It's been a busy Spring for Race Face, with the Canadian brand launching the
T2 tailgate pad, the
Stash Gear Bag, and two new hip belts, the Stash Quick Rip 1.5L and the Stash 3L Hip Bag. Both of the bags are simple at first glance, but there's a lot going on under the stealth black exteriors.
The smaller of the two hip bags retails for $67.99 USD, while the bigger version retails for $99.99 USD.
Stash Quick Rip 1.5L Bag:• Ripstop nylon, 3D mesh backing, stretch belt
• Reflective logo, lower carrying straps
• Waterproof zippers
• Single-sided stretch belt adjustment
• 2 pockets + phone pocket
• Neoprene bottle holder
• Comes in black / One size fits all
• MSRP: $67.99 USD
•
www.raceface.com Stash 3L Hip Bag:• Ripstop nylon, 3D mesh backing, stretch belt
• Fold-out main pocket, reflective logo
• Waterproof zippers
• Single-sided stretch belt adjustment
• Main pocket, side pockets, phone pocket
• 1.5L bladder, water bottle holder
• Comes in black / One size fits all
• MSRP: $99.99 USD
•
www.raceface.com Pull the straps out of their hiding holes and strap on your knee pads for the climb.
Stash Quick Rip 1.5L Tech DetailsThe Stash Quick Rip 1.5L bag is designed for rides where your pockets won't do the job, but most backpacks are overkill. Plus, didn't you hear that backpacks are so two years ago?
The smaller of Race Face's two hip bags fits a spare water bottle, a couple of bars or gummies and some essential repair gear. For most people, it's suited to the gear that you're likely going to want to carry on most rides. If you're looking for a bag that holds your mid-ride sandwich or a more in-depth range of tools for an alpine adventure, keep scrolling down to read about the Stash 3L Hip Bag.
There are two decent-sized pockets that could fit a large tube or small windbreaker on either side of the neoprene water bottle sleeve, and then a third padded, water-resistant pocket up against the back for carrying a phone. Race Face has used a 3D mesh backing for the section of the bag that is up against your lower back, which they say helps provide comfort and airflow.
A nice feature for a smaller bag is the two lower straps that remove some of the size limitations. Race Face suggests you use them to secure your knee pads, but you could also roll up a spare layer if it ends up being warmer than you expected once you get out riding. The straps tuck up neatly into the bag if you're not strapping anything extra onto the bag.
The Stash Quick Rip 1.5L bag has a 5cm wide stretchy one-sided soft elastic belt so that, while it feels secure, the bag doesn't feel constrictive against your waist. That being said, it is a bit irritating to only be able to tighten the bag from one side and if you're on the skinnier side, you're going to end up with the buckle way over on your right side.
| The advantage is that an elastic belt offers ‘give’ when you wear the bag. That is a big reason why we went with the elastic material instead of the usual and non-stretch nylon webbing. The elastic allows the strap to find a comfortable home on your hips and breathes with you while you ride. Traditional nylon webbings has no give and has a hard time finding a sweet spot on your hips throughout a ride, not to mention it doesn’t accommodate for how hard you might be breathing.—Race Face |
Other details include waterproof zippers and a reflective logo.
Stash 3L Hip Bag Tech DetailsThere are lots of options for hydration on extended rides with the Stash 3L Hip Bag, starting with the 1.5L hydration bladder included in the main pocket. When riding with the bladder, you can poke the hose through the designated hole in the bag and then clip it onto your waist using the magnet. It's easy to remove the bladder entirely for shorter rides and there's a mesh holder with a security strap for an extra water bottle on the Stash 3L if that's how you prefer to roll. There is also an option to remove the magnetic clip if you choose not to ride with the hydration bladder, although that really just seems like a great way to lose it and never see it again.
Often, companies use hydration bladders from brands that specialize in hydration like Hydrapak or Platypus, but Race Face has chosen to source their own hydration bladder in this bag and it's less than impressive. While the hose does disconnect from the bag, it doesn't have a gasket to stop leakage when it's undone and it's such a fuss to twist it undone that it may as well be secured to the bag. The opening to pour water in is on the smaller side, but fine if you're filling up at a tap and not a mid-ride water fountain. That being said, many riders will choose to run their own hydration bladder or just carry a spare water bottle in the provided pocket.
| In development, it seemed individuals had strong choices on bladder preference. We could have spent the money on a branded bladder and still not have satisfied a majority of the market. The included ‘non-brand’ 1.5l bladder gets the user into using the bag and then over time, they can choose the bladder of their preference if they feel ours isn’t performing. If we didn’t include a bladder we felt people would pass us over for bags that included bladders.—Race Face |
There are five zippered pockets on the Stash 3L Hip Bag, so you can keep more than just your emergency cash in a safely zippered pocket when you're out riding. There's a pocket on each hip so you can have easy access to on-the-trail snacks without needing to twist the bag around to the front, a giant padded, water-resistant pocket right up against the back that fits a phone, and a pocket on either side of the main opening, a mesh one on the interior and a nylon one on the outside. Interestingly, the key clip is in the larger compartment, not one of the smaller pockets.
