I had many concerns preparing for my first 30K Ultra and the main one was: the banality of running with a water pack on my back.

Throughout the years, the real joy of running was and remained simplicity. Shorts, a pair of good shoes and socks, a shirt and … that’s it, I’m out for a run.

As time passed, my military service, too much weight on my back and the following impact on my knees, stress fractures that at times surfaced and disappeared and also modern consumer culture, all together made their mark and running was pushed aside in favor of the bike. While cycling, the element of a pack on my back still seemed unnecessary, convincing me to prefer road riding, the main factor still being : to have my back “pack-free”.

But finally I returned to running, slowly and carefully. With time and the kilometers I worked up an appetite for more kilometers and increasing the distances. Thus came the gels and the increased temperatures, and now you’ve got to get water …

A week before the Ultra, when the weather forecast and kick off time left no doubt, I realized that this was it, I had no choice, I have to have water during the competition. I must deal with the demons from my past … back to a bag on my back.

It seems that over the years a lot of water flowed in the Jordan river and also through the hands of the SOURCE hydration pack designers. From the moment I laid my eyes on the pack  it was clear to me that whoever planned and designed the bag carried a kilo or a few dozen kilos on his or her back. They were certainly fully aware of the importance that everything should be in its place, accessible, perfectly fitted and not wobbly.

I admired the unique donut shaped bladder for the runner’s pack, dividing the water’s weight on the full width of your back and providing 1.5 liters of precious liquids to quench the runner’s thirst. In addition the original Source wide opening gives a special ease of filling in comparison for anyone accustomed to the competitors packs.

My son, who shows great interest in any product or gadget related to athletic activity that can be used during mountain bike rides, expressed genuine fascination. He couldn’t stop touching and loudly admiring the multitude of pockets, their location, and the little details the pack was blessed with. From well ventilated wide shoulder straps, via a Velcro strap that secures the “donut” including a small fold for quick release (Did I mention the designer that experienced a thing or two in his lifetime?). A small magnet that secures the isolated drinking tube to your chest and prevents bouncing, leaving it in one accessible place even when your pulse is fast and sweat is blinding your vision. And of course the little pouches in which to store gels, salt pills, wipes and anything else the runner has to access while running.

“So” asked the crown prince, “Are you going to run with the pack in the competition?”
“Wait”, I said, “There are three more days, in the morning we’ll have a model run”.
What’s a model?
A model is a mini-simulation of what is going to happen during the run, with a bag full of cold water, salt pills, wipes, MP3 – but still running only about 7 km …
“Wake me up early, I’m also coming’  he countered, and thus ended the conversation…

The model was successful and the question remained of whether even after 30 kilometers and 1100 meters climbing I will still continue thinking this way.

So that’s it, we’re off, and from the first moment I realized that this pack lives up to it’s name, a quality product and one of the best if not the best.

When I finished, my son complained that I didn’t seem to have sweated and had no red marks from the pack. Only the thin strips of salt accumulated along the shoulder straps and two packages of sticky gel in the pouches were proof that the pack and it’s owner had participated in the competition.

Well done Source, for an excellent product that makes long runs more pleasant even with a pack on the back.

A week later the bag was confiscated by my son to be tested on a bicycle ride. Here too Source surprised us with a solution for storing a rain jacket : comfortable and compact stretch straps for tying on gear, and even the colors perfectly matched the offspring’s outdoor gear, who was very pleased with the pack during the ride. But don’t get confused, this product is intended for long-distance runners.

I’m sure that anyone who knows how to appreciate comfortable and efficient quality equipment, tailor made for a runner that need his essential gear close by and accessible, would be happy to put his hands on this professional runner’s pack!

Jonathan Shur

 

Click here for the DUNE’s product page.

 

Check out other excellent packs from SOURCE:
http://source-israel.co.il/15-hydration-packs