Review: Dakine Hot Laps Waist Bag

There have been quite a few mountain-biking innovations in recent years to increase rider comfort: more suspension, bigger suspension, dropper posts, and now waist bags. Just a few years ago, nobody was riding with hip packs. Now, they’re all over the place—and for good reason. They take strain and pain off the lower back by repositioning weight to the lower lumbar. For the do-it-all mountain biker, the Dakine Hot Laps 5L Waist Bag is among the best. It’s comfortable, has a low profile, a high capacity, and strikes the right balance between useful features and simplicity.

In terms of hydration, the pack holds a two-liter water bladder and has straps on either side to lash on an additional pair of 12-ounce squirt bottles. Together, that’s plenty of water for even the biggest biking days in SW Montana. Alternatively, use one of the straps for a canister of bear spray. Fully loaded with water, there’s still lots of room for other odds-and-ends: spare tube, pump, patch kit, and snacks (I’ve even jammed a full burrito in). Webbing loops on the bottom also allow a rider to strap on a raincoat in an out-of-the-way but easy-to-access spot.

Other nice features are an internal zippered key pocket (with a lanyard and clip), another zippered pocket on the hip-belt (perfect for an energy bar), and a magnetic bladder-hose retainer. The magnet is strong enough that it will never shake lose on the trail, but will pop off no-problem with the correct upward twist of the wrist.

All it took was one ride with the Hot Laps 5L for me to swear off backpacks all together for mountain biking. With weight now positioned in the correct spot on my lower back, I can take on bigger rides, longer days, and harder lines without chronic pain. Plus, this pack can take a beating, so it’ll be with me thick and thin; crashes and endos; ups and downs for years to come. $105; dakine.com.