REVIEW: Camelbak MILTAC M.U.L.E.

It has been two years again - we presented you with the last Camelbak hydration pack (Review HERE). Time for a new addition to the team: The Camelbak MILTAC M.U.L.E. - we tested it for you.

The M.U.L.E. is a lot smaller compared to the H.A.W.G. It has a load volume of just eight liters, plus three liters of liquid in the hydration bladder. This is exactly what the smaller size is designed for, as a short mission backpack with some additional capacity.

The Camelbak M.U.L.E. is 44cm high, 22cm wide, and 20cm deep. Its slim shape and shallow depth make it the ideal companion for short missions and tight environments. The weight is 880 grams, thanks in part to the 500d Cordura from which the pack is made.

With such a small pack, there is no carrying system, but the back and shoulder straps are padded with 7mm thick EVA foam. To further increase comfort, there is a detachable, height-adjustable chest strap and a waist strap for fixation included.

The shoulder straps are equipped with D-rings and loops for the hydration tube. For quick release, there are Fastex buckles imprinted with the Camelbak logo.

The long straps can be fastened together with Velcro on the shoulder strap.

The mentioned capacity of eight liters is divided into three compartments: The main compartment, which also contains the hydration bladder, an upper attachment, and a lower attachment compartment.

The attached upper compartment is no longer padded compared to previous M.U.L.E. versions, but it is much larger. On the outside, above the Camelbak logo, there is a wide Velcro area for patches.

The compartment can be opened with a two-way zipper and has no further partitioning.

The lower compartment is equipped on the outside with the so-called "Composite MOLLE" by Camelbak, a laser-cut MOLLE system. There are nine rows with four slots each, where additional pockets can be attached. Without pockets, especially on the black M.U.L.E., the MOLLE system is barely noticeable.

When opening the lower compartment, you'll encounter the typical Camelbak organizer: a radio pocket, space for pens or similar items, and a large compartment that can fit a tablet, for example.

The lid itself has a large mesh pocket on the inside, which can be opened with a zipper. Inside, there is also a small hook that can serve as a key holder.

The main compartment is behind the attached pockets. Here, a large portion of the volume is taken up by the hydration bladder. It is secured at the back with a loop.

A pass-through for the drinking tube is located centrally above the bracket. However, that is not the only passage: in the hip area, there is a slot on the right and left, which allows the tube to be guided under the arm.

The Camelbak Antidote hydration bladder has not changed since the H.A.W.G. It still holds three liters of liquid, is made of BPA-free material, and has quick disconnect valves on the hose and mouthpiece for easy attachment. The bladder has a baffle in the middle to keep expansion in check when filled. The drinking tube is insulated with neoprene.

As a daypack, the M.U.L.E. is perfect for carrying fluids, a few energy bars, and some EDC gear. The back padding and shoulder straps make the pack comfortable to carry and even look good on a motorcycle with secure hold.

CONCLUSION: With consistently good quality, a taste-free hydration bladder, and a fair price, Camelbak hydration packs stand out. In our opinion, you can't go wrong with the M.U.L.E. and should definitely consider adding a pack of this size to your gear.

The Camelbak M.U.L.E. is available in Multicam, Coyote Brown, and Black at the MARINES SHOP. The prices are staggered by color: Black for €120, Coyote Brown for €125, and Multicam for €145. The hydration bladder is included in the set.

& nbsp;

& nbsp;