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Cotopaxi creates the Veloz hydration pack with free movement & unisex comfort in mind

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Cotopaxi Veloz hydration pack, man and woman

While most hydration packs are based on traditional backpack designs optimized for hauling weight, Cotopaxi’s Veloz packs were designed with free motion as the top priority. With outdoor gear design experience in their past, Cotopaxi’s founders decided to create a cross-strap system that allows for better motion, keeps your load stable and secure, and fits men and women equally well.

Veloz’s straps extend from the pack’s upper body and clip together in the middle of your chest forming an ‘X’ pattern. The Veloz is intended as a multi-sport pack, but the unencumbering design certainly makes sense for cycling- in fact we’ve already seen something like this from a major bike brand. Shimano’s X-Harness straps, which we saw on their Unzen 4 hydration packs in 2014, are quite similar in design.

The Veloz packs are on their way to production, having secured well over their funding goal in the first few days of their Kickstarter campaign…

Cotopaxi Veloz hydration pack, multisport uses

Cotopaxi says their cross-strap system offers several advantages over traditional backpacks. To improve comfort, the top straps take the weight off the outside of your shoulders and moves it inwards towards your collarbones. The body-hugging straps also keep the pack from bouncing around while riding rough trails (or jogging). The Veloz’s creators say the design eliminates the need for a waist strap, but by comparison Shimano’s Unzen packs do include a removable one.

Since the Cruz Harness’ top straps are basically extensions of the pack’s outer shell, they naturally compress your cargo and help distribute weight evenly. This sounds great, but does beg the question- while the pack is easy to put on, (just slip one strap into the aluminum center buckle and go), would you have to adjust the straps to maintain a snug fit as you added/removed cargo?

Cotopaxi Veloz hydration pack, straps

To the delight of the fairer sex, where other brands have to offer men’s and women’s designs with different straps and ergonomics, the unisex Veloz works equally well for anyone.

The Veloz hydration packs come in 6L or 3L sizes (there’s also a Belt that fits a 250ml soft flask but that’s probably more interesting to runners). If you’re a packhorse there are much larger offerings from cycling-specific brands, but even a 3L pack can carry the essentials for shorter loops or riders who pack light.

Cotopaxi Veloz hydration pack, details

Both pack models come with 2L hydration reservoirs which sit in their own external sleeves, and the elastic-loop hose retainers on the shoulder straps allow you to drink from whatever side you prefer. The Veloz packs are constructed from abrasion-resistant 70D Robic Nylon, and utilize Airmesh padded back panels to keep you cool.

Cotopaxi Veloz hydration pack, 6L

The 6L pack features two main zippered storage compartments plus an outer stuff pouch for rain shells, gloves, etc. A see-through pocket at the bottom of the pack carries a blinker light and keeps it clean and dry. While the top straps are thin to allow mobility, the pack’s lower straps include zippered pockets for carrying small stuff.

The simpler 3L Veloz has a single zippered storage compartment with an internal mesh pouch for keys or other small items. It loses the external stuff pouch from the larger model, but retains the pockets on the lower straps.

Cotopaxi Veloz hydration pack, 3L

The Veloz packs come in S/M and M/L sizes, which are determined by your chest size. Check out their Kickstarter page for sizing info, but the packs should fit anyone that measures between 31”-59”.

Kickstarter supporters can currently snag a 3L Veloz for $85 USD and a 6L pack at $100, but those prices will eventually rise to $120 and $140. Both models come in Aqua or Grey colors. Shipping is available worldwide, but it’s only free within the USA. With their funding already secured, the first Veloz packs are expected to ship in April. Check out the Kickstarter campaign here.

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Seth
Seth
7 years ago

Seems like the strap connector should have a GoPro mount built into it.

Seth's Friend
6 years ago
Reply to  Seth

Yeah – right? Where’d this idea come from… lol (Seth knows… Our Gear Is Organized)

Groghunter
Groghunter
7 years ago

“The Veloz packs are on their way to production, having secured well over their funding goal in the first few days of their Kickstarter campaign…”

Correction: The Veloz packs are on their way to interminable delays, demonstrations of their creators complete lack of understanding the challenges of overseas manufacture, & possibly the company disappearing without ever producing a product. This, of course, is in the case that it isn’t completely a scam.

Or not. but there’s nothing here to tell one way or the other.

Let me put it this way: interviewing a Kickstarter creator, including asking them pointed questions about their business management chops, & their experience managing overseas manufacture? That’s journalism. Writing up a Kickstarter project, with a few thoughts on the design by the author? If I’m generous, we could call that an editorial, but honestly, it amounts to little more than advertisement.

