If you don’t need a full-sized waist pack and want to streamline your mid-ride essentials down to a few tools, Dakine’s Hot Laps Stealth is an excellent option to carry under the jersey – and it even has a dedicated phone pouch.
The name says it clear, and not just the choice of colours: The Dakine Hot Laps Stealth is almost flat and wraps snug around the waist despite the light padding. Sharing an almost identical footprint with its larger Hot Laps 2 sibling, unlike most minimalist race packs the Stealth version of Dakine’s mtb-specific fanny pack features a multitude of compartments – which extends the area of application of the small pack significantly.
The hip fins house two mesh compartments, one with a zipper and one with an elastic rubber strap. The rear of the main compartment is split in two. The highlight: both compartments are lined with fleece and can hold a large iPhone 7 Plus with its case. Thanks to its longitudinal orientation, the phone compartment runs parallel to the back and prevents the phone from pressing into it. Just above the second compartment there’s a key holder which can be stowed away to prevent rattling noises. A separate elastic rubber band runs across the entire width of the bag and holds in place a minitool, a CO2 cartridge and other small parts. This way, every item has its own place and cannot move around. On the front section of the Hot Laps Stealth there’s another open compartment for an energy bar or a wrapper. Here we wouldn’t stow anything else other than that, because the pocket is made pretty loose and heavier items could easily fall out, especially when putting on or taking off the pack.
In terms of comfort, there’s very little to complain about. The Dakine Hot Laps Stealth may not fit as perfect as the EVOC RACE BELT, but is just as easy to adjust with the practical side buckle. Also, the pack is almost as comfortable so you won’t notice that you’re wearing it, even when fully loaded. While the bag sits firmly on the hips, you should wear the belt relatively low to allow for an ideal fit. However, this also means that it will probably show under the jersey a little.
With a very slim price of € 35, there’s not much that can go wrong with the Dakine Hot Laps Stealth. All in all, the fit and stability are impeccable and the large number of well-cut compartments also make it a very versatile option. Also, it’s the only super slim fanny pack that comes with a fully fledged phone compartment. A great option for riders who’re happy to to carry just the bare trail essentials but still want to be flexible.
Conclusions
The Dakine Hot Laps Stealth is a little less race-oriented and not quite as comfortable as the EVOC RACE BELT. In return it’s even more versatile. With its well-sized compartments, there’s plenty of space for all common tools and, as a key feature, a fully usable fleece compartment for smartphones in all sizes. It’s a top option for everyone who doesn’t want to carry stuff in their shorts but doesn’t want a full-size fanny pack either. Our all-round tip amongst the four race packs in this test.
Tops
- Very good compartment layout
- Vertical phone compartment
- Plenty of space for its size
- Great value for money
Flops
- Not quite as comfortable and stable as the EVOC RACE BELT
- Loose front pocket
- Back padding absorbs sweat
For more information head to dakine-shop.de
The test field
Click here for an overview of the best MTB hip pack in test
All hip packs in review: Bedrock Bags Greysill Hip Pack (Click for review) | Bontrager Rapid Pack (Click for review) | CamelBak Podium Flow (Click for review) | CamelBak Repack LR 4 (Click for review) | Dakine Hot Laps 5L (Click for review) | Dakine Hot Laps 2L (Click for review) | Dakine Hot Laps Stealth | Deuter Pulse 3 (Click for review) | Deuter Pulse 2 (Click for review) | EVOC HIP PACK PRO 3l (Click for review) | EVOC HIP PACK RACE 3l (Click for review) | EVOC HIP POUCH 1l (Click for review) | EVOC RACE BELT (Click for review) | High Above Cascadia (Click for review) | High Above Lookout (Click for review) | High Above Das Radpack (Click for review) | ION Hipbag Traze 3 (Click for review) | Leatt Hydration Core 2.0 (Click for review) | Mavic XA 3L Belt (Click for review) | Mavic Crossride Belt (Click for review) | Mavic Deemax Belt (Click for review) | Race Face Rip Strip (Click for review) | SOURCE Hipster 1.5L (Click for review) | SOURCE Hipster Ultra 5L (Click for review)
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Photos: Andreas Maschke, Christoph Bayer