Albek H20-Haul Three hydration pack: Minimalism (almost) perfected at a price that’s tough to moan about

Built for minimalism, Albek’s H20-Haul Three is designed to carry the very bare essentials. But it does so in a super stable and mighty uncomplicated package that doesn’t cost the earth. The only thing holding it back from complete and utter perfection is that its hose tidy isn’t magnetic… picky, I know.

Albek H20-Haul Three – Technical details

Albek claims that the H20-Haul Three is a performance-driven ‘hydration companion’ that takes a very minimalist approach. As such, it’s designed to carry a 1.5L bladder and not much more.

But its simplicity isn’t without a good host of features, the most noteworthy being the X Brace Harness System. It’s pretty much the same as USWE’s No Dancing Monkey harness, and that’s no bad thing, as it’s rather good. This system uses four adjustable straps dubbed the Hiflex 4-Point Suspension system, which join at the Swivi-Lockster buckle at the chest.

The shoulder straps are then vented for breathability, and the Ergoflow back panel has been added to encourage airflow around the back.

Offering a three-litre volume, the H20-Haul Three comes with a 1.5L bladder, and inside its front pocket is a smaller water-resistant pocket for a phone. There’s also a spot where you can scribble down some emergency details.

As for materials, the pack is built from a 240D Dull Polyester Ripstop fabric.

Albek H20-Haul Three – Performance

With the X-brace harness system, the H20-Haul Three requires a little more attention when it comes to the fit. Thankfully, it’s a super straightforward task of just tightening up each of the straps, and when you’re ready to go, click together the clasp at the front. Though, during my time with the bag, some fine-tuning of the pack was needed to eke out the best stability.

Although there’s a little more fiddling needed to achieve the perfect fit, this system makes tons of sense once you’re riding. That’s because it’s both very comfortable and very stable. When pushing off jumps and landing drops, the pack hardly lifts, and in general riding, it’s absolutely solid. In fact, often I’ve forgotten I’ve been wearing it.

The minimalist nature of the bag is one that I really appreciate. So there aren’t any auxiliary pockets, aside from the phone stash, to hold any bits and bobs, but there’s enough space in its only pocket to carry the hydration bladder and some other small things. I’ve managed to pack a multi-tool and tubeless repair kit with room to spare for a lightweight jacket and snacks, so for me, that’s plenty.

But really, this pack is at its very best when combined with on-bike storage options, where it’s used merely to carry extra fluids for races or bigger rides. Though I must mention that the phone pocket isn’t particularly large, and it won’t fit my phone. That said, I usually carry it in a pocket on some trousers or shorts, so no real harm done.

As the pack isn’t absolutely loaded with pouches and pockets, filling and packing the hydration bladder is refreshingly simple. It just sits within the zipped main pocket and is held in place via a strip of hook and loop. It’s just easy to sort out.

The hose then threads over the right shoulder and hooks into a hook on the X-brace system. This is my main niggle. Although it works, it would be great to see a magnetised hose tidy just for ease of use.

As evidenced by the straps and the back panel, Albek has gone some ways to promote breathability with the H-20 Haul Three, and it’s definitely appreciated. The straps allow air to pass through, and the ribs of the back panel create some circulation. I’ve still gotten sweaty underneath them, but they’ve certainly helped keep me more comfortable on warmer days.

It’s always lovely to see a hydration bladder included in the price, and the one chosen for this pack is a bit of a belter. Its closure is the easiest I’ve ever used, even when the bladder is filled to the brim. The mouthpiece doesn’t have a lock on it, however, which may displease some, but it’s not something I’ve found to be an issue.

Albek H20-Haul Three – Verdict

At a price of £69.98, the Albek H20-Haul Three offers rather good value for money, if you’re looking for a bag that takes a more minimalist approach.

A very close competitor is USWE’s Race 2.0 2L hydration pack, which will set you back £109.95. It’s smaller in capacity, but it has a similar strap system. It’s sorted with a magnetic hose tidy, but importantly, for that cash you get an insulated pouch for the hydration bladder to sit in, which should keep whatever fluids cool. If it were my money, however, I’d be going for the Albek.

EVOC’s Hydro Pro 3 + Hydration Bladder is a similar offering, but it ups the storage with a greater range of pockets. Before the Albek, it was my go-to, but alas, the H20 Haul Three has taken its place, despite coming with fewer pockets. The EVOC will set you back £124,99.

If it’s a simple, lower-cost backpack you’re after for storing extra fluids and a few spares, Albek’s H20 Haul-Three absolutely fits the bill. Its minimalist approach makes it simple and a joy to use, while its unique (ish) strap and closure system bring a heft of stability that makes the H20 Haul-Three easily forgotten when worn. It’s an excellent pack, but a magnetic hose tidy would make it faultless.