Gear: Personal review of The North Face Animas hydration pack

The Facts

What: The North Face Animas hydration pack
Where bought: Due South
Price: R799.00
Size: 12L, 3L water and 9L packing
Why: I needed a pack that could carry my essential trail gear and carry water
Description:
Red and black with the a sprinkling of reflective material the pack is easily recognizable.
Let’s start from the back:

The chair and the hiking pole should give some indication of size. Rated at 12L by The North Face it is not a small pack – 3L for water and 9L packing.
There is an open pocket on each side for a slim water bottle or a set of hiking poles. I must add that I haven’t tried the pack with the hiking poles in place although I intend to – watch for updates on that.

The side strap is an adjustable quick release, which is also the only set of straps that can be used to compress the pack. There are also three sets of reflective loops – you can see my nighstik hanging from one.

On the front, bottom of the pack is another larger loop – haven’t figured out a use of that yet.
The North Face designed the Animas with a number of different sized and accessible pockets allowing for purposeful packing. Which on a trail run means that you can quickly get to what you are looking for without rummaging through the whole pack. This is often a feature not found on cheaper packs.
The first is a small zipped compartment on near the bottom of the pack:

This is large enough for keys, or whistle – about the size of the black area under my finger.
Directly above that is another, larger, zipped front accessible  pocket:

This could easily hold race cards or items you might want to get at quickly and regularly during a run. In the top right of the picture above is another set of elasticated ties – haven’t figured out a use for them yet either.
The pack has three major compartments. Again moving from the front of the back to your back they are:
1. The multi pocket compartment
2. The major (large) compartment
3. The water compartment
Let’s take a closer look. The multi pocket compartment:

There are four pockets in this compartment: the larger mesh pocket near my hand, a smaller longer mesh pocket below that, then a solid pocket next to that one and finally the larger area of the compartment.
I use the larger of these compartments to store my first aid kit.
The major (large) compartment:

This has a single meshed zippered area and the larger space for kit. Being the most central pocket on the pack and therefor the most protected I use this mesh to store my cellphone. The larger area carries my waterproof jacket and other clothing kit. Being next to the water compartment I would not put anything sharp here as it might pierce the bladder.
Finally, the water compartment:

The bladder rest against the runner’s back, hanging from the grey clip. Although this is the maximum opening for the compartment the bladder slips in and out with ease.
Note also the carry handle for the pack and that all zips have glove friendly loops for easy use.
The bladder itself feels durable (I have had other bladders burst on a run – not without its humour if you are behind the unfortunate runner!).

Branded a Source bladder, the bladder seam appears to be strong and the outlet pipe area is equally toughened and surprisingly small. You can see the ---max 3 liter --- mark on the bag. I still need to pour in a measured 3 litres and see how the bladder handles that.
The bladder is opened and closed by a simple secure slide:
The slide secures a flap over a thickened area of plastic. This does make the bladder simple to fill without having to aim for a little hole. Although, hopefully, you are unlikely to end up upside down, in the event that you do, the seal is watertight.
Below you can see the little white clip that secures the black slide in place:

The drinking tube can exit the water compartment via either shoulder – I suppose this is to accommodate left and right handed drinkers!

The drinking tube is secure on the shoulder strap in two places. Although the left hand strap can also secure the tube, the magnetic connection is only on the right.
The drinking tube ends in a ‘bite and suck’ tip with a twist, and I mean that literally. To open the flow the tip is twisted a quarter turn:

And closed:

The tube is prevented from bouncing around through a magnetic clip on the chest strap. The tube side clip can slide along the tube to adjust for variable runner neck length:

More of The North Face’s attention to detail can be seen on the front side of the pack:

Note the hip strap.
The elasticized chest strap makes the bag feel secure while still allowing for some ‘give’:

All the longer straps in the front of the pack can have their ends secure to prevent irritating flapping:

Finally there is the thoughtful and convenient ‘drain’ for those lovely river crossings or unfortunate wet landings:

Finally, there is the front of the back side … or the back of the front side… OK, the part of the pack that rests against the runner’s back:

My initial reaction to this part of the pack was: “Where’s the padding?” Other than a little extra on the spine it appeared rather minimalistic. It reminded me of those special matrasses you get in hospitals for patients that are bedridden … aaah … that might be a good thing when you have a pack glued to your back for many hours on end.
Here you can see that the shoulder straps a broad enough without being encumbering and not exceptionally padded either.
The Opinion
Disclaimer, Animas and I have only been for two runs so far, both in the order of a mere 10kms. So my personal experience with the pack is currently limited. However, I feel we will have many a km to get to know each other better and I will post updates on our relationship.
Likes: The thoughtful design and attention to detail on the pack is amazing. Clearly a trail runner’s pack design by input from trail runners. The build quality is tangible with reinforcing where you would expect it. Yet the pack is light, comfortable and fits snuggly – for an hour and a bit!
There is enough packing space and pockets and good quality bladder. The bladder is easy to fill with water, easy to remove the air from and performs quietly when running.
Looks good too.
It means all of Owen Middelton’s pack requirements found here http://goo.gl/Q0z61 except that it doesn’t come with a whistle!
It was also listed as one of three packs of choice by Owen:

• First Ascent Light Year 22l R699 (Outdoor Warehouse, Cape Union Mart, Drifters)
• North Face Animas 12l R799 (Due South)
• Mountain Hardwear Fluid 10l Price unknown (Drifters/Mountain Mail Order/Cape Union)

Dislikes: Nothing. Yet.
Conclusion: I have had only one other hydration pack before The North Face Animas. A Mr Price Sports pack that lasted two runs before the bladder burst! It was only priced at R299 but the quality is of the two is without compare. It is too early in the pack’s use to write a personal definitive conclusion but I have a good feeling about this piece of kit…

Race Review: Constantia Valley Trail Run

The Facts

Location: Constantia area
Distance: 21km, 11.5km (err ended up at8.16km) & a 4.5km fun run
Surface: Mostly farm road/jeep track
Website: www.cvtrail.co.za
Organizer: Richard Acheson
Cost: R140, R75 and R40 respectively

The Experience

Registration for the race was a simple two part process. Enter and pay online (using Credit Card or EFT)  followed by a visit to a Sportman's Warehouse of your choice to collect your race card and optional t-shirt.
Perfect weather conditions met the 750 odd runners, overcast but no rain. Things at the start were a little confusing with no clear marking about and no one clearly marked officials to be seen. It was comforting to see paramedics and traffic police on standby. The later most useful as the runners would have to cross Spansgemacht Road to enter the vineyards.
Then there was the last minute route change for the 11.5km race - forced on the organisers by the discovery of bees on the route. The 21km runners started first and a few minutes later the 11km runners and then the fun run crowd. The three races followed the same main route, which is were the confusing might have come in - more on that later.
The run through the vineyards is both unique and very scenic. Other than the Constantia Valley Grape Run, this is the only other occasion to run through the remarkable vineyards that are Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting and Uitsig. BTW the restaurant at Uitsig is highly recommended. Even with the recent rains the route underfoot was mostly dry and stable jeep track/ farm road. The accents and descents mild with a total elevation gain of only 188m. With approx. 350 odd runners taking part in my race the course sometimes felt a little crowded – compared to single track races.
The organizers did provide two water points if required.

That’s me – way down at the end in red!
The race ended by re-crossing Spansgemacht Road (again safely controlled by traffic police) and turning into the grounds of the Cape Academy. Runners were given a card with a sequential number to add to their race card and leave in box for final times and results to be determined.
All runners were also given a medal for completing the race.
However, at the end race organisers also confirmed what my trusty Garmin FR305 was trying to tell me – the race was too short! By 3.5km. That was a little disappointing.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the race. My first for 2012 and hopefully also the first of many. The family and friends mostly did the 4.5km fun run and the kids loved it. Especially the fact that they all got medals at the end.
I will update the post with the ‘official’ results.
My time was 46.56 for the 8km. Too fast at 5:52 min/km as I am trying to pace myself for longer distances. Go here to see my race details on  http://goo.gl/Ykv8f

Routes: Tokai Level 5 from Silvermine North

Route location: above the Tokai Arboretum, although I started in the Silvermine North Reserve. Parked at the MTB car park and walked back down the road for 500m to the start.

Route Description: great for a long flat run. Although sections can be filled with loose rocks - good ankle exercise. Some sections through forest. The later section, after the Black Eagle exit is single track.

Take Note: VERY popular with mountain bikers. I met 3 runners and 300 MTBs! No water that I could tell.

Why?: Great views. The contour run makes for good flat milage.