A cool feature is that the main opening on the Stash 3L bag folds out entirely to make what Race Race calls a "tool bench" for trailside repairs. That large flat piece of fabric, combined with the large mesh pocket inside the bag means that you're less likely to lose bits and pieces when you do have to swap out a derailleur hanger or change a flat mid-ride.
The Stash 3L Hip Bag has the same wide stretchy one-sided soft elastic belt that the Stash Quick Rip 1.5L has, waterproof zippers, and a reflective logo.
Hydration starts one-two days before. Drink half glass of water every 30 min. So your body is hydrated when you ride.
Pro road racers, that ride 7 hours a day for three weeks, rarely use more than a liter/four bottles. And some of that water is used to cool off head and muscles or wash dirt. Pro XC probably drink less than 1 bottle.
I always think basic first aid as last aid. There is nothing in a first aid kit that will do anything to save your life. Whilst I carry one. I would always have a tourniquet, Israeli bandage, sam splint, whistle and medi blanket, all of which take up hardly any space in my hip bag. I’m not not worried about having a cut on my knee and needing a plaster. I’m worried about fatal scenario on the hill on my own or coming across someone that has. MRT can take a while...
But your are right, it’s better than nothing
I am referring to all the people I see in local trail loops with 3L hydration packs for a two hour ride.
For rides under 3 hours, I don't even carry water unless it is summer or I am riding with others and pushing it.
THE POINT IS... bring the water you think you need.... but you may not need that much water if your body is well hydrated to start with. The water is already there.
If you are in remote or particular places carry more than you need.
People just look like dorks with 3L water to ride ten miles loop back to their cars.
You are new to cycling... maybe if you listen you learn.
And learn how to read and understand what other people say – otherwise the future does not look bright.
Jordache bro
These other bags are just inferior.
I do agree, not fun for jumping.
I was rocking a 'hip pack' back in the late 90's along with single ring setup, chain guide, AND water bottle on frame and people would have you believe this is some new enduro branded setup!
Then you look at their 3L pack and they're charging comparable to brands like Osprey, Evoc, Camelbak & Dakine & you get a far inferior bladder?
As I've said before, if you're going to try a fanny pack, start inexpensive with the the Osprey Savu for $55. Has no bladder, holds 2 water bottles of any size, has a padded, vented & mesh bridged back, 2 forward pull straps (side pull straps are frustrating), easy access pockets on each hip, room for a full size 3 layer rain jacket or tube, a full size cell phone pocket buffered by the contoured pad and that pad gives the pack support. Throw 1 tiny bottle in and go or lug 2 full 750ml bottles. If you find you need more room, you've spent very little trying it out and someone smart will buy it off you in a heartbeat and bump up to a bigger pack.
People get frustrated with the weight of these things b/c the first thing we all do is load them down with as much water as they'll carry and then try to strap them on. Load the Savu (or any of these really) with just the gear & leave the water out, adjust it, pedal around for a bit, then once you've got a starting point for adjustment, add water.
I was gonna throw the Savu out the door when I tried to first adjust it with 2 small, but full bottles. Took the bottles out, cinched it, popped the bottles back in and could put it back on loaded down from then on.
EVOC " Hold my beer"
www.pinkbike.com/news/exclusive-first-look-prototype-enduro-sash-2014.html
Hitting jump line is equally uncomfortable with hip/backpack;
Next frame be will definitely spech / trek/ whatever manufactured with swat + water bottle
LOVE swat and bottle cages
Thought you were talking about basic bike park laps at a DH track.
(picte rick, morty and the other alien thing)
sounds like a backpack with extra straps...
Anyone seen my chapstick?
Slip the shirt over the pack, making sure to leave the water bottle OUTISDE the shirt for easy access.
You're welcome.
First thing first, it's a hip pack, so you don't wear it ABOVE your waist, but slight or level with your hips.
Next, you have the hip pack slightly placed to the side, preferably to the side where it's easy to reach for your water bottle.
Here's a pic of me doing it. Don't mind the hanging keys. I left my pack zipper open.
imgur.com/a/x0dMHlw