The Blowfish, from Camelbak's Classic series, has been one the company's most versatile hydration packs for over a decade. While it has received some upgrades and advanced hydration technology, the essence is the same. You get a 2 liter hydration pack with compact storage, with the ability to open a zippered expansion zone for 30% more storage. This makes it great for commuters, hikers, and any kind of bike touring or day tripping.

The central internal storage is broken out for easy identification and access when you need it to small items like bike tools, etc., and the exterior top pocket is fleece lined for safe carry of sunglasses, cell phones and more. Otherwise the storage chambers are perfect for stuffing jackets, snacks, whatever. The hydration reservoir has it's own zone, close the back, and if you decide to forgo the reservoir, becomes more storage. These features and flexibility are what make the Blowfish so popular. It isn't so bike specific that you can use it as a practical day pack.

The 2-liter (100oz) Antidote reservoir with antibacterial Hydroguard™ coating was developed to improve on the Omega. No longer is a Herculean effort required to open and remove the cap. A quarter turn with minimum effort does the trick. It also has a larger diameter, so filling is easier, and you don't have to remove the reservoir to fill up. While they were at it, the engineers lowered the stack height for a slimmer fit and made the entire cap assembly 19% lighter. The bladder itself features hidden dryer arms which fold down from the cap to open the entire fill area and expose it to air for quick drying. A baffle has been added to the center of the bladder to keep the weight of the water evenly distributed and stable.This feature also reduces the stack height by a claimed 24% and provides a flat and seamless integration into the pack. Lastly, a Quick Link valve has been added to the bottom of the pack where the tube exits. This nifty feature has a shut-off valve and allows the user to click-fit tubes for replacement, add filters or insulated tubes in a matter of seconds.

Camelbak's long-term commitment to quality, safe hydration, comfort and useful features make the Blowfish a safe purchase for those who expect years of solid use with no hassles. Zippers, pulls, straps, and even the tab on the back for a flashing light are durable and stand up to considerable abuse.For those with older packs that are considering a new one, the new hydration technology and antibacterial properties alone should be persuasive.