Gregory Sula / Salvo 16 Hydration Pack Evaluation

Backside Line

The Gregory Salvo 16 / Sula 16 hydration pack excels in consolation, hydration effectivity, and light-weight design, making it a superb alternative for brief hikes, day journeys, or energetic outside actions. We examined it for an prolonged winter hike and located the pack a favourite. Its standout options embrace a light-weight construct, supportive framed again, and easy-to-use hydration system with a leak-proof chunk valve. The hip belt ensures snug weight distribution, and the roomy compartments present simply sufficient house to hold necessities with out pointless bulk. Moreover, the sturdy mesh supplies and clean zippers contribute to the pack’s longevity.

Nevertheless, there are a couple of areas for enchancment. The non-adjustable shoulder straps might not present the proper match for everybody, and there will be water seepage by the zippers throughout heavy rain. Should you’re searching for a extra weather-proof pack try our information to one of the best hydration packs.

The Sula 16 presents nice worth for individuals who desire a dependable, no-frills hydration pack for brief outside adventures. It’s excellent for anybody in search of a light-weight, compact resolution for staying hydrated throughout day hikes or actions like biking or operating. It might not be appropriate for longer treks or excessive climate, but it surely’s a stable funding for energetic people who prioritize comfort and luxury of their gear.

How We Examined

We took the pack out close to Snoqualmie Go in Washington within the winter to check for consolation and assess how a lot gear it may carry successfully. We additionally examined ease of use for the hydration system and used a bathe textual content to guage water resistance.

Consolation & Match

The Sula 16 is designed with consolation in thoughts, offering a supportive framed again that retains the pack steady even when transferring shortly. The breathable mesh again panel stored our backs effectively ventilated at the same time as we trekked shortly within the snow, stopping an excessive amount of again sweat. 

The padded hip belt was one other key function we liked. It helped to distribute the load of the pack evenly throughout our our bodies, making the ten pound load really feel lighter. It was a step up from the Gregory Swift 16/Inertia 18 H2O pack whereas sustaining the identical quantity. 

Although it’s an incredible alternative for brief to reasonable hikes, it’s value noting that the pack lacks load lifters and isn’t totally adjustable for various torso lengths. This restricted our skill to totally customise the match for our shorter torso. For many customers, the pack offers a safe and cozy carry, particularly for a lighter load on shorter day hikes. General, the match is steady and cozy, however extra customization within the straps would have been a pleasant addition for a extra customized expertise.

Hydration System

The Gregory Sula 16 excels relating to its hydration system. The 3L hydration reservoir options an incredible full-length deal with, which made it simple to fill, clear, and deal with with out slipping. The design ensures that even when your fingers are moist or soiled, the bladder received’t slip out of your grip. Although the deal with isn’t as ergonomic as a pan deal with, it nonetheless does its job successfully. 

We preferred that the hose attachment has a transparent, audible click on when re-attaching the hose to the bladder. This was a considerate element to verify the connection is safe with a view to forestall leaks. Nevertheless, the button to detach the hose is a bit stiff, which might make it tougher to take away shortly if wanted. The chunk valve didn’t leak on us in the course of the hike. It was simple to stow away with the robust magnet attachment to the sternum strap and didn’t get knocked off whereas mountaineering. 

We discovered the aspect pocket was not barely large enough to suit a Nalgene bottle when the pack was full. This may very well be problematic for individuals who favor to hold each a hydration bladder and a standard water bottle, However, with a 3L bladder capability, that is solely a minor difficulty. The bladder was simple to slip into the pack with its devoted compartment however solely labored effectively once we didn’t load the pack first. It was barely tougher to suit a full bladder when the pack was additionally full. Nonetheless, the hydration system is simple to make use of and really efficient for staying hydrated on quick hikes.

Compartments

The Sula 16 is pretty minimalist in its design, but it surely nonetheless presents sensible storage choices for a 16L pack. The primary compartment was spacious sufficient to hold our necessities, even for a winter hike. The hip pockets have been notably useful to simply entry smaller objects like our telephone, snacks, and vitality gels. These pockets are roomy and might comfortably accommodate most small necessities. 

The exterior small pocket features a key clip, which is a considerate function for securing our keys to the automotive. The pocket itself is considerably small and stiff however suits our small telephone effectively together with a bar. We most well-liked utilizing the hip pocket for the telephone. 

The compartments aren’t as expansive as these on bigger packs, so we felt the have to be selective about what we carried, limiting our layers to at least one further jacket. The pack’s total design is easy, with simply sufficient space for storing for day hikes, but it surely is perhaps a decent match for those who’re trying to carry further gear. General, it’s practical and well-organized, however don’t anticipate giant compartments or extreme storage.

