North Face Women's Mako hydration pack - TESTED

By Bex Hopkins

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Also available in blue

The North Face Flight Series Women's Mako is a women-specific hydration pack with 3L reservoir and plenty of room for spares, food and a jacket in case the weather gets bad.

It features a moulded E-VAP back panel with airflow channels to keep you cool and ventilated across your back. The shoulder harness is comfortable and designed to work with women's shoulders, ideal for slimmer builds too, they can be easily adjusted even whilst on the go. The sternum strap can often be uncomfortable for women especially across the breasts but the Mako has a strap than can be positioned above or below the bust. It also has a built in Safe-T whistle and a magnetic clip that the hose attaches to, no more dangling hose to annoy you whilst riding along!

There is a removable waist belt for when the pack is full and you may need additional support, but mostly it's not required as the pack sits well across the back and doesn's budge unless you hit the deck - even then ours only moved marginally.

The 3L Nalgene CXC antimicrobial reservoir has a quick-connect hose that can be removed for cleaning purposes or if you choose to use the reservoir as a storage vessel instead. Once the hose is disconnected the reservoir is sealed again until you clip the hose back in. The opening to the reservoir is plenty wide enough to allow quick and easy filling but not quite wide enough to allow a hand instead for the perfect cleaning solution. However we found the reservoir is resistant to mould and discoloration and cleaned up well whatever we chose to fill it with. Finally the articulated magnetic bite valve was simple to use and very effective at delivering a good flow of fluid when required, it didn't drip either which is a bonus.

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Comfortable should straps

The pack

The pack has multiple small compartments and elasticated pockets for tools, personal effects and food whilst the large main compartment can hold a decent amount too. Overall the storage capacity is 12L. The reservoir has it's own compartment to prevent confusion or puncturing. If you are fully loaded with fluids and gear you can use the X-bungee cords to balance the pack or tuck clothing under. There are handy light loops for nightime riding and reflective strips too.

Price: £55

Contact: www.thenorthface.com

Performance: 9

Value: 8

A good reservoir and bite valve incorporated in a well thought out pack with good storage capacity.

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The Mako in action in the Alps

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Discuss this article, 1 of 14 messages, read more:

Anu Lappalainen

Posted: 26/09/06 15:35:20 20

We’ve all seen it – someone happily sucking a Camelbak tube with black hairy stuff growing on the inside… Never mind the taste but I would like to keep mine slightly more hygienic. I’ve heard loads of different things that people do to the bladders to keep them clean, I would like to know what’s your best tried and tested trick to keep the Martians from invading your hydration system.

I rinse mine after use and hang it upside down with some kitchen roll stuffed at the bottom to keep the sides apart and to allow it to dry. This is OK if you remember to do it EVERY time, a few days with energy drink inside and all hell breaks loose… In worst cases I revert to baby bottle steriliser and use cotton buds to get the crap out of the mouth ...