Dakine - new packs for 2007

[cam@nsmb.com]

The Apex and the Nomad are re-designed for 2007.

I took a close look at the Apex.

Article here.

[DUDEONABIKE]

cool, they look kinda the same, but what ever they have more pockets better features.

When it comes to hydration packs, nothing comes close to Dakine! Even the cheap-o Enduro model is awesome for day trips.

[jonny.zee]

Good thing you had that comfy pack when you climbed Espresso!

Anyway the Dakines are great packs, IMO. My only complaint is the bite valve on the bladder - it tears too easily and then they start to leak. I've torn 2 to date. But I do like the detachable hose feature.

Interesting that you say the Apex is now smaller becasue I found the previous version to be too big. Waterproof zippers a la Arc Teryx is a nice feature, but do we really need it? Sometimes it's so easy to get sucked in by the marketing.

[Trini-dad72]

I've got the '06 version of this bag in grey/light grey. I use it to haul about 20lbs of books and crap to and from school. Lunch, books, binders, pens, pencils, journal, agenda, art stuff... I could go on and on. It's super comfy, and very well though out. I use every dang pocket on or in the bag. If I ever need a new hydropack, I'll be looking at Dakine for sure!

[cam@nsmb.com]

Originally Posted by jonny.zee

Good thing you had that comfy pack when you climbed Espresso!

Anyway the Dakines are great packs, IMO. My only complaint is the bite valve on the bladder - it tears too easily and then they start to leak. I've torn 2 to date. But I do like the detachable hose feature.

Interesting that you say the Apex is now smaller becasue I found the previous version to be too big. Waterproof zippers a la Arc Teryx is a nice feature, but do we really need it? Sometimes it's so easy to get sucked in by the marketing.

This is the only pack for climbing Espresso!

The bite valve has evolved every year for the last couple and last year's was bomber - never had a problem. The 2007 seems even more robust with more flow as well.

Do we need waterproof zippers? Of course not. Good point. What we need and what we want gets collapsed in the modern world. We could deal with a fanny pack and water bottles like the old days (or one bottle which is all most duallies we ride will carry).

For me part of the fun of riding - in crazy conditions and when sane people wouldn't - is figuring out how to make it all work. Sometimes that involves jerry rigging stuff, sometimes using out of date equipment and sometimes researching to find just the right gizmo to suit your needs. Senior Peter is a great example with his bar end riding style. It probably is rooted in my forebears. My grandfather was born in a sod house in Manitoba. For them figuring out the best way to do things was a matter of survival. Now it's our recreation but I think I'm still driven by the same impulse to figure out the best way to do it. Since we no longer have to struggle to survive I think many of us (riders in particular) do things that supply that struggle for us. Take the triple crown - or the Ironman or just some epic you devise yourself. What would Darwin say about us doing that?

Yes - I've mulled this over once or twice!

[Couch_Surfer]

My Nomad has been going strong for 2 years - Great packs!
Nice new features on this generation. Any word on when they will hit the shops?

[cam@nsmb.com]

Something I missed in my initial review is that the waist belts are now removable on all Dakine hydration packs. They just velcro off and slide out. Pretty cool for times when you want to use it without the belt.

[big ben]

pretty impressive when a product can be that thoroughly thought out and perfected. most backpacks that I've tried have always felt a little awkward IMO, but that one looks really ergonomic, not to mention the ridiculous attention to detail. sweet write up!

[*Pepe*]

Great write up to compliment a great series of packs. DK certainly has its act together.

I think there is one thing no one has mentioned yet... Dakine got rid of big pocket for FF helmet now, you attach helmet like on Nomad, so it's no more protected from scratches, etc. When I have my helmet loaded in Apex and I accidentally hit something like wall, tree, anything, my helmet is protected. With new Apex, my TLD Carbon helment (if I had one ) will look like a crap, soon...
I asked Dakine employee during Eurobike fair, why they changed Apex... he told me, no other company made such kind of helmet pocket... so what!? it was Apex's advantage...
I hope my Apex will last for years....

[Taylor_P]

damn, and i just bought an 06 nomad a few months ago, now i want the 07 apex. im becoming a gear whore.

[the Master Plan Dan]

Got my first Nomad... never ever ever giving it back!

Killer stuff!

Add to that my use of the Dakine Bike Bag/Box... and that is twice that I have used thier products and have nothing but good things to say!

Keep up the good work!

Oh and Cam... good write up!

[tFly]

Actually the one thing that made me go back to camelbacks (resevoirs at least) was the detachable hose feature. I found the hose would often disconnect itself mid ride, I even lost a couple of the little o rings on the connector part which of course made it leak. Just a pretty useless feature in my opinion, I have no problem threading my camelback line through the 1 or 2 holes...

[Trini-dad72]

Just because I thought of this, I'll write it down; To me it seems that around 60% or more of the students that I see at Langara use Dakine packs.