TEST: With a volume of 5 L, the Picture Off Trax Waistpack is one of the larger hip bags. Instead of a hydration bladder, there is space for two bottles. You can find out how the hipbag performs on the trail here.
Picture Off Trax Waistpack review
The Picture Off Trax Waistpack seems quite soft at first glance and may raise the question of whether such a hip pack can sit stably on the trail. Spoilers: yes. With a volume of 5 L, it offers more storage space than the average. Since the hip bag does not have a hydration bladder, there is even more space available. Liquids of all kinds can be accommodated in two bottle compartments. The interior is simple but functional, the compartments can be opened wide. A holder for protectors is particularly interesting for tours with longer climbs. On the fins of the hip bag there is only one compartment with an elastic band - here potential space for another compartment seems almost wasted.
In production, Picture relies partly on recycled material and tries to produce as sustainably as possible. The company from France is quite transparent with the corresponding data and information around.
Facts & figures
| weight empty | 266 g |
| Weight including hydration bladder | - |
| hip circumference approx | 78 - 138 cm |
| Hip pocket volume | 5 L |
| Hydration bladder included | no |
| volume of the hydration bladder | - |
| Hose outlet left / right | - |
| length of hose | - |
| Compartment for bottle | yes, on both sides |
| Attachment option for protectors | ja |
| Price | €60 |
| Price (replacement) bladder | - |
Compartment layout & inner workings
The main compartment of the Picture Off Trax Waistpack can be opened very wide. The hip bag can therefore be loaded and unloaded very easily. Inside you will find two mesh pockets - one with a hook for the key, the other for a wallet or a few bars, for example. In the four double rubber loops you can attach things like CO² cartridges and a small pump. However, since the outside of the hip bag is very soft and yields, these items can slip out of the rubber loops if the bag is not full. Otherwise, the main compartment offers plenty of space and, depending on the size and fabric, holds two to three pieces of clothing.
The fleece-lined compartment for the smartphone on the back also offers plenty of space. In this position, it is well protected in the event of a fall, but quick and frequent removal turns out to be rather fiddly.
The two-sided pockets for drinking bottles, which can of course also be used for other things, are very pleasant. Bottles sit well and securely and can also be secured with compression straps. The pockets are well positioned - the bottles are not really noticeable on the back.
On the fins of the hip bag you will only find a mesh pocket with an elastic band on one side. This doesn't inspire confidence at first - but our tool never got lost during the test drives.
Strap & adjustment options
The wide fins of the Picture Off Trax Waistpack ensure good wearing comfort and a very stable fit. The sewn-in elastic band could be a bit stronger. The belt itself does not have padding, but is still quite comfortable in terms of wearing comfort. It can be tightened and loosened without any problems, but is only done on one side. As a result, the buckle will sit more laterally on people with large or small hips.
If there is only little content in the hip bag, it can be compressed a little with the straps of the protector and bottle holder. But small things still have enough room to fly around.
In action & on the trail
When the hip bag is medium full, it fits very well - but if it is bulging, the back becomes a bit round and no longer fits perfectly. Here it can wobble a bit, otherwise the fit is good to very good. As mentioned, the limited compression option with little content is somewhat disadvantageous. However, this problem solves itself with a piece of clothing in the bag. Heavy drinking bottles sit securely and do not get in the way - this is how you want bottles to be stored. The protector holder of the hip bag is well placed. However, the protectors have to be threaded into the straps - straps with hooks or buckles would be more practical here. Except for the smartphone, the contents of the bag are easy to access.
