I use both a shoulder pouch and an aquaclip on my backpack set up. And I've found that the aquaclip (with the addition of a bungee cord to stabilize the lower portion of the bottle) works better for me. The aquaclip allows me to carry a larger 700ml Smartwater bottle comfortably on my shoulder and can be hooked to my belt when I'm hiking without my pack.
Thank you for your review. I just bought Z-Paks water bottle pouch and another pouch that is exactly like the one you have but it’s it was advertised as a shoulder strap pouch not a water bottle pouch. The water bottle pouch has attachment point at the very top of it and at the very bottom and has two bungee cord securing straps for the Daisy chain as well as an elastic loop that goes over the top of the water bottle neck to hold it in place it’s also quite a bit longer to fit a Smart water bottle.
thanks for the tips. my zpacks aqua clip broke after 1 day so now looking for other options. I won't be buying this one in your review cuz I hate the forward leaning water bottle just like you! the sewn on super stretchy shoulder strap bottle holder on my Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor pack is the best I've ever used but I'm using only the Hyperlite 3400 pack now and finding another shoulder strap pocket that good is hard. I'll check out the Superior Wilderness Designs. Looks like their lycra shoulder strap pocket may work for a small water bottle.
I had to add additional support at the very top because it kept turning sideways when I had a pop bottle in it. The fix was simple, but for $25 I shouldn't have to "fix" it to properly hold a bottle. That being said, I really like it after the fix.
If you find one small enough to fit in the zpacks pouch it might work okay, but a hard sided bottle would generally work better. I can see soft containers being hard to get back into the pouch.
@@DanGoesHiking I would try another brand's pouch. Do you find it comfortable to carry water like this all the time? I have an Osprey exos pack with it's feature to carry your tracking poles but it seems horrible feature because my shoulders just can't stand that disbalance on one side.
I wear the pouch on the left shoulder and carry an extra 1L bottle in the right side pocket of my pack, so that seems to balance the weight a bit. It's still a little heavier on my left shoulder because of the pouch but I don't notice it. But if you find the imbalance uncomfortable you may need to use two pouches. I've seen others do this and it seems to work great.
Honestly - Your complaints aren't valid because you aren't using the item correctly. It is NOT for water bottles: "Shoulder Pouches are the ideal place to keep your small camera or phone in reach for taking quick photos. The main compartment of the shoulder pouches are a good size for your wallet, car keys, map, headlamp, mittens, sunglasses, candy bars, pack towel, GPS, or any other items you would like to have within easy reach. The pouches carry comfortably on your shoulder, and you will hardly notice them there."
You should've kept reading 😁 Their site also says, "A .5L bottle is also a nice fit and can help counterbalance your pack." I've seen many hikers use this for both gear and water and, IMO, I simply think there are better pouches out there for both those things for the reasons I mentioned in the video.
I use both a shoulder pouch and an aquaclip on my backpack set up. And I've found that the aquaclip (with the addition of a bungee cord to stabilize the lower portion of the bottle) works better for me. The aquaclip allows me to carry a larger 700ml Smartwater bottle comfortably on my shoulder and can be hooked to my belt when I'm hiking without my pack.
Thanks for the comments on the AquaClip! I'm hoping one will make it's way under our Christmas tree this year :)
I fixed my z packs with a chicago screw used in leather work. Attached the screw at the very top of z packs and right to the shoulder strap.
Good idea! Glad I'm not the only one experiencing that issue
Thank you for your review. I just bought Z-Paks water bottle pouch and another pouch that is exactly like the one you have but it’s it was advertised as a shoulder strap pouch not a water bottle pouch. The water bottle pouch has attachment point at the very top of it and at the very bottom and has two bungee cord securing straps for the Daisy chain as well as an elastic loop that goes over the top of the water bottle neck to hold it in place it’s also quite a bit longer to fit a Smart water bottle.
Thanks for sharing! Who did you buy the other pouch from?
Seems like the open top could be rolled up and tucked into the stretch mesh pocket, to close the contents up from moisture
The toggle is sold separately?
Thanks for this video Dan! :)
Try Justin Anderson water bottle shoulder net.
Thanks, I'll take a look!
thanks for the tips. my zpacks aqua clip broke after 1 day so now looking for other options. I won't be buying this one in your review cuz I hate the forward leaning water bottle just like you! the sewn on super stretchy shoulder strap bottle holder on my Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor pack is the best I've ever used but I'm using only the Hyperlite 3400 pack now and finding another shoulder strap pocket that good is hard. I'll check out the Superior Wilderness Designs. Looks like their lycra shoulder strap pocket may work for a small water bottle.
I had to add additional support at the very top because it kept turning sideways when I had a pop bottle in it. The fix was simple, but for $25 I shouldn't have to "fix" it to properly hold a bottle. That being said, I really like it after the fix.
Agreed! Glad you were able to find a fix.
Hmm , now I curious how soft flasks would work during lond distance hike but those pouches seem bad for such application..
If you find one small enough to fit in the zpacks pouch it might work okay, but a hard sided bottle would generally work better. I can see soft containers being hard to get back into the pouch.
@@DanGoesHiking I would try another brand's pouch. Do you find it comfortable to carry water like this all the time? I have an Osprey exos pack with it's feature to carry your tracking poles but it seems horrible feature because my shoulders just can't stand that disbalance on one side.
I wear the pouch on the left shoulder and carry an extra 1L bottle in the right side pocket of my pack, so that seems to balance the weight a bit. It's still a little heavier on my left shoulder because of the pouch but I don't notice it. But if you find the imbalance uncomfortable you may need to use two pouches. I've seen others do this and it seems to work great.
Great pts. Thank you
I think it's perfectly designed for its intended purpose.
I think you just sold me on the SWD products. Lol
I LOVE my SWD water bottle pocket
Honestly - Your complaints aren't valid because you aren't using the item correctly. It is NOT for water bottles:
"Shoulder Pouches are the ideal place to keep your small camera or phone in reach for taking quick photos. The main compartment of the shoulder pouches are a good size for your wallet, car keys, map, headlamp, mittens, sunglasses, candy bars, pack towel, GPS, or any other items you would like to have within easy reach. The pouches carry comfortably on your shoulder, and you will hardly notice them there."
You should've kept reading 😁 Their site also says, "A .5L bottle is also a nice fit and can help counterbalance your pack." I've seen many hikers use this for both gear and water and, IMO, I simply think there are better pouches out there for both those things for the reasons I mentioned in the video.
@@DanGoesHiking haha good call! I retract my previous statement. :) happy trails!
Haha, you too!
Truly an over-rated piece of CRAP. I hate mine with a purple passion