Gear: TheNorthFace Ion 18

Thanks to Jayson with TNF we have the Ion 18 , a multi-purpose hydration pack based around a yoke-style harness, which allows you to primarily carry the bag at the waist/hips.
I have been riding with this pack since mid-January and I have to say I am impressed. There were some doubts at first when I saw the waist belt, as I cringed at the thought of overly-bulky nightmares of the past. Not the case here at all.
The yoke harness does its job very well when you have the waist belt properly cinched in. On the descents, once I figured it out (which took a bit since this pack wasn't designed specific to riding), the Ion proved to stay put and stable on my back, even thru the rough stuff and dramatic sudden body shifting. Right before the mayhem or even on the go, I tighten up the shoulder straps so that the waist belt moves up to my torso, and then cinch it from there. Mind you, I have been using a whopping 128oz reservoir in the h2o sleeve, and there have been no issues in the end. Oh yes, the H2O Sleeve. Here is where this pack really soars. The sleeve is not only separate from the main compartment, but sports a generous gusset design and full double zipper action. It very easily housed my 128oz reservoir (Gallon yo!) and only minimally impacted the space within the main compartment. SOOooooo important when you actually have to bring life support, you know?





My one complaint, and if and when TNF comes out with a MTB specific design, I would love to see something done to keep the flapping, hanging, hard-to-find excess straps, well, kept out of the way yet still EASILY accessible. Come on, I'm sure the Engineers and Design team at the North Face can come up with something.
Other notable current features include a stow away rain fly, two side pockets that will
accommodate (small) water bottles, a cargo trampoline system zipped away (which does not fit a helmet, but happily cozies a jacket or sweater), sternum strap with integrated whistle (in case you crash and find yur self alone cause yur too fast or too slow), and multiple accessory sleeves thru-out, one accessible from the outside.
Yes, I really like this bag! The Ion 18 would be a great model for TNF to base their mountain biking-specific pack around. A few changes and modifications here and there, and they would have one bad-ass, HIGHLY capable (and motivating) Riding Pack.
Dave See is currently putting it thru the ringer, and if it does the job and survives, he plans to use it for The Rim Ride. Updates to come to see if he likes it as much as I do. Oh! It comes in dark blue or Luscious Red...actually its called Molten Red, like lava I think. It's Luscious Red for me.
- 'raptor