• 7.0 litres of Storage Space
• 2.0 litre Antidote Lumbar Reservoir
• Big Bite™ Valve with PureFlow™ taste-free tube
• HydroGuard™ antimicrobial bladder lining
• Back Panel: Lightweight Exoskeleton™
• Harness: Ultra-light 3-D Mesh Independent Suspension
• Adjustable-length Shoulder Straps, Sternum Buckle and Hip Belt
• 3x  Zippered Compartments
• Overflow stowage area with compression strap
• Torso Length: 44cm
• Shell Material: 40D RipStop Nylon
• Weight: 460 grams
• Colour: Peat or Skydiver Blue

 
Camelbak hydration packs give you long-lasting quality for years to come!