Quest Hydra Extreme Pack
By Esther Yu

The Hydra Extreme, from Quest's velocity-hydration pack line, was made with comfort and mobility in mind. It keeps everything you have close to your body. Very close. So close, there's not much room for anything inside the pack.

At least, that's how it feels when you realize the cavernous outside appearance has fooled you. Its 1225 cubic inch volume really isn't as much space as it appears. The pack has the longer, larger appearance of a pack you can take on an overnighter. Yet someone able to pack with as little as 2200 cubic inches of space-- a minimalist packer--couldn't be expected to plan an overnight trip with this pack. (no paragraph here)With that in mind, though the pack is great for what it looks too large to do - go on day hikes.

First, it's tough enough material with 430D Ripstop and 210t taffeta. I have a schoolbag that's made of almost the exact same stuff and it's lasted years of heavy books and the associated abuse.

Second, the narrow profile, coupled with a lightly padded back, shoulder straps and hip belt makes it very form fitting and soft on all the places that are going to take the brunt of the weight. It spoils you in ways that a more basic day pack won't.

Despite its comfort, the narrow profile makes storing things a project of minimization. Don't plan to pack anything inside if it can't be shaped into something long and thin. While you do have room to stack skinny items on top of each other, it's difficult to dig around into the bottom of the pack.

The shovel pocket makes a perfect spot for additional storage, though. On a recent trip, a warm jacket fit perfectly in the shovel pocket, making it easy to access when the weather began to cool down. However, if you plan more of a snow trip or climbing trip, you could easily store other gear -- like the shovel it was intended for -- in that pocket, and move the jacket to the main compartment.

The only other item already in the main compartment is the hydration pocket, which lays inside the pack against the back. It has it's own zipper opening for the bladder and the hose. The bladder space is on the smaller side, though, giving one more reason why this pack is not for longer trips, unless you plan to camp nearby drinkable water. There is a convenient little strip of Velcro on the shoulder strap for the bladder hose, though. It keeps the hose in place on the shoulder strap and next to your chest. This simple feature prevents the hose from dripping water on you like some other hydration packs do.

There are a few other places for storage on the pack. There's a tool sleeve and two ice axe slots by the shovel pocket. Also, two jacket straps and two haul loops hang off the bottom of the pack. Lastly, there is a deep waistpack attached to the hip belt.

The waistpack storage area has a main zipper and then a smaller zipper in front. While the waistpack's extra space is useful for keeping things in order, it also offers less space than first appears. That's because once the pack is tightened on your waist by the hip belt, the material stretches tighter. It makes it a little more difficult for someone to get an item out without first undoing the belt.

While there are a few inconveniences space-wise, the comforts offered outweigh the space-challenged hassles. I drag around a cheap backpack full of books often, simply because it's a smaller, nicer looking bag for day-use. Yet, when I have this cheap bag on for even an hour, my shoulders and back hurt from the weight and my backbone becomes irritated from the direct pressure. You won't have these comfort issues with the Hydra Extreme.

Summary: Though the Hydra Extreme isn't the most convenient for packing and accessing your gear, , the pack is so comfortable you'll forget this fault once it's on. At an affordable $49.95, this is a worthwhile pack for casual day hikers.

Specs:
Volume: 1200 cu. in (large holds 1225 cu. in.)
Weight: 2lbs. 2 oz. (large is 2 lbs. 4 oz.)
Retail Price: $49.95

Esther Yu is a new contributor to GearReview.com.