Do you know what the best long ride pack out there is? I do, its the Platypus Duthie AM 17. This pack can fit everything you need on a long ride, while still fitting well and not riding like a big bag at all. No movement on the rough stuff and plenty of room to store everything you need for a long day.
The Duthie AM 17 is designed for all mountain riding, which I might do, I ride on all parts of a mountain. What that means is it has features like a full face helmet holder and compression straps for body armor. While I don’t carry armor, I do carry extra layers because where I live the weather changes fast. And its great having a spot to lash an extra jacket to.
The ouside of the pack has a great small pocket for gels or bars, but it also fits a trail map perfectly.
The bag has a narrow profile which is a departure from Platypus’s older design which was more of a wrap around. I prefer this much more since you stay cooler and like I mentioned above it feels like a small pack even though it can carry a ton of gear.
The top of pack has a small pack for stashing your phone.
The waist belt has mesh pockets on each side perfect for your camera, snacks or anything you need quick access to. The waist belt “tails” slide in behind the waist pockets as well so no straps flap around while you ride.
Like all platypus bladders it is made in the US and it has no plastic after taste.
The reservoir is 100oz and has a really cool feature, a detachable tube. This makes filling up the reservoir easier, no more lugging your dirty pack to your kitchen sink.
While we are talking about the bladder, the new Duthie 17 includes a small sleeve to keep the reservoir centered in the pack. Then the bladder has a zip lock closure with a handle that ensures a no loeaks. The reservoir’s handle also clips in the pack to keep it from shifting as you drink water.
The main pocket in the pack is cavernous, with organizers for tubes, tools and pump.
There is also a large zippered compartment for your wallet and keys.
The pack has a padded back with channel for your spine.
The shoulder straps are well padded and sternum strap is adjustable.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a pack that can hold a days worth of gear and still be comfortable on a short ride this is the pack for you. It fits perfectly, rides comfortably and can hold everything you need. I like this pack more than any hydration pack I have owned. It’s extra awesome for people who carry a lot of gear, where I live just below treeline on the continental divide I ride with an extra layer or too all the time and this makes carrying that extra gear a breeze.
Seriously the Duthie AM 17 should be your next hydration pack.
Platypus says: http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus/hydration-packs/am/duthie-17/product
- 3.0L Big Zip™ SL Reservoir
- Stashable, full-face helmet carry system
- Stashable Body Armor/compression straps
- Ventilated suspension
- Cool-riding narrow profile
- Three-position stashable waistbelts
- Independent hydration pocket
- Tool organization
- Multiple hose routing options
- Helmet/accessory lash points
- Reflective detailing
- Light loop