Outdoor Research Freewheel Hip Pack in Review

A spacious hip bag offers numerous advantages when mountain biking and gravel riding: It sits on the hips and restricts freedom of movement less than a (hydration) backpack. The lower center of gravity improves stability and balance and reduces the strain on the back. Additionally, the back remains fully ventilated.
Another advantage is the easier access to important items such as snacks, tools, or the phone without having to stop.

Outdoor Research is a well-known manufacturer of clothing and equipment for outdoor activities such as mountaineering, hiking, as well as rock and ice climbing. For years, their functional pieces have also been used by cyclists, even though they were not explicitly designed for this purpose.

After multiple critiques from the Mr. EIT Style Police, NoPain switched from a saddlebag and hydration backpack to a hip bag and opted for the 5L Hip Bag from the Freewheel Collection by Outdoor Research, which was made specifically for biking for the first time.

A hip pack is considered a must for many trail riders. The Freewheel Hip Pack, with a capacity of 5 liters, is large enough for any adventure and can still be compactly packed for short trips.
It features a water bottle holder on one side, a large main compartment for the hydration system, a smaller sunglasses compartment on the back, and a stowable storage net that provides additional space for bulky items like knee pads. The Hip Pack is also available in plus sizes, and its price in both cases is 84.90 euros.

Freewheel Hip Pack

The Outdoor Research Freewheel 5L Hip Pack is ergonomically designed and features padded straps as well as mesh inserts on the back, enhancing comfort. Once the hip bag is loaded and the contents stabilized by the compression straps, you actually forget you are wearing it. It sits very comfortably, does not wobble, and looks cool.

The right side pocket and left water bottle holder are easily accessible while riding. Alternatively, the bag can be easily rotated to the front to access the contents without having to stop. Numerous compartments provide ample space to securely store tools, spare parts, snacks, and personal items. However, we were not entirely sure how to integrate a hydration bladder with a hose.

We found the relatively small smartphone pocket on the right side to be a negative. Our iPhone 13 Pro just fit in, but after that, the pocket no longer ergonomically conformed to the hip, causing the hip pack to rotate slightly counterclockwise during the ride. Additionally, we found it strange that the robust compression straps do not have a "garage," causing them to dangle during the ride. While this does not affect functionality, it looks a bit sloppy in our eyes.

Overall, the Freewheel 5L Hip Pack is a practical and comfortable alternative to a backpack, especially for bikers who value freedom of movement, ventilation, and quick access to their gear. It is also guaranteed to be excellent for other outdoor activities such as hiking or running.