REVIEW: Camelbak H.A.W.G

When you are on the move for one or two days, you face the dilemma that a 3-day backpack is usually too bulky, while a normal hydration carrier would be too small. The Tactical Nylon Industry has produced a variety of packs to bridge this gap, and today we present the Camelbak H.A.W.G from SPARTANAT. (All images clickable to enlarge.)

With a 20-liter pack volume and a 3-liter water bladder, this backpack offers a good compromise between storage space and mobility. For those who need a few more cubic decimeters, additional pouches can be attached to the numerous MOLLE loops, although this can quickly lead to an unbalanced distribution of weight, so it should remain a temporary solution.

The pack itself has three compartments, one of which, as is customary for Camelbak, is reserved for the water bladder. Access to this compartment is through a zipper directly adjacent to the back padding. The compartment itself is insulated to prevent the water from getting too warm even in hot temperatures. In addition to the zipper, there are four other openings. One is located under each shoulder strap attachment, making it easy to route the hydration tube forward. A third opening allows the hose to be routed directly into the main compartment if desired, and the fourth serves as a drain in case the bladder leaks. There is also a loop inside for hanging the reservoir.

The main compartment of the H.A.W.G holds few surprises. There is a small loop at the top and on each side, allowing those who are really thirsty to mount a second hydration bladder here. Alternatively, a medium-sized radio can be stowed here and secured against the back. On each side of the upper carrying handle, there are covered openings through which antennas, cables, or water hoses can be routed. If the compartment is not fully packed, there is the option to reduce the silhouette using the compression straps, which are doubled on each side.

On the side opposite the body, the backpack has a small compartment equipped with the typical Camelbak admin panel. Here, various items can be neatly stored. Like the main compartment, this one also has a drain integrated into the bottom. On the bottom of the H.A.W.G, there are four loops for carrying sleeping mats, sleeping bags, or similar items.

The shoulder straps are attached to the backpack at the top using a simple wide strip of webbing, offering additional flexibility. The padding is rather firm but very compact without cutting in. If needed, a simple hip belt can be used. Overall, the backpack is well suited to be worn over body armor. A quick-release system for emergencies is also included.

Conclusion: For those who find a MAP too small but a three-day backpack too large, the Camelbak H.A.W.G is a good choice. If packing light, it can accommodate the equipment needed for two days, and with additional equipment (e.g. radio), it is sufficient for at least the essentials to get through a day. The construction is very good, as is customary for Camelbak, or to put it another way: what is good enough for the SEALs is also good for most others.

The backpack is available in different versions, which differ minimally (recognizable by the MOLLE webbing). The material is either 1000D or 500D Cordura. The pack comes in foliage, coyote, black, ABU, ACU, woodland, DCU, digital desert, and AUSCAM (and possibly other colors). Due to the many differences, the price range is very wide, on ebay.com you pay around USD 30 to USD 250, in Germany between EUR 100 and EUR 160.