Long motorcycle rides have a funny way of making simple things complicated. Water, for instance, is essential, but stopping every hour to find a bottle isn’t exactly the point of riding into the middle of nowhere. That is where hydration packs come in, and Viaterra’s new Singletrack takes the idea a step further by combining hydration with enough storage for the essentials.
What is it?
The Singletrack is a motorcycle-specific hydration backpack designed for riders who want to carry water and a small selection of essentials without wearing a bulky backpack.
It uses a low-profile design intended to sit close to the rider’s body, making it suitable for everything from highway touring to trail riding. The pack comes with a Hydrapak hydration bladder, an insulated drinking tube and a Fidlock tube-retention system.
How much can it carry?
The Singletrack has a total storage capacity of 6 litres.
The main compartment accounts for 5 litres and includes a flat mesh zippered pocket for smaller items. There is also a separate 1-litre front compartment with another mesh zippered pocket.
That means there is room for the hydration bladder along with things such as documents, tools, energy bars and other small personal items. A separate quick-access side pocket can be used for items such as your phone, wallet or keys.
There is also an external elastic bungee net, which provides somewhere to stash things such as gloves or a lightweight layer when you need them out of the way but don’t want to open a compartment.
What about the hydration bladder?
The Singletrack comes with a Hydrapak hydration bladder, rather than making the bladder an optional extra.
Water is delivered through an insulated drinking tube, while a Fidlock tube keeper helps hold the tube in position when it isn’t being used.
For riders, this is arguably the biggest reason to choose the Singletrack over an ordinary small backpack. You can drink while riding without having to stop, remove a bottle or reach behind you.
What is the DASH harness?
One of the Singletrack’s key features is its DASH, or Dual Adjustable Sliding Harness, system.
The harness uses a G-hook configuration to adjust its length and fine-tune the fit according to the rider’s torso. The idea is to distribute the load across the torso rather than leaving the shoulders to do all the work.
The pack also uses a Fidlock sternum buckle. Its magnetic mechanism is designed to make fastening and removing the pack easier, particularly when wearing motorcycle gloves.
There is also a Fidlock side-release buckle, which allows the pack to be removed without having to perform the traditional backpack dance every time you stop.
Is it comfortable with riding gear?
That is one of the areas the Singletrack has been designed specifically around.
The pack has a low-profile shape and uses a 3D Air Mesh back panel and harness, with airflow channels and perforated straps intended to improve ventilation.
ViaTerra says the design is intended to allow unrestricted movement even when worn over riding gear, including while standing on the footpegs.
The Singletrack combines X-Pac and high-tenacity polyester in its construction.
The pack also uses Hypalon, 3D Air Mesh, EVA foam and an elastic bungee cord, while the hardware includes YKK zippers, Fidlock and Duraflex components.
There are also 3M reflective elements integrated into the harness to improve visibility in low-light conditions.
Is it waterproof?
Not completely. This is worth knowing before you head into a monsoon ride assuming you’ve bought yourself a miniature submarine.
ViaTerra describes the Singletrack as water resistant, thanks to its X-Pac and high-tenacity polyester construction. However, only the waterproof quick-access side pocket is fully waterproof. The other compartments are water resistant and can allow water ingress during prolonged exposure.
So, if you’re carrying a phone or important documents and the skies open up, the waterproof pocket is the place to put them.
How much does it cost?
The Viaterra Singletrack Motorcycle Hydration Pack is currently priced at ₹6,999, inclusive of taxes.
That puts it above Viaterra’s simpler Marine Neo hydration pack, which currently costs ₹3,699, but the Singletrack also brings considerably more storage, a motorcycle-focused harness system and additional hardware.
Who is it for?
The Singletrack makes the most sense for riders who want hydration and minimal storage in one package.
It should appeal particularly to riders who spend long hours on motorcycles, adventure riders who don’t want a large backpack on technical sections, and anyone who would rather carry their essentials on their back than stop frequently for water.
It isn’t intended to replace a proper touring backpack. Its 6-litre capacity is deliberately modest. Think of it as a riding companion for the things you want immediately available rather than a bag for carrying half your house.
