Nathan Intensity Hydration Pack

What are you never supposed to do in a race? Yes, that’s right. Use new gear. I know it, you all know it but who’s done it before? I stuck to the rule until the Tour For Kids when I suddenly realized that I didn’t want to carry a large pack for 850km but I did need to carry more “stuff” than I could fit in my bento box. This late realization had me in the Running Free store at 4 PM the day before my event started looking for a smaller more comfotable solution. And here it is:

The Nathan Intensity Womens

I saw it as soon as I walked in. Hanging there looking like exactly what I needed. It didn’t hold a huge amount of water but that wasn’t what I needed, this was a supported ride with water stops every 50km. I needed comfort, room for a jacket, gels, bars, phone and a little extra hydration just in case. As soon as I tried it on I knew it was the one. The wider shoulder straps were super comfortable, there was enough space for what I needed but nothing more. The chest strap kept it all nicely in place so there was no wobble on my back and the length was good. Two accessible pouches on the front gave me a place to put my extra gels on one side and kleenex in the open pocket.

Some of the other features include:

• Women’s specific shoulder straps and torso length
• 3-way Propulsion Harness
• 2 liter hydration bladder with filter-compatible screw-top closure and bite valve
• Vertically adjustable sternum strap with drink tube clip
• Air Scoop with ventilation channels
• Large zippered pockets with Power Stretch Mesh stash pockets on each shoulder strap
• Power Stretch Mesh pocket with accessory shock cord
• External zippered organizer pocket with key clip
• 500 cubic inch capacity
• Weight: 13 oz.

I gave this bag quite a trial. I wore it for 10 hours a day four days in a row. It stayed comforable and served the job perfectly.