Camelbak’s Rogue Light is a 7 litre backpack which comes with a 2 litre hydration reservoir.
It’s commonly seen on the backs of mountain bikers but there’s nothing stopping you from using it for road cycling, trail running or quick hiking trips.
The 7-litre capacity is mostly taken up with the hydration bladder. What’s left is a small, zipped pocket in the same compartment that takes the bladder, a stretch kangaroo pocket on the front of the backpack and a zipped pocket in front of that. The stretch kangaroo pocket can swallow a lightweight rain or wind jacket and we find the front zip pocket useful for a mini pump and tool. Obviously, you can use the zipped internal pocket for keys and phone so they’re safely stashed away.
Camelbak invented the hydration bladder, so it stands to reason that they're pretty good. Compared to others we've used from Salomon, Osprey and Platypus this is one of the best. It offers effortless drinking and easy one handed operation, even with gloves on. We love the way it integrates with the Rogue Light pack too, with an exit point at the top of the pack, a loop high up the shoulder strap and then a plastic clip lower down for routing and retaining the tube.
Being such a light and low-profile cycling backpack, the Rogue Light is barely noticeable on the back when you’re riding. The slender shoulder straps have perforated mesh inserts which helps with breathability and to keep them light and comfortable when you’re riding. The foam sections on the back panel get the same mesh treatment and a channel down the middle which helps keep things airy. The chest strap is enough to keep the pack securely on your back without the need for a cumbersome hipbelt.
All the structure is created by what’s inside the pack, there are no stays or rigid panels, but this isn’t what the Rogue Light is about, the simplicity of this cycling backpack is its greatest asset.
We like the Camelbak Rogue Light a surprising amount. It gets used regularly, mainly for mountain biking where we can fit everything we need in it for a good few hours on the trails.
The price is reasonable considering that you get an expensive hydration reservoir in with the deal, and Camelbak packs and reservoirs tend to last for absolutely ages so we will definitely be getting enough use out of it.
