Hydrapak’s newest minipack is the Avila. Hydrapak named it after…
- Town and province in Spain?
- St. Teresa of Avila?
- University in Missouri?
- Venezuelan military operation?
It’s ‘5’ none of the above. A better guess is the name comes from Avila Beach located about two hundred miles south of the company’s Oakland, California headquarters.
The Hydrapak Avila pack does have qualities that would make a saint and a college professor proud – if they liked minimalist running packs. Hydrapak equipped the Avila with an airy mesh harness, sternum strap and small exterior zipped pocket with a key clip.
The sleek primary compartment houses a two-liter hydration bladder and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt can be squeezed in it too. The sternum strap is adjustable allowing the pack to worn by both genders. A clip on the harness secures the drink tube.
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The Avila is built for short to medium distance runs. Cinch in the harness properly and the pack hugs your upper back. It doesn’t bounce around even when you pace is increased to top off your training run.
The drink tube is positioned properly and is the right length. It does not interfere while running and is accessed easily. The two-liter bladder allows the Hydrapak Avila to even be used for longer training runs.
The Avila crosses over and can be used for other outdoor activities. The Avila was handy for spring resort skiing when the temperature is above freezing. You never need a lot of water with the lodge close, and the Avila can extend your bluebird ski days.
The Hydrapak Avila is built for running but versatile enough for other outdoor activities. The primary compartment is just big enough for the hydration balder and not much else – 40 cubic inches of storage. If you are looking for a roomier pack for ultrahikes, this is not intended for that. It’s design is for minimalist running and eliminating excessive weight is a priority. (MSRP $44.99)
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Jason Elliot is the Editor of OutdoorInformer.com.
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