Skip to main content

Amplifi Stratos MK II hydration pack


The stratos is notably heavier than any other pack here at just over 1.5kg but that’s due largely to its motorbike-grade Armourgel back protector.

Fat, cushy straps and a vented back panel add comfort, but with the spine guard in place and a bladder (not included) full of water it’s a heavy beast, though it does stay in place well. It’s a far comfier prospect without the back pad. Features include plenty of pockets (including easy-access hip ones), a heavy-duty rain cover, reflective light loop, helmet net, tool roll and compression straps to carry your pads. If you’re the kind of rider who enjoys epic all-dayers yet heads off to the Alps for some gravity riding too, then this could be the pack for you. It comes in a range of colours, as well as black, and two sizes.

BLADDER? No
SPINE PROTECTION? Yes

Price 225$ (L/XL), 210$ (S/M)




Popular posts from this blog

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

Merida Big Seven 100

We've rolled up to our local woods, with a meandering blue trail, some natural wooded tracks and a bit of fire road chucked into the mix to see how the Big Seven 100 tackles trails that entry-level riders are likely to cut their teeth on.

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.