Leatt DBX Mtn Lite 2.0 hydration pack

SO GOOD... Leatt have been fastidious when it comes to attention to detail. Large straps hold this pack in place really comfortably and won't interfere with chest-mounted action cams.

Cross-body tube routing makes it easy to grab a drink from the 2l bladder, the bungee cord is useful for stowing pads and it's the only pack on test with back protection.

NO GOOD...We removed the spine guard to save weight and help dissipate heat. Double T-clips on the straps can make it fiddly to get on/off, and we quickly got fed up with the mouthpiece cover.

Price 120$

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.

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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.

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SKS Airbuster CO2 inflator

The alloy Airbuster has a large knob so you can regulate the flow of gas, a mechanical stop to prevent the cartridge being pierced in transit and a dust cap to keep the valve free of debris. While it works with Presta and Schrader valves, switching between them requires a fiddly change of the valve head. The thin rubber sleeve doesn’t provide much protection from cold spent canisters. You can’t insert much of the valve into the inflator head, so you have to be careful to avoid leaks. Price $33 w/16g cartridge

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