Price: $240
Sizes: One size fits most
Colors: Black and Glacial Grey
Hydration Bladder: 2-liter Hydrapak double-baffled reservoir
Total Volume: 6 liters (2L water, 4L cargo)
Weight: 20 oz (565g) including reservoir
Storage: External bungee system, two front stretch pockets, one internal zippered pocket with key clip, two internal stretch pockets, two integrated pump holders
Materials: 400D Challenge EPX shell fabric, 210D liner, YKK #8 waterproof zipper on main compartment
Availability: Online and retail
How obtained: Company sample
RBR advertiser: No
Hydration Pack: Gravel and Trail Tested
One of my objectives is to discover new brands at Sea Otter Classic, and High Above is one of those brands. A Seattle-based company, they have been designing mountain biking gear since 2012. Typically, what works for MTB translates perfectly to commuter and gravel riding. And that’s precisely what the company’s newly designed Supernatural Hydration Pack does. With its vest-style hydration pack design, this pack is built to be rugged, secure, and offers generous storage to tackle various cycling adventures.
Stay Organized with Storage Galore
Many hydration packs I’ve looked at don’t provide easy access to front pockets for storing a cell phone or nutrition. However, the Supernatural has two. On the right side is an open stretch pocket I can easily drop my iPhone 14 into while on the go. I found the left stretch pocket with its security flap nearly impossible to insert my iPhone 14 (in a case), using one hand.
There’s one large, four-liter cargo storage compartment on the pack’s back side, which keeps everything organized and prevents items from shifting around. Inside, there’s one compartment for the hydration reservoir, one zippered pocket with key clip, two stretch pockets, and two integrated pump holders (for tire and shock pumps).
An external bungee system, located along the outside, securely holds a jacket or MTB knee pads in place. The main storage compartment is accessible even while items are stored in the bungie system.
Secure, Bounce-Free Fit
Since this pack is designed with mountain bikers in mind, it has to be secure and not bounce around on the rider’s back. To accommodate riders of varying sizes and adjust to clothing layers, the Supernatural is a vest-style pack that utilizes side adjustment straps. Dual adjustable elastic sternum straps keep the vest securely in place while allowing for easy breathing. The placement of the sternum straps can be adjusted to suit your preference, allowing them to hit you across the chest in a location that suits you best.
Hydration System
The Supernatural pack comes standard with a HydraPak two-liter ELITE™ DSL double-baffled reservoir, which maintains a low profile when filled, increasing stabilization while riding. A magnetic hose retainer makes it easy to grab the bite valve with one hand for a drink and then quickly stow it out of the way. If you’ve used a HydraPak bladder before, you’re familiar with how its wide mouth makes it easy to fill, seal, and clean.
Warranty
High Above offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original purchaser against defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of their bags. This means if you have any issues impacting the functionality of a High Above bag, they’ll fix it for free. The company acknowledges that their packs are expensive, and it’s for a good reason; they should last a lifetime.
Some examples of what they’ll fix:
- Busted zippers
- Cracked buckles
- Hole in the fabric
Bottom Line
The made-in-the-USA High Above Supernatural Hydration Pack, at $240, is on the pricey side. However, the high-quality materials and construction are guaranteed to provide years of reliable performance. Taking a look at the company’s website, all 25 customers who reviewed the Supernatural gave it a 5 out of 5 star rating. Speaks volumes regarding the design and quality.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.