Waterproofing

The Sula 16 performs moderately effectively relating to holding your gear dry in gentle rain. We simulated a rainstorm by setting the pack below a bathe faucet for 30 seconds. We discovered that the Gregory Sula/Salvo 16 was among the best packs for rain rain safety across the hydration hose, stopping water from entering into the system. Different packs enable extra water seepage by the hydration compartment and thus the principle pack itself. 

However even with the higher waterproof design on the hydration compartment, not one of the zippers have a zipper cowl, so water seeped by the zippers. In heavier rainfall, this pack wouldn’t keep dry inside, however on a shorter hike with gentle rain – like many hikes in Washington – the pack would supply first rate safety. Should you’re heading into extra unpredictable circumstances, you would possibly wish to contemplate including a rain cowl or utilizing waterproof baggage in your electronics and valuables. Nevertheless, for gentle or transient publicity to rain, the Sula 16 will preserve your gear dry.

Sturdiness

Like many Gregory packs, the Sula 16 is constructed to final with high-quality supplies that really feel sturdy and able to face up to common use. The mesh again panel is extra sturdy than different packs we examined and didn’t simply snag on rocks and particles alongside the path. The zippers run easily, providing easy accessibility to the compartments with out catching or jamming, which is a vital function for any pack. It makes use of a 210D Excessive Density nylon – half as thick as the opposite Gregory packs we reviewed.

Nonetheless, the pack is comparatively sturdy, all issues thought-about. We belief this pack will maintain as much as on a regular basis hikes and really feel the Greogry Sula/Salvo 16 will final for a lot of seasons of light-to-moderate outside exercise. For individuals who plan on utilizing the pack in excessive circumstances or for lengthy, rugged treks, it could not maintain up in addition to extra heavy-duty backpacks. Nonetheless, for its meant objective—quick hikes, day by day use, and lighter outside actions—the Sula 16 is greater than sturdy sufficient.

Weight

Weighing simply 27.2 oz, the Sula 16 is sturdy however gentle sufficient to make your hike a breeze. This makes it an incredible alternative for fast outside actions the place you don’t must haul round heavy gear. Gregory has rigorously engineered the pack to steadiness weight and capability. Weighing a half-pound greater than the Gregory Swift 16 pack,  it’s not the lightest in the marketplace, but it surely offers loads of house and performance for brief hikes or day by day use. Protecting our masses restricted to 10 kilos, the pack felt gentle to hold and cozy on the physique. 

Whether or not you’re heading out for a day hike or simply desire a pack to hold necessities on a run or bike experience, the Sula 16 makes carrying gear easy. It’s not overly padded or loaded with extreme options. However that’s a part of its allure—gentle, easy, and efficient for its meant use.

Ought to You Purchase the Gregory Sula 16 Hydration Pack?

The Gregory Sula 16 hydration pack is a well-rounded, light-weight, and environment friendly resolution for brief hikes and day journeys. It excels in consolation, performance, and hydration, making it a great alternative for anybody searching for a minimalist pack that also offers every little thing you want for a day open air. Its hydration system is top-notch, the match is snug, and the compartments are organized with out being overwhelming.

Although it might not be as customizable when it comes to shoulder strap changes or as giant as another packs, it’s completely fitted to carrying the necessities on shorter adventures. Whether or not you’re out for a hike, bike experience, or a run, the Sula 16 presents dependable hydration and considerate options to make your outside expertise simpler and extra gratifying.

What Different Hydration Packs Ought to You Think about?

Should you’re simply not into the Gregory Sula/Salvo 16 Hydration Pack, try the remainder of the finest hydration packs for some nice contenders.

Gregory Juno/Citro 24 H2O Evaluation: The Gregory Juno/Citro 24 H2O presents a bigger capability and extra consolation for longer hikes in comparison with the Gregory Sula/Salvo 16. With a extra supportive hip belt and adjustable torso size, it’s preferrred for prolonged adventures the place carrying further gear is important.

Osprey Dyna/Duro 15L Evaluation: The Osprey Dyna/Duro 15L is a more sensible choice for runners and quick hikers. It offers a glossy, body-hugging match that minimizes bounce, in contrast to the extra inflexible construction of the Gregory Sula/Salvo 16. 

Deuter Velocity Lite 13 Evaluation: Tremendous compact, the Deuter Velocity Lite 13 is a superb various for shorter adventures. Though it doesn’t supply the identical organizational options because the Sula/Salvo 16, it’s a more sensible choice for these prioritizing weight financial savings and velocity on shorter, lighter hikes.