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)




Labels

Popular posts from this blog

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.

READ MORE >>

Nukeproof Vector AM Comp Cro-Mo saddle

The Vector AM is pretty race focused, with minimal padding. There’s a deep (if narrow) pressurerelief channel to keep the blood flowing where it’s meant to. Used with bib shorts, we found it pretty comfortable for shorter rides and suffered no pain or discomfort in the central region. On steep climbs the slightly downturned nose provides a reasonable forward perch, while the svelte profile and smooth edges make it particularly unobtrusive when moving about on the descents. It’s quite stiff though, and can feel harsh on long rides or bumpy ground. We definitely wouldn’t want to spend much time on it without a chamois. It’s heavier than we’d expect for such a lightly padded perch too. There’s a lighter Pro version with titanium rails for $105, but at 241g it’s only 10g lighter. Weight 251g Price $67

READ MORE >>

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.

READ MORE >>

GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

READ MORE >>

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.

READ MORE >>