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GoLite HydroSprint Lumbar Pack–Final Review

Before our big races, we started reviewing the GoLite HydroSprint Lumbar Pack. This pack was provided by GoLite and is one of a series of GoLite products that we’ve reviewed recently.  Since our initial review of the HydroSprint, we’ve put in quite a few miles with the pack on our waist and have completed all our testing and review.  The HydroSprint retails for $40 directly from GoLite.

About GoLite:

According to their website, GoLite was founded with the “simple idea…That experiencing nature would be better with less.  Less weight, less fuss, less waste…more fun”.  GoLite strives to not only provide products that are not just light in weight, but also light in their impact on the environment.  GoLite uses the GoLite Index to determine the impact of each product and calculates this index using three main measures: Environmentally Preferred Materials, Responsible Production, and Education+End-of-Life Programs.  GoLite has also adopted a Fair Labor audit process and follows The Timberland Company’s Code of Conduct.

About the GoLite HydroSprint Lumbar Pack:

The HydroSprint is designed for speed and weight savings.  It weighs a mere 283 grams, or about 10oz.  With room for only one water bottle and a small gel flask, this is the smallest lumbar pack that GoLite sells.  The HydroSprint includes a 21oz BPA-free bottle and a 5oz gel flask.  In addition to the water and gel flask, the HydroSprint features a small zippered pocket to hold your keys, additional gel, camera, etc.  The HydroSprint pack is designed with a mesh hipbelt that encourages quick drying.  You’ll also notice a great deal of reflective material on the pack to increase your visibility.

One interesting feature is that the HydroSprint comes in two versions; one for men and one for women.  GoLite designed these belts to provide the best fit for customers.  Nice touch for a product that normally comes in a one-size fits all design.  You’ll notice that the bottle holder is also insulated, helpful on those long hot summer runs.

The HydroSprint is made from recycled 210 Denier Nylon and features a No-Bounce system to help balance the load and is easier to adjust while running.  There’s also a bungee system that can be used to secure a windbreaker or hat.

Testing the GoLite HydroSprint Lumbar Pack:

Off the bat, we loved the weight and fit of the HydroSprint pack.  The pack was clearly designed with comfort in mind and our testing found that the pack remained comfortable after the long distances we clocked during our HIM training.

The zippered pockets were useful for holding house keys, a small wallet, or your ID and a credit card.  Though the smaller bottle is designed for gels, our tester preferred to carry additional water, or more frequently, a highly concentrated sports drink, in place of the gel.

During the test runs, the pack stayed basically in place.  The tester experienced slight clockwise shifting, but not more than an inch or two.  The pack was most comfortable for our tester when she kept it above her hips, not down around her waist.

After extensive testing, we did notice that the insulation around the bottle made very little difference.  Compared to other, non-insulated, packs, the insulation didn’t extend the life of the ice in our bottle significantly.

Final Impressions of the GoLite HydroSprint Pack:

The HydroSprint is a good, lightweight pack that has more features and space that you might expect for a small pack.  The pack is only useful for runs under 13 miles, unless you plan to stop somewhere to top off your bottles.  On runs of this distance, the pack didn’t move too much and remained comfortable for the duration of the our test runs.

The HydroSprint is on the expensive side of similar products.  We have tested the REI DoubleShot before and were pleased with the performance.  The single bottle version, called the SingleShot, is available for between $17 and $25 from REI and is similar in weight and design.  If you are concerned about sustainability and are willing to pay a premium to reduce the ecological impact of your lifestyle, the HydroSprint is a good option, though probably not the first choice for anyone that’s highly price sensitive.

Before our big races, we started reviewing the GoLite HydroSprint Lumbar Pack. This pack was provided by GoLite and is one of a series of GoLite products that we've reviewed recently.  Since our initial review of the HydroSprint, we've put in quite a few miles with the pack on our waist and have completed all our testing and review.  The HydroSprint retails for $40 directly from GoLite. About GoLite: According to their website, GoLite was founded with the “simple idea…That experiencing nature would be better with less.  Less weight, less fuss, less waste…more fun”.  GoLite strives to not only provide…

Review Overview

Price
Function
Construction
Durability

Summary : Expensive hydration pack, but very light and comfortable.

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About Eric H. Doss

Eric is a triathlete and writer. He has competed in all distances of triathlons, from sprints to full Ironman distance races. He founded FitEgg.com in 2009 to meet the increasing need for professional, unbiased reviews of triathlon gear.

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