Camelbak Octane XC
The Octane XC contains a 2L bladder in a semi-insulated sac with waist belt and horizontal chest strap. Shaped to fit the curve of your back, it’s highly adjustable and comfortable with virtually no bounce when full.
Storage-wise it has a phone-type zip pocket in the upper back, generous stash pockets in the waist belt and a small bungee cord for loose items.
The insulation, while adding bulk, keeps the fluid in the bladder from warming up too much, and the neat, integrated design of the filler cap and reservoir make filling and emptying simple. The bite valve and shut-off mechanism didn’t leak and were easy to get liquid out of on the move. The routing and clip system for holding the tube in place did a great job, too.
The only moan would be that the waist pockets are positioned quite far round the back, making access on the move quite tricky. But then this also means your arms won’t brush them when running.
Contact : Zyro 01845 521700 www.zyro.co.uk
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
