Gregory Sula / Salvo 16 Hydration Pack Assessment

Backside Line

The Gregory Salvo 16 / Sula 16 hydration pack excels in consolation, hydration effectivity, and light-weight design, making it a superb selection for brief hikes, day journeys, or energetic outside actions. We examined it for an prolonged winter hike and located the pack a favourite. Its standout options embrace a light-weight construct, supportive framed again, and easy-to-use hydration system with a leak-proof chew valve. The hip belt ensures comfy weight distribution, and the roomy compartments present simply sufficient house to hold necessities with out pointless bulk. Moreover, the sturdy mesh supplies and clean zippers contribute to the pack’s longevity.

Nonetheless, there are just a few areas for enchancment. The non-adjustable shoulder straps could not present the right match for everybody, and there may be water seepage by the zippers throughout heavy rain. For those who’re on the lookout for a extra weather-proof pack take a look at our information to the perfect hydration packs.

The Sula 16 provides nice worth for many who desire a dependable, no-frills hydration pack for brief outside adventures. It’s good for anybody in search of a light-weight, compact resolution for staying hydrated throughout day hikes or actions like biking or working. It is probably not appropriate for longer treks or excessive climate, but it surely’s a strong funding for energetic 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 might carry successfully. We additionally examined ease of use for the hydration system and used a bathe textual content to judge 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 saved our backs effectively ventilated whilst we trekked rapidly within the snow, stopping an excessive amount of again sweat. 

The padded hip belt was one other key function 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. 

Despite the fact that it’s an awesome selection for brief to average hikes, it’s value noting that the pack lacks load lifters and isn’t totally adjustable for various torso lengths. This restricted our capability to totally 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 in relation 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 preferred that the hose attachment has a transparent, audible click on when re-attaching the hose to the bladder. This was a considerate element to verify the connection is safe to be able to forestall leaks. Nonetheless, the button to detach the hose is a bit stiff, which might make it more durable to take away rapidly if wanted. The chew valve didn’t leak on us through 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 facet pocket was not barely sufficiently big to suit a Nalgene bottle when the pack was full. This may very well be problematic for many who choose to hold each a hydration bladder and a standard water bottle, However, with a 3L bladder capability, that is solely a minor situation. The bladder was straightforward to slip into the pack with its devoted compartment however solely labored effectively once we didn’t load the pack first. It was barely more difficult to suit a full bladder when the pack was additionally full. Nonetheless, 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, but it surely nonetheless provides sensible storage choices for a 16L pack. The principle compartment was spacious sufficient to hold our necessities, even for a winter hike. The hip pockets have been notably helpful to simply entry smaller gadgets like our cellphone, snacks, and vitality gels. These pockets are roomy and might comfortably accommodate most small necessities. 

The exterior small pocket features a key clip, which is a considerate function for securing our keys to the automotive. The pocket itself is considerably small and stiff however suits our small cellphone effectively 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 general design is easy, with simply sufficient space for storing for day hikes, but it surely is likely to be a decent match in the event you’re seeking to carry further gear. Total, it’s purposeful and well-organized, however don’t count on giant compartments or extreme storage.

Waterproofing

The Sula 16 performs moderately effectively in relation to retaining your gear dry in mild 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 among the best packs for rain rain safety across the hydration hose, stopping water from moving into the system. Different packs enable extra water seepage by 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 by the zippers. In heavier rainfall, this pack wouldn’t keep dry inside, however on a shorter hike with mild rain – like many hikes in Washington – the pack would provide respectable safety. For those who’re heading into extra unpredictable situations, you may need to take into account including a rain cowl or utilizing waterproof baggage in your electronics and valuables. Nonetheless, for mild or transient publicity to rain, the Sula 16 will hold 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 face up to common use. The mesh again panel is extra sturdy 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 crucial function 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-about. 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 outside exercise. For individuals who plan on utilizing the pack in excessive situations or for lengthy, rugged treks, it might not maintain up in addition to extra heavy-duty backpacks. Nonetheless, for its supposed goal—quick hikes, each day use, and lighter outside actions—the Sula 16 is greater than sturdy sufficient.

Weight

Weighing simply 27.2 oz, the Sula 16 is sturdy however mild sufficient to make your hike a breeze. This makes it an awesome selection for fast outside actions the place you don’t have to haul round heavy gear. Gregory has rigorously engineered the pack to steadiness weight and capability. Weighing a half-pound greater than the Gregory Swift 16 pack,  it’s not the lightest in the marketplace, but it surely supplies loads of house and performance for brief hikes or each day use. Conserving our masses restricted to 10 kilos, the pack felt mild 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 journey, the Sula 16 makes carrying gear easy. It’s not overly padded or loaded with extreme options. However that’s a part of its allure—mild, easy, and efficient for its supposed 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 an excellent selection for anybody on the lookout for a minimalist pack that also supplies every part you want for a day open air. Its hydration system is top-notch, the match is comfy, and the compartments are organized with out being overwhelming.

Although it is probably not as customizable by way of shoulder strap changes or as giant as another packs, it’s completely suited to carrying the necessities on shorter adventures. Whether or not you’re out for a hike, bike journey, or a run, the Sula 16 provides dependable hydration and considerate options to make your outside expertise simpler and extra satisfying.

What Different Hydration Packs Ought to You Think about?

For those who’re simply not into the Gregory Sula/Salvo 16 Hydration Pack, take a look at the remainder of the greatest hydration packs for some nice contenders.

Gregory Juno/Citro 24 H2O Assessment: The Gregory Juno/Citro 24 H2O provides 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 supreme for prolonged adventures the place carrying further gear is important.

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

Deuter Pace Lite 13 Assessment: Tremendous compact, the Deuter Pace Lite 13 is a superb different for shorter adventures. Though it doesn’t provide the identical organizational options because the Sula/Salvo 16, it’s a more sensible choice for these prioritizing weight financial savings and velocity on shorter, lighter hikes.