GERBER

Narrative: I was pleased to test the Gerber Reserve Pack. Immediately I was impressed with the design of the water bladder. The bladder is a semi rigid design which allows for easy cleaning and drying. Gerber states that you can also put the bladder in the dish washer. The bladder cap is screw on with an opening large enough to accommodate any size ice. The pack is insulated and does a fair job of keeping liquids cool.

The pack I tested was florescent green with reflective striping, making it perfect for running and biking. It was also light weight but of a durable construction. The waist, chest and shoulder straps held the pack secure to the body and did not interfere with movement. The pack was equipped with a small cargo compartment just large enough for bare essentials. Bike riders making long trips, requiring more tools and supplies may not find this cargo compartment large enough. It also will not accommodate a medium or large frame handgun.

The only major fault I found with the Gerber Reserve Pack was the connection of the drinking tube to the bladder. It connects via a plastic nipple on the bladder and uses a plastic clamp to secure it. The pack I tested leaked water at this point which soaked into the cargo compartment, resulting in my Berretta Tomcat 32 and wallet getting wet. Gerber needs to make improvements with this connection. Otherwise I found the pack to be a quality product.