I own a cheapo rip of Camelbak from Millets (2 litre bladder) which is great ofr short 2 hour rides however I want something bigger for longer stuff. I did buy a Camelbak Havoc which I have used 2 weeks in Morzine however have decided it's far too big for me but capacity is great for tools, food,water proofs etc. What can you suggest?

All of the Camelbak ladies specific bags don't look very big. I looked at a Vaude roomy 17 + 3 however there aren't many pockets so think it will be annoying trying to rustle around for tools at bottom of bag. Saw a The North Face Mako W the other day which looks quite good. Anyone got one of these or any other suggestions?

 Cheers M-C. x

I have tried a womens specific camelbak and I didn't really like it - I think it may have been call isis.

I am currently enjoying a Camelbak Blowfish. 

Looks like they currently do a womens specific version called Sugar.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1041&categoryId=51

I know a few people have the luxe and really like it.

But the best thing might be to go to a shop and try them on.  I'm sure they'd be happy to fill them with kit so you can see what they feel like.

I have a magic for short local rides, too small for anything else, a really small one for races and a HAWG for longer rides, which I love.

I have got a Camelback Daystar which is pretty good for day rides- it's also quite old so they might not make them anymore. It has compression straps on the side which keep the pack as small as possible but you can also use them to hold pads and it has separate pockets to keep things pretty organised. I also have a Blowfish which is good but lacks outer straps. The good thing is that it expands when you need extra space. 

For long days or multi day trips I have just bought a Vaude Alpin 25+5. I used it over the weekend when we did 95 miles off road round the Cairngorms and it was great. At 25 litres capacity it is way too big for a short day out though.

I found some of the Deuter packs sit too high and knock the back of your helmet when you are descending so it is worth bearing that in mind if you go trying them on.

LA i had a back pack with those pockets on the waist band. i also had my phone and keys in it when i had a fall at speed. the phone went straight into me, completely winded me and broke a rib!

i now have a North Face Mako (the female version of the Hammerhead) which has a 3 litre bladder and is bigger than the luxe or mule. it also has a magnet on the mouth piece which make it attach very conveniently to yhe chest strap. i think it's an excellent pack!