Gregory Sula / Salvo 16 Hydration Pack Overview

Backside Line

The Gregory Salvo 16 / Sula 16 hydration pack excels in consolation, hydration effectivity, and light-weight design, making it a wonderful alternative for brief hikes, day journeys, or lively 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 snug 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.

Nevertheless, there are a number of areas for enchancment. The non-adjustable shoulder straps might not present the right match for everybody, and there may be water seepage by means of the zippers throughout heavy rain. For those who’re in search of a extra weather-proof pack take a look at our information to the very best hydration packs.

The Sula 16 gives nice worth for individuals who need a dependable, no-frills hydration pack for brief outside adventures. It’s excellent for anybody looking for a light-weight, compact resolution for staying hydrated throughout day hikes or actions like biking or operating. It might not be appropriate for longer treks or excessive climate, nevertheless it’s a stable funding for lively people who prioritize comfort and luxury of their gear.

How We Examined

We took the pack out close to Snoqualmie Go 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 steady even when transferring rapidly. The breathable mesh again panel saved our backs effectively ventilated at the same time as we trekked rapidly within the snow, stopping an excessive amount of again sweat. 

The padded hip belt was one other key function we liked. 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. 

Although it’s an excellent alternative for brief to reasonable hikes, it’s value noting that the pack lacks load lifters and isn’t absolutely adjustable for various torso lengths. This restricted our skill to totally customise the match for our shorter torso. For many customers, the pack gives a safe and cozy carry, particularly for a lighter load on shorter day hikes. Total, the match is steady and cozy, however extra customization within the straps would have been a pleasant addition for a extra customized expertise.

Hydration System

The Gregory Sula 16 excels with regards to its hydration system. The 3L hydration reservoir options an excellent full-length deal with, which made it straightforward to fill, clear, and deal with with out slipping. The design ensures that even when your fingers are moist or soiled, the bladder received’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 appreciated 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. Nevertheless, the button to detach the hose is a bit stiff, which may make it more durable to take away rapidly if wanted. The chew valve didn’t leak on us throughout the hike. It was straightforward to stow away with the sturdy magnet attachment to the sternum strap and didn’t get knocked off whereas mountain climbing. 

We discovered the aspect pocket was not barely sufficiently big to suit a Nalgene bottle when the pack was full. This may very well be problematic for individuals who favor to hold each a hydration bladder and a standard water bottle, However, with a 3L bladder capability, that is solely a minor concern. 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. However, the hydration system is simple to make use of and really efficient for staying hydrated on quick hikes.

Compartments

The Sula 16 is pretty minimalist in its design, nevertheless it nonetheless gives sensible storage choices for a 16L pack. The primary compartment was spacious sufficient to hold our necessities, even for a winter hike. The hip pockets have been significantly helpful to simply entry smaller objects like our cellphone, snacks, and power gels. These pockets are roomy and may comfortably accommodate most small necessities. 

The exterior small pocket features a key clip, which is a considerate function for securing our keys to the automobile. The pocket itself is considerably small and stiff however suits our small cellphone effectively together with a bar. We most well-liked 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 total design is easy, with simply sufficient cupboard space for day hikes, nevertheless it may be a decent match if you happen to’re trying to carry further gear. Total, it’s useful and well-organized, however don’t count on massive compartments or extreme storage.

Waterproofing

The Sula 16 performs moderately effectively with regards to preserving your gear dry in gentle 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 the most effective packs for rain rain safety across the hydration hose, stopping water from stepping into the system. Different packs permit extra water seepage by means of the hydration compartment and thus the primary 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 means of the zippers. In heavier rainfall, this pack wouldn’t keep dry inside, however on a shorter hike with gentle rain – like many hikes in Washington – the pack would provide first rate safety. For those who’re heading into extra unpredictable situations, you may need to take into account including a rain cowl or utilizing waterproof luggage on your electronics and valuables. Nevertheless, for gentle or temporary publicity to rain, the Sula 16 will preserve 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 stand up to common use. The mesh again panel is extra strong than different packs we examined and didn’t simply snag on rocks and particles alongside the path. The zippers run easily, providing quick access to the compartments with out catching or jamming, which is a vital 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 could not maintain up in addition to extra heavy-duty backpacks. Nonetheless, for its meant goal—quick hikes, every 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 gentle sufficient to make your hike a breeze. This makes it an excellent alternative for fast outside actions the place you don’t have to haul round heavy gear. Gregory has fastidiously engineered the pack to stability weight and capability. Weighing a half-pound greater than the Gregory Swift 16 pack,  it’s not the lightest available on the market, nevertheless it gives loads of house and performance for brief hikes or every day use. Retaining our masses restricted to 10 kilos, the pack felt gentle to hold and cozy on the physique. 

Whether or not you’re heading out for a day hike or simply need a pack to hold necessities on a run or bike trip, the Sula 16 makes carrying gear easy. It’s not overly padded or loaded with extreme options. However that’s a part of its attraction—gentle, easy, and efficient for its meant 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 a super alternative for anybody in search of a minimalist pack that also gives all the pieces you want for a day open air. Its hydration system is top-notch, the match is snug, and the compartments are organized with out being overwhelming.

Although it might not be as customizable when it comes to shoulder strap changes or as massive as another packs, it’s completely suited to carrying the necessities on shorter adventures. Whether or not you’re out for a hike, bike trip, or a run, the Sula 16 gives dependable hydration and considerate options to make your outside expertise simpler and extra satisfying.

What Different Hydration Packs Ought to You Take into account?

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 Overview: The Gregory Juno/Citro 24 H2O gives 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 ideally suited for prolonged adventures the place carrying further gear is important.

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

Deuter Velocity Lite 13 Overview: Tremendous compact, the Deuter Velocity Lite 13 is a superb various 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 pace on shorter, lighter hikes.