Camelbak M.U.L.E. (& Thermalbak)
The Original Hydrating Backpack:
I don’t mean that as a superlative, I mean that as actuality, at least in a commercial sense. I’m sure other people may have fabbed something similar but Camelbak came out with this for the masses first, to my knowledge. The story goes the founder was an EMT and put a hose onto an IV bag and the rest is history. I was an early adopter and still have my original Thermalbak, albeit without the bladder. They nailed market with the “hydrate or die” slogan but their first designs left a few things lacking. First, the original bladder was simply a press-fit cap which tasted richly of plastic on every drink. It faded to a distinct purple over the years and eventually molded. For the sake of history I wish I’d have kept the bladder. The other failure was simply the size of the straps, both in width and length. I didn’t use this design all that much because it barely fit over my shoulders, let alone when I was hunched over in bicycle mode. For some reason the shoulder straps unbuckled at the base, something I’ve really never seen on another backpack. A simple neoprene sock with a Velcro closure and some shoulder straps started it all.
Almost the Right Size: Original Camelbak M.U.L.E.
I purchased the M.U.L.E. as an in-between like hiking pack with just enough pockets to bring along the essentials. However, the design flaw with this pack is that when the bladder is filled to capacity the back balloons out, rendering the padded air-flow design moot and limiting the usability of the main pocket. I do like how the bladder zips into the back, rather than having to remove contents to pull it out of the main pack. Most backpacks seem to do this and it looks like current M.U.L.E.’s do as well. Packs like my Aether 85 have special compartments and it’s infinitely better but it’s not that big of a deal since the bladder usually doesn’t have to come out during the length of a bike ride or short hike.
I say this is almost the right size because while on paper it’s great, with essentially 5 pockets, two of those are open-air with the back-most pouch being almost useless. Sometimes I’ll stuff a jacket in there but it needs to be something of good size and pliable enough not to slip out. I end up using the side retention straps religiously although that’s something which most newer models don’t seem to have. I have summited Half Dome with this exact pack and while it is doable, unless you’re in supreme shape and don’t need more than 3L of water on a 17 mile hike, I’d go a tad bigger, but it’s very doable.
For reference, here’s what this size of pack looks like on a larger framed dude:
What is amazing is how long this pack has held up without failing, enough so that it’s literally my go-to pack for shorter hikes, bike rides, etc. I still use it dozens of times per year without a second thought, it’s not even close to wearing out. Yes, anything elastic is no longer elastic but it’s not fraying and all of it is attached to straps which can be cinched down, which I always do anyway, so it’s irrelevant.
Should you buy this?
Maybe. In terms of the brand, I’ve been a loyal Camelbak user and defender for years. I’ve owned 5 water bladders over the years, 3 of which were Camelbak’s and 2 of which I still own. The other two were either gifts Geigerrig pressurized pack (now Aguamira) or specific to (and came with) the pack as in my Nathan Running Vest. I’m not sure the redesign of the M.U.L.E. is necessarily for me but they have dozens of designs now and I’d consider them all, but as a brand, absolutely. They’re not the cheapest as they are a premium and name-brand, but they’ve never let me down.
When I go to buy I’d be looking at these three:
Decent amount of room in just a few pockets, has additional straps on the bottom which is handy for jackets or other bulky or gross items. Don’t really need the hip belt excess but those can be tied back.
Looks roomy but I like the easily removable velcro hip straps (same design as the original) and the MOLLE on the back. Sure, it’s tacticool but I usually hike with my Gerber Strongarm strapped on the outside somewhere and in this case I could just attach to the MOLLE, as could any number of additional pouches (sometimes it’s nice to have a detachable gross pouch for used food packets).
Super basic but I like how it has shoulder pouches (this is something more packs need to have, it’s a game changer) and is basically a dry bag with some external straps and a bulk pouch. Nice to have that extra protection for gunky and wet rides or hikes.
