ANATOLY IVANOV / PROSE / 2008-07-26
OUTDOOR 2008: THE NORTH FACE E RACE BOA HYDRATION BACKPACK PREVIEW
RUNNING / PREVIEWS
If I have to run with a backpack, I place it high and tight on my back, so that:
- my lower ribs and my thoracic diaphragm are free to move and pump the air in and out
- the backpack stays snug and quiet
But most backpacks are not designed for that kind of positioning on the upper torso. Pick any backpack. Pull on the shoulder straps’ webbing to the max. The pack is high on the back. Clasp the sternum strap… Uh oh! It’s to low! Too short!
The Granite Gear Wisp is a notable exception: the sternum strap slides all the way up the shoulder straps. Cut the hip-belt – it’s too high on the belly anyway – and you get a superb running backpack.
So, when I saw The North Face E Race Boa designed exactly around this concept, I immediately asked for a trial run.
Photo: The North Face E Race Boa / Used with permission from The North Face / Author: Nevio
WHAT’S NEW AND INTERESTING?
The E Race Boa is a hydration pack that wraps around the sternum with a clever Velcro harness. I’m 1 m 80 cm (5.9”), so the pack’s belt is way too high for me. But, you can remove it!
I ran around The North Face booth at the Outdoor 2008 show with the pack on my back… Well, OK, that wasn’t running. It was pouncing on retailers and accelerating around tables. The feeling of the pack was quite nice.
It comes with a 1,5 L (48 oz) Nalgene reservoir… that has a magnetic drinking valve! Look ma, one hand: pull the hose from the metal plate on the shoulder strap, drink and stick it back. Like a fridge note-holder! It’s clever, it’s called “Bite Me valve with magnetic Clip” and it’s a Nalgene creation.
Another new feature of the backpack is the “Boa anti-slosh technology”: a carry-over from the steel wire lacing system used on shoes. Turn the dial on the shoulder strap – cinch the water reservoir.
Photo: The North Face E Race Boa / Used with permission from The North Face / Author: Nevio
SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
- Manufacturer: The North Face (thenorthface.com)
- Model: E Race Boa hydration backpack
- Year: 2009
- Materials: unbranded ripstop nylon, mesh panels, food-grade plastic, steel wire
- Main features: running-optimized harness, 1,5 L (48 oz) water reservoir with magnetic bite valve, remote-controlled compression system
- Men’s model: yes
- Men’s colors: green lantern; black
- Women’s model: no (but coming in the near future!)
AVAILABILITY
Should be in stores around spring 2009.
MY QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS
// Harness
Will it work in the long run?
Any chaffing?
// Magnetic valve
Will the bite valve detach if I jump out of the window and land 3 floors below?
// Boa compression system
Am I an exception? I never have slosh problems with my water reservoirs!
At fill time, I turn the reservoir upside down and suck the air out. Result: compact water. The reservoir compresses itself as I drink.
I should use this Boa wire system in real life conditions to see if it’s overkill or a useful feature.
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