Gearhead Picks: Dakine Hot Laps 5L Hip Pack

The Dakine Hot Laps 5L Lumbar Pack is a great choice for mountain biking because of its compact size. In this episode of Gearhead Picks, Backcountry Gearhead and avid mountain biker Caleb Rio-Anderson  talks about why this lumbar pack is his favorite for biking. If you’re in the market for a lumbar pack, the Hot Laps is a great choice. After all, it’s a Gearhead Pick for a reason.

Hi and welcome to Gearhead Picks! I’m Caleb, a Backcountry Gearhead and mountain biker. When I’m going hard on the trail I don’t like to be restricted by a backpack. That’s why my favorite piece of gear this season is the Dakine Hot Laps 5L Lumbar Pack. 

This compact pouch is just large enough to fit a small set of tools and other essentials for shorter rides. It comes with a two-liter hydration pack and a long tube that’s easy to sip from on quick breaks. 

The back panel is ventilated to keep you cool when you’re climbing, and the whole pack is made from super durable ripstop material that holds up to the demands of a day on the trail. Thanks to an adjustable buckle that allows for a customized, comfortable fit, I never feel restricted by this pack while I’m riding. 

Two side compression straps prevent the contents from bouncing around, while the other attachment points let you strap gear, like your windbreaker, to the outside of the pack if it’s stuffed full.

Even though this pack is fairly small, I love how Dakine added internal organizer pockets to keep things like spare tubes, tools, and your phone easy to access.

Thanks for watching Gearhead Picks! Have questions about the Dakine Hot Laps Lumbar Pack or other mountain biking gear? Reach out to our Gearheads via phone or chat, or email Caleb directly at crioanderson@backcountry.com.