Kickstarter has proven itself as a great tool for creators who just need a little push to get into production. But it’s also proven itself as a way for people with no experience or concept of the challenges of bringing a product to market to destroy their reputations, & lose a bunch of people’s money with nothing to show for it. & in a few cases, an outlet for outright scammers to try to steal en masse.

Bikerumor, as a journalistic outlet, lends credibility to these projects that they otherwise would not enjoy. Pursuant to that, if you are not doing at least a some investigation into the likelihood of whether these creators will actually deliver a product, you are not doing the due diligence that your readership has a right to expect.

In short, even publishing an article on these is a form of endorsement, what have you done to ensure you’re endorsing a product, rather than a scam or a failed project in the making?

Len
Len
7 years ago
Reply to  Groghunter

Well said.

ResearchBeforeRantGuy
ResearchBeforeRantGuy
7 years ago
Reply to  Groghunter

Is your grumpypants comment about Kickstarter based on an experience with Cotopaxi specifically or just Kickstarter in general? It seems you are quite confident in the accuracy of your “Correction” and yet Cotopaxi has actually been producing product for about 4 years in multiple different countries. I own a couple bags and love them. The brand has quite a range of products and seems to me they certainly aren’t a scam. It’s not hard to find their website, the fact that they’re a certified B Corp, where to contact them, etc. I’m not a paid endorser or affiliate in any way, I just did some research and spent 2 minutes searching before spewing.

Perhaps Bikerumor did do some investigation into whether or not the brand has actually delivered product (?) And it also took them all of a couple minutes to get the answer.

UncleStasiu
7 years ago
Reply to  Groghunter

You do realize that Cotopaxi is an existing, established company with experience in overseas production? This is more akin to to the recent Knog bell Kickstarter. Some minor delays, some problems, all of which are being taken care of by a company that stands behind their products.

(ignoring the debate on whether companies should be replacing/supplementing r&d budgets with crowdsourcing funds)

ELEVEN_g
7 years ago
Reply to  Groghunter

While (mostly) not bike related, every project I have backed on KS thus far as been a complete success and delivered bang on time. Sure, that’s not every case but for the most part, I have been more than happy with the outcomes.

Maybe it’s a case of really looking at the merits of the project rather than backing something because ‘gee that’s cool’.

Melissa
Melissa
7 years ago

I seriously doubt that those straps would work for anyone who has a larger chest. I can’t imagine that strap resting on my sternum the way they say it would without being incredibly uncomfortable.

Chader
Chader
7 years ago

You have to love the stealth edits done here on BR. I applaud the edit and removal of the bad material from before, but the lack of revision history or acknowledgement of the edit is odd for a publication. Usually you see an “Edited” section that identifies some changes were made even if the specifics may be withheld (as is appropriate in this case, since no one needs to read that).

I also think it’s too bad there is no recognition by BR writers to those of us who point out questionable material or errors that happen in some articles. A short email would be nice as opposed to a silent strip of our comment that brought the issue to light for readers and writers alike.

Food for thought. Feel free to delete this too if you don’t like it. I’ve come to expect that for posts critical of these articles.

Tyler Benedict
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  Chader

Chader, thanks for the comments and corrections. Sometimes we just make the edits real quick between the million other things we’re juggling and just focus on getting the corrections made as quick as possible. Other times we’re a little less slammed and do try to acknowledge those who’ve helped catch the mistakes, either by email or here in the comments. We appreciate constructive criticism and ideas from all of our readers. Thanks, Tyler.

Chader
Chader
7 years ago
Reply to  Tyler Benedict

Thanks for the info Tyler.
Keep up the good work.

ELEVEN_g
7 years ago

For what it’s worth, Kreiga, the UK based moto pack maker has a pack very similar to this concept: http://kriega.com/riderpacks/hydro-3

The design idea works but the strap harness needs to be firm and the centre connector solid (which Kreig’s are), if they are not, the pack will flop around a fair bit. Also, having used the Kreiga for many years on a MTB, the centre ‘lock’ concept is not the greatest for heavy breathing, as it effectively constricts chest expansion but backing it off leaves the pack moving around.

McClain
McClain
7 years ago

Good to see this brand getting a nod here. My SO and I have a few pieces of their gear and they are legit, especially considering the price as compared to better known outdoor brand. I have one of their Luzon del Dia 18L packs, where they let the workers decide which color they want to use on each panel, strap, buckle and ribbing, making each piece unique. Good stuff

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