How to secure hydration system in Rallye Pro II jacket?

[Tim Cullis]

I haven't seen the earlier Rallye Pro jacket, but I'm told there some straps at the back of the jacket from which the hydration system is hung.

I tried to fit a system to the latest Rallye Pro II jacket and gave up. Nowhere to hang it from. The dealer couldn't advise either. Any ideas?

Tim

 

[GS TRV]

Just buy a Camelbak and prob solved

 

[Tim Cullis]

>> any ideas?

so that's a no then?

Tim

 

[Gecko]

Tim
I didn't even know there was a place for one in the Pro II jacket. Thanks for the tip I'll take a look at mine tonight and see if mine has any straps in case you are missing some in yours.

 

[wilbjr21]

Tim

There is a pocket in the lower centre back and you won't see it until you unzip the lining. You will then see how the hose threads it's way up and out of the jacket through the top left collar. I couldn't, in fact, find anywhere to hang it from - although there are two holes for this purpose in the bag.

Hope this is of some help; its not too bad if you only put one litre in - but I too think that part of the jigsaw is missing.

Bob

 

[Mutley]

There are no straps, it just sits between the lining and the outer in the small of your back. There are loops to route the tube through the jacket though.

I found it was such a pain to refill that I couldn't be bothered and went back to a Camelbak. You het a bit more of a sweaty back but you can refill in seconds

If you look at the Dakar riders they have the jacket altered so the opening for the bladder is through the back of the jacket. Of course they use safety shirts rather than integral armour and so the bladder sits on top of the back protector. They they look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame when it is full

 

[wilbjr21]

I found it was such a pain to refill that I couldn't be bothered and went back to a Camelbak.

I agree and I get back ache without a stapping system. The jacket also seems to weighs a ton when you pick it up. I've bought the Kriega Hydro 3 - very good.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I know about unzipping the protector layer to get to the pocket and threading the hose through, but my Rallye Pro II jacket appears to be missing the loops from which to suspend the hydration bladder.

Could someone with the older Rallye Pro jacket please confirm these straps do exist and what they look like?

The modification that Mutley mentions so the bladder filler cap is on the outside can be used with the standard protector layer, per the pic below of Steve (grey Rallye Pro jacket) taken on our May05 Morocco trip. Apart from not needing a superfluous bag on your back, you can fill the bladder with ice cold water and keep real cool.

Tim

 

['Nuffsaid]

Tim,

Tried as I might, I haven't been able to keep the bladder pack secure in the back of the Rallye 3, it just sits in the back of the jacket like a goldfish won from the fair. I gave up trying to find a way to secure it in the end and bought a hydration Rucksack ( Kriegas are pricey but beautifully made / designed bits of kit )- If you do find a solution please let us know !

 

[Tim Cullis]

better pic of the modified jacket

Tim

 

[Ted]

Had the same problem so got a press stud kit for about £2.50 fitted two "poppers" to the end of the water bag "not through the bag " then fitted the other two matching bits to the jacket lining. Then fill the bag and drop in the sleeve press onto the popper studs and off you go. Worked all last summer ok, very inconspicuous, sounds complicated but an easy fix. Will try and take a couple of pictures tomorrow when I get my camera charged up.