BORELLI CONSULTING: Tactical Equipment Reviews

CamelBak's HAWG
By: Frank Borelli, 14 March 2005

Before getting into this week's review, I'd like to extend my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the Blackwater Contractors killed in Iraq on Saturday (March 12, 2005). Let's remember with honor the men and women who have died in the service of our country.

I recently came into possession of a CamelBak H.A.W.G. and, just like I do with every other hydration system I receive, had to rinse it out, fill it up and go for a walk. In this case, the walk included two of my three dogs and a two-and-a-half mile (one way) stroll to the beach. I am lucky enough to live near the Chesapeake Bay and the five-mile (round trip) walk would be sufficient that I'd appreciate having some drinking water along. The HAWG actually holds 100 ounces (or 3.0 Liters) of liquid, and since I don't like to scrub out my hydration bladder every time I use it, I tend to stick with plain water rather than anything flavored or sugary. Given that the HAWG also has 1100 cubic inches of storage capacity, I felt compelled to take along some snacks for myself and treats for the dogs as well. Off I went.

Now a gallon of (fresh) water weighs about 7.5 pounds. 100 ounces of water is not quite a gallon, so I'm guessing I had about 6.5 to 7 pounds of water. Throw in the snacks/treats (maybe another pound) and I was carrying about eight pounds in the HAWG. The system itself, when empty, has a published weight of 2.6 pounds, so that's about 10.5 pounds on my back, give or take. Not a great amount to carry around - especially if you've gone any distance with a 55 pound ruck on before.

Walking along with ten-and-a-half pounds on is nothing. Easy day. Where you really start to test the comfort of such a system is when you require your body to move in different ways: turning, twisting, pulling, pushing, walking up and down hills, jogging on a beach, etc. The HAWG's shoulder straps are adjustable for fit, as is the waist band. If you don't care to use the waistband, it tucks away into two little pouches (one on either side) to keep it out of your way. There is also an adjustable chest strap and this is amazingly helpful in keeping the shoulder straps from digging into your upper arms. Wearing the HAWG is effortless. How well does it move?

Pretty well. For most of the walk I had a leash in either hand. One big older, more relaxed, less pulling dog on one side; one big younger, more boisterous, likes to pull and jump dog on the other side. The result was lots of torso turning for me as I walked along. Pulling and guiding was an on-going thing, and I'd have noticed if the HAWG hindered my movements. No discomfort arose. As I moved along, the bite-valve swung back and forth across my chest, dangling, banging and bouncing around. It didn't leak at all. The on/off switch is easy to use and secures well in either position. Further, the bite-valve cover that came with the HAWG keeps the bite-valve itself covered and clean. That came in handy when the dogs started kicking up sand on the beach as we ran around - and as the younger one liked to jump up on me to show how happy he was. More than once his filty paw landed on the bite-valve, but the cover kept it clean. By the time I got back home, the snacks and treats were gone and I still felt comfortable in the about-halfway depleted HAWG.

After having drained it, rinsed it, and removed the bladder to dry, I took a look at the rest of the pack itself. Mine is in desert camo as shown above, but the HAWG is also available in black or woodland camo.

The pack has some useful features that should be noted. Easily seen in the pictures are the tube guides on the shoulder straps. There is one on either side. They come in handy for hanging flashlights, hooking other gear, etc. Farther down each shoulder strap is a D-ring for clipping on equipment as you see fit. The chest strap can be positioned higher up or lower down as is necessary according to your body type. The nylon strap that adjusts your shoulder strap length is captured at the bottom by a piece of hook-and-loop strap - so you don't have loose nylon dangling. There is a sturdy nylon handle at the top of the pack for those times before you put it on / after you've taken it off, but you still have to move it around.

The pack consists of a large storage compartment and a smaller outer pocket, that combined equal that 1100 cubic inches of storage space. The larger cargo compartment has two covered slits at the top - one on eithr side - where a radio antenna could stick out if that's what you're humping. Both cargo compartments have easy-pull zipper tabs and open in a semi-clamshell fashion. Cinch straps - two on either side - help to keep your load tight so it doesn't move around on you, changing your balance at potentially awkward times.

Again, as you can see in the pictures, the entire back of the HAWG is covered in MOLLE compatable webbing. If you need to carry more than the cargo space allows, attach some MOLLE pouches and keep on going. The bottom of the pack has an integrated drain-hole (so the only water you're carrying is what you intended) and there are four attachment points, double-stitched nylon webbing - for a sleeping bag, etc.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the drinking tube and bite valve both connect / disconnect via CamelBak's trade-marked HydroLink Modular Connection System. This allows you to easily (and with one hand) connect or disconnect the tube and/or valve.

All in all I was quite happy with the HAWG when I got back from my five-mile jaunt with the dogs. My thirst hadn't gotten out of hand - and the cargo space permitted me to carry snacks for myself and my companions. The harnass had kept the HAWG secure on my body sufficiently that I didn't feel uncomfortably rubbed on the front of my shoulders / arms, or sides of my chest. The waist belt kep the pack from boucning up and down too much, even when I was running with the dogs (or trying to move out of their way as they played).

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price is $132.00 on the CamelBak website.

I have a comment on this review.

New American Truth eMagazine
Dedicated to ALL citizens who oppose terrorism and injustice.
Subscribe Today!

Subscribe To New American Truth