Link Hydro Pack from Skullcandy

The Link Hydro Pack from Skullcandy is a pack that campers and hikers will appreciate. There are lots of pockets, and it is well padded. It has a built-in water bottle with a drinking straw clipped in the shoulder strap, battery powered water-proof speakers for listening to portable music devices, and a mic in the shoulder strap for taking hands-free cell phone calls. It also has a sturdy rubberized carrying handle. MSRP: $149.95.

I was impressed with the Link Hydro Pack right out of the box. It seemed somewhat small until I realized it was expandable. The back zipper, when opened, allows the pack to expand making it about four inches deeper. There are small pockets on either side for carrying and connecting a cell phone and an MP3 player or other music device. I own an IPod Shuffle. The instructions for installing batteries for the amplifier and connecting an MP3 player are easy. I was listening to music through the strap speakers in just a couple minutes. Even at full volume it's not really loud to others not in near proximity. You can also listen through headphones so as not to disturb others. I don't own a cell phone, so I couldn't test that feature. I'm sure it will work just fine for those who feel that they must stay connected to the outside world while they're hiking in the woods.

Between the pack and your back is a compartment that holds a flexible plastic water bottle. There is a tube connected to the bottle that clips to the outside of the shoulder strap, so you can get a drink while hiking. It seems to be a one liter bottle, which can also be removed for washing.

The pack has good zippers and is constructed well with durable materials. It also has a thick, soft rubber carrying handle for those times when you take the pack off. However, when it comes to the waist strap, I would have expected better. The strap is narrow and thin, meaning a full pack will begin to rub and wear uncomfortably on long hikes. The belt latches weren't very good, and the belt slipped a lot. A padded snug waist belt would have made this pack perfect. Aside from the belt problem, the Link Hydro Pack has adequate storage and lots of built-in creature comforts.