I'm always interested in trying new gear, and Mazama Designs, a company based out of Oregon, makes a very nice looking hydration pack that I was excited to try when they offered to send me a setup. I tried out the Tumalo pack and Intake Insulated reservoir and have spent time at Hickory Ridge trail system and Hiawatha Trail.
First off, I was impressed with the style and look of the bag, the fabric feels tough and has great texture, the back padding is deep yet lightweight, all the straps feel solid and the entire package feels as great or better than any bag I've used from Osprey, CamelBak, etc. I've had a few different bags over the years, and borrowed others, so I have some likes and dislikes from them, and was excited to see how the Mazama Tumalo performed in comparison.
The great look is a good start, but I filled the bag and headed to our local trail system to see how it worked there. The adjustments when setting it up are easy and intuitive, I like the adjustment of the waist strap that is similar to a quality hiking backpack, with straps on both sides that pull back to tighten. The padding against my back was much more comfortable than any other backpack I've had to date. The depth of the padding is significant, and it compresses well, which I think is why I had less bouncing than other backpacks I've used. It also breathes well with the mesh and deep padding providing space for airflow.
I love the insulated line, it was much better than the neoprene cover I've used in…
