The Latest from Cactus Tactical: CamelBak HAWG's

I recently came into possession of a CamelBak HAWG and had to try it out last weekend. The HAWG holds 100 ounces (or 3.0 Liters) of liquid. Given that the HAWG also has 1100 cubic inches of storage capacity, it will hold plenty of other equipment for your day or overnight trip.

A gallon of water weighs about 7.5 pounds. so the HAWG holds about 6.5 to 7 pounds of water. The system itself, when empty, has a published weight of 2.6 pounds, so that's about 10.5 pounds on your back, when the bladder is full.

Walking along with ten-and-a-half pounds on is nothing. 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.

The bite valve 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.

Mine is in desert camo as shown above, The HAWG is available in desert camo, black or woodland camo. The pack has some useful features that should be noted. Tube guides are fastened on the shoulder straps with 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 needed. 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.

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. 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.