The Enduro Backpack from Henty is designed by the same company that brought us the Wingman. This Australian duo started out with a product designed to carry your work clothes while commuting by bike. Lucky for us, they have branched out into other categories. With their Enduro Backpack, it’s all about play, not work.
Overview
Since their introduction nearly 30 years ago, hydration packs have evolved quite a bit. At first glance, the Henty Enduro Backpack doesn’t even look like a hydration pack. That’s because the bladder is carried horizontally, across the lumbar region. Benefits of this design are obvious. First, it keeps the weight low and close to you, for better balance. Next, it keeps you cooler, as you don’t have a couple of liters of water strapped to your spine. Naturally, there is plenty of storage into the Enduro too.
Construction
Made from 500D Cordura nylon, the Enduro Backpack is built to last. Looking closely at the stitching, it’s nice and even. Usually, that’s a good indicator of quality. When I see crooked, sloppy stitching, I know the factory is cranking them out as fast as they can. But nice straight stitching with no loose ends is a sign of someone taking pride in their work. Henty’s got that. Which is probably why they back the Enduro with a five-year warranty covering materials and workmanship.
Storage
It’s everywhere in the Enduro. On the belt are dual zipper pockets for energy bars or gels. Inside the main compartment are elastic-top mesh pockets and zippered mesh areas. A flap with a buckle keeps contents safe and secure. Along the pack are two dozen loops for odds and ends. Some are elastic, some are MOLLE compatible. Across the back mesh area is another zippered pocket. Of course, the shoulder and chest straps are adjustable, and both sides have loops for hydration tube management. If you ride with a two-way radio, there is a mount for that too.
Comfort
After years of using a regular vertical hydration pack, the Enduro is a breath of (cool) fresh air. No matter how it’s configured, no vertical pack can match a lumbar pack for airflow. With only five liters of storage, weight isn’t much of an issue with this pack. Because the hip belt is padded, and all the weight is down low, even the straps are mesh and minimalist. But comfort doesn’t suffer. Really, it’s a pack you could wear all day.
Packing
During various outings, the Henty Enduro was stuffed with a variety of essentials. For cycling, it held the usual wallet, keys, phone, a spare tube, and some Clif bars. Plus a multi-tool and tire boot (Utah has sharp rocks). There is plenty of room for a CO2 kit and a few cartridges as well. Looking at the photos Henty provided, it’s clear we’re traveling light, compared to what the Enduro can hold. While hiking, it held the same first three items, plus some non-cycling stuff. That included extra camera batteries, a pocketknife, and lens cleaning kit. And snacks. Henty may have designed this for cycling, but it’s great even when off the bike.
In Use
My other hydration packs are in storage, while we’re between homes. So while I tried the Henty without a bladder in it, I had to have someone else test it with a bladder. Although it’s never fun squeezing your bladder into a hydration pack, it fit easy enough. If there was anything to complain about, it’s the lack of a port for the tube. The pocket can’t be zipped shut. But the buckled flap kept everything in place, and there are loops for tube management. Ironically, the biggest name in hydration packs doesn’t really fit bigger riders as well as they could. So the Henty Enduro is a good choice if you’re on the stocky side. I’m hoping to do a follow up with my Geigerrig pressurized bladder, and its dual air/water lines.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to like about this pack. It looks good, fits great, holds all the little bits you need for a good ride (or hike), and the price (current MSRP is $110) beats the other brands. The only real downside is that it’s BYOB (bring your own bladder). But to be fair, I’m fine with this well-designed pack, and being able to choose my own hydration option. Find it and the rest of their line on the Henty website.
A special thanks to Henty for providing their pack for this review. We appreciate the opportunity to share this brand with our readers.