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 wonderful selection for brief hikes, day journeys, or lively out of doors actions. We examined it for an prolonged winter hike and located the pack a favourite. Its standout options embody a light-weight construct, supportive framed again, and easy-to-use hydration system with a leak-proof chew valve. The hip belt ensures snug weight distribution, and the roomy compartments present simply sufficient area to hold necessities with out pointless bulk. Moreover, the sturdy mesh supplies and clean zippers contribute to the pack’s longevity.

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

The Sula 16 affords nice worth for individuals who desire a dependable, no-frills hydration pack for brief out of doors 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, nevertheless it’s a strong funding for lively people who prioritize comfort and luxury of their gear.

How We Examined

We took the pack out close to Snoqualmie Move 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 secure even when shifting rapidly. The breathable mesh again panel stored our backs properly ventilated at the same time as we trekked rapidly within the snow, stopping an excessive amount of again sweat. 

The padded hip belt was one other key characteristic we beloved. 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. 

Though it’s an awesome selection 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 completely customise the match for our shorter torso. For many customers, the pack supplies a safe and comfy carry, particularly for a lighter load on shorter day hikes. Total, the match is secure and comfy, 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 awesome full-length deal with, which made it straightforward to fill, clear, and deal with with out slipping. The design ensures that even when your palms are moist or soiled, the bladder gained’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 favored that the hose attachment has a transparent, audible click on when re-attaching the hose to the bladder. This was a considerate element to ensure the connection is safe with a purpose to forestall leaks. Nonetheless, the button to detach the hose is a bit stiff, which may make it tougher to take away rapidly if wanted. The chew valve didn’t leak on us throughout the hike. It was straightforward to stow away with the robust magnet attachment to the sternum strap and didn’t get knocked off whereas climbing. 

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

Compartments

The Sula 16 is pretty minimalist in its design, nevertheless it nonetheless affords 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 helpful to simply entry smaller objects like our cellphone, snacks, and power gels. These pockets are roomy and might comfortably accommodate most small necessities. 

The exterior small pocket features a key clip, which is a considerate characteristic for securing our keys to the automobile. The pocket itself is considerably small and stiff however matches our small cellphone properly together with a bar. We most popular utilizing the hip pocket for the cellphone. 

The compartments aren’t as expansive as these on bigger packs, so we felt the must 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, nevertheless it is perhaps a decent match in case you’re seeking to carry further gear. Total, it’s practical and well-organized, however don’t count on massive compartments or extreme storage.

Waterproofing

The Sula 16 performs moderately properly relating to protecting 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 probably the greatest packs for rain rain safety across the hydration hose, stopping water from moving into the system. Different packs permit extra water seepage via 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 via 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 situations, you may wish to take into account including a rain cowl or utilizing waterproof baggage in your electronics and valuables. Nonetheless, for gentle or temporary 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 stand up to common use. The mesh again panel is extra strong 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 characteristic 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 of. 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 out of doors exercise. For many who plan on utilizing the pack in excessive situations 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 out of doors 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 awesome selection for fast out of doors actions the place you don’t must haul round heavy gear. Gregory has fastidiously engineered the pack to stability weight and capability. Weighing a half-pound greater than the Gregory Swift 16 pack,  it’s not the lightest available on the market, nevertheless it supplies loads of area and performance for brief hikes or day by day use. Holding our hundreds restricted to 10 kilos, the pack felt gentle to hold and comfy 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 attraction—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 really perfect selection for anybody on the lookout for a minimalist pack that also supplies every 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 by way of shoulder strap changes or as massive 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 affords dependable hydration and considerate options to make your out of doors 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 affords 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 crucial.

Osprey Dyna/Duro 15L Evaluation: The Osprey Dyna/Duro 15L is a better option for runners and quick hikers. It supplies a modern, body-hugging match that minimizes bounce, not like the extra inflexible construction of the Gregory Sula/Salvo 16. 

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