The North Face Enduro BOA Hydration Pack Review
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When it comes to innovation, The North Face Flight Series has been pushing the limits for years and the Enduro BOA is no exception. The new Enduro Boa hydration pack is a lot different from most running hydration packs, some will like it, while others may miss their traditional pack. One of the most notable differences on this pack is the transition from straight vertical straps on your shoulders to a harness system that is centered around the chest. When initially running with the chest harness system, it took some getting used, while also being a little challenging to find the perfect fit. One of the reasons for our difficulty is that the harness system comes together with 2 pieces of Velcro so when you want to adjust the fit, it takes longer than the typical pull and buckle system. Our tester, a male with a medium build, had to keep the width between the two shoulder straps at its widest setting, which makes us think that larger individuals will have a much harder time wearing this pack. Our tester was 175lbs and 6’0 tall.
To keep your fluid from sloshing around in your bladder, The North Face added the BOA system that tightens around the reservoir keeping it tight and compact. The bladder is pretty easy to take in and out of the pack and fills a volume up to 1.5 liters. For those looking to put in a 3 liter bladder for longer runs, it’s a tight fit if you want to add other equipment. To help keep your equipment ventilated, the pack has a partial mesh outer. Although this has a nice look to it, we like to have some water resistance to keep a spare layer or electronics dry and safe. The Enduro BOA comes with two removable pockets attached to the hip belt that can hold a phone, energy gels, bars etc. We found the zippers to be very easy to open and close when on the run which was nice when eating gel blocks every 20 minutes. One downside to the hipbelt is its velcro. We usually adjust our hip belts when on the run, so constantly changing the velcro was less than desirable. Another nice feature of the pack is the hose for the water bladder has a magnetic snap to it, so when you are done drinking, you don’t have to fumble around with it to find a secure location so the hose doesn’t bounce all over the place when running. All you have to do is let go and within a few strides the hose finds its magnetic home. With a MSRP of $119, we found the pack to be a little on the high side, but for The North Face lovers out there, it might be the answer for you.
Overall, we found the North Face Enduro BOA to have some room for improvement, so we suggest trying it on before you buy. For more information on the Enduro BOA and other TNF gear, please visit www.thenorthface.com or www.amazon.com/thenorthface.
Features of The North Face Enduro BOA
- – Unique E-VAP™ shoulder harness moves load and abrasion away from shoulders
- – Easy-to-reach shoulder-mounted Boa® dial provides liquid slosh control
- – Smooth and slick mesh breathes well and doesn’t abrade skin
- – Large exterior pocket for stowing a jacket, snacks, and other essentials
- – Form-fitting, stretch hipbelt with low profile Velcro® closure
- – Removable zip hipbelt pockets
- – 50 oz (1.5-L) Source® hydration reservoir with magnetic clip attachment system
