THE HIGH ABOVE CASCADIA HYDRATION HIP PACK REVIEW

September 15, 2026

With the rise in popularity of running vest-style mountain bike packs, the hydration hip pack felt to have suffered a decline. Hip Packs have long divided rider opinion, both for their looks and their performance on-trail, but there is no denying they are a neat solution when executed well. Enter High Above to the hydration hip pack world, in the form of their new Cascadia: a 4L-capacity cycling hip pack, with the ability to securely stow a 1.5L hydration bladder.

Cole and Robert have been logging the miles in the new High Above Cascadia to assess its performance, and it’s safe to say that they have both been thoroughly impressed.

ABOUT THE HIGH ABOVE CASCADIA HYDRATION HIP PACK

It took a while for High Above to nail down a design they were happy with for a hydration hip pack, with high standards set for the stability and comfort of the pack in use. The Cascadia is the design that finally achieved their high standards, landing on a 4L total capacity with room for a 1.5L hydration bladder.

The High Above Cascadia is manufactured with a proprietary M200 Molecular fabric, mixing UHMWPE and Nylon to deliver high levels of abrasion resistance and waterproofing without excessive weight. A YKK zipper offers reliable closure and waterproofing to accompany this fabric. On the inside, a 210D liner fabric is in place to add durability without bulk. The total weight of the pack comes in at 565g (1.25lbs) including the bladder.

High Above delivered the comfort and fit security with a foam-reinforced, stiffened back panel with padded wings wrapping around. The open-weave spacer mesh design ensures air can flow between the main pack and the rider’s back, helping to keep things cool in use. On the front, there is a mid-thickness strap with dual adjustability for the fit, and a Cinch Designs magnetic buckle for easy opening and closure.

Storage and organization solutions are well considered in the Cascadia. The main pocket features a sleeve for the hydration bladder, a large zippered pocket with a key loop, and two elastic pockets to keep tools secure. On the outer flanks, stretch pockets are provided for easy-access tools and snacks. And on the outside of the main panel, a “Just In Case” bungee cord can be used to carry bulky items such as knee pads or a jacket.

As for the hydration solution, High Above includes a 1.5-liter capacity double-baffled Hydrapak hydration bladder with the Cascadia. The hose features a magnetic attachment to keep it secure in use, and there is a locking valve to prevent leaks.

High Above offers the Cascadia Hydration Hip Pack in a single black and orange colorway, at a retail price of $169.99. As with all High Above packs, there is a lifetime repair or replacement guarantee for the original owner, giving peace of mind for your investment.

THE DIRT

We are huge fans of what High Above does, and are happy to confirm that they have delivered another great pack in the Cascadia. Hydration hip packs are tricky items to get right: a fully-laden hip pack can weigh in excess of 3kg (6.6lbs), but the surface area they can spread the load over is relatively small, especially compared to a backpack. As such, some clever design is needed to deliver the desired stability in use. The Cascadia confirms that High Above are intelligent indeed, with a design that carried itself impressively.

The shape of the Cascadia is relatively tall compared to some hip packs, with a typical amount of wrap around the back and flanks. The structured, padded mesh back panel provided good security and comfort when loaded, and it was only when the Cascadia was fully laden that any notions of instability presented themselves. By fully laden, I mean stuffed to the brim, with 1.5 liters of water in the bladder; tools, spares and snacks to be out there for 4-5 hours; and at times even a lightweight packable jacket under the bungee cord on the outside. Even with the capacity being pushed to the absolute limits, performance was acceptable, but there was a little “jiggle” present on more dynamic movements.

Any loadouts more modest than this, and the Cascadia handled them effortlessly. There was no ignoring the more concentrated load on the lower back that the hip pack delivered compared with the wider pressure distribution of a backpack like their Supernatural. However, it also came with less restriction to breathing and around the shoulders, less heat on the back, and a lower overall center of gravity.

The new Cinch Designs magnetic buckle was easier to use than the Fidlock buckle that featured on their excellent Venture 3D hip pack, and proved to be just as dependable. High Above offers a wide adjustment range, giving the pack a “one size fits most”. I found my happy length, added a couple of inches of adjustment potential, and cut the straps to eliminate any unnecessary excess.

The storage solutions within the Cascadia were sensible, with the 4L main compartment offering sufficient volume to pack the essential tools and spares for everyday rides, in addition to some snacks. The zippered pocket gave additional peace of mind for storing the important items, and the stretch pockets helped to keep smaller tools and parts from rolling around. The external pockets on the flanks were not particularly large, but offered space to fit a multi tool in one side and a bar or two in the other for quick access. Then the bungee cord, as found on their other packs, was a simple but very effective way to add effective volume to the pack. Carrying a jacket or knee pads was easy, and the bungee offered solid security.

We have had a few months rocking the High Above Cascadia, and so far it’s been holding up incredibly well to the abuse. Throughout testing, the items within have remained dry and clean. Mud continues to wipe off relatively easily; the zipper is sliding like day 1, and there is no discernible wear to the fabrics throughout. High Above builds products to last, and the Cascadia matches their usual high standards. At $170, the price point feels fair for a quality hydration hip pack with lifetime guarantee.

The Wolf’s Last Word

High Above have done it again, setting a new benchmark in the Hydration Hip Pack market with their excellent Cascadia. Offering impressive stability in use, quality materials, and well-executed design details, it’s worthy of the investment.

Price: $169.99
Website: Highabove.net