Camelbak M.U.L.E. Frame Pack & Stem Pack

Review by Erin Trail

Initial Impressions

Camelbak is a well-known brand that offers hydration products for outdoor activities like hiking, running, and biking. I had the opportunity to review their M.U.L.E.® Frame Pack with Quick Stow™ 2L Bike Reservoir and the M.U.L.E.® Stem Pack, designed for biking adventures.

Detailed Review

Both packs are made from recycled ECOPAK™ sailcloth with a PFAS-free DWR coating that boasts an IPX5 waterproof rating. They feature durable stitching and zippers with weatherproof shielding. The adjustable hook-and-loop straps ensure a secure fit to your bike frame, and the zippered pocket provides ample space for essentials like your phone, tools, snacks, and extra clothing while not adding much weight. Inside the main pack, two internal mesh pockets help organize smaller items. Both packs also have built-in reflective strips for improved visibility in low-light conditions.

The standout feature of the Camelbak M.U.L.E.® Frame Pack is the 2-liter water reservoir system. It includes a drinking hose that can be attached to your handlebars using the included hook-and-loop strap/clip or stored inside the pack when trail conditions are dirty. The reservoir features a capped fill port and an attachment system keeping it positioned toward the top of the pack, preventing it from collapsing as you drink.

Attaching the Camelbak M.U.L.E.® Frame Pack to my hardtail fat bike was straightforward, as the hook-and-loop straps are adjustable for different frame dimensions and cable routing. The pack’s size was at the limit of what my bike frame could accommodate, so be sure to check your bike’s measurements.  One thing to note: a full suspension frame would not work with this bag due to shock location. Camelbak provides the bag dimensions on the product page.  Once secured, the pack stayed firmly in place with no movement or bouncing during rides.

I managed to fill the reservoir completely and still had room for gloves, a tire pump, a few gels and a multi-tool with some room to spare.

Drinking from the tube is just like other Camelbak hydration packs and can be done while riding, but returning the tube to its handlebar clip may take some practice.  However, if the trail conditions are on the dirty side, I would store the drinking tube inside the pack.

Attaching the Camelbak M.U.L.E.® Stem Pack was equally simple using two hook-and-loop straps. I positioned the opening in front of my stem, but the pack can be mounted in different ways depending on your handlebar setup. The pack has a cinchable closure system to secure a water bottle. I tested both 20 oz and 24 oz bike bottles and they were a snug fit.  Alternatively, you can use it to store your phone, keys, or snacks if you don’t need additional water. The pack remains stable with a bottle inside; only significant bumps or rocks might cause minor jostling, but the bottle won’t dislodge.

The Camelbak M.U.L.E.® Stem Pack’s  tight fit makes retrieving a bottle a bit tricky. Perhaps Camelbak Podium® bike bottles fit better, but I didn’t have one to test. A 12 oz can fit comfortably with no issues.

Closing Thoughts

Both the Camelbak packs I tested performed reliably and are constructed with high-quality materials that repel moisture and keep stored items clean. The M.U.L.E.® Frame Pack with Quick Stow™ 2L Bike Reservoir provides plenty of hydration for longer rides and extra storage, while the Camelbak M.U.L.E.® Stem Pack offers convenient access to frequently used items. Overall, these packs are durable, practical, and effective additions to a hardtail bike setup.

Erin Trail

Erin Trail’s hobby is collecting hobbies. She’s a 5th Generation Coloradan and grew up exploring the outdoors on family camping trips and hikes.  Her first backpacking trip was at eight years old to Grizzly Reservoir – she proudly carried all of her own gear those 3 miles from the main parking lot to the Reservoir.

Erin is an adult-onset athlete who started as a Masters Swimmer and then developed into a triathlete.  She completed 5 Ironman races and nearly 20 x 70.3 distance Ironman races, including the World Championship in Lahti, Finland, in 2023.  Somewhere along her triathlon journey, she picked up a deep love of cycling.

Cycling encouraged her to see landscapes in a new way, learn new skills and to develop self reliance; now she often goes and does Type 2 rides just to see if she can do it.  She’s got all the bikes: gravel, mountain, fat bike, time trial and road.

She is even known to combine her love of camping and cycling and go off on solo 24 hour overnight bikepacking trips in the mountains of Colorado. In addition to bikes, she teaches yoga, lifts weights, skis, SUPs and has recently purchased a campervan.

Erin is a former Montana park ranger with a degree in environmental engineering.  She loves getting into technical details while putting her gear (and herself) through the paces. She shares her home in Colorado with her husband, Will, and her 3 cats (Zipper, Brewtus, and Simcoe).

2025 brings some exciting things.  Erin has qualified to be on Team USA for USA Triathlon and will be competing in a World Championship off-road triathlon in Pontevedra, Spain in June. To prepare for this event, she’s got several mountain bike races and training weekends planned in the months leading up to the big day.  Additionally, she’s racing Ironman Boise 70.3 in July.  Once her race schedule closes out in July, she’ll be moving to more adventure based activities (bikepacking, vanlife, and mountain bike festivals).

When not adventuring, she can be found on a sunny patio somewhere, drinking beers with her husband.