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Review: Evoc Hip Pack Capture

A hip pack that doesn't make you choose between camera gear and carrying ride essentials

EVOC Hip Pack Capture Review Photo by: Photo: Stuart Kernaghan.
June 11, 2020
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by Stuart Kernaghan

A lot of people like to shoot photos or videos of their mountain bike experiences. Stashing a phone in your pocket or hydration pack works well, but what do you do when you want to bring a dedicated camera on the ride? Well, there are a number of good photo packs available – but not everyone wants to ride with a backpack.

EVOC Hip Pack Capture Review
The pack sits snugly at the small of the back and becomes nearly invisible when you’re riding. Photo: Ryan Glendenning.

Hip packs are THE cool way to carry your gear these days. While they may be trendy, they do have some real benefits. Weight sits closer to your centre of gravity, they reduce the sweaty back experience, and they’re smaller and lighter than a backpack. Unfortunately, they’re not designed to carry a camera.

Evoc Hip Pack Capture

Evoc Sports, Europe’s largest hydration pack and bike gear company, brought the two options together into one solution with its new Hip Pack Capture, a 7L waist pack specifically designed for camera gear.

The new Hip Pack Capture from Evoc has all the features you need to head out for a day ride with your camera, water bottle and some snacks. Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

The Capture includes three slots for memory cards and a waterproof pocket for cables or other accessories. I would have rather seen a mesh pouch for a multi-tool and clip for keys. Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

Removeable dividers mean that you can configure the Capture to your heart’s desire. For size reference, the camera is a Canon M100 but a 7D body and zoom lens will also fit. Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

Hidden straps on the bottom of the pack can be used to secure a jacket, a tripod, or pads to the outside of the bag. Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

The water bottle pouch is on the left side of the pack, and includes an elastic bungy cord to keep it from falling out. Adjustable straps on each side of the pack allow you to snug it up to your back. Photo: Stuart Kernaghan

The Capture boasts a long list of features: a padded and mesh back piece; a padded main compartment with three removable dividers; an adjustable waist strap with zippered side pouches; a water bottle pouch; dual adjustment straps; an integrated rain cover; hidden straps for securing a tripod / pads / a jacket; and a separate waterproof internal pocket for memory cards or accessories. Weight for an empty pack is 1.32 lbs / 600 g.

EVOC Hip Pack Capture Review
Evoc used textured padding and an open mesh back to ensure that things don’t get too hot or sweaty under the pack.

It didn’t take long to realize that the Evoc Hip Pack Capture is top shelf, and that construction is excellent. It was easy to get all of my photo and riding essentials in there. The pack comfortably fit a Canon M100 mirrorless camera with a 15-45mm lens, a mini tool, tire levers, two energy bars, my phone, my earbud case, and a full-sized water bottle. Throwing a second lens in there wouldn’t have been a problem.

EVOC Hip Pack Capture Review
The Hip Pack Capture is larger than some other hip packs, but doesn’t get in the way – even on technical descents. Photo: Ryan Glendenning.

Shoot from the hip: Riding with the Evoc Hip Pack Capture

Riding with the Capture was a little different at first, as I’m used to carrying camera gear in a backpack. Once I dialed in the fit, with the waist and adjustment straps snugged up and the pack sitting closer to my back, everything was good. Having the weight on my hips didn’t throw off my balance or flow on the trail, as can sometimes be the case with a large camera backpack. It effectively became invisible during the ride, which is what you want from your gear.

This bag is definitely larger than some hip packs (Evoc’s own Hip Pack Pro is 3L), but I didn’t notice the added size while I was riding – even on technical descents. Although it isn’t designed for a DSLR camera, I was able to fit a Canon 7D with a 24-105 mm lens in the pack once I separated the two components.

EVOC Hip Pack Capture Review
The author wearing a fully loaded Evoc Hip Pack Capture. There’s plenty of room in the bag for your camera gear and day-trip essentials. Photo: Ryan Glendenning.

The Capture does its job very well. There are a few minor tweaks that would make this already-good pack even better. The waist strap is far too long, and the adjustable buckle could do with a larger release tab. I would have also preferred the bottle pouch on the right side of the bag.  A dedicated external tool and key pouch would be more useful, instead of the memory card pouch.

EVOC Hip Pack Capture Review
The fully loaded Capture on the author. It’s possible to reach the water bottle without loosening the waist strap, but you’ll have to let off the tension go get at your camera. Photo: Ryan Glendenning.

Evoc’s Hip Pack Capture is a well-designed and highly functional hip pack. It’s ideal for riders who want to head out for a few hours and take a camera and some essentials with them. It comes in heather carbon grey and heather light olive